Anonymous wrote:I mean, we can argue about whether Falun Dafa/Falun Gong is a cult or not if you want but OP is claiming that Shen Yun doesn't advertise itself as religious art and claims to have actually research before attending. The first search option duck duck go autocompletes to for Falun Dafa is "Falun Dafa cult" so I'm assuming OP's research was REALLY light.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, I thought this was going to be a thread warning us not to give money to a cult.

You're literally just offended by religious content onstage? You need to research every event you attend much more closely! There are many religions and they inform a huge swatch of art and culture and aren't always explicitly called out in the advertising.

New poster. THIS, above.

Also: If OP is going to get into a twist over this show, well, where does that stop? If the Kennedy Center boots this show because of the statements OP cited as being made from the stage, that would mean the Kennedy Center would be overrun by people who object to many other shows on many other grounds. The venue would be mired in endless debate over whether to present this show or that show, to the point of institutional paralysis. Have no doubt, the Kennedy Center (and every other venue) already vet shows before giving them the green light, so within Kennedy Center artistic administration someone has long since checked Shen Yun's shows out and was perfectly aware of the entire script. Feel free to file your objection with them, as is your prerogative, but don't think they were ignorant of the content, OP.

If you don't like religious content you find offensive, you'd better steer clear of most theater, period. And yes, even many dance and music performances. I'm currently finding a lot of anti-religious content in TV and films and other media objectionable to me personally, but I don't pitch a fit, or pretend I don't know it's coming, or fuss that it shouldn't be on stage or on screen just because I object to it.

This is another misinterpretation of my concern. I am upset that I was tricked into supporting a cult by false advertisement. Kennedy Center should know that they rent their stage to a cult that advertises the show as a cultural experience, but tries to spread fundamentalist religious propaganda.

Just ignore the nutters/trolls.

And write a letter to the KC. Maybe they aren't fully aware of the content.

Thanks, I will write the letter. I really enjoy the company of the nutters/trolls. They keep the topic alive and more people become aware of the scam.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, I thought this was going to be a thread warning us not to give money to a cult.

You're literally just offended by religious content onstage? You need to research every event you attend much more closely! There are many religions and they inform a huge swatch of art and culture and aren't always explicitly called out in the advertising.

New poster. THIS, above.

Also: If OP is going to get into a twist over this show, well, where does that stop? If the Kennedy Center boots this show because of the statements OP cited as being made from the stage, that would mean the Kennedy Center would be overrun by people who object to many other shows on many other grounds. The venue would be mired in endless debate over whether to present this show or that show, to the point of institutional paralysis. Have no doubt, the Kennedy Center (and every other venue) already vet shows before giving them the green light, so within Kennedy Center artistic administration someone has long since checked Shen Yun's shows out and was perfectly aware of the entire script. Feel free to file your objection with them, as is your prerogative, but don't think they were ignorant of the content, OP.

If you don't like religious content you find offensive, you'd better steer clear of most theater, period. And yes, even many dance and music performances. I'm currently finding a lot of anti-religious content in TV and films and other media objectionable to me personally, but I don't pitch a fit, or pretend I don't know it's coming, or fuss that it shouldn't be on stage or on screen just because I object to it.

How would OP "know that it's coming"?

Nowhere in Kennedy Center marketing does it indicate that the show is a performance by a religious cult.

Pretty sure the KC doesn’t issue any sort of trigger warnings about content. It’s just a venue. The show itself makes the religious content quite clear.

Are you some pro-China First nutter or something?

Where in the KC advertising does it indicate that it's a cult production? Link?

The only people who characterize Falun Dafa as a cult is the communist Chinese government, which led an oppressive and brutal crackdown on the movement 20 years ago. Your use of that term and your demand that the KC use the same label at the Chinese is truly offensive. You are literally advocating the same thing China did — silence them. Because what? Having your atheism challenged? My goodness, grow a pair already.

FYI: Religious people are typically afraid of a challenge because they have a hard time explaining away the creation timeline, talking snakes, floods, and arks. Atheists are simply tired of the evolution denialism that doesn't go away despite ample scientific evidence. The claim that evolution is not real because my book says so is not a significant scientific challenge, but a societal challenge. Your argument that I need to support some religious fundamentalists because they are against China doesn't hold water.

I don’t particularly know about what Falun Dafa believes or not, although I am sure it has nothing to do with snakes and arks.

I am just saying you’re pointing a finger and three point back at you. They terrify you for some reason — to the point where you want them silenced or their ability to reach an audience curtailed. Which is very much the same thing China did.

Who cares what they believe? If you can’t deal with the cognitive dissonance of someone expressing a spiritual belief, your own belief system is more fragile than you think. No one tricked you — Falun Dafa clearly identifies as a religious movement. You chose the word “cult.” That’s the same label the Chinese used to ban and silence and try to exterminate them.

Stop being such a terrible person.

I used examples from a religion I am more familiar with hoping that you get the point. I am not really terrified by religious people because we don't live in the middle ages anymore. I am surprised by their belief system and their ability to spread it despite no evidence. Believing in something without any support in reality is why a majority of Republicans believe that the election was stolen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, I thought this was going to be a thread warning us not to give money to a cult.

You're literally just offended by religious content onstage? You need to research every event you attend much more closely! There are many religions and they inform a huge swatch of art and culture and aren't always explicitly called out in the advertising.

New poster. THIS, above.

Also: If OP is going to get into a twist over this show, well, where does that stop? If the Kennedy Center boots this show because of the statements OP cited as being made from the stage, that would mean the Kennedy Center would be overrun by people who object to many other shows on many other grounds. The venue would be mired in endless debate over whether to present this show or that show, to the point of institutional paralysis. Have no doubt, the Kennedy Center (and every other venue) already vet shows before giving them the green light, so within Kennedy Center artistic administration someone has long since checked Shen Yun's shows out and was perfectly aware of the entire script. Feel free to file your objection with them, as is your prerogative, but don't think they were ignorant of the content, OP.

If you don't like religious content you find offensive, you'd better steer clear of most theater, period. And yes, even many dance and music performances. I'm currently finding a lot of anti-religious content in TV and films and other media objectionable to me personally, but I don't pitch a fit, or pretend I don't know it's coming, or fuss that it shouldn't be on stage or on screen just because I object to it.

How would OP "know that it's coming"?

Nowhere in Kennedy Center marketing does it indicate that the show is a performance by a religious cult.

Pretty sure the KC doesn’t issue any sort of trigger warnings about content. It’s just a venue. The show itself makes the religious content quite clear.

Are you some pro-China First nutter or something?

Where in the KC advertising does it indicate that it's a cult production? Link?

The only people who characterize Falun Dafa as a cult is the communist Chinese government, which led an oppressive and brutal crackdown on the movement 20 years ago. Your use of that term and your demand that the KC use the same label at the Chinese is truly offensive. You are literally advocating the same thing China did — silence them. Because what? Having your atheism challenged? My goodness, grow a pair already.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, I thought this was going to be a thread warning us not to give money to a cult.

You're literally just offended by religious content onstage? You need to research every event you attend much more closely! There are many religions and they inform a huge swatch of art and culture and aren't always explicitly called out in the advertising.

New poster. THIS, above.

Also: If OP is going to get into a twist over this show, well, where does that stop? If the Kennedy Center boots this show because of the statements OP cited as being made from the stage, that would mean the Kennedy Center would be overrun by people who object to many other shows on many other grounds. The venue would be mired in endless debate over whether to present this show or that show, to the point of institutional paralysis. Have no doubt, the Kennedy Center (and every other venue) already vet shows before giving them the green light, so within Kennedy Center artistic administration someone has long since checked Shen Yun's shows out and was perfectly aware of the entire script. Feel free to file your objection with them, as is your prerogative, but don't think they were ignorant of the content, OP.

If you don't like religious content you find offensive, you'd better steer clear of most theater, period. And yes, even many dance and music performances. I'm currently finding a lot of anti-religious content in TV and films and other media objectionable to me personally, but I don't pitch a fit, or pretend I don't know it's coming, or fuss that it shouldn't be on stage or on screen just because I object to it.

How would OP "know that it's coming"?

Nowhere in Kennedy Center marketing does it indicate that the show is a performance by a religious cult.

Pretty sure the KC doesn’t issue any sort of trigger warnings about content. It’s just a venue. The show itself makes the religious content quite clear.

Are you some pro-China First nutter or something?

Where in the KC advertising does it indicate that it's a cult production? Link?

The only people who characterize Falun Dafa as a cult is the communist Chinese government, which led an oppressive and brutal crackdown on the movement 20 years ago. Your use of that term and your demand that the KC use the same label at the Chinese is truly offensive. You are literally advocating the same thing China did — silence them. Because what? Having your atheism challenged? My goodness, grow a pair already.

FYI: Religious people are typically afraid of a challenge because they have a hard time explaining away the creation timeline, talking snakes, floods, and arks. Atheists are simply tired of the evolution denialism that doesn't go away despite ample scientific evidence. The claim that evolution is not real because my book says so is not a significant scientific challenge, but a societal challenge. Your argument that I need to support some religious fundamentalists because they are against China doesn't hold water.

I don’t particularly know about what Falun Dafa believes or not, although I am sure it has nothing to do with snakes and arks.

I am just saying you’re pointing a finger and three point back at you. They terrify you for some reason — to the point where you want them silenced or their ability to reach an audience curtailed. Which is very much the same thing China did.

Who cares what they believe? If you can’t deal with the cognitive dissonance of someone expressing a spiritual belief, your own belief system is more fragile than you think. No one tricked you — Falun Dafa clearly identifies as a religious movement. You chose the word “cult.” That’s the same label the Chinese used to ban and silence and try to exterminate them.

Stop being such a terrible person.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, I thought this was going to be a thread warning us not to give money to a cult.

You're literally just offended by religious content onstage? You need to research every event you attend much more closely! There are many religions and they inform a huge swatch of art and culture and aren't always explicitly called out in the advertising.

New poster. THIS, above.

Also: If OP is going to get into a twist over this show, well, where does that stop? If the Kennedy Center boots this show because of the statements OP cited as being made from the stage, that would mean the Kennedy Center would be overrun by people who object to many other shows on many other grounds. The venue would be mired in endless debate over whether to present this show or that show, to the point of institutional paralysis. Have no doubt, the Kennedy Center (and every other venue) already vet shows before giving them the green light, so within Kennedy Center artistic administration someone has long since checked Shen Yun's shows out and was perfectly aware of the entire script. Feel free to file your objection with them, as is your prerogative, but don't think they were ignorant of the content, OP.

If you don't like religious content you find offensive, you'd better steer clear of most theater, period. And yes, even many dance and music performances. I'm currently finding a lot of anti-religious content in TV and films and other media objectionable to me personally, but I don't pitch a fit, or pretend I don't know it's coming, or fuss that it shouldn't be on stage or on screen just because I object to it.

How would OP "know that it's coming"?

Nowhere in Kennedy Center marketing does it indicate that the show is a performance by a religious cult.

Pretty sure the KC doesn’t issue any sort of trigger warnings about content. It’s just a venue. The show itself makes the religious content quite clear.

Are you some pro-China First nutter or something?

Where in the KC advertising does it indicate that it's a cult production? Link?

The only people who characterize Falun Dafa as a cult is the communist Chinese government, which led an oppressive and brutal crackdown on the movement 20 years ago. Your use of that term and your demand that the KC use the same label at the Chinese is truly offensive. You are literally advocating the same thing China did — silence them. Because what? Having your atheism challenged? My goodness, grow a pair already.

FYI: Religious people are typically afraid of a challenge because they have a hard time explaining away the creation timeline, talking snakes, floods, and arks. Atheists are simply tired of the evolution denialism that doesn't go away despite ample scientific evidence. The claim that evolution is not real because my book says so is not a significant scientific challenge, but a societal challenge. Your argument that I need to support some religious fundamentalists because they are against China doesn't hold water.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, I thought this was going to be a thread warning us not to give money to a cult.

You're literally just offended by religious content onstage? You need to research every event you attend much more closely! There are many religions and they inform a huge swatch of art and culture and aren't always explicitly called out in the advertising.

New poster. THIS, above.

Also: If OP is going to get into a twist over this show, well, where does that stop? If the Kennedy Center boots this show because of the statements OP cited as being made from the stage, that would mean the Kennedy Center would be overrun by people who object to many other shows on many other grounds. The venue would be mired in endless debate over whether to present this show or that show, to the point of institutional paralysis. Have no doubt, the Kennedy Center (and every other venue) already vet shows before giving them the green light, so within Kennedy Center artistic administration someone has long since checked Shen Yun's shows out and was perfectly aware of the entire script. Feel free to file your objection with them, as is your prerogative, but don't think they were ignorant of the content, OP.

If you don't like religious content you find offensive, you'd better steer clear of most theater, period. And yes, even many dance and music performances. I'm currently finding a lot of anti-religious content in TV and films and other media objectionable to me personally, but I don't pitch a fit, or pretend I don't know it's coming, or fuss that it shouldn't be on stage or on screen just because I object to it.

How would OP "know that it's coming"?

Nowhere in Kennedy Center marketing does it indicate that the show is a performance by a religious cult.

Pretty sure the KC doesn’t issue any sort of trigger warnings about content. It’s just a venue. The show itself makes the religious content quite clear.

Are you some pro-China First nutter or something?

Where in the KC advertising does it indicate that it's a cult production? Link?

The only people who characterize Falun Dafa as a cult is the communist Chinese government, which led an oppressive and brutal crackdown on the movement 20 years ago. Your use of that term and your demand that the KC use the same label at the Chinese is truly offensive. You are literally advocating the same thing China did — silence them. Because what? Having your atheism challenged? My goodness, grow a pair already.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, I thought this was going to be a thread warning us not to give money to a cult.

You're literally just offended by religious content onstage? You need to research every event you attend much more closely! There are many religions and they inform a huge swatch of art and culture and aren't always explicitly called out in the advertising.

New poster. THIS, above.

Also: If OP is going to get into a twist over this show, well, where does that stop? If the Kennedy Center boots this show because of the statements OP cited as being made from the stage, that would mean the Kennedy Center would be overrun by people who object to many other shows on many other grounds. The venue would be mired in endless debate over whether to present this show or that show, to the point of institutional paralysis. Have no doubt, the Kennedy Center (and every other venue) already vet shows before giving them the green light, so within Kennedy Center artistic administration someone has long since checked Shen Yun's shows out and was perfectly aware of the entire script. Feel free to file your objection with them, as is your prerogative, but don't think they were ignorant of the content, OP.

If you don't like religious content you find offensive, you'd better steer clear of most theater, period. And yes, even many dance and music performances. I'm currently finding a lot of anti-religious content in TV and films and other media objectionable to me personally, but I don't pitch a fit, or pretend I don't know it's coming, or fuss that it shouldn't be on stage or on screen just because I object to it.

How would OP "know that it's coming"?

Nowhere in Kennedy Center marketing does it indicate that the show is a performance by a religious cult.

Pretty sure the KC doesn’t issue any sort of trigger warnings about content. It’s just a venue. The show itself makes the religious content quite clear.

Are you some pro-China First nutter or something?

Where in the KC advertising does it indicate that it's a cult production? Link?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, I thought this was going to be a thread warning us not to give money to a cult.

You're literally just offended by religious content onstage? You need to research every event you attend much more closely! There are many religions and they inform a huge swatch of art and culture and aren't always explicitly called out in the advertising.

New poster. THIS, above.

Also: If OP is going to get into a twist over this show, well, where does that stop? If the Kennedy Center boots this show because of the statements OP cited as being made from the stage, that would mean the Kennedy Center would be overrun by people who object to many other shows on many other grounds. The venue would be mired in endless debate over whether to present this show or that show, to the point of institutional paralysis. Have no doubt, the Kennedy Center (and every other venue) already vet shows before giving them the green light, so within Kennedy Center artistic administration someone has long since checked Shen Yun's shows out and was perfectly aware of the entire script. Feel free to file your objection with them, as is your prerogative, but don't think they were ignorant of the content, OP.

If you don't like religious content you find offensive, you'd better steer clear of most theater, period. And yes, even many dance and music performances. I'm currently finding a lot of anti-religious content in TV and films and other media objectionable to me personally, but I don't pitch a fit, or pretend I don't know it's coming, or fuss that it shouldn't be on stage or on screen just because I object to it.

This is another misinterpretation of my concern. I am upset that I was tricked into supporting a cult by false advertisement. Kennedy Center should know that they rent their stage to a cult that advertises the show as a cultural experience, but tries to spread fundamentalist religious propaganda.

Just ignore the nutters/trolls.

And write a letter to the KC. Maybe they aren't fully aware of the content.

Anonymous wrote:I mean 70 percent of what they say is true about Chinas government so what’s the big deal

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, I thought this was going to be a thread warning us not to give money to a cult.

You're literally just offended by religious content onstage? You need to research every event you attend much more closely! There are many religions and they inform a huge swatch of art and culture and aren't always explicitly called out in the advertising.

New poster. THIS, above.

Also: If OP is going to get into a twist over this show, well, where does that stop? If the Kennedy Center boots this show because of the statements OP cited as being made from the stage, that would mean the Kennedy Center would be overrun by people who object to many other shows on many other grounds. The venue would be mired in endless debate over whether to present this show or that show, to the point of institutional paralysis. Have no doubt, the Kennedy Center (and every other venue) already vet shows before giving them the green light, so within Kennedy Center artistic administration someone has long since checked Shen Yun's shows out and was perfectly aware of the entire script. Feel free to file your objection with them, as is your prerogative, but don't think they were ignorant of the content, OP.

If you don't like religious content you find offensive, you'd better steer clear of most theater, period. And yes, even many dance and music performances. I'm currently finding a lot of anti-religious content in TV and films and other media objectionable to me personally, but I don't pitch a fit, or pretend I don't know it's coming, or fuss that it shouldn't be on stage or on screen just because I object to it.

This is another misinterpretation of my concern. I am upset that I was tricked into supporting a cult by false advertisement. Kennedy Center should know that they rent their stage to a cult that advertises the show as a cultural experience, but tries to spread fundamentalist religious propaganda.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I mean, do you really want to go there dictating what speech the Kennedy Center should allow?

Do you think Twitter can ban Donald Trump from their platform?

Pp here. Of course it can. What a completely bizarre whataboutism tangent. How is it relevant? Is Twitter also authorized by an Act of Congress? Does it also receive federal funding?

Please explain more how the Kennedy Center is like Twitter? I am genuinely curious to hear your explanation.

I was not really thinking about Twitter being authorized by an act of Congress or receiving federal funding. I was thinking that both can regulate the type of speech that they allow. Just because you have freedom of speech, it doesn't mean that you are allowed to say everything you want everywhere you want.

Well, no, the burdens of First Amendment are borne differently by private enterprise versus recipients of taxpayer money.

But you went in a strange direction by making this some sort of First Amendment discussion. I wasn’t making any sort of freedom of speech argument. Your suggestion that the Kennedy Center shouldn’t stage something because you disapprove of its content is just bizarre. Your opinions aren’t valid and it’s not like it’s incumbent on the KC to validate them. No one made your buy a ticket. It’s one thing to say you were a clueless dumbass who was caught be surprise about the content and are unhappy about it. It’s quite another to insist it shouldn’t be staged at all.

I repeated over and over again that everyone can say whatever nonsense they want as long as they don't trick me into supporting their cause. You keep bringing up the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion, like that is what I have an axe with. I am aware that "the burdens of First Amendment are borne differently by private enterprise versus recipients of taxpayer money." At the same time, both can limit the type of speech going on on their platform / stage.

I intentionally brought up the idea of a group of moon-landing deniers staging a show about their belief and asked whether Kennedy Center should allow it on their stage. Given Kennedy's legacy, I doubt that the Kennedy Center would allow it on its stage. Would that offend your first amendment sensitivity?

By the way, you can look smarter if you use arguments instead of name calling. Name-calling is the last refuge of those who lost the argument and won't admit it.

Oh, honey. I destroyed you already. Why are you coming back to more?

You are illogical, irrational and falling back on tropes. Yeah, I called you a name. Because it fits. Deal with it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, I thought this was going to be a thread warning us not to give money to a cult.

You're literally just offended by religious content onstage? You need to research every event you attend much more closely! There are many religions and they inform a huge swatch of art and culture and aren't always explicitly called out in the advertising.

New poster. THIS, above.

Also: If OP is going to get into a twist over this show, well, where does that stop? If the Kennedy Center boots this show because of the statements OP cited as being made from the stage, that would mean the Kennedy Center would be overrun by people who object to many other shows on many other grounds. The venue would be mired in endless debate over whether to present this show or that show, to the point of institutional paralysis. Have no doubt, the Kennedy Center (and every other venue) already vet shows before giving them the green light, so within Kennedy Center artistic administration someone has long since checked Shen Yun's shows out and was perfectly aware of the entire script. Feel free to file your objection with them, as is your prerogative, but don't think they were ignorant of the content, OP.

If you don't like religious content you find offensive, you'd better steer clear of most theater, period. And yes, even many dance and music performances. I'm currently finding a lot of anti-religious content in TV and films and other media objectionable to me personally, but I don't pitch a fit, or pretend I don't know it's coming, or fuss that it shouldn't be on stage or on screen just because I object to it.

How would OP "know that it's coming"?

Nowhere in Kennedy Center marketing does it indicate that the show is a performance by a religious cult.

Pretty sure the KC doesn’t issue any sort of trigger warnings about content. It’s just a venue. The show itself makes the religious content quite clear.

Are you some pro-China First nutter or something?