Religious Freedom in China, OMG!! It Can't Be True, Can It?

Question

There are seven national religious organizations in China. They are the Buddhist Association of China, China Taoist Association, Islamic Association of China, Patriotic Association of the Catholic Church in China, Chinese Catholic Bishops College, the Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee of the Protestant Churches of China and the China Christian Council. All the religious organizations elect leaders and leading bodies according to their own articles of association.

http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/china/203692.htm

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Religious Believers Three Times Higher than Estimate

The number of Chinese people who describe themselves as being religious is a remarkable three times higher than the official estimate. This came to light in the country's first major survey of religious beliefs.

http://www.china.org.cn/english/news/199175.htm

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Despite what so many believe, religious freedom is protected in China by law.

Peace

Jim

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I live in China as an ex pat from the USA and I can say quite categorically that religion is not state sponsored. However, a religion does have to register with the government of which there are no restrictions other then they can't publically hand out literature or actively try to overthrow the government (Falong Gong).

In the states, churches must register with the government as well for tax exempt status. A religion also can not actively be involved in political affairs as they can loose that status. Many churches and sects in the USA are treading a fine line in that respect.

Peace

Jim

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Andy H

Wal-Marts in China are unionized and the workers get considerably more then $1 a day. China insisted that Wal-Mart allow unions because of Wal-Marts dismal employee practices in the states.

Moises3702,

I suspect. Jehovahs Whitenesses are not banned, except that they hand out literature which is currently against the law in China.

It is ok to convert, but not stand on a street corner with hand outs that promote religion.

I am not sure how the law reads, but I suspect, since Fulong Gong wanted to change the government, that China put the brakes on handouts that promote things that are counter productive to China's interests.

China is doing a fine job in changing from totalitarian rule to republic democracy at their own pace. They probably understand social upheavals considerably better then most countries and they are trying to avoid that.

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Peace

Jim

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Mr W,

How do you know that about Unions in China?

Yes a person can convert anyone they want. I have people in my classes in college who carry a bible to class and wear crosses around their neck. There are bible study groups too. The Christian church in my city is non existent since there are so few. However, they are growing in number and in time they will have a place to gather. Right now its anywhere they please.

As far as the non smoking laws. When I first came to China is 2003 the trains were full of smoke. Now smoking is outlawed and few if any smoke. Seems to be working. It also took some time for those laws to be complied with in the states too. Police for a long time looked the other way, now that is not the case. Give China time, they'll be on board soon enough.

As far as ignoring laws that are on the books. Don't assume so much. China is smart enough to understand that laws take time to implement and that absolute enforcement of law is not always good.

cheir
The book was written in 2003. That means the facts were gathered no later then 2002 and probably 2001.

Clergy have come to China many times since and reported back that what was true in the past is no longer true today.

All of that is available through the China web site and other places on the net that choose to speak the current truth about China, instead of mixing the past into the present and calling it current.

Peace

Jim

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Jammal h,

And you know that for a fact? I live here as an ex pat from the USA and the Chinese people have a lot of freedom.

I challenge you to prove otherwise.

Peace

Jim

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Answer 1

Religious Freedom in China,It is true.
but you can`t oppose the Chinese Communist Party with the Religious organization.
I am a chinese in land.My grandmother embraces the Catholicism though her know it a little.

Answer 2

Jim - Walmart has "unions" but they are certainly NOT the unions we have in the States, they are very different and operate on a totally different level as the US unions

Religious freedom is an interesting term, one can argue that there is and is not, a simple trip to goggle and one can find thousand of stories, articles, books and so on proclaiming that there is freedom and there is not

Last I heard it is against the law to share your religious views with anyone under the age of 18 and sharing your religious views must be done on the property of the church, mosque, temple... I would classify that as not free, I also believe that the "preaching" has limitations, one cannot preach whatever they want to, it is controlled and monitored, that as well is not free

Jim - you should also know as a person who lives in China that the law is nothing, it is the person in power that has the authority and the written law has little meaning, "the law" is not what "the law" is in the US or England or Europe. There are no smoking laws everywhere in China and no one obeys them, there are religious protection laws in China and they are not followed as well, hence, the persecution

I know about unions b/c I have talked extensively with Chinese about them, those who belong to them as well as don't

there are bold step being made by young people all over China, I know of much bolder steps being taken, but, I also know of people, Chinese and Internationals who got in trouble and were sent home (internationals) for doing just what you have mentioned, don't be fooled there are still lots of persecution going on all around the world including where you/we live, I have seen it first hand. when govt. is involved in religion there is no freedom just control, don't forget 1989, that could and can still happen

Law is a totally different concept in the West, Chinese tell me this often and I have seen it personally, all one has to do is go to Hong Kong and see the vast differences between HK and Mainland when it comes to laws, when a society is influenced by teaching that date back thousands of years don't expect anything to change overnight...

Answer 3

Read the book by Brother Yun "The Heavenly Man" which was awarded the Christian Book of the Year in the USA in 2003. China is intolerant of true Christians and carefully manages all so-called free churches. Religious freedom in China is a myth.

Answer 4

Nope. It under no circumstances quite did... It gave some Christians freedoms in some places... the rest human beings have had to clutter by way of, and desire to no longer get trounced, or to make compromises to our faith so the Christians in charge does no longer have a reason to whine.... even nevertheless it quite is getting extra acceptable bit by potential of bit..

Answer 5

I've spoken to many Chinese Muslims... and they have said China isn't as the west has made it out to be. It's very tolerant of religion... but not people shoving their religion down others' throats. Allah knows best!

Answer 6

i realize that you are there first hand but according to the first assembly of god where i go the protestant churches are gaining freedom, if i got the info right the Chinese gov't has ok'ed that the protestants get to legally purchase land in china way to go god

Answer 7

Jim,
Does this include the various places of worship Wall Mart have built in the poorest regions to keep the workers who earn a dollar a day happy?

Answer 8

Stop posting your lies! Stay in China, you commie!

We Americans will never be brainwashed by your lies!

In the name of freedom!

Answer 9

What about Jehovah´s witnesses do you have information?

Answer 10

i always heard as long as its state sponsored then they can have all the religeous freedom they want ... watever ..