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Home > 2009 > March (Web-only)

Christianity Today, March (Web-only), 2009 |

Where We Stand

China's Human Rights, In the Red

President Obama should keep values at the center of American foreign policy.

A Christianity Today editorial | posted 3/13/2009 03:49PM

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The Obama administration may be pressured by the economic crisis to downplay human rights concerns so that Beijing will continue to loan the U.S. government money through the purchase of U.S. bonds. But evangelical activist Bob Fu of China Aid says Americans committed to human rights can bypass governments if necessary: "We do not need to be afraid to press human rights issues. If the Chinese government's fist is closed to input now, we can go directly to the people within China — people whose hands are open to receive help, advice, encouragement, and support. In fact, they are the best investment for promoting China as friend and partner in years to come."

The Obama administration and Secretary Clinton will have many interactions with China's top leaders in coming months, including President Obama's first meeting with President Hu Jintao in early April. China isn't the only concern. Activists are equally worried about the Obama administration's handling of human rights concerns in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and other troubled regions.

Our leaders need to consistently stay the course for freedom and human rights. This is the only way to help China (and other nation-states) get the message.

Related Elsewhere:

Earlier Christianity Today editorials on China include:

That Controversial 'Messiah' | Christian art continues to stir people in unexpected ways (Dec. 22, 2008)

Trading on Faith in China | Open trade with China will open ministry opportunities. But will human rights improve? (July 10, 2000)

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March (Web-only) 2009, Vol. 53

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Myron

Posted: March 17, 2009 11:43 AM


Contributor "Another perspective" is right on track on the situation on the ground in China. I like a statement made by Rob Gifford, in his book, China Road, about watching China: "if you're not confused, then you simply haven't been paying attention." The issue is how to better advance, in the environment that is China, the reforms that would most benefit the church for God's glory.

Another perspective

Posted: March 16, 2009 12:54 PM

Any more I feel that reading American viewpoints on Christianity in China is like viewing an object in a warped mirror. First, is there persecution of HC Christians in China? Yes, in some provinces and some cities. In other provinces HCes worship openly. In some cases, they've even built their own buildings. Second, are the HC Christians the only "good" Christians in China? No, there are many orthodox, Bible-believing leaders in the official church, as well. And in some places believers feel equally at home in HCes and official churches. There are also some widespread heterodox HC networks, true cults. Third, are some believers in prison because of their faith? Yes, in some places, particularly in political hot sports. This tends to be more common of leaders than pew Christians. In sum, there is religious openness some places in China. And persecution is still the norm in other places.

Myron

Posted: March 15, 2009 4:30 PM

Suggesting that Sec. Clinton's statements "could not (be) more..discomfiting for house-church Christians", and the editorial overall do not reflect realities in China. Rather than forming views based on China Aid and Bob Fu who has not been in China for years; the editorialist and readers of CT would be more well served to form views from the first hand reporting done by Rob Moll in Christianity Today's, May, 2008, issue. In discussions last week with house-church (HC) leaders from a church that in 2008 was the subject of an unwanted China Aid report about a “raided” church, the HC leaders' view was that: 1) the religious freedom dialogue should be separate from other issues, 2) those outside China should learn from the HC inside China how to cultivate advances for religious freedom through positive engagement with govt rather than China bashing, and 3) foreign entities should intervene only when by a narrow definition a persons health or life is at risk. END

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