Although the Chinese Constitution recognizes the right to religious freedom, the Xi Xinping government proposes new regulations that prohibit preaching of the Gospel. It happens in the context of an increasing number of christians in China.
The regulation, which has 35 articles, is promoted by the State Agency for Religious Affairs of China (SARA) and raises mandatory compliance measures. Among them, it prohibits preaching, digital transmission of religious texts including those of catechesis or formation in Christian doctrine, as well as the transmission of religious acts such as prayers, biblical readings, baptisms, etc.
Reprehensibly, calls the act of catechesis as “recruiting followers“. This is a list of some of the acts that will be banned:
- Digital transmission of texts, photos, audio or videos of preachings, baptisms, biblical readings, acts of communion or simply sharing religious information.
- Encourage children to participate in religious ceremonies.
- Establish new religious organizations.
- To sell, trade or distribute religious materials.
What does the Chinese Constitution say on religious freedom?
According to Article 35 of the Chinese Constitution, citizens enjoy freedom of expression, of press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration. Besides, art. 36 grants citizens the freedom to choose their religious beliefs, stating that no state organ may compel citizens to believe in or not believe in, any religion nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in or do not believe in, any religion.
It is remarkable that by art. 5, as expected, no laws or administrative or local rules or regulations may contravene the Constitution. But in this case, everything denotes that it has been violated by these new regulations that practically prevent practicing and teaching religion to other people.
It is fanciful to pretend that people can freely have a religion if they are later impeded from having access to the catechetical material that forms them in that religion.
It is estimated that China has around 50 million Christians, 12 million of them being Catholics who are affiliated with an association that is managed by the Chinese government and whose clergy is chosen by the Communist Party, or within an unofficial church that is loyal to the Vatican.
Under President Xi Jinping, China’s government has sought to increase control over religious affairs.
This resulted in the burning of crosses and the withdrawal of religious images, replacing them with national flags and slogans praising the communist party within the temples, as religious groups have informed to the media.
In some cases the Chinese authorities have followed and contacted Christians forcing them to sign papers renouncing their faith.
It has been reported that in the province of Jiangzi 40 temples were forced to show banners that forbid foreigners from preaching, and anyone under 18 from attending to them.
A few days ago the media reported how the Chinese authorities raided Beijing’s largest Protestant church because it refused to install 24 surveillance cameras in its interior. Everything inside was confiscated and the church closed.
