General religion topics in China Archives → Which God Saves?

Chinese citizens have the freedom of religious belief

Citizens have freedom of religious belief?

Citizens have freedom of religious belief. That’s the English translation of something from China’s Religious Affairs Regulations. But is it really true?

Remember, China is a Communist country. And an officially atheist one as well. We must be forgiven if we doubt those fine-sounding words. Especially after reading part 1 of this series.

Remember, Article 1 of these regulations included the text, “increase the level of legalification in work on religion” as one of the stated goals for putting them into law. How does that even make sense?

Religious freedom in China

General religion topics in China

To some, the idea of religious freedom in China sounds like an oxymoron. You know – a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction. Given that China is an officially atheist country, “religion” in China certainly isn’t what people in the so-called west expect. Further, the concept of freedom of religion in an atheist country like China is, if it’s possible, even more of an oxymoron.

And yet …

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Chinese authorities destroy two Marian shrines – shocking – or expected?

General religion topics in China

Chinese authorities destroy two Marian shrines. Some are probably shocked, since the Vatican just signed a mysterious agreement with China related to having the Communist Party in China appoint Bishops of the Catholic Church in that country. However, if you’ve read China appoints seven Catholic Bishops – did the Pope just sell out underground churches? then you shouldn’t be surprised at all. If anything, this was to be expected.

So Sad. Can you even imagine Paul or any of the Saints from the early church telling people to Wait for better times because the Roman Empire isn’t eternal?

Does China want to rewrite the Bible?

General religion topics in China

Does China want to rewrite the Bible? Persecution watchdog organization China Aid says yes.

To better control the growth and influence of Christianity, the Chinese government plans to incorporate Buddhist scripture and Confucian teachings into the Bible and edit worship songs to include Chinese characteristics, the head of a persecution watchdog has revealed.

If you’re a regular, you’ve seen articles here on both “government and religion” and specifically on “Chinese Religious Regulations”. It appears that China is about to further strengthen its grip on Christianity in China. This time, it will be by re-translating the Old Testament and re-write commentaries for the New Testament. Details are available from The Gospel Herald.

China appoints seven Catholic Bishops – did the Pope just sell out underground churches?

General religion topics in China

I want to close with this passage we read earlier. It really says a lot about what’s going on when China appoints seven Catholic Bishops.

2Co 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

Separation of church and children in China

General religion topics in China

Separation of church and state is well known – but separation of church and children? I recently heard about how China was targeting children going to Christian schools. Given that there’s an entire Article in the new religious regulations about schools, thought I missed something in the new law. But I didn’t.