Tag: China

Chinese police detain more than 100 house church members in six-day crackdown

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

WEI ZHANG, SPECIAL FOR TEXAS GOSPEL

More than 100 house church members were reportedly detained and arrested during a six-day police operation in Taishun County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, according to reports from local witnesses. The crackdown took place between December 13 and December 18.

Reports describe an ongoing campaign by Chinese authorities targeting members of unregistered house churches in the region, with witnesses sharing accounts through social media and other networks.

During the operation, witnesses reported seeing multiple police checkpoints and roving patrols throughout the area. Authorities reportedly posted notices offering cash rewards for the capture of house church leaders and asked the public to provide information leading to arrests of Christians. Monetary rewards were specifically offered for information related to Christians accused of disputing land seizures and the removal of Christian symbols and crosses, according to the reports.

The crackdown followed months of reported tension between local authorities and house church leaders. Authorities had reportedly been enforcing the removal of Christian symbols, including crosses, while simultaneously seeking to install Communist symbols in churches. A new government-driven education policy was also reportedly being enforced in churches during this period.

The operation specifically targeted house churches not affiliated with state-sanctioned religious organisations, including the Catholic Patriotic Association and the Three-Self Patriotic Movement. These state-led religious institutions are characterised in reports as serving government messaging purposes. The Chinese government, which is led and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, reportedly views Christianity as a threat to state authority, according to the report.

State-Sanctioned Church in Shandong Province of China Demolished

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on July 17, more than 70 police officers and workers forcibly demolished Liangwang Catholic Church in China’s Shandong province. Liangwang Catholic Church is a state-sanctioned church and had been registered since 2006.

CLICK HERE for the complete story

China pulls Bibles from online bookstores

Published on by Texas Gospel2 Comments

2018-04-04 No Bible Sales

China this week announced it is restricting the sale of Bibles from online bookstores as part of a policy it says will protect religious freedom.

A report published by the Australian Broadcasting Company says a paper released by the government, titled China’s Policies and Practices on Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief, says Chinese religious communities, “should adhere to the direction of localizing the religion, practice the core values of socialism, develop and expand the fine Chinese tradition and actively explore the religious thought which accords with China’s national circumstances.”

Bibles began disappearing from online bookstores as the statement was released.

William Nee, a China researcher at Amnesty International re-tweeted a government notice saying as of March 30, Bibles are banned from sale on Taoboa, Dangdang, the Chinese version of Amazon and others.

UCA News, a catholic publication, reports that the Chinese government white paper on religion is the first issued in over 21 years.  It says the ban of on-line sales has been in place, but is now being enforced.  Bibles can only be sold in churches licensed to sell them.