Release International reports on the crack down.
'In all conscience, Britain cannot put trade before human rights.'
There has been a seven-fold rise in the persecution of Christians in
China since 2008, according to a report by a partner of UK-based
Release International.
The report claims China is seeking
'complete control over the nation's churches' with the aim of
replacing 'Christ as the head of the church with submission to the
Communist Party'. To that end, China has increased its crackdown on
Christians and churches, especially house churches.
'Our
partners China Aid have meticulously documented attacks against
Christians and churches in China,' says Paul Robinson, Chief executive
of Release, which serves persecuted Christians worldwide.
'They have found that religious persecution, especially of house
church Christians, is increasing in severity. They document a
seven-fold rise in persecution since 2008.
'Last October,
the UK hosted a state visit by the Chinese Premier. Release urges
David Cameron to use his developing relationship with Xi Jinping to
press for full religious freedom in China and an end to persecution.
In all conscience, Britain cannot put trade before human rights.'
China has a long history of attempting to bring the rapidly
growing church under the control of the atheist state. Since the
downturn in the Chinese economy, which has revealed yawning
inequalities, the state has been cracking down on churches, Christians
and others for fear of unrest.
This includes the arrest
of Christian human rights lawyers for mounting a legal campaign
against the tearing down of hundreds of Christian crosses from
churches. Among them, leading Christian lawyer Zhang Kai, who was
forced to publicly confess to crimes against the state on television.
China Aid has documented an increase in persecution of
4.74 per cent in the past year. Over the last nine years the arrest
and harassment of Christians in China has been rising. Persecution
rates are now 709.94 per cent worse than in 2008. And while fewer
Christians are being sent to jail, more are being harassed, beaten and
even tortured, the report claims.
In one province alone,
Zheijang, the Release partner has independently verified that 'by the
end of 2015, more than 20 churches had been forcibly demolished, 1,300
crosses removed, more than 500 Christians taken into police custody,
at least 130 Christians physically injured, more than 60 Christians
administratively or criminally detained, and at least 28 pastors and
Christians arrested or charged with a crime.'
Churches
have been closed and in some areas Christians have taken to
worshipping in the open-air under the eye of the authorities - hence
the Release Great Outdoors Church Service initiative on May 29.
'Release urges Christians in the UK to stand in solidarity with
our Chinese brothers and sisters, and those in other nations where
churches have been demolished,' says Paul Robinson of Release.
'We're encouraging Christians throughout the UK and Ireland to
take part in the Great Outdoors Church Service on May 29 by holding
some or all of your service in the open air. This is an opportunity to
pray for and remember our Christian brothers and sisters everywhere
who are being forced out of their churches.'
Thank You for the analysis of the Christian home church movement in mainland China. I have been receiving word about Christian persecution through my contact with Voice of the Martyrs in the US but your information seems to be more complete for at least China. Thanks For your dangerous but necessary work. Our love and prayers go to you and your workers as well as the persecuted churches.