Posted on 04/15/2025 10:13:23 AM PDT by Rev M. Bresciani
“Official” or “authorized” churches operate relatively freely. The main restriction is that they must recognize and respect the government and its Marxist trappings. “Home” churches are unauthorized and those who run them risk prosecution. As far as I know and have seen (I’ve lived in China, worshipped in China, and have studied China in my profession), no one is persecuted simply for practicing “mainstream” faith - so long as they do not proselytize or challenge the established regime.
Much is made of the Uighur situation. But my own understanding and opinion is that whatever oppression exists results mainly from China’s fear of rebellion and terrorism, coupled with the resistance of many Uighurs to social integration. Nonetheless, a huge Uighur population still lives (relatively speaking) freely in NW China.
Perhaps I’ll be flamed for these observations, but I offer them honestly based on experience and study.
If it matters, despite my handle, I’m not Chinese.
Misleading, as it leaves out "legally" as only state-sanctioned bookstores can legally sell them, and only state-approved translations. , research says:
Can you own a Bible in China? - Resto NYC The Chinese government regulates the printing and distribution of Bibles through state-sanctioned churches and religious organizations. .. Owning an illegally printed Bible could potentially get someone in trouble with authorities. ... It is illegal to sell Bibles through unofficial channels like flea markets, street vendors, or independent bookstores and websites. Certain controversial verses may be removed from Bibles printed by the government-sanctioned Amity Press.
Proselytizing with Bibles in public places outside of approved church grounds may result in confiscation along with fines or detention.
Selling Bibles illegally through unauthorized channels carries risks of serious punishments in China:
Is the Holy Bible allowed in China?
the Holy Bible cannot be legally sold through normal commercial channels in China. In China, among the major religions such as Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, and folk beliefs, Christianity is the only religion whose major holy text cannot be sold freely. The Bible is printed in China but can only be legally purchased at church bookstores that are approved by the Beijing government. - - https://www.ncesc.com/geographic-faq/is-the-holy-bible-allowed-in-china/
Are Bibles allowed in China? January 25, 2025
While owning a Bible isn’t outright illegal, the conditions under which they can be obtained, distributed, and used are heavily regulated... The Chinese government permits the sale of Bibles through official channels only, specifically at church bookstores registered with the government. .. Unlike other major religious texts such as those of Buddhism, Taoism, and Islam, the Bible cannot be sold in regular commercial outlets like bookstores.
only government-authorized churches are allowed to operate in China. These churches are monitored, and their activities are subject to oversight... Apple has removed Bible apps from China’s App Store following requests from Chinese officials... the Bible is still being printed in China. The Chinese Union Version (CUV) remains the main version in use among Protestants,
Why can’t you bring your personal Bible with you to China? You can bring a personal Bible, but only one copy for your own use as a foreigner. - Employment Security Commission; https://www.ncesc.com/geographic-faq/are-bibles-allowed-in-china/
Further reading, but dated: What Christianity in China Is Really Like 2027 March 9, 2017
. If your organization had rather than smuggling Bibles, arranged with Three-Self Churches, you could have
Meaning state-approved Three-Self Churches, and thus be monitored, and prevented from any evangelism.
China is not a free country. But it is freer than the UK, and in many ways as free as the US.
Depends upon location, and in any case openly evangelizing, even just offering gospel tracts, is going to see you stopped in China, unlike normally here on public property, and as yet in the UK. Unless you preach against LGBTQ, which has higher protected status.
Preaching about the resurrection of Jesus is forbidden.
• Preaching about the second coming of Jesus is forbidden.
• Preaching against religions that deny the deity of Jesus is forbidden.
• Preaching that atheist Communist heroes went to hell is forbidden.
• Preaching cannot deny that all good Communists go to heaven.
• Preaching against abortion is forbidden.
• Preachers can preach only at the Three Self church to which they are assigned.
• Worshipping outside Three Self churches and official "meeting points" is forbidden.
• Importing Bibles is forbidden, even if they are given away for free.
• Printing Bibles is forbidden, even if they are given away for free.
• Evangelizing or giving out tracts is forbidden.
• Government officials cannot be Christian.
• Police officers cannot be Christian.
• Soldiers cannot be Christian.
• Teachers cannot be Christian.
• Children cannot become Christian.
• Teenagers cannot become Christian.
https://endoftheamericandream.com/have-you-heard-about-the-absolutely-horrifying-things-that-are-being-done-to-christians-in-china/ April 9, 2025 by Michael Snyder, End Of The American Dream:
https://acrookedpath.com/have-you-heard-about-the-horrifying-things-that-are-being-done-to-christians-in-communist-china/ April 9, 2025
https://www.sgtreport.com/2025/04/have-you-heard-about-the-absolutely-horrifying-things-that-are-being-done-to-christians-in-china/
https://thewashingtonstandard.com/the-horrifying-things-that-are-being-done-to-christians-in-china/ April 11, 2025
We’re just going to have to disagree.
I have been to church in China, my wife is Chinese. I lived and went to college there. I was, once asked if I’d go to an English rather than Chinese service. When I said no they left me alone.
Three self churches, have evangelism courses, Baptism classes, they preach the gospel, They’re not, in my experience oppressed like they were until 1983.
The exception, and this is sort of a big one, is if a group like, Falun Gung, Mormons,or the Unification Church is labeled as a cult. Cults are persecuted.
They even can broadcast services on the Internet and holiday services can sometimes be seen on TV.
There is a huge church in Shenzhen that has seven services a week with up to 2000 people in each service. There are lots of Christians in China.
This has been happening for decades / centuries.
When we were growing up we heard stories about martyred missionaries to China. John and Betty Stam were hard to forget:
https://omf.org/us/the-martyrdom-of-john-and-betty-stam/
Post 22 isn’t accurate?
It is more or less what I said, just with a negative spin.
You can buy a Bible (or download one from a Church website) if you want one.
But you can’t bring in ANY printed materials, not just Bibles, into the country. So it is disingenuousness to complain that it is religious persecution when the censorship applies to everything.
The government controls the version of the Bible but it is a good translation.
They can’t just pass ouT Bibles on the street, but churches can, AND DO, advertise their service and ministry times. They conduct Baptism and evangelism classes. They have small groups, youth groups, choirs, Bible studies, and all the things that churches normally do.
All organized evangelism, or Christian activities must be carried out by the Three Self Churches. This has the, perhaps unintentional, benefit of keeping the doctrine uniform, clear, and within Chinese legal boundaries.
Yes, there are restrictions but the churches work around them.
Post 22 is stating the situation in the worst possible light. But, in my experience it isn’t like that in actual practice.
Some government offials do attend church. Former president Zhang Zamin’s wife was (is) a fairly devoted Chinese Catholic. He attended at least one Christmas eve service. My academic advisor, was a party member, and big wig in the Ministry of Education. He came to weekly Bible studies in our home.
It isn’t like say North Korea.
I’ve never run into to anyone like you, you are describing an anti-Christian nightmare as though it is normal.
Fake bibles, fake Christian churches, a government wife that attended a fake Catholic church, all versions created or approved by the atheist godless communists to fill the space.
This is the worst nightmare Christians have ever faced, a simulation formed by the godless commies to prevent Christianity from reaching its subjects and future generations, not by fighting them directly, but by absorbing them into a simulation of Christianity, this contamination not only affects that large portion of the world’s population but will spread outside of China, a new theology from the Red Chinese government.
The Churches aren’t fake. They have better Theology than many mainline Protestant and Catholic churches in the US and Europe. The translation of the Bible is a faithful one done, I believe, by missionaries in the 19th century.
China has, I believe, transitioned from the Maoist/communist into a sort of oligarchical dictatorship. They still call themselves “Communist” for “Face” issues, but don’t do anything Communist are supposed to do. They have a regulated market economy not a demand economy, nonsocialist healthcare, and encourage entrepreneurs. They don’t have socialist housing, they allow private property. All it takes to see this is true is to go into a grocery store in China. They aren’t like the pictures from the USSR with empty shelves and rationing.
Is it a perfect place? No, it isn’t. But religiously it isn’t much, if any worse than Germany, or the UK and a good deal better than ANY Muslim country.
Is the Chinese Catholic Church any faker than the Antichrist heretic who is currently in Rome? No, it considerably more “Catholic” and traditional than the RC church. Pedo priest executed in China, no moved to another Parrish. Yeah, the truth hurts.
The church in China is growing and thriving. The Church in Western countries is dieing. that is simply the terrible truth.
None of this detracts from the fact that China is pursuing an aggressive and brutal foreign policy. They have no qualms about cheating and bullying other nations like the Philippines. The legal system assumes guilt. The government is riddled with corruption. All of these are bad things.
bkmk
Several of the things you state are true. But not all. China offers no panacea for devotees of any faith. But neither constant vitriol nor unfounded exaggeration toward China will make things better. Chinese life and society are complicated often difficult for outsiders to sort out and understand. Yet it remains a great nation, worthy of both critique and respect. She is capable of social change, but not always on the speedy timetables of outsiders. Christianity and other faiths are alive in China. I have attended Christian services with more than a hundred people.m, though perhaps not as fundamentalist as some would like.
I also note news today of restrictions placed on Christians in the UK.
No, and not a single one was listed in the introductory paragraph ...
Another thread you can spread Communist China’s message of Christian faith in.
China Expels Missionaries, Treating Christianity As Existential Threat To Totalitarianism
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4312316/posts
“Another thread you can spread Communist China’s message of Christian faith in.”
Thanks so much. I’ll have to clear it with my party leaders first.
Now, as I described previously, proselytizing Christianity is not tolerated in China. But China is far more friendly to Christianity than Saudi Arabia - pretty sure they’d have executed the missionaries.
But I guess it’s safer to err on the side of hate, right?
“”””But China is far more friendly to Christianity than Saudi Arabia””””
Huh? That is your defense for Communist China’s war against Christianity?
It’s called “an example” for all to consider. Not intended to reach the brains of China haters.
Wow, I guess you won’t be enlisting anytime soon, at least not in the forces trying to protect the world from the Communist Chinese dictatorship.
“Wow, I guess you won’t be enlisting anytime soon, at least not in the forces trying to protect the world from the Communist Chinese dictatorship.“
Nope. Never. I’m a peaceful guy, not a warmonger. I’m all on board for peace and understanding between America and China. Im far from being a communist, but I love it when China haters call me one.
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