Human rights crucial but complex

Comments about religion in China often don't reflect much understanding about religion in China today. Religious freedom there is a very complex subject. It includes the Chinese takeover of Tibet in 1950 and the jailing of Falung Gong and Catholic dissidents. Besides that, there are many other issues to consider. Briefly:

1. China is not a religious country. Only about 10 percent of the people practice any organized religion, and this includes Taoism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Much of the rest of the country practice a cultural ancestor worship. Confucius said, "Honor the gods, but do not become their slaves."

2. China is of the few countries that never had a national religion, but for the most of its history it has been very tolerant and supportive of religions. There are records of emperors welcoming religions and giving them land.

When Marco Polo visited the port city of Quangzhou in the 13th century, he found a third of the population was Muslim, and congregations of Jews and Nestorian Christians. There are mosques in China dating back to the 7th century. During WWII, China was one of the few countries that took in Jewish refugees from Europe and protected them from the Japanese (the U.S. did not).

3. During a period of foreign occupation by western countries, from 1880 to 1950, western religious missionaries were accompanied by foreign troops, anti-Chinese beliefs, and much bloodshed, with thousands killed in uprisings. That recent history is cause of much suspicion of western religious organizations.

4. The Chinese constitution today protects freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. Religious services are held everywhere, and religion is widely practiced. All religions are thriving.

5. Organized religions are required to register with the government, and most religions including Protestant religions have done so. Those which have not registered are looked upon with suspicion.

5. Catholics in China were forbidden by the Pope in 1950 to cooperate with new Communist government. This was in contrast to the general practice of Rome to recognize communist regimes elsewhere. Most Catholics (including priests and bishops) at the time found that restriction intolerable and formed the Chinese Patriotic Church. There are now two Catholic churches in China, the "dissident" Catholic church recognized by Rome and the state-recognized Patriotic Catholic Church. Rome is eager to reconcile with that church today (with 10 million members) and talks with the government are apparently underway. The basic issue is how bishops shall be appointed. Beijing wants the ability to approve appointments. This should not be considered insurmountable, as Rome has granted similar privileges to other countries in the past.

China has an extraordinary religious history that goes back thousands of years. It avoided the religious wars and persecutions of Europe. It deserves our study and understanding.

Oooppss.

i [WE] also posted [this] on Chris Seiple's Spool.

Like In the Books of the Apocalyptic-On's (Not Off's) "O.ne U.niversal R.eligion" [O.U.R.] System, aka The "RELiGION of Everything Before, beforeThe SCiENCE of Everything, aka the HOlyi COsmic FEelers FAITH'rs or the "ULTRA-PARATESTAMENT" Of the New-Song (Philosophy), THAT

All "American" CHUMASH's (aka Bibles), All American Bibles, All American Quran's, All American GEETA's, All American Kangyur's and ALL, Every and Any, Imported REligions from the Abroad, whom get 'Tax-Exempt' Status's/Privileges (nOt a Right); THAT

Here (sweet sweet America) Shall be Made Mandatory, If Not Voluntary, in order to forthwith "APPEND//Attach"

(to Back, Front and or Middle) Either The Int'l "Holyi DECLARATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS" and or The U.S. Holyi "CONSTITUTION" in their entirety and also in ALL Their "CHURCH"(s) main SCRIPTURES (Books). ELSE Loose YEYo Corporate Tax-Free Privilege.

NO EXCEPTION! Hence "ALL", Same As saying 'NO!' (NOt a YES) via the Apocalyptarian's "Stable Definition Factor"!

Note: Congress Should start Eliminating "Reagan/Clinton's/Bush's/Obama's "W.H.-FAITH-BASED Community Initiative"s 1st; To Save, say, $2,000,000,000+ Per-Year {Which No One Seems To Know Where Its Going: i.e., Locally or Domestic. Anybody?
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