Crosses and Crossroads?
January 28, 2008“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
