Chinese officials seize Bibles from US missionaries
by Jenna Lyle
Posted: Monday, August 18, 2008, 8:31 (BST)
Officials at Kunming International Airport in China seized suitcases full of Bibles being carried into the country by four American Christians on Sunday.
Pat Klein, Steve Nichols, Forrest Higginbotham and his 15-year-old grandson Stephen Constantinou were carrying around 300 Bibles when they were stopped after flying into Kunming from Thailand.
According to the group, the officials told them that the Bibles were "illegal religious literature", according to China Aid Association, a group that works to support the persecuted church in China.
Klein told AFP by telephone from Kunming, "We've not done anything wrong. We're not trying to overthrow the government or disrupt the Olympics."
The missionaries were planning on distributing the Chinese-language Bibles among pastors in the communist country where it is illegal to sell Bibles in bookshops and the government even limits the number of Bibles available in churches belonging to the state-sanctioned Three Self Patriotic Movement.
"The Chinese leaders keep telling the world the Chinese people have religious freedom. To even prevent them from receiving bibles certainly contradicts that claim," Klein told CAA president, the Rev Bob Fu, over the phone.
Officials told the missionaries they could take one Bible each with them on their visit, but would only be allowed to pick up the remaining Bibles on their way back out of the country.
"I appeal to the Chinese Government to release those confiscated Bibles to the four individuals who deeply care about the Chinese believers," said Rev Fu, "I urge the international Christian community to pray for the four courageous fellow brothers for their safety in China."
China has repeatedly come under fire from rights groups for its persecution of house church members. Persecution watchdogs Open Doors and Release International have rallied supporters to pray for underground believers over the period of the Olympics, fearing that the Games have only triggered greater persecution.
US President George W Bush appealed to China to uphold religious freedom following a visit to a state-sanctioned church in Beijing on the opening weekend of the Olympics. CAA said that underground church leader Hua Huiqi was detained by police whilst on his way to the service before escaping and going into hiding. Chinese police deny the allegations.
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Added: Thursday, November 6, 2008, 6:07 (GMT)
Dear brothers and sister,
I believe that God always help us and protect us. We are save in God hands. Just patient and bibble say ; " You are the light of the word.A city on the hill can not be hidden. Neither do people light lamp and put it under the bowl. Instead they put it on the stand, and its gives the light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light be shine before men. That they may see your good deeds and praise your Father ini heaven". Mat 4:14 .God bless us".
Martha. M. M, Pekanbaru,Riau
Added: Friday, October 24, 2008, 8:04 (BST)
Dear Brothers & Sisters, and Dear sjt,
I am a Christian from China. After reading this news, I felt depressed for this persecution. But as you know, there are persecutions at many different places, and even different satuations.
Besides, I am so sad about that saying "they are our enemy. " Yes, sometimes the problem is about the govenm, not millions of nice Chinese people. We are brothers and sisters, and should be the union as Christ's Body. And even, Jesus told us, "Love your enemies." Please show our love only depending on Holy Spirit.
At last, we should see that God is using His Holy Word to save more and more sinners who are not only from US or UK, also China. According to this book "Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity Is Transforming China and Changing the Global Balance of Power (by David Aikman)", the number of Chinese Protestants is more than 7 ten million; the one of catholics is 1,200 million...
What we can do only is praying for more and more people...
Praise to Be God! and Pray for everyone!
ps: Book "Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity Is Transforming China and Changing the Global Balance of Power" by author: David Aikman; Publishing company: Regnery Publishing
Lucas, China
Added: Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 12:34 (BST)
Dear sjt and others,
Why react this way? Let us put more faith in our Lord and His Holy Spirit than this. Give them our other cheek. There are so manu more Bibles going into China than we think and more will flow in. Our role is to pray and pray and pray and have faith in the workings of our dearest Holy Spirit. Not in anger and calling for earthly justice, The underground churches in China grew that way, without outside help. Only the power of the Holy Spirit and the great love of our Father and the great sacrifice of His Son. Trat our enemies like our own family, smother them with our love in Him.
Shalom,
Kai
ong siong kai, Jakarta, Indonesia
Added: Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 8:57 (BST)
sjt from Tulsa wrote"they are our enemy - treat them as such". I agree. We should therefore show love and a willingness to be patient, without hostility. God will continue to get His Word to the Chinese despite their attempts to control Him. In a way it is a bit laughable that the mighty Chinese Communist Party think by coniscating Bibles they are stamping out Christianity. We have Bibles by the score in the West - and they are never opened. At least in China because of repression, they treasure the Word!
philip, belfast ireland
Added: Monday, August 18, 2008, 13:48 (BST)
we are a christian country and we let china in our food supply through walmart.
what does this action tell you?
they are acting like they did in 1930's.
they are our enemy. treat them as such.
sjt, tulsa oklahoma usa
