CHINA CLOSES BUDDHIST SITE, ARRESTS PRIESTS
An American Buddhist group that spent $3 million renovating an 800-year-old temple in rural northern China said on Wednesday that police officers and soldiers took back the temple last week by arresting its spiritual leader and forcibly removing 70 Chinese and a small group of Americans.
Ref. https://deseretnews.com/dn/view/1%2C1249%2C...85159%2C00.html
For some reason, communism doesn't get along with religion. I don't understand the threat really. I do know that religious people living in communist nations don't get the best educations and jobs. They are looked upon suspiciously and as less worthy of responsibility, etc.
Why they feel they must only allow worship at state approved church's I don't understand. Do they think they are protecting their citizens from being duped or brainwashed somehow? I mean, how do they explain their rules to the people? I know law is absolute in such countries, but the leaders do think still. How do they justify it in their own minds?
I think it is mostly a matter of the state being very jealous of its position. That is, they don't want people looking to any power higher than the state for their salvation.
The state churches, then, give a very biased, "nuanced" view of religion. It is apparently very weak, watered down, and unsatisfying to most people.
Rice Asks China to Reach Out to Dalai Lama
AP - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she asked Chinese leaders in meetings Sunday to contact the Dalai Lama and said the exiled Tibetan leader is no threat to China
Ref. https://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...a_us_dalai_lama
BUSH WALKS CAREFUL LINE WITH CHINA
In the privacy of the Yellow Oval Room in the White House residence facing the Washington Monument one day last week, President Bush hosted one of China's archenemies. The Dalai Lama gave him a white scarf called a khata as a token of respect. Bush served tea and sipped from a glass of water. They talked about the continuing plight of Tibet.
Ref. https://deseretnews.com/dn/view/1%2C1249%2C...60943%2C00.html
If Bush is able to convince the Chinese to open up religious freedom in China then that will be the greatest thing he will be known for in my opinion since it is a task not even their own people could or can accomplish.
BUSH PUSHES FREE RELIGION FOR CHINESE
President Bush took a front-row seat at a church service this morning - sending a quiet signal to China's leaders that they should expand religious freedom in this communist nation.
Ref. https://deseretnews.com/dn/view/1%2C1249%2C...62629%2C00.html
Does anyone feel that the number of disasters happening in China have anything to do with their resentment towards religious freedom? Is God dishing out punishment?
AT LEAST 17 KILLED IN CHINA QUAKE
Thousands of people are sleeping in tents and open-air courtyards early Sunday after a moderate earthquake destroyed thousands of homes in eastern China, killing at least 17 people and injuring hundreds of others, according to Chinese officials and state-run media reports.
Ref. https://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/11/2...uake/index.html
CHINA TELLS RUSSIA SORRY FOR TOXIC SPILL
Visiting Premier Wen Jiabao ordered local leaders to restore running water to the 3.8 million people of this northeastern Chinese city, who spent a fourth day Saturday without supplies after a chemical spill in the river that provides their water.
Ref. https://deseretnews.com/dn/view/1%2C1249%2C...64491%2C00.html
Bush's Visit to Beijing Helps Trigger Release of Christian Leaders
QUOTE |
President Bush's two-day visit to Beijing beginning on November 19 proved to be a memorable event for house church leader Pastor Zhang Mingxuan. He was transported by several security agents along with his son from his Beijing detention center to a government guest hotel in Shaqi County of Henan Province the day before Bush's arrival. |