China under Xi Jinping: Party decides what you preach, Christians persecuted

 In China, without the permission of the party apparatchiks, you can’t organize a Bible study. And if you do get permission, you’d better hold it in a Party-approved religious venue, at a Party-approved time, with a Party-approved leader and using the new Party-approved Bible, which contains quotations from Confucius and, of course, Chinese supremo Xi Jinping.

  Yes, the only religion allowed is faith in the Chinese Communist Party.

 On February 1, 2020, new restrictions on all forms of religious activity came into force. The 41 new rules called “Control measures for religious group” introduced by China, deal with everything from the holding of rites and rituals, to the selection of leaders and annual meetings to the hiring of staff and the handling of funds. All of these must be reported — in advance, no less — to the comrades at the “Religious Affairs” office for their approval.

 Article 17 says, "religious organizations must spread the principles and policies of the Chinese Communist Party, as well as national laws, regulations, rules to religious personnel and religious citizens, educating religious personnel and religious citizens to support the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, supporting the socialist system, adhering to and following the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics ... "

The Chinese Communist Party is persecuting Christians in China. Activities, rallies, programs of religious communities must have the approval of the Religious Affairs Office.  Religious organizations must "spread the principles and policies of the Chinese Communist Party" by educating "religious staff and religious citizens to support the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party".

 “Religious groups must also report to the appropriate government authorities any and all other matters that should be reported,” say the new rules. The “Control Measures” are part of Xi Jinping’s New Cultural Revolution, one goal of which is to stamp out all religious groups that the Communist Party cannot co-opt and control. “A religious group cannot carry out any activities without registration with the Civil Affairs office and the approval of the Religious Affairs office of the people’s government.”

 Catholic churches were demolished, crosses and statues were denuded. Images of the Madonna and Child replaced with President and undisputed leader Xi Jinping. Banners of the Ten Commandments were painted over with quotes from Xi.

 The text of the "Administrative measures for religious groups" consists of six chapters and 41 articles dealing with the organization, functions, offices, supervision, projects and economic administration of communities and groups at both a national and local level.  Every aspect of the life of religious communities - from formation, gatherings to annual and daily projects - is subject to approval by the government's religious affairs department.

 In addition to widespread control of all community activities, the new measures require religious personnel to support, promote and implement total submission to the Chinese Communist Party among all members of their communities.