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Anti-persecution groups are bitter about the PNTR endorsements by some mission organizations that work in China. Trinity Broadcasting Network president Paul Crouch, Christian Broadcasting Network's Pat Robertson, and evangelist Luis Palau all endorsed PNTR.Evangelicals in business also remain divided. Mark Bensal saw his flourishing New York City garment factory buffeted by low-cost imports from China. "Every day I felt I had a responsibility in Christ to provide for my long-term workers," he says. "How was I going to tell them that their commitment of their economic well-being to me was going to go sour?"American business leaders say their presence in China helps establish both fair labor practices and freedom of religion.A Christian business leader of one of the largest American companies in China gives the example of his company's absolute insistence on observing safety standards. "We would walk away from a business if they insisted on unsafe conditions. We even insisted that heaters be put into the tents of our workers in the remote areas of China. In fact, production in creased as our morals were practiced. But if you are not there, you can't do it."

See today's related editorial, "Trading on Faith | Open trade with China will open ministry opportunities. But will human rights improve?"Our past news coverage of the China trade debate includes:House Approves Divisive U.S.-China Trade Pact | But will permanent normal trade relations status help human rights? (May 25, 2000)China Should Improve on Religion to Gain Permanent Trade Status, Commission Says | Religious liberty in Sudan and Russia also Criticized (May 8, 2000)How to Change China | Christian business leaders preach economic engagement to expedite reform. But others are leery. (May 4, 2000)Congress Approves Modified Religious Persecution Bill (Nov. 16, 1998)A Tale of China's Two Churches | Eyewitness reports of repression and revival. (July 13, 1998)China Mission: More Than 'Ping-Pong' Diplomacy | Former NAE president Don Argue calls for engagement, not isolation. (July 13, 1998)Religious Persecution Bill Drops Trade Sanction Clause (Apr. 27, 1998)The house church leaders' statements are still available at Congressman Jim DeMint's Web site (which doesn't attribute the letter to Rep. Joe Pitts. The letter is gone from Pitts' site, but what was there can still be seen through Google's cache.)Religion News Service also covered the debate among religious organizations over PNTR.Among the organizations and Christian leaders opposing PNTR are the Family Research Council (click here for their now obsolete Web page urging Christians to contact their Congressmen and here for a press release lamenting the vote), Jerry Falwell, and Charles Colson (registration required to read the transcript of his May 2 "Breakpoint").Religious leaders, including former National Association of Evangelicals president Don Argue, ChinaSource president Brent Fulton, and National Council of Churches president Andrew Young, sent a letter to members of Congress urging the passing of PNTR. The letter read, in part, "Change will not occur overnight in China. Nor can it be imposed from outside. Rather, change will occur gradually, and it will be inspired and shaped by the aspirations, culture, and history of the Chinese people. We on the outside can help advance religious freedom and human rights best through policies of normal trade, exchange and engagement for the mutual benefit of peoples of faith, scholars, workers, and businesses. Enacting permanent normal trade relations with China is the next, most important legislative step that Congress can take to help in this process." For a list of other religious leaders who back PNTR, click here.

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July 10 2000, Vol. 44, No. 8