Christianity is thriving in China

[yuiyoshida]

By Doug Bandow

Christianity is thriving in China. There might be more Christians than Chinese Communist Party (CCP) members.

Beijing’s sensitivities to religion are well known. Religion offers a competitive world view to the party. The latter fears many Christians, especially Catholics, have loyalties beyond China’s borders. Religion brings people together in ways that might eventually influence politics.

In its early days, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) responded harshly to religious activity, but official policy has moderated over time. There is an increasing amount of reluctant toleration of religious belief. However, there is no national approach. The treatment of religious believers varies regionally. For instance, authorities in Wenzhou, sometimes called the Jerusalem of China, have lately enforced more restrictions than many other cities and provinces.

In contrast, Beijing appears to have a more relaxed policy. Last year, I visited a church of about 800 people in the capital. It operated openly, attracted many young people and hosted dozens of baptisms on the Sunday I attended.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2015/03/04/2003612707

[newthinking]

1. Unfortunately fundamentalism somewhat dominates International Evangelist movements

This happened in Russia as well. Surely China, like the former USSR, is ignorant to more traditional, relaxed, Christianity, which tends not to evangelize as heavily. So if it works like in there many of these churches will adopt more fundamentalist tendancies/beliefs.

[trotsky]

2. It's been one of the more successful memes in history for very good reasons. n/t