Shen Yun warning

[Anonymous]

I've seen the adds for years and I finally googled the name. Everything I read was positive and I decided to give it a shot. What can go wrong in a show presented in a prestigious cultural venue like Kennedy Center? Big mistake. Relatively early in the show you learn that "Between atheism and evolution, Satan lurks." Close to the end, they make sure to send the message again: "Atheism and evolution are the Devil's deceit." As atheist and scientist, I was shocked that I ended up supporting a fundamentalist religious group, while the show is advertised as a Chinese cultural experience. I am not sure what options I have at this point, but I don't want to just let it go.

[Anonymous]

You Googled it and didn't figure this out before you bought the tickets?!?!? I've often wondered who pays to see that.

[Anonymous]

If you look at the “about” page on their website the depict religious paintings and then mention Falun Dafa which is a religious movement.

https://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/spirituality

I’m sorry you were disappointed but I’m not sure what you think you can do. They don’t hide the religious side of their performer from the audience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You Googled it and didn't figure this out before you bought the tickets?!?!? I've often wondered who pays to see that.

It was a mistake to just skim the results without reading something more in-depth about the show (like the New Yorker piece). I never thought that Kennedy Center would put such a crap on one of its stages.

[Anonymous]

this is a pretty well known fact OP. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shen_Yun

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You Googled it and didn't figure this out before you bought the tickets?!?!? I've often wondered who pays to see that.

It was a mistake to just skim the results without reading something more in-depth about the show (like the New Yorker piece). I never thought that Kennedy Center would put such a crap on one of its stages.

So you don’t think the Kennedy Center should allow performances with a religious theme or you think that all shows that have a religious element should have a warning like - Atheists beware. Religious discussion contained in performance.

[Anonymous]

Research scientist here. Please do more research next time, OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you don’t think the Kennedy Center should allow performances with a religious theme or you think that all shows that have a religious element should have a warning like - Atheists beware. Religious discussion contained in performance.

I never thought that I will ever hear on a Kennedy Center stage that atheism and evolution are devil's deceit. I have nothing against religious shows as long as they are advertised as such. I don't want to pay them to sit in the audience as they tell me that I am the tool of the devil.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You Googled it and didn't figure this out before you bought the tickets?!?!? I've often wondered who pays to see that.

It was a mistake to just skim the results without reading something more in-depth about the show (like the New Yorker piece). I never thought that Kennedy Center would put such a crap on one of its stages.

What do you think opera is, OP? I love the music of the opera, but the stories are chock-full of misogyny, murder, rape, incest and general mayhem. Women heroines are often killed or sacrifice themselves.

And what do you think classic literature is?
And what do see on the most famous statues and paintings?

A lot of great classical art has very shady storylines. I'm not saying this Chinese ballet is great art (maybe it is, maybe it isn't), but I'm saying the Western pantheon isn't all innocent either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you look at the “about” page on their website the depict religious paintings and then mention Falun Dafa which is a religious movement.

https://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/spirituality

I’m sorry you were disappointed but I’m not sure what you think you can do. They don’t hide the religious side of their performer from the audience.

Once you are in the audience, they don't hide the religious side. But they advertise the show as a Chinese cultural experience, not as a fundamental religious experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you think opera is, OP? I love the music of the opera, but the stories are chock-full of misogyny, murder, rape, incest and general mayhem. Women heroines are often killed or sacrifice themselves.

And what do you think classic literature is?
And what do see on the most famous statues and paintings?

A lot of great classical art has very shady storylines. I'm not saying this Chinese ballet is great art (maybe it is, maybe it isn't), but I'm saying the Western pantheon isn't all innocent either.

Is all that a good reason to misrepresent a fundamentalist religious show as a Chinese cultural experience?

[Anonymous]

The other funny thing is that they hate China. So even "chinese cultural experience" absent the religious bend is a lie. China locks Falun gong up because they are considered a cult

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Research scientist here. Please do more research next time, OP

I had no reason to believe it could be that bad (based on being housed in Kennedy Center). I learned my lesson and I will put more research in entertainment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think opera is, OP? I love the music of the opera, but the stories are chock-full of misogyny, murder, rape, incest and general mayhem. Women heroines are often killed or sacrifice themselves.

And what do you think classic literature is?
And what do see on the most famous statues and paintings?

A lot of great classical art has very shady storylines. I'm not saying this Chinese ballet is great art (maybe it is, maybe it isn't), but I'm saying the Western pantheon isn't all innocent either.

Is all that a good reason to misrepresent a fundamentalist religious show as a Chinese cultural experience?

They don’t lie, OP. It’s true the dances are culturally Chinese. They are being sneaky for sure, but I believe the real reason you’re seeing this group is due to the West supporting a lot of subversive anti-CCP groups, for obvious reasons. So blame your government

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you look at the “about” page on their website the depict religious paintings and then mention Falun Dafa which is a religious movement.

https://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/spirituality

I’m sorry you were disappointed but I’m not sure what you think you can do. They don’t hide the religious side of their performer from the audience.

Once you are in the audience, they don't hide the religious side. But they advertise the show as a Chinese cultural experience, not as a fundamental religious experience.

It’s not hidden on their website either.