-Beijing, China: House Churches Forced to Close during Olympics?

by Dr. D ~ August 14th, 2008

Now comes the report that Christian house churches were forced by the government to close during the Olympics. Many house church leaders were apparently forced to sign a document–an agreement to:

“refrain from organising and joining illegal gatherings and refrain from receiving donations, sermons and preaching from overseas religious organisations and groups".

The leaders were warned that they would be subject to disciplinary action if they failed to adhere to the agreement. Not only that, the agreement is said to continue for several months after the end of the games.

Response: Another revelation about the hypocrisy of China which is trying to put forward its best face to the world during the Olympics. Meanwhile, behind the scenes they continue to curtail the religious rights of their own citizens and in this case actually persecute the underground church and it’s leaders.

This confirms some of the reports that we have read, heard, and reported on previously.

Open Doors, Release International, and VOM have asked for Christians to remember to pray for members of the Christian house churches during the Olympics. *Top