There has been an increase in the harassment and persecution of known Christian leaders leading up to the Olympic games in Beijing. Christians are urged to pray for the persecuted church in China during the Olympic games and wear an armband as a reminder:
The chief of the Federation House Church in Beijing apparently isn’t someone the Chinese government wants reporters from the free world interviewing during the coming Olympics: He and his wife have been expelled from the city and now apparently are living on the streets, according to Christian ministries who are asking Christians around the world to honor the persecuted church in China during the games.
The program launched by Voice of the Martyrs and China Aid Association asks Christians to wear armbands as a reminder to pray for Chinese Christians in house churches.
“We’re trying to let Christians know as the Olympics are here, let’s use this as a time to pray for China. As we turn on the television and see the sunset over the Great Wall, let’s pray for the church in China. As we see the teaming street scenes in Beijing, let’s pray for the church in China,” Todd Nettleton, a spokesman for VOM, told WND.
[...]
“Some well meaning Christian leaders would like you to believe that Christians are no longer persecuted in China,” the promotion says. “Chinese Christians like Anna would disagree. At the young age of 11, Anna has been persecuted for her faith. She has been run out of a Christian orphanage by the Communist authorities and refused admission to public school. She currently lives in hiding and attends an illegal underground Christian school. Anna, like many persecuted Christians in China, remains strong in her faith. She recently told The Voice of the Martyrs, ‘I think God must really love me. He has taken such good care of me.’”
Let’s remember to not only pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ but the others who are being silenced during this time when the Chinese government puts on a mask to hide all the ugliness that is going on in their country.
posted July 23, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I work with several young professionals in China and I’m always amazed at how fully they’ve bought into the system. “The goverment knows what’s best”. “It’s silly for Tibet to want freedom”. “The newspapar wouldn’t lie”. “America has a worse human rights record than China”.
Of course, most of these guys are many times wealthier than the peasants, so the system is doing them fine.
posted July 23, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Yes, we should pray for the persecuted Christians in China, but also for the persecuted Tibetan Buddhists (whose leader, the Dalai Lama, was run out of his own country), Uyghur Muslims, Falun Gong practitioners, and others in China who are persecuted for their faith. The Chinese government despises ALL faiths, not just Christianity. Thus, Christians and members of other faiths should emphasize with ALL persecuted people of faith, not merely those who identify with the same faith that they do. Whatever you may think of someone’s personal beliefs, the fact remains that they should not be run out of their own country because of them (unless they are terrorists, of course).
posted July 23, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Yes, we should pray for the persecuted Christians in China, but we should also pray for the persecuted Tibetan Buddhists (whose leader, the Dalai Lama, was run out of his own country), Uyghur Muslims, Falun Gong practitioners (the government has a habit of killing them and harvesting their organs), and others in China as well. The Communist Chinese government despises ALL faiths, not just Christianity (which is ironic since Communism is somewhat of a replacement for religion for the Chinese leaders). People of faith should emphasize with ALL other people of faith who are persecuted, not merely those who identify with the same faith they do. Whatever you may think of someone’s personal beliefs, the fact remains that they should not be run out of their own country because of them (unless they are a terrorist, of course).
posted July 23, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I’d say it’s about as hard to get an accurate picture of the Church in China as it is getting a sense of progress in Iraq … maybe even harder …
But the Chinese people appear to be swimming in Bibles:
http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2007/12/13/more-evidence-of-bibles-in-china/
And the line between the state-approved church and the underground church is blurring.
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/print/0701898.htm
Is the blurring a good thing or a bad thing?
People of faith should emphasize with ALL other people of faith who are persecuted, not merely those who identify with the same faith they do.
This sentiment bears repeating.
posted July 24, 2008 at 8:46 am
The government of China has demonstrated for decades their disregard for all aspects of human rights. Yet American corporations continue to invest in that country, strengthening the Communists’ hand in controlling the lives of their citizens.
Why do we continue to do business with them? When does it become time to move beyond prayer and towards taking action, such as boycotts and pushing our own government to provide pressure?
James 2:14-16
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
posted July 25, 2008 at 1:42 am
Dear Ladies (“Reformed Chicks Babbling”),
Let me commend you for bringing attention to the plight of the Christians in China. I think you’re the only blog here on beliefnet that has done so in any significant way.
To be candid, I sort of stumbled here a few minutes ago somewhat by accident. As an orthodox-minded Roman Catholic, I have pretty much tended towards Rod Dreher’s blog (“Crunchy Con”) though I also find Michael Waldman’s blog interesting and thoughtful.
But I find your views here quite refreshing. Keep up the great work!
Thanks again for bringing attention to the plight of the Christians in China. How ironic that as we move closer to the date of the Olympic opening ceremonies (8-8-08) the noose is tightening over there around the necks of the people. So much for the assurances which the Beijing regime gave to the International Olympic Committee before they choose Beijing to host the 2008 Summer Games.
posted July 25, 2008 at 2:15 am
Steven Waldman’s blog, NOT “Michael” Waldman’s blog. What a dumb error on my part.
posted July 25, 2008 at 1:39 pm
There are “official” churches and underground churches. The underground churches are the ones subject to persecution. In general, things have been improving for religious people in China, but I think that the government is tightening up on everything in preparation for the Olympics.
I agree that people should be allowed to worship as they see fit, but I also think western evangelical groups should stop sending covert missionaries to try and convert people. I have nothing against providing bibles and support to existing Christian communities, but they should not be recruiting non-christians.
posted August 19, 2008 at 1:24 am
Take a look at Acts 5:29-29 -
“Act 5:28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
Act 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Also, see Matthew 28:19-20 -
‘Mat 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.’
We have a Scriptural mandate to recruit non-Christians! Not violently, but through the truth and love of God. We also have a mandate to suffer for Him:
’2Ti 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,’
Matthew 6:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23
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