Othon 33,458 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 I've been seeing advertisements for Shen Yun everywhere over the past few months and never really had any idea what it was or why it seemed to be so popular. So discovering the New Yorker's new in-depth look into the history of the show was exciting... until I actually read the relatively disturbing details about what is essentially religious and political propaganda being performed by what the Chinese government refers to as a "cult." The New Yorker's piece delves into the show and the strand of Falun Gong that the performers adhere to, a religious strain founded by a man that believes that homosexuality and "promiscuity" are unnatural (), that people of different races will be separated in heaven ( ), that evolution isn't real ( ) and that aliens are controlling humans by making us dependent on modern technology ( ). The group also has its own paper, which publishes pieces along the lines of "President Trump: Build the Wall." The show itself is unbelievable: it includes a tsunami with the face of Karl Marx destroying a Chinese city, songs about the Chinese government kidnapping members of the religion and harvesting their organs (claims that are widely disputed), and dances condemning atheism and tying millennial adherence to modern trends (represented by young people wearing black and men holding hands ) to the destruction of "what makes us human." I mean... how is something this insane so popular? I don't think it's possible for audiences to miss the blatant political messaging given how overt it all is. Has anyone actually seen this show? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill 30,258 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 32 minutes ago, OG Gaga Stan said: I mean... how is something this insane so popular? I don't think it's possible for audiences to miss the blatant political messaging given how overt it all is. One of the following: 1. People enjoy the show itself and doesn't try to think through its meaning 2. They're actually in favor of the meaning Like they say, either one is terrifying Former First Lady of the United States. Now card-carrying member of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaLa 19,661 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 That's so crazy and interesting! I've seen soooo many jokes about this show, mainly how the advertising is eve.ry.where , but I don't know anyone who's actually seen it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinTrudeau 2,419 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 I've seen a show of it with my grandma and she loved it. I've noticed a few communist elements at the end (not the tsunami), but other than that, it was the first time I heard of those beliefs. I don't remember seeing those claims in the show (organs and homosexuality, etc), and I'm usually sharp on details. Maybe it's not the case anymore? Maybe the article exaggerated? Maybe it's a mock of our current political views? It is a pretty show, and it changes the script (to a degree) every year. I think the dances and costumes are worth supporting, and it's basically Broadway quality. I fell down the stairs once as an actor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenG 19,908 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 I've spammed with this ad on YouTube Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Bitch 10,513 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 I'm really not surprised. Nothing in this world can surprise me anymore. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin 915 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 I live in Oklahoma and I've been seeing their stuff all over the State for years now. They buy out many billboards, and have people hand out flyers to small business stores in every city. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gumzy3000 7,348 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 I’m really surprised how well this is known... Every year in Toronto around March I see there ads being bombarded on TV and billboards. I only thought it was a Toronto thing but I guess not lmao OP: That is kinda scary and weird. trolly troll troll Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dit 46,482 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 My friend who works in a local art center told me it was religious propaganda many years ago. She just watched it and knew it was so I avoided buying tickets ever since. I'm someone who admires Asian cultures in general and find them to be so fascinating but I won't support something that masks itself like that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LateToCult 40,906 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 Omg. A trump supporter I know was talking about how excited she was about seeing this in April in my city 💀💀💀 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emvee 8,413 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 I honestly thought this was just a San Francisco thing because of the large Chinese population Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KleinGa 18,177 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 this is extremely interesting. I want to see it now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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