Today Americans know freedom as the most fundamental right, so it is shocking for them to learn that there are countries that have no freedom. Americans know about the cruelties in the Middle East, but what about the atrocities in China? Under a communist government, everything in China is restricted, restricted and monitored. Miraculously, a religion emerged from the country and spread under the name “Falun Gong”. Falun Gong practitioners face persecution in China, prompting them to go abroad to practice in peace. Although it may cause conflict, America's strengthening of religious freedom internationally is crucial, as it will not only save millions of lives around the world but also preserve the United States' national identity as a defender of human rights. In 1992, Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Gong, began spreading the practice in China, and by 1998, there were more than 100 million Falun Gong practitioners. They came from all walks of life, from poor farmers to high-ranking officials, and they all strictly adhered to truthfulness, compassion and tolerance, their three most important principles. In a government survey conducted in 1998, Falun Gong “improved health, raised moral standards, and encouraged social stability.” As the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) became increasingly corrupt, Falun Gong grew, perhaps because its emphasis on righteousness filled a moral void created by profligate governance. A communist government is a government that thrives on being the only power. Believing it was competing with a powerful and ever-growing religion, the government felt threatened. They feared that the number of Falun Gong practitioners would eventually surpass the number of Party members, and once that happened... in the middle of the document it was quoted as "Context: Persecution of Falun Gong in China." Fofg.org. Friends of Falun Gong, n.d. Web. November 16, 2013. The Epoch Times. Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party. Gillette, NJ: Yih Chyun Book, 2004. Print."International Religious Freedom Act." United Nations. 1948. Network. November 16, 2013Roosevelt, Eleanor. Introduction. In Your Hands: A Guide to Community Action for the Tenth Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Np: np, nd No. page Print."United States Government." Faluninfo.net. Falun Dafa Information Center, May 25, 2008. Web. November 16, 2013. "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights." United Nations. December 10, 1948. Web. November 16, 2013 "Why is Falun Dafa persecuted in China?" Behind it is 09.wordpress.com. Behind Lies 09, December 8, 2010. Web. November 18, 2013. "A Young Falun Gong Practitioner: Kristine Feng." Personal interview. November 16. 2013.