House churches across China have been hit by a wave of arrests and detentions, says China Aid Association, the leading support group for China’s persecuted Christians.
CAA said that the sudden increase in incidents throughout May involving the Religious Affairs Bureau and the Public Security Bureau is “indicative of a crackdown”.
House church meetings have been disbanded and a number of Christians have been arrested, including two Christians in Xinjiang province who were charged with being “separatists.” Throughout the province, officials have posted signs asking citizens to report any “evil cult activity,” a label which encompasses house churches.
In Hebei province, officials closed down a Bible school on May 13, while on May 15 Public Security Bureau officials broke up a prayer meeting held by more than 20 Christians for victims of the earthquake and for the Olympics.
Chinese government officials had turned away and also arrested some house church members who had volunteered to help victims of the devastating May 12 earthquake in Sichuan province, CAA reported.
CAA found the behavior of the Chinese Government comparable to that of the Burma military junta in initially refusing international aid.
“Such biased behavior is a reminder of the irrational prejudice the CPC (Communist Party of China) holds against house church members who want nothing more than to have true religious freedom and help their fellow countrymen in this hour of need,” the group said.
CAA asked for prayers and aid from churches around the world in the wake of the earthquake, and said it was actively working with the Chinese house churches to bring relief items to survivors.
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nanstein,
Amen...and not only that, they tend to be the ones who give the most in times of need.
Remember... June 4, 1989....Tianmen Square.
Never forget the thousands of lives lost for the cause of freedom!
Too bad!! Just when we were tempted to think this government had a heart. They did a great job handling the earthquake tragedy, and then wipe out those gains with their demonic hatred of the truth. Don't they realize their Christians are the most law abiding people in their country?
msunkes,
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Coming soon to the church of Laodicea...errr....uuuh, I mean United States.
xizwyck
American Christians would probably have to experience similar persecution as the Chinese Christians for us to awaken to the same spiritual vibrancy!
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the hostility to Christians is growing everyday. Give it time and we Christians will experience similar persecutions as the Chinese Christians are experiencing.
Praise God that the gospel is spreading in the midst of persecution! I pray that America awakens to the same spiritual vibrancy!
A link to this article has been posted on the website GoodNewsNow.com.
If these Christians follow Franklin Graham’s advice, there will be no more house churches since Graham said that he is opposed to ‘illegal’ missionary work unless this same government allows it…
Thankfully these faithful Christians choose to obey God rather that men like Franklin Graham. (Acts 5:25-32)
We pray for our brothers and sisters in China.