Bejjing is in a frenzy of excitement and preparation.
Tearing down, building up, these have been the theme of the past years in Bejjing.
The Chinese government has erected many new churches, all under the name of The Three-Self Patriotic Movement.
Of course, when millions flock to Bejjing, and millions more see it from their television screens, Chinese officials want to make sure that everyone knows there is religious freedom in China.
Just ten minutes from Olympic Village in Bejjing (the site of the 2008 Summer Olympics), the door of Pastor Hua Huiqi’s home was welded shut and the electricity cut off by Chinese police .
His crime?
Refusing to let his church and ministry be controlled
Pastor Zhang Rongliang recieved a 7 1/2 year sentence in 2004. While in prison, he has experience harsh torture, including electric shock.
He was imprisoned for sharing his faith.
Gao Feng was an evangelist in Bejjing. He was imprisoned and sent to re-education camps numerous times. He recieved a two year sentence in 1998 for his witnessing.
The number of Bibles in China is in a critical situation as well. Bibles must be individually registered by the Chinese government. Unregistered Bibles cannot be sold, and these Bibles are often confiscated, and the seller, or owner, arrested.
The year 2007 was a year of harsh crackdowns against Christians, in preparation for the Olympics.
Foreign missionaries were expelled.
Christian leaders were jailed.
House-church members were threatened and told to give up their faith.
Bibles were confiscated and Christian bookstores closed.
And when the world’s spotlight is turned on Bejjing this summer, officials will flash big smiles and say, “Sure we have religious freedom here in China!”
But behind the barred doors of Chinese jails, one can find the truth.
There are beatings,
Is there truly religious freedom in China?
Ask Pastor Hua.
He’ll tell you.
Loosely excerpted from The Voice of the Martyrs February ‘08 newsletter.
This is a great post! Thank you for exposing the religious freedom lies spread by Chinese officials.
Blessings!
That’s so sad!
Hearing this makes me so thankful for the freedom we have here in America.
Thanks for sharing!
That is so sad!
It is sad hearing about that =(
Wow – you really don’t realize all that is going on. We are truly blessed and privileged in America!
Hey Bryant! Thank you choosing this post, and for taking the time and effort to get the information there. Thank you so much for all you do in our home, serving all of us in so many ways. Thank you for the personal sacrifices you make on behalf of the rest of us and for our family’s ministry and service to others.
Love,
Daddy
Thank you for sharing this Bryant. I too get the Voice of the Martyrs newsletters. So many people don’t even have a clue this is going on. We need to always remember to pray for Christians who are living under persecution.