“It is estimated that there are about 500 million children in China. Every day at school and college they are taught that God does not exist and that to believe in Jesus is superstitious and unpatriotic. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to be taught from the Bible or encouraged to put their faith in God. It is also illegal to print any Christian literature for children.” From Open Doors
It’s been over a month now since I began my quest and I am proud to report that I have bought not one thing from China, except for a candle from White Barn Candle Co. for a friend’s birthday that apparently had its metal top “Assembled in China”. I only discovered my mistake in the very fine print as I was wrapping it and didn’t feel that a candle mainly made in the U.S.A ought to be taken back considering the birthday is very soon. Next time I will know. My life has not been affected as much as I thought it would be except in the area of purchasing clothing and with that I have not bought any clothes since before Christmas (and for now, I think that is a good thing).
I’ve been thinking a lot about children in China and about missions, particularly Christian missions, in the country. My impression had always been that China, as a nationally atheist country (deemed so by the Communist Party), just frowned up religion but took little action against it. It was not until I was in High School and heard a moving story at a conference about people who smuggle Bibles in to China or work as a part of underground missions did I realize the potential danger that surrounded various churches.
In the 1970’s the Chinese government loosened restrictions on religious groups within the country under the condition that they be registered with the state and also, follow all rules imposed upon them. There are three major groups: Three-Self Patriotic Movement, China Christian Council (Protestant) and Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (which disavowed the Pope). But, the fastest growing movement are unregistered house churches where Christians meet at “underground” services in order to have freedom to worship without restriction but also face arrest, interrogation, loss of property etc. if they are discovered. Time Magazine has a great article here
Also, in gearing up for the 2008 Olympics, government officials having been expelling missionaries left in right:
“This is the largest expulsion of foreign missionaries since 1954 when the Chinese Communist government expelled all foreign religious workers after taking power in 1949,” reported a VOM source. “At least five different mission agencies and sources within the Chinese government report that in February 2007, the government launched a massive expulsion campaign against foreign Christians.”
“In spite of the public face of religious freedom the Chinese government tries to convey through its state run system, the arrests of Chinese Christians, and now the expulsion of active Christian visitors is a demonstration of their true nature,” said Tom White, executive director for Voice of the Martyrs.
The government’s effort, however, is facing an uphill battle, because of estimates, reported by WordNetDaily, that 3,000 people are being added daily to the Christian church in China, mostly the house-churches that do not register with the government and therefore are considered part of those “evil cult activities.”
Last week’s reports raised concern over the house-church pastors who had been arrested, and now are facing possible sentences to China’s famous “re-education” camps, and about the half dozen house-church leaders who were arrested in one city. They are facing fines of about $1,500.
It makes my heart heavy to think of the persecution that exists in the world, especially in China.
Until next time . . .
Kate
Filed under: Past Attempts
It’s officially three days into the New Year and so far my life hasn’t been “interrupted” too badly. It appears that my wants for useless junk have significantly dwindled since becoming a ridiculously conscious consumer.
Example: I have a relatively minor obsession with the ever adorable Hello Kitty. My fiance has been less than thrilled with my desire for all things Kitty, but I’ve been happily indulged by friends and family for years (him too, I love my HK contact case). However this minor consumptive habit has never extended beyond notebook paper, band-aids (yes, I will proudly wear hot pink boo-boo hiders to my place of work), the occasional pillow or lamp, etc. However, I have been wishing after a HK toaster or toaster oven, in slight secret, after my black&decker lost it’s ability to perform a “timed toast”, which means i have to pump it up to 400F every time I need toast . . . and then stare it to ensure it never becomes charred or that my apartment doesn’t suddenly catch on fire. So, I am at Target buying body wash and there I see it— GLOWING on the clearance shelf: A HELLO KITTY TOASTER OVEN! Ahhhh!!!! I almost tripped in my excitement. The dials are pink and it has even more functions than the B&D. Plus, HK’s face is cutely plastered on the sides. AH! She’s just begging me to come toast bread and pizza rolls. “Kate, we would be such great friends! I know how much you love covering deliciously toasted honey wheat bread with butter and cinnamon!” And what else is there, eeks, a HK regular toaster that puts her face on the sides of bread, bagels or other delicious carb cakes. Not to mention the alarm clocks, hair dryers, 8 glass personal water dispenser…! My eyes were probably glazing over as I stared at the loot before me, clutching a massive container of Olay body wash.
Deep breath, I pick up the toaster oven and turn it to the side. Duh, “Made in China”. Hair Dryer, “Made in China”. I put the items back on the shelf, step back, turn around, and walk away. Woah, where did my self control come from? This is AMAZING. I know that my fiance breathed a sigh of relief when I told him of the feat later . . .mainly because the last thing he wants is Hello Kitty staring up at him everyday from his plate starting in June.
So I may add to my list of barred things– all items Hello Kitty, as I looked through everything that I owned of the HK variety and to my chagrin all displayed “Made in China”.
No more Burberry either. It appears that only scarves and trenches will remain made in England. So many memories too. My first grownup purse was Burberry (sadly out of commission now). I’m glad that I purchased my little, quilted jacket two years ago when the price was worth the artisan quality of “Made in England”. More and more “Luxury Brands” are moving the bulk of their production to mainland China and attempting to scheme up ways to avoid the “Made in China” tags while taking advantage of cheap labor.
Read about it here. And Another.
Next time, a more serious post about the repression of religion in China.
Best,
Kate
