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PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org

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Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s06100165.htm

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com

Thursday, October 26, 2006

American-Korean Pastor Arrested as 35 Christians Held in Attack on Xinjiang Urumqi House Church Bible Training

By Michael Ireland
Special Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

MIDLAND, TEXAS / XIJIANG AUTONOMOUS REGION, CHINA (ANS) -- Local police raided Qilin Mountain Villa in the suburb of Uramqi City, Xijiang Autonomous Region, when some Christians were having a Bible training program held by a Korean pastor from America.

China Aid Association (CAA) says there were 35 Christians taken to the Yongfeng Township Police Station for interrogation, including the American-Korean pastor and his interpreter.

The names of some of the Christians arrested are: Sister Zhou Li, Xia Lingzhi, Bao Lin, Ren Baolan, Feng Yan, Hu Ying.

CAA reports that Sister Zhou Li and sister Xia Lingzhi were put under custody for 2 weeks last year and fined because of regular service attendance. They were also abused during the interrogation.

An e-mail report from CAA, obtained by ANS, states: "Sister Xia Lingzhi is 66 years old. She suffers from coronary heart disease and high blood pressure, thus should not be detained in any harsh environment. CAA appeals the local police to release the Christians as soon as possible, for their belief does absolutely no harm to both the society and the nation."

** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is a Special Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Lake Forest, California. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen in September, 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station.

** You may republish this story with proper attribution.

I am working with an engineer who came from China to the U.S. about 5 years ago. His wife is a university professor, and he followed her to the U.S. for her new position. They have a 6 year-old son who they have not seen in 5 years, he is living with grandparents. Heartbreaking!

Just having a general discussion regarding how he is enjoying his time here in the U.S., cultural adjustments, etc. I found out how truly ignorant I am regarding China...workers have just one holiday in China where they get a workday off....in February for Chinese New Year. I also asked he about his ability or knowledge regarding religion....no knowledge....no religion...no beliefs whatsoever. I had alway assumed that the Chinese were not able to outwardly proclaim their beliefs...but were still somehow able to read or have connections to the outside world enough to practice some type of religion. Really opened my eyes to how a government can drain a culture and create a society devoid of freedoms.