Protesting China
Last year during the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing, some American Christians had Chinese Bibles confiscated at the airport. Other protestors were arrested. Some were deported. Some were denied entry into the country. A debate arose about these foreign protestors.
One right wing radio host/columnist applauded the protestors. I questioned what about the protestors’ conduct merited praise. He said that China oppresses Christians and that therefore protesting is necessary. I questioned what does protesting accomplish?
It was at this point that the rant started. He never addressed my question. The answer is that going to China to identify yourself as a Christian and protest the treatment of Christians in the country is counterproductive. What are the leaders going to think? “O gee, these guys are protesting. I guess we won’t oppress Christians anymore.” Or might this give Christians a reputation as troublemakers?
That is my contention. American Christians going to China and boldly protesting the Chinese government’s treatment of Christians causes the Chinese leadership to identify Christians as troublemakers thereby trusting them less and giving them fewer freedoms than they otherwise would have.
But over the past few years China has lessened its oppression of Christians. They’ve done this because Christians in China have been following the instructions of Jesus. It’s not in the Bible that Christians should protest government policies with which we disagree. Christians love their neighbors. They look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep themselves from being polluted by the world. They feed the hungry. They submit to authorities.
These actions have resulted in the Chinese government having a more favorable view of Christians and Christianity. They’re seeing that it’s not really the threat that they had originally thought it was. As a result, China has been slowly lightening up the pressure on the practice of Christianity.
The actions of Christians have not only affected the Chinese government but also the Chinese people. People see what good Christians are doing which results in a favorable view of Christians. They’re more likely to attend a church meeting and are more receptive to the gospel.
No, the protests of American Christians didn’t do any good at all. But Christians’ obedience to the commands of Christ have had a powerful effect on both the government and citizens.
One right wing radio host/columnist applauded the protestors. I questioned what about the protestors’ conduct merited praise. He said that China oppresses Christians and that therefore protesting is necessary. I questioned what does protesting accomplish?
It was at this point that the rant started. He never addressed my question. The answer is that going to China to identify yourself as a Christian and protest the treatment of Christians in the country is counterproductive. What are the leaders going to think? “O gee, these guys are protesting. I guess we won’t oppress Christians anymore.” Or might this give Christians a reputation as troublemakers?
That is my contention. American Christians going to China and boldly protesting the Chinese government’s treatment of Christians causes the Chinese leadership to identify Christians as troublemakers thereby trusting them less and giving them fewer freedoms than they otherwise would have.
But over the past few years China has lessened its oppression of Christians. They’ve done this because Christians in China have been following the instructions of Jesus. It’s not in the Bible that Christians should protest government policies with which we disagree. Christians love their neighbors. They look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep themselves from being polluted by the world. They feed the hungry. They submit to authorities.
These actions have resulted in the Chinese government having a more favorable view of Christians and Christianity. They’re seeing that it’s not really the threat that they had originally thought it was. As a result, China has been slowly lightening up the pressure on the practice of Christianity.
The actions of Christians have not only affected the Chinese government but also the Chinese people. People see what good Christians are doing which results in a favorable view of Christians. They’re more likely to attend a church meeting and are more receptive to the gospel.
No, the protests of American Christians didn’t do any good at all. But Christians’ obedience to the commands of Christ have had a powerful effect on both the government and citizens.
posted by Dave at Friday, November 27, 2009
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