Duped in China?

During the past two weeks, I have encouraged memebers of my congregation to be in prayer for the people of China. As the Olympics put this nation in the spotlight, many were afraid that the glimmer of the Olympic torch would bedazzle the people of the world and make them forget about the harsh repression of the Communist regime that rules there. If this was the plan, then the authorities might just have won the publicity battle. Tibet, free speech, political persection...all of these issues have been enthusiastically dropped in favor of a few gold medals. Yet, thousands of Christians in this country continue to be in prayer for the billions of people in this nation.

Sadly, it seems that even the progressive magazine Christian Century has lost perspective on this issue. In a recent article entitled "The Chinese At Worship", Stuart C. Strother examines Chinese Christianity first-hand. He visits officially sanctioned Three-Self Churches as well as so called 'underground' churches that are not registered with the government. Meeting native Christians of all stripes, he concludes that, "While tales of persecution of the Chinese church in the past were generally accurate, these stories persist because they appeal to our appetite for sensational news more than because they reflect the truth. The story of the healthy Chinese church that peacefully coexists with the government is less sensational, but its one that needs to be told."

Really, Mr. Strother, how can you believe this good news? Aren't you curious about the lack of protests during the first week of the Olympics? Did you read the reports that protesters who applied for permits were arrested on the spot? Did you visit the Muslim communities in the West and ask them if this newfound toleration applies to them? Doesn't it all seem a little too good to be true?

This isn't the first time I have heard progressives serve as apologists for the Communist regime in China. My own denomination, the PC(USA) maintains relations with the CCC and has recently published several articles about similar progress. It is a shame that this misinformation is coming from progressive liberals who seem to be in complete ignorance of every act of repression committed by the Chinese government toward its own people. If any thing is certain about the Church in China, it is that nothing is certain. You can believe the propaganda if you wish, but in a country with such a vicious civil rights record can you truly believe the words of those who are talking to a foreign journalist? Certainly Mr. Strother's subjects are not to blame for this. They are the ones who must live under such oppression and have to fear the consequences of their words. It is rather Mr. Strother who must be blamed for a lack of critical thinking.

The last thing we as American Christians need to do is stampede into Asia and try forcibly protest this situation. The primary reason for Christian persecution is the fear that these Christians want to overthrow the government. On the other hand, we should not buy into this 'all is well' message, either. It is obvious that all is not well. Perhaps, once the Olympic spotlight is over and journalists no longer fear deportation for covering controversial stories, we will hear the truth about life in China. Until then, let us continue to pray!