[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 145 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H10812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CHINESE HOUSE CHURCH APPEAL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I want to put domestic concerns and partisan 
concerns aside and speak for five minutes on behalf of the fundamental 
human right of religious liberty in the House Churches in China.
  Recently a number of House Church leaders in China wrote a very 
respectful appeal to the government of the People's Republic of China. 
The appeal says nothing against the Chinese Government, but reflects 
the utmost respect. These House Church leaders respectfully request 
that their government release those Christians imprisoned in labor 
reform camps and to stop attacks on the church. In addition, the 
authors request that the PRC begin a dialogue with the House Church 
leaders in order to deepen mutual understanding and to reduce 
confrontation between the two parties.
  Mr. Speaker, the House Church leaders who drafted this document and 
who sent it to Beijing have taken a very bold and possibly dangerous 
step in hoping for recognition from their government. I encourage the 
Chinese Government to take steps to increase religious liberty for the 
Chinese people, to use caution in these matters, and to deal justly 
with issues of religious freedom. It is vital that Americans support 
these courageous House Church leaders and members as they appeal to the 
Chinese Government for protection of their religious freedom.
  I would like to read the House Church appeal which has seven points 
to it for the Congressional Record. It is entitled ``a united appeal by 
the various branches of the Chinese House Church.''

       One: We call on the government to admit to God's great 
     power and to seriously study today's new trends in the 
     development of Christianity. The government should realize if 
     it were not for the work of God, why would so many churches 
     and Christians be raised up in China? Therefore, the judicial 
     system in the People's Congress and the United Front System 
     should readjust their policies and regulations on religion 
     lest they violate God's will to their own detriment.
       Two: We call on the legal authorities to release 
     unconditionally all House Church Christians presently serving 
     in Labor Reform Camps. These include Presbyterians who 
     believe that if one is saved once he or she is saved always; 
     Charismatic Church; Local Church, incorrectly called Shouters 
     Sect; the Way of Life Church, also called the Full Scope 
     Church; the Pentecostal Church; Lutherans who do not attend 
     the Three-Self Churches; and the Baptist Church. They should 
     be released from prison if they are orthodox Christians, as 
     recognized by Christian churches internationally, and have 
     been imprisoned for the sake of the gospel.
       Three: There are approximately 10 million believers in the 
     Three-Self Church but 80 million believers in the House 
     Church. The House Church represents the mainstream 
     Christianity in China. Therefore, the government should face 
     reality as it is. If Taiwan with its population of 22 million 
     cannot represent China, but the mainland can with its 
     population of 1.2 billion, likewise the Three-Self Church 
     cannot represent the Chinese Christian Church. The Three-Self 
     Church is only a branch. Moreover, in many spiritual matters 
     there is serious deviation in the Three-Self Church. The 
     government should clearly understand this.
       Four: We call on the central leadership of the Chinese 
     Communist Party to begin a dialogue with representatives of 
     the House Church in order to achieve better mutual 
     understanding, to seek reconciliation, to reduce 
     confrontation, and to engage in positive interaction.
       Five: We call on the government to spell out the definition 
     of a ``cult.'' The definition should be according to 
     internationally recognized standards and not according to 
     whether or not people join the Three-Self.
       Six: We call on the legal authorities to end their attack 
     on the Chinese House Church. History has proven that attacks 
     on Christians who fervently preach the Gospel only bring harm 
     to China and its government. Therefore, the legal system 
     should end its practice of arresting and imprisoning House 
     Church preachers and believers, confining them in labor 
     camps, or imposing fines as a punishment.
       Seven: The Chinese House Church is the channel through 
     which God's blessing comes to China. The persecution of God's 
     children has blocked this channel of blessing. Support of the 
     House Church will certainly bring God's blessing.
       We hope the government will have a positive response though 
     this united appeal by the House Church.
       The Holy Spirit has awakened our hearts. May God bless 
     China. Signed Henan Province. August 22, 1998.

  This letter was signed by seven key House Church leaders.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to add that with the definition of 
cults which some of the authorities in China appear to have adopted, 
most of the churches in America would be classified as cults, because 
under that policy, they could not talk about such things as the end of 
the world, the second coming of Christ, abortion or spiritual warfare.
  I would appeal to the government authorities in China to deal with 
believers prudently and cautiously, to treat them with dignity and 
respect. I would remind them it is those countries that recognize the 
importance of religious liberty and treat it as a fundamental human 
right which are the most stable societies in the world.

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