[haroldeveryman]

“But while the Chinese government is open to Christianity, it also “wants to control Christianity.”

In that case, Christianity will not benefit China. The prosperity of the West came about through inventiveness of individuals that had its roots in Christianity. Western individualism came about because Christians believed that there were transcending laws and principles bestowed by a higher power that took priority over the wishes of their rulers.

The malaise that has begun in the West is due to a reversion to government control in the freest countries.

[Defiant]

Yes. The corollary is that the west's abandonment of Christianity will result in the west's decrease in prosperity.

Maybe the Chinese think that, although God does not exist, they will have to invent him.

[MrB]

Christianity and control by government over the individual are mutually exclusive concepts.

[scorchedearther]

Godless individuals and governments are devoid of the hope, inspiration and imagination that makes Christians ever more free to create.