Jennifer asked:


As a Christian, I feel sorry for the Chinese brothers and sisters who have to pray underground. They risk their lives for having faith in God. Why does the communist China not allowing freedom of worshipping? Why are Christians being prosecuted and killed in China?

13 Responses to “How come the Chinese people are not allowed to worship God?”

1. . on August 31st, 2008 7:24 pm

   They can, they can be or do what ever they want to.

   religion is not everything.

2. The Oasis on September 3rd, 2008 12:34 am

   *That is not true*

   I don’t know where you got your info from.
   There are churches in China where they hold sunday masses. There are bibles in these churches.
   There are catholic cardinals in China appointed directly by the Vatican court.

   When was Christians being prosecuted and killed? where?

3. ykphil on September 4th, 2008 4:31 am

   OK, another one…

   First, I have to say that I can’t stand organized religions of any kind.

   Second, I also believe in freedom or expression and religion, so people can worship god and believe in the fairy tales in the bible, quran or torah or whatever if that makes them happy.

   But YES, do some research, China’s record of human rights abuses and religious persecution is not clean like some answers suggest. Since the People’s Republic of China was formed in 1949 the government has used a system of ‘re-education through labour’ camps in an attempt to ensure its citizens adhere to the atheistic communist ideals of the country.

   While in recent years China has been progressing towards a free market economy, there is no indication that any serious attempts are being made to reform its treatment of its own citizens, especially in regards to freedom of religion. Yes, some state-sanctioned churches exist and people, on the surface, can worship god and the RMB, but in reality the only legal churches in China are those controlled by the state like the Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM). The teachings of these churches are strictly controlled by the government who has the right to appoint the church leaders. The teachings often conflict with traditional Biblical Christianity, and most Christians in China refuse to belong to the official churches. As a result, there is a growing network of underground “house churches”, Christian groups which are not registered with the Communist Party and which operate outside of government control.

   An official Chinese government document outlines a new offensive on underground house churches. In part, the document reads: “We have dealt with the Falun-gong. We have arrested and put their leaders on the run. Now we must resolutely and strongly deal with the unregistered house churches. They are too numerous — too many. We must deal with them strongly.” The document suggests the increased pressure would be from April to August 2005. It was reported that on May 22, 2005 during Sunday worship time, police and Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers simultaneously raided approximately 60 house churches in Changchun, the capital city of Jilin province in northeastern China. In the days following, an additional 40 churches in the area were also raided. More than 600 house church believers and leaders were taken into custody. Most were released after 24 to 48 hours of interrogation, but approximately 100 leaders continued to be held in different detention centers.

   Some are still held in jail, more than 2 years later…

   Last September 06, when I was in Shenzhen, two priests were arrested there, Father Shao Zhoumin, the vicar general of the Wenzhou Diocese in Zhejiang province, and Father Jiang Sunian, the chancellor of the Wenzhou Diocese. During the arrest, the police confiscated a large number of books and photos that the priests were bringing back from their visit. The priests have been detained in an unknown location and no reasons have been given for their arrest.

   So, The Oasis, please do some research, and if you really want to support Chinese people and democracy for all, take your blinders off and stop being complacent.

4. Lee L on September 7th, 2008 3:45 pm

   Thank God that China doesn’t reveal in White Trash garbage! The pics of Jesus Christ with blond hair and blues eyes are disgusting enough! There are plenty of churches and church followers in China and the central Government is very accommodating to these lost souls! There is a distinct difference between Christians and Catholics! Anybody who doesn’t know the difference is pagan or an educated idiot!

5. C C on September 11th, 2008 3:14 am

   It is true tht their are Christian churches nowadsys throughout China but also true that their activities are subject to the local laws. For instance, there are churches where local people cannot worship with foreigners. Members have to register with the public authorities in some areas and there is a total ban on religious organisations (of whatever creed) becoming involved in the process of decision making in the country

6. First L on September 12th, 2008 11:53 pm

   Why are you worshipping the christian god when you can worship me?

7. Tai on September 15th, 2008 1:28 am

   What are you talking about? there are churches everywhere in China. Please find out the truth before making any statements.

8. Gene H on September 18th, 2008 6:09 am

   Well, they probably don’t WANT to worship your god. And that, “Oh, we pooah widdo christians, we unduh persecution” doesn’t work, either. You run the world’s most powerful country. Christians aren’t persecuted in China. They’re not wanted. Considering your brown nosing with the right-wing, I don’t blame them. Middle Eastern religions suck and have brought more suffering than help in the world. Go back to your choir and leave decent people be. If China wanted any of your opiate religion they’d have it.

9. R O to the D on September 20th, 2008 12:12 pm

   You need do a little more research before asking a question like this…

   People are not arrested for their faith, they are arrested because they are preaching their faith to people. Peachers from western cultures come to china to force their faith onto people. These acts are illegal and personally i find that excelent. There’s nothing more annoying then waking up by your doorbell at 10 in the morning by two of Jehova’s whitnesses trying to preach to you.
   there’s only one religion illegal in China(if you want to call it that) and that’s Falungong. but we’ll leave that for another day!
   there’s nothing more annoying then religious freaks hoping to spread their faith. can’t you just be satisfied with the fact that YOU believe and not everyone needs god so that they can survive the every day struggels of life? Personally i believe the world would be a much better place without religion. there’s many things screwing up this world today. but the two ones that stick out the most are.

   1) wars about Oil
   2) wars about religion

   scrap god, believe in yourself and stop having to depend on faith to be able to get out of bed in the morning.

10. ileerchina on September 22nd, 2008 6:31 am

    what you say is not ture.there are many Christian in China.And they are giving me books telling me story about god.they can do it freely.we have christian church in most of the cities.christian go to church to pray just every week like what you do in your country.
    when i was in school,in the christmas eve,there are some activities in the church,we went there and get some presents.
    for the chinese government hope that the chinese people do not have religious.we believe in antitheist.But if you want to belive in christian or other religious it’s your decision.you will not get trouble in believing any religious.Chinese government do respect religious.

11. Darren J on September 24th, 2008 8:24 pm

    CONSTITUTION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
    Article 36. Citizens of the People’s Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief. No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion. The state protects normal religious activities. No one may make use of religion to engage in activities that disrupt public order, impair the health of citizens or interfere with the educational system of the state. Religious bodies and religious affairs are not subject to any foreign domination.
    __________
    In other words you can believe in anything you want, you don’t have the right to preach your beliefs on others who don’t wish to listen.
    I feel sorry for the bigotry displayed on this post.

12. goldenmonkey on September 27th, 2008 11:37 am

    there are churches in china. i have no idea what you are talking about. and wtf. christians being killed? I’ve been there, you have not so stfu

13. T K on September 28th, 2008 4:18 pm

    As the only person in this thread who apparently knows what he’s talking about, here’s the deal. Freedom of religion is allowed in China. It is, however, strictly monitored by the State. Churches in China are not allowed to preach about two issues- the second coming of Christ and Christ being the only way to God. The only people who really risk their lives are the people who preach in underground churches or try to convert others. The government regulates religion because it is communist. Yes, Christians are still killed, imprisioned or “re-educated” in China. I have met numerous people who have have lost friends. However, situations like this seem to be getting fewer in number, and it really only seems to happen in certain places. Hope this helps.