From the Australian Prayer Network www.ausprayernet.org.au
CHINA: OLYMPIC GLARE EXPOSES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ISSUES
When the International Olympic Committee in July 2001 awarded China the right to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, Chinese citizens were ecstatic. But what potentially could have been China’s proudest moment has turned into something of a public relations minefield as world media probe China’s human rights gains and abuses. Among key issues raised is religious freedom, with China watchers reporting ongoing restrictions on freedom of worship, particularly for unregistered church groups, arrests, detention in labour camps and confiscation of Christian literature.
Hosting the Olympic Games provides China with a unique opportunity to showcase its stunning economic development. But the government also fears it will be a prime opportunity for dissidents and human rights activists to present their cause to the world media. Chinese citizens can now choose their own careers, travel abroad, own a car and establish a business. But Christians cannot legally hold a prayer meeting in a private home, share a church service with foreign Christians or interact with foreign Christian organizations.
Many Chinese Christians see little good coming from the Olympics in the way of religious liberty. Some point to a recent government crackdown on unregistered house churches, and an unprecedented expulsion of foreign missionaries in 2007 as part of a “clean-up” in preparation for the Games. Others fear religious persecution will increase after the Games as the world’s media moves on from China. The worse may be yet to come; sources are predicting a severe crackdown on all unregistered house churches beginning on June 1.
Authorities are also closely guarding bishops in the official Catholic Patriotic Association (CPA) and keeping underground bishops in forced isolation. China has consistently denied the absolute authority of the Pope over Roman Catholicism, appointing its own bishops and encouraging Chinese Catholics to maintain greater loyalty to the Chinese government. The country officially recognizes five religions - Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Islam and Taoism. An official patriotic association for each religion controls adherents’ activities and governs the appointment of clergy.
The Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP), a coalition of groups working for global religious liberty, is encouraging Christians around the world to pray for the Chinese church in the lead-up to the Olympics. They acknowledge advances in religious freedom in China over the past 40 years but have called on the Chinese government to honour its recent declaration that believers have an important role to play in the development of society. “We hope and pray this declaration will bring an end to serious violations of religious freedom,” the RLP said in its statement.
Source: Intercessors Network