VOM 'Hopeful' Bush's Remarks Shed Light on China's Religious Persecution
by Allie Martin and Fred Jackson
November 29, 2005
(AgapePress) - - A spokesman with Voice of the Martyrs says it is encouraging that President George W. Bush spoke about religious freedom in China during his trip to the communist nation. At the same time, a well-known American evangelist has expressed regret for remarks he made after joining the president at a church service in Beijing. During his recent visit to Communist China, President Bush encouraged that nation's leaders to allow more religious freedom for members of unregistered or "house" churches. Speaking outside one of only five state-sanctioned Protestant churches in the Chinese capital -- where he and the First Lady had just attended a service -- the president expressed hope that the government of China "will not fear Christians who gather to worship openly." He also stated that "a healthy society is a society that welcomes all faiths."
Critics have noted somewhat of a double standard in that Bush made his remarks in the shadow of a state-approved church while reports from groups like Voice of the Martyrs, a ministry that assists the persecuted Church worldwide, document harsh -- and sometimes fatal -- crackdowns on Chinese Christians who choose instead to worship in underground churches. But The Washington Post reports that White House aides decided Bush had to make his statements near a church permitted by the government "to avoid causing anyone trouble."
Still, Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs believes the president's remarks could have a big impact. "The Chinese government went out of their way to make sure that there would not be any kind of disturbance, any kind of protest, any kind of thing that could embarrass them while President Bush was there," Nettleton explains.
"But [the president] has made a priority to talk about and to bring up the topic of religious freedom in China -- and hopefully, at some point, that will start to have an influence and will change the way the Chinese government treats people of faith."
Christians around the world can only hope Nettleton's hopes become reality. According to the VOM spokesman, there are signs that persecution of Christians in China has actually increased in recent months. He says it is "interesting" to see how the Beijing regime prepared for Bush's visit.
"We know of one lawyer who has represented Christians in China who was asked to leave Beijing while the president was there," Nettleton notes. "And we know of another evangelist who was brought into custody while the president was there and [who] was released shortly after the president left."
In addition, a Christian leader in China was recently arrested for illegally printing and storing Bibles.
Palau's 'Faux Pas'?
At the same time the Bushes were in China, American evangelist Luis Palau also attended a worship service at an officially registered Chinese church where he shocked many people when he stated that China's much persecuted house churches should "register and receive greater freedom and blessings from the government." Groups that monitor religious persecution in China responded in almost unbelief that a Christian leader would even suggest such a thing.
One of those dismayed by Palau's remarks was Pastor Bob Fu, president of the China Aid Association. Fu says Palau seemed oblivious to the widespread religious persecution in China and obviously has no understanding about the cost of registering a church with the government.
"The government-sanctioned churches are not allowed to baptize students under 18 years old," Fu explains to Associated Press. "And even a preacher certified by the government is not allowed to preach outside of the four walls of the church building."
And in a press release, Fu offers this assessment: "Rev. Palau's China [comments] will be much more convincing if he is allowed to do an open evangelism in the Tian'an Men Square just like what he did at National Mall in Washington, DC, recently. '
Read statement from China Aid Association regarding Luis Palau's remarks
In a statement, Palau now concedes that it was wrong for him to make such a suggestion, and he hopes his remarks will not cause any trouble for the Chinese Christians in those house churches.
Allie Martin and Fred Jackson are regular contributors to AgapePress, and report for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
