Published in the local Houston edition of The Epoch Times.
A film about the killing of prisoners of conscience for their organs in China deeply moved attendees at the 2016 Medicine and Religion Conference held the weekend of March 4 in Houston.
Health care practitioners, scholars, religious community leaders, and students were gathered to address questions associated with the theme “Approaching the Sacred: Science, Health, and Practices of Care.”
The event gave a unique platform for diverse perspectives on medical practices with respect to religious traditions. Rather than placing medicine and religion in opposition, experts led discussions on the vulnerability of the doctor–patient relationship, how religion relates to the practice of medicine, and the complementary qualities of both.
The documentary “Hard to Believe” provided a poignant example of how medical practice can become a tool of abuse when not held in check by ethical standards. Currently broadcasting across America on PBS television stations, the film was represented at the conference by Swoop Films PR coordinator Yulia Felton. “Hard To Believe” investigates how tens of thousands of practitioners of the traditional Chinese spiritual discipline of Falun Gong became subject to a campaign of dehumanization by the Communist state. is led to mass imprisonment, abuse and torture.
In prison, practitioners of Falun Gong found they were singled out for blood testing, which the movie reports was a preliminary step to the murder of the practitioners through the harvesting of their organs. Although Chinese authorities won’t publicly disclose the source of thousands of organ transplants each year, international experts and investigators say the murder of prisoners of conscience for their organs is still happening today.
“Many were moved to tears,” said Felton. “Our film in particular resonated with those who offer their support to raise awareness of these crimes through their communities, universities, and hospitals.
“Various international attendees are now ready to spread the word and motivate their local communities to stop these horrific crimes,” she said. “[It was] a truly inspiring conference.”
