China Enacting New Regulations on Religion By ALEXA OLESEN, Associated Press Writer BEIJING - China is implementing new regulations that the government says will protect freedom of faith. Critics contend that the broad guidelines could instead be used to persecute religious groups deemed troublesome by authorities. The guidelines, to take effect Tuesday, are meant to give a legal framework for China's constitutional promise of freedom of religion, state media have reported. Under existing laws, communist authorities allow worship only in state-monitored churches, temples or mosques. Millions of believers attend unauthorized services, often in private homes, but are subject to arrest...
