Is There Persecution in China?

Ever since I came to work at VOM, I’ve learned there is controversy in the Christian world over how bad persecution in China really is. Some think it happens only occasionally. Some think it happens because unregistered churches aren’t adhering to Chinese law. Occasionally, a well-known Christian leader will visit China and proclaim persecution doesn’t exist.

So, does persecution exist? A Christian worker in China wrote last week, “We want the world to know what is happening in China. This is the worse I have seen. For the first time, they [the government] are not targeting mostly leaders, foreigners and Bible schools. They are targeting local churches, threatening to put common Christians in prison if they do not stop having house church meetings.”

The worker has studied persecution for 33 years, including 23 years working in countries, like China, that persecute Christians. He writes, “The situation of persecution in China is not ‘complex.’ It is simple. China is communist. The government wants to control religion. Persecution in China is mandated at the highest level of the government. They do this through the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) [the Chinese state church]. Through the TSPM, they control the venue, the leader and the message. We are not against the TSPM. If a TSPM pastor preaches the gospel, we praise God that the gospel is being preached. They cannot, however, preach the whole gospel; it is clearly against the law.

“To imply the house church members are rebelling against the government is a typical communist line of defense on the issue. Nowhere do the Scriptures command the church to obey the authorities who rule over them, when authority’s rules go against God’s laws. Jesus’ disciples said, ‘Is it better to obey God or man?' For Christians, the answer to this question is clear. We do consider, however, what kind of witness we show those in authority. We honor the government in every way possible. Many policemen have become Christians because of watching the faith of Chinese believers.

“Many believe that Bibles can be legally distributed in China. In some locations, very small numbers can be distributed. But it is illegal in China to distribute large numbers of Bibles in every province of the nation. Often, the police confiscate legally purchased Bibles when they raid homes.”

The worker finishes with these words: “Supporting those who are persecuted is vitally important for the church in China. We must all take the opportunity to pray, to give, to encourage and to battle for the truth.” 

I hope you will continue to be an advocate for the truth about what is going on in China and for our brothers and sisters there.

Comments

[Heidi Rafferty]

Bush? Who needs Bush? Has he done anything to help this situation at all?
Let's hope that President Elect Barrack Obama and his administration will take care of this problem and many others that have been woefully overlooked.
As to the comments from the poster in China, did you ever wonder whether people are being secretive because they may be in fear for their lives? This was not uncommon during the Roman Empire when Christianity was in its infancy. People are not doing anything immoral or wrong by meeting in secret. Why would that require government action? How can government security be undermined by a group of people who are just meeting to worship Jesus Christ as the Son of God?

[Ron]

I pray that President Bush will meet with members of the persecuted church, while he is in China. And take this opportune time while the World Is Watching, to answer once and for all, YES THERE IS PERSECUTION IN CHINA!!

[Epeuthutebetes]

"I know an Australian Catholic priest here who is very open about his religion, wears a crucifix openly, says mass in Chinese at the local Catholic church (without them 'controlling him') and has even met with city leaders about building about building a giant statue of Jesus (of all things!)."
All this means is that it's legal and accepted for people, especially foreigners, to label themselves Christian and carry Christian paraphernalia. But in terms of free exercise of religion, especially personal evangelism, Christianity is put under the heel of the regime.

"His view is that if he's open about what he's doing, there's no problem, he's even welcomed."
What he's doing openly anyone could do openly, that is true. But to act as if Jesus Christ is Lord over all aspects of life may lead to some controversial actions for Christians in China. I've posted some more about this kind of controversy on my own blog:
http://epeuthutebetes.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/roc-national-celebration-day-mmvii/

[Stephen Cronin]

I'm afraid I can't agree with you. I live in China and I know an Australian Catholic priest here who is very open about his religion, wears a crucifix openly, says mass in Chinese at the local Catholic church (without them 'controlling him') and has even met with city leaders about building about building a giant statue of Jesus (of all things!). He's even been written up in the Chinese papers, praising him for his work with the poor.

His view is that if he's open about what he's doing, there's no problem, he's even welcomed. If people try to hide what their doing, THAT's when the Chinese police crack down on them.

Sort of like what would happen in Australia with Muslims - if they are open about what they are doing, no problem. If they are secretive and try to hide things, then the authorities step in because national security by be undermined.

I live in a university city (a large campus with 80,000 resident students) and there is a Christian bookshop on campus!

China is a very large and complex country, which must be very hard to govern. I am sure that in some areas there have been cases of persecution, but in general there doesn't seem to be a problem here unless you are running around crying you're persecuting me!