The continuing widespread crackdown on political activism in China is putting improvements in religious freedom at risk. CSW is particularly concerned about the behaviour of the Chinese Government towards members of the house church movement.
In the last few years, the Chinese Government has largely tolerated the unofficial house church movement. Many 'average' Christians can practise their faith as long as they live 'quietly' – a very different scenario compared to the China we heard about twenty years ago. But China's house churches still face a precarious situation. China's Christians can meet legally as part of one of the government-sanctioned churches, for Protestants this is the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), but many believers do not wish to join the TSPM because of concerns about government control. Instead, many choose to practise their faith in house churches. Theoretically, house churches can register outside of the TSPM system, but this is incredibly difficult, if not impossible. Take the case of Shouwang (meaning Watchtower) Church, for example, a large urban house church attended by well-educated Beijingers, some of whom are academics and lawyers. Their application for registration was rejected.
Church members harassed and arrested
Since April, members of Shouwang Church have faced arrest, detention and harassment. They have tried to meet outside in public areas to worship having been forced out of several rented venues due to government pressure on landlords. The Church has purchased a building, at a cost of USD four million, but have not been allowed to gain access to the keys due to local government pressure. Many church members were arrested, while others were prevented from leaving home. Some who managed to reach the worship location were detained by police, taken away for questioning or forced to sign a declaration saying they would not attend the church again. The church's leaders have been put under house arrest. Another major house church in Beijing, New Tree Church, sent some of its members to stand in solidarity with Shouwang Church. As a result, their pastor, Wang Shuangyan, was detained for 48 hours on "suspicion of disrupting the public order".
Shouwang's uncertain future
Fewer and fewer members now gather for worship each Sunday, having been warned not to attend or for fear of their own safety. The future of Shouwang is uncertain. The Chinese House Church Alliance, headed by Pastor Mingxuan has called for assistance as the current situation points to a wider suspicion of religious activity in China. In response to the situation facing Shouwang Church, a petition, signed by seventeen Chinese house churches has been sent to the National People's Congress (China's 'Parliament') calling for further legal protection of religious freedom. While we are working to ensure that religious freedom and human rights concerns in China are raised at the highest level internationally, please stand with us in prayer for Shouwang Church and other Chinese house churches.
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In recent years the situation for Christians in China has improved, but problems still remain. For example, government officials sometimes see church groups as a threat because of the large groups of people gathered without authorisation. In addition, house church leaders have been arrested for their Christian work, and bogus charges brought against them. Most of them can't afford a lawyer, so once they get to court their chance of a fair trial is very small. This gift funds their legal aid, helping to ensure that justice is done!
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