China denies crackdown on religious freedom

With the 2008 Olympics approaching, there have been reports of increased persecution of Christians.  However, the Chinese deny it, despite the State Department's insistence that they continue their oppression of religious people.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman says a U.S. government report on religious persecution "flagrantly interfered in China's internal affairs" and "contained groundless accusations."

The State Department said last week that China has continued to repress Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, Muslim Uighurs and Falun Gong adherents. The U.S. report cited an apparent crackdown by Chinese authorities ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The spokeswoman says "China expresses strong dissatisfaction" with the report, and insists that "people of all ethnicity in all regions of China enjoy full freedom of religious belief."

China's oppression of religious faith is terrible, but it's an absolute necessity for the government.  Communism is itself anti-religion, built upon the idea that there is no God- that man can reach perfection on his own.  Christianity is a gigantic threat to the government of China because it attacks the very core of the foundation upon which they govern.  It attacks communism. 

I'm sure that the Chinese understand this.  As long as they are dedicated communists, they will restrict religion and they will persecute.

Too bad for them that it's unlikely to stop the spread of Christianity, which has often thrived under persecution.

Comments

This is a great post. It's true that communism is by it's very nature anti-religion or anti-faith.

We all need to pray for the Chinese and those who are being persecuted.

[Dustin U. Schwyn]

We have religious persecution here! Our country seems to pride itself in religious freedom until you come into a position of power, then its used against you because of your association unless its Christianity. Currently, Muslims are feeling the majority of this persecution because the majority in this country equal Muslim with terrorism. How oversimplistic and wrong. Muslim US soldiers and Marines are dying for the right of those that equate them there. After 9/11, it got so bad that a Muslim Army Chaplain removed from post. Sure, the US is not the same a China, but we should not minimize the persecution that takes place here by looking at other countries that are worse.

[Kurt Luidhardt]

Dustin:

Give me a break. China jails and kills people who disagree with their atheist viewpoint, yet you feel compelled to point out that sometimes US Muslims are made to feel comfortable?

Whoa.

[Dustin Schwyn]

Yea, most "Christians" respond that way. Most people commit sin justify themselves by say, "At least I don't do that?"! Very typical. By the way, you should research the hate crimes against Muslim's in this country. Get back to me about how "uncomfortable" they have felt.

[Mark Andrews]

Both of you are right! It is really hard not to feel uncomfortable around Muslims knowing what they want the world to be. My question is why are only Muslim women required to show thier faith by wearing clothing outside?

[Don Sherfick]

"It is really hard not to feel uncomfortable around Muslims knowing what they want the world to be."

Huh?

Do we really need this kind of divisive comment in what's usually a reasonably civil, though often elevated discourse on VR?

[Dustin Schwyn]

Very true!

[Dustin Schwyn]

Very true Don.

[Dustin Schwyn]

Very true Don

[Banned]

Very true Don!