So what’s the deal in China? China is officially communist and totalitarian. Communism is atheistic. Does China not persecute religious faith and people practicing their faith? I heard a talk show host a while back talk of organizations smuggling Bibles into China. Is this a thing, or can you openly distribute Bibles in China? What restrictions are there on religion in China?
“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.