Government leaders in China’s third most-populous province held a seminar last month to warn communist officials of the “enormous harm” Christianity poses on China’s security, according to China Aid, which promotes religious freedom within the country.
The seminar in Hebi, Henan, for members of the Communist Party of China encouraged the members to “maintain ‘correct views’ in regards to the religion and avoid being persuaded by its ideology,” China Aid reported.
The seminar was titled, “Christianity’s Enormous Harm on China’s Security.” With an estimated 94 million people, Henan ranks No. 3 in population among China’s provinces.
“The Chinese government often views religions, including Christianity, as foreign attempts to undermine its rule, even though there is no evidential basis for such a claim,” China Aid said. “As a result, they often try to suppress religious adherents, and they openly forbid Communist Party members from practicing a religion.”
The Catholic news site UCANews reported it was a government telecommunications agency -- the Hebi Municipal Radio Administrative Bureau within Henan -- that hosted the seminar.
“[China] fears that the number of Chinese Christians exceeds the number of party members and poses a threat to its one-party dictatorship,” a Chinese Catholic identified as “Paul” told the news site.
Related:
Chinese Police Beat 60 Christians, Close Church and then Bury Bibles
Muslim Fulani Herdsmen Massacre Christians after Baby Dedication in Nigeria
Chinese Official Vows to Eliminate Christianity in China
North Korea: 70,000 Christians 'Locked in Concentration Camps'
Chinese City Pays Citizens $1,500 to Be a ‘Mini Judas’ and Turn in Christians
Michael Foust is a freelance writer. Visit his blog, MichaelFoust.com.
Photo courtesy: Unsplash/Ralf Leineweber
