2006-09-28 05:14:42 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Actually, technically, no. But every church has to register with the government, and in order to be registered, the rules are very strict. Like, you can't have over a certain amount of people, you can only have so many converts a month, and there are certain things out of the Bible you can't preach, and there are something like 11 guidelines - all having to do with how the government is more important than God, basically.
And even though the Chinese government wrote their own laws making false arrest of Christians and persecution illegal, it still goes on. What they do is they'll arrest somebody - usually a church leader that's being very effective in evangelizing - and they'll confiscate everything in his or her house to find evidence against him or her to bring false charges against them. And once they are in prison, it is not nice...not nice at all.
Here is a web site where you can see what is happening to China's Christians: www.ChinaAid.org.
2006-09-28 05:27:55 · answer #1 · answered by Carol L 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In the 1960s through 80s it was a crime to be Christian in China, but the bans were lifted in the early 90s due to international pressure. It is true that Christians are still persecuted in China, but this is not the word previous answers are looking for. To prosecute someone is to bring forth legal action; to persecute is to treat someone poorly.
2006-09-28 13:25:00 · answer #2 · answered by Brian S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
East of Eden is correct. I have a good friend who is a Christian and lives in China. They are allowed to attend state-sponsored churches (very watered down) and Bible running across the border is illegal. Pastors and congregants (such as Pastor Lam) may be jailed for running or attending church services that are not state-sponsored. I'm not sure how it is in other Communist countries.
2006-09-28 12:24:55 · answer #3 · answered by KDdid 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No and Yes.
Christians are allowed to worship openly in China if they attend a state sponsered Church. Which as you can imagine is more of a government propaganda meeting than Chruch.
Many however, like Roman-Catholics, worship in secret becasue they want to worship freely, not having to bow to government interfearance, in their services and doctrines.
All of this said, people who do go to church, are persecuted, and any sort of open preaching or proseletizing is forbidden. Any thing the government does not agree with can land follwers in jail etc. Owning Bibles and other holy books is also forbidden.
2006-09-28 12:21:08 · answer #4 · answered by East of Eden 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
Christians are heavily persecuted in China.
They cannot legally congregate for church.
Possession of a single page of the Bible is an offense worthy of jail or prison.
Smuggling Bibles into the country can mean imprisonment.
2006-09-28 12:18:28 · answer #5 · answered by Bob L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure about china. It use to be a crime not to be a christian in many countrys. Thankfully those days are fading.
2006-09-28 12:17:36 · answer #6 · answered by Arcturus R 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes the attitude of the communist government is appalling. They stated they need to strangle Bethleham's babe. They fear Christianity leading to their demise.
2006-09-28 12:20:51 · answer #7 · answered by Edward J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In some countries, yes...
2006-09-28 12:17:51 · answer #8 · answered by Bob 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as far as I know... nope.
although I've heard reports of them being discrimanted against.
2006-09-28 12:17:36 · answer #9 · answered by Disturbed-Individual 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians are persecuted there...daily... ((Actually Christians are persecuted daily, everywhere.))
((You must register)).
2006-09-28 12:17:51 · answer #10 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋