China: Crackdown on Christians continues as church members threatened

A church in China was stopped from holding services last Sunday, and members forced to register their identification cards with authorities.

The Communist Party is believed to be becoming progressively more suspicious of the influence of Christianity, which is experiencing significant growth in China. Reuters

According to Texas-based Christian charity China Aid, local officials raided Huoshi Fellowship church in Gansu, north-western China, on May 29.

The details of each church member were logged, and the church was warned not to continue holding meetings.

The Communist party is believed to be becoming progressively more suspicious of the influence of Christianity, which is experiencing significant growth in China. Up to 1,700 churches have been demolished or had their crosses torn down over the past two years.

According to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, the Chinese government last year "stepped up its persecution of religious groups deemed a threat to the state's supremacy and maintenance of a 'socialist society'".

On Tuesday, four civil rights activists were detained by authorities after holding a prayer meeting for those who died in the 1989 military crackdown in Tiananmen Square.

June 4 marks the 27th anniversary of the massacre, during which hundreds of pro-democracy protesters were killed. The Chinese government considers the protests a 'counter-revolutionary riot', and commemorating the anniversary is forbidden.

A report published by China Aid last month found that persecution against Christians in China has increased sevenfold since 2008.

The Chinese government wants to replace "Christ as the head of the church with submission to the Communist Party", the report read, alleging that more Christians are harassed, beaten and tortured than ever before.

related articles
The forgotten persecuted: 7 countries that abuse religious freedom

The forgotten persecuted: 7 countries that abuse religious freedom

China and India protest US religious freedom report
China and India protest US religious freedom report

China and India protest US religious freedom report

The latest threat to religion: We\'re all getting too rich
The latest threat to religion: We're all getting too rich

The latest threat to religion: We're all getting too rich

6 inspiring Christian missionaries who gave up everything for Christ

6 inspiring Christian missionaries who gave up everything for Christ

China sees sevenfold increase in persecution against Christians

China sees sevenfold increase in persecution against Christians

News
Remembering over 10 million lives lost to abortion in the UK
Remembering over 10 million lives lost to abortion in the UK

On Sunday, a sombre milestone was observed – 57 years since the Abortion Act was implemented in the UK in 1968.

German cardinal calls on conclave to elect 'orthodox' pope
German cardinal calls on conclave to elect 'orthodox' pope

A German cardinal has warned that the Catholic Church faces a split if it fails to replace the late Pope Francis with an “orthodox” candidate.

Who was Pope Adrian IV, the only English Pope?
Who was Pope Adrian IV, the only English Pope?

Few people know that there was once a Pope from England. This is the story …