[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 174 (Friday, October 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1457-E1459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CHINESE CHRISTIANS DECLARE WITH ONE VOICE OPPOSITION TO RELIGIOUS
OPPRESSION
_____
HON. DANA ROHRABACHER
of california
in the house of representatives
Friday, October 26, 2018
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, last month, nearly 300 Chinese
Christian pastors publicly signed ``A Declaration for the Sake of the
Christian Faith.'' In so doing, they have risked severe persecution,
imprisonment, and even death in China's vast network of horrifying re-
education and forced-labor camps. These courageous champions for Jesus
Christ, the Christian faith, and religious freedom have shocked and
shamed China's communist regime before the world.
I regret to inform the people of the United States that a terrifying
new round of attacks on Christians has been taking place in China. And
earlier this year, President Xi Jinping introduced a five-year plan to
``Sinicize'' all that country 's religions by blending them with
``Chinese characteristics'' such as loyalty to the Communist Party.
Over the past several months, the government has taken violent steps
to fulfill this plan by closing and razing hundreds of Christian
churches and seizing Bibles. Under the new crackdown, children and
Communist Party members are banned from churches in some areas, and
Party officials have forced Christians to replace posters of Jesus with
portraits of President Xi Jinping. Reports have also confirmed that
numerous Chinese Christians were sentenced to up to 13 years in jail
for involvement in the so-called ``cult'' known as Christianity.
President Trump is standing for freedom and doing what is right
rather than kowtowing to Chinese President Xi Jinping. He is demanding
that China end its appalling persecution of Christians and other
religious minorities--and I am proud to be shoulder-to-shoulder with
him in the fight to stop this infamous case of communist terror.
The American people are outraged by President Xi's depraved behavior
toward Christians. It must stop now. We should make that part of any
future discussions. China is ruled by a brutal dictatorship. In fact,
the so-called People's Republic of China doesn't have any democratic
institutions. We must tell President Xi that the people and government
of the United States will not give China trade benefits until the anti-
Christian attacks stop.
The people of communist China want freedom. There are millions of
Christians in that country-but its atheist dictatorship rules over
people with an iron fist. We the people of the United States condemn
the Chinese Communist Party for their bloody attacks on their own
citizens. President Xi must end this inhuman and cruel persecution of
Christians and allow religious freedom before the world will accept
China as a civilized country.
Chinese state media falsely claim that its citizens enjoy freedom of
religion. In fact, their constitution states: ``No state organ, public
organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to
believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens
who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion.''
Ever since Xi Jinping became president of China, in 2012, he has
consolidated and centralized his power and cultivated a cult of
personality like Mao. ``Xi Jinping Thought'' has even been added to
China's constitution--a status reserved only for Mao Zedong and Deng
Xiaoping previously. This means that any challenge to President Xi's
policies--including his assault on Christians--may now be regarded as a
threat to Communist Party rule.
More than 70 million Catholics and Protestants live in China, which
means that China will have the world's largest Christian population in
a few decades. I call on all of America's Christian leaders--and
religious leaders of all faiths--to join with President Trump and all
Americans in condemning China's hateful acts and praying that Chinese
Christians will one day be able to live in China in freedom, in
justice, and in religious liberty for all.
I include in the Record a Joint Statement by Pastors; A Declaration
for the Sake of the Christian Faith:
On the morning of Saturday, September 1, 2018, one of
China's leading house churches, Early Rain Covenant Church in
Chengdu, posted a joint statement on Facebook declaring its
stance on the new religious regulations. So far, the document
has been signed by 116 church leaders* across the country and
the call for signatures remains open. This is an interesting
and important document for the ongoing development of the
house church's response to the new regulations, particularly
as the church continues to reflect on and articulate its
theology of the gospel and the kingdom, rather than resorting
to language of liberty and rights. Along with Early Rain's 95
Theses, documents like this are important for the history of
the church in China and should encourage Christians across
the globe.
We are a group of Chinese Christians, chosen by the Most
High God to be His humble servants, serving as pastors for
Christian churches throughout various towns and cities. We
believe and are obligated to teach the world that the one
true and living Triune God is the Creator of the universe, of
the world, and of all people. All men should worship God and
not any man or thing. We believe and are obligated to teach
the world that all men, from national leaders to beggars and
prisoners, have sinned. They will
[[Page E1458]]
die once and then be judged in righteousness. Apart from the
grace and redemption of God, all men would eternally perish.
We believe and are obligated to teach the world that the
crucified and risen Jesus is the only Head of the global
church, the sole Savior of all mankind, and the everlasting
Ruler and supreme Judge of the universe. To all who repent
and believe in Him, God will give eternal life and an eternal
Kingdom.
In September 2017, the State Council issued the new
``Regulations on the Administration of Religious Affairs''
and began implementing these regulations in February 2018.
Ever since then, Christian churches across China have
suffered varying degrees of persecution, contempt, and
misunderstanding from government departments during public
worship and religious practices, including various
administrative measures that attempt to alter and distort the
Christian faith. Some of these violent actions are
unprecedented since the end of the Cultural Revolution. These
include demolishing crosses on church buildings, violently
removing expressions of faith like crosses and couplets
hanging on Christians' homes, forcing and threatening
churches to join religious organizations controlled by the
government, forcing churches to hang the national flag or to
sing secular songs praising the State and political parties,
banning the children of Christians from entering churches and
receiving religious education, and depriving churches and
believers of the right to gather freely.
We believe that these unjust actions are an abuse of
government power and have led to serious conflicts between
political and religious parties in Chinese society. These
actions infringe on the human freedoms of religion and
conscience and violate the universal rule of law. We are
obligated to announce bad news to the authorities and to all
of society: God hates all attempts to suppress human souls
and all acts of persecution against the Christian church, and
he will condemn and judge them with righteous judgment.
But we are even more obligated to proclaim good news to the
authorities and to all of society: Jesus, the only begotten
Son of God, the Savior and King of mankind, in order to save
us sinners was killed, was buried, and rose from the dead by
the power of God, destroying the power of sin and death. In
His love and compassion God has prepared forgiveness and
salvation for all who are willing to believe in Jesus,
including Chinese people.
At any time, anyone can repent from any sin, turn to
Christ, fear God, obtain eternal life, and bring great
blessing from God upon his family and country.
For the sake of faith and conscience, for the spiritual
benefits of the authorities in China and of society as a
whole, and ultimately for the glory, holiness, and
righteousness of God, we make the following declaration to
the Chinese government and to all of society:
1. Christian churches in China believe unconditionally that
the Bible is the Word and Revelation of God. It is the source
and final authority of all righteousness, ethics, and
salvation. If the will of any political party, the laws of
any government, or the commands of any man directly violate
the teachings of the Bible, harming men's souls and opposing
the gospel proclaimed by the church, we are obligated to obey
God rather than men, and we are obligated to teach all
members of the church to do the same.
2. Christian churches in China are eager and determined to
walk the path of the cross of Christ and are more than
willing to imitate the older generation of saints who
suffered and were martyred for their faith. We are willing
and obligated under any circumstance to face all government
persecution, misunderstanding, and violence with peace,
patience, and compassion. For when churches refuse to obey
evil laws, it does not stem from any political agenda; it
does not stem from resentment or hostility; it stems only
from the demands of the gospel and from a love for Chinese
society.
3. Christian churches in China are willing to obey
authorities in China whom God has appointed and to respect
the government's authority to govern society and human
conduct. We believe and are obligated to teach all believers
in the church that the authority of the government is from
God and that as long as the government does not overstep the
boundaries of secular power laid out in the Bible and does
not interfere with or violate anything related to faith or
the soul, Christians are obligated to respect the
authorities, to pray fervently for their benefit, and to pray
earnestly for Chinese society. For the sake of the gospel, we
are willing to suffer all external losses brought about by
unfair law enforcement. Out of a love for our fellow
citizens, we are willing to give up all of our earthly
rights.
4. For this reason, we believe and are obligated to teach
all believers that all true churches in China that belong to
Christ must hold to the principle of the separation of church
and state and must proclaim Christ as the sole head of the
church. We declare that in matters of external conduct,
churches are willing to accept lawful oversight by civil
administration or other government departments as other
social organizations do. But under no circumstances will we
lead our churches to join a religious organization controlled
by the government, to register with the religious
administration department, or to accept any kind of
affiliation. We also will not accept any ``ban'' or ``fine''
imposed on our churches due to our faith. For the sake of the
gospel, we are prepared to bear all losses--even the loss of
our freedom and our lives.
Signatories of the Joint Statement:
Pastor Wang Yi (Chengdu Early Rain Covenant Church), Pastor
Yang Hua (Guiyang Living Stone Church), Pastor Jin Mingri
(Beijing Zion Church), Pastor Zhang Xiaofeng, Elder Sun Yi,
Elder You Guanghui (Beijing Shouwang Church Governance
Committee), Pastor Huang Xiaoning (Guangzhou Bible Reformer
Church), Pastor Dou Shaowen (Zhengzhou Conerstone Church),
Elder Zhang Chuanlei (Guiyang Renai Reformed Church), Elder
Wen Hongbin (Chengdu Xishuipang Reformed Church), Minister
Yang Xibo (Xiamen Xunsiding Church), Minister Jiang Jianping
(Foshan Olive Tree Church), Elder Xue Honggen (Chengdu Yudu
Zhuen Reformed Church), Elder Char Changping (Chengdu
Shengmingzhiquan Church), Minister Shi Shangbiao (Zhangzhou
Feilizhijia Church), Pastor Li Tao (Kunming Endian Church),
Pastor Shen Xianfeng (Wuhan Zhongfu Chenxing Church).
Elder Tang Bohu (Shanghai Caihong Reformed Church), Cui
Quan (Shanghai Wangbang Xuanjiao Church), Pastor Su Yaorong
(Taizhou Tianfu Reformed Church), Minister Wang Teng (Taizhou
Mingdao Reformed Church), Pastor Wang Changyi (Tiazhou
Tiantai Fuyin Church), Pastor Ji Jianyang (Tiazhou Xianju
Mengen Church), Pastor Guo Chuanyu ChangchunLinhezhifu
Reformed Church), Pastor Li Lianmin (Shenzhen Shajing Bible
Reformed Church), Pastor Zhuang Zhiyong (Shenzhen Huaqiang
Bible Reformed Church), Pastor Chen Jingtang (Shengzhen
Guifangyuan Bible Reformed Church), Pastor Huang Lei (Wuhan
Shangxiatang Church), Pastor Zhang Yong (Changchun
Yangguangzhijia Reformed Church), Pastor Gao Lijun (Wenzhou
Wangkun Church), Minister Cai Jingliang (Foshan Fangzhou
Church), Minister Xu Jianwei (Hebei Tangshan Church).
Minister Jiangtian (Chengdu Gospel Church), Minister An
Yankui (Taiyuan Xuncheng Reformed Church), Elder Haoming
(Deyang Qiuyu Qingcaodi Church), Minister Li Zihu (Chengdu
Ziuyu Enyue Church), Minister Cheng Zhangchun (Chengdu Qiuyu
Jianan Church), Minister Cao Qingen (Chengdu Linxishu
Reformed Church), Minister Wang Tianmin (Shamen New Creation
Church), Minister Wan Changchun, Elder Wang Zhaorong, (Bangbu
Huoshi Reformed Church), Pastor Li Jiale (Beijing Daohang
Zhijia Church), Pastor Huang Yizi (Wenzhou Pingyang Fengwo
Church), Pastor Lin Yage (Guiyang Mengen Church), Pastor Wu
Yiqi (Changchun Fuyin Zhiguang Reformed Church), Minister Gu
Hongfei (Beijing Aixuan Church), Pastor Xu Zhibing (Jiangsu
Guanyun Xiansi Duizhong New Church), Pastor Peng Qiang
(Chengdu Enfu Reformed Gospel Church).
Elder Zheng Zhaobei, Ministers Ren Lichuan and Jie Shoutuan
(Chengdu Xishuipang Reformed Gospel Church), Elder Jiang
Guocheng, Elder Peng Yuan (Renshou Enhui Reformed Gospel
Church), Elder Liu Maolin (Linyi Enyue Reformed Church),
Elder Yan Xiaoxin (Rizhao Enzhao Reformed Church), Elder
Huowei (Linyi Enquan Reformed Church), Elder Chen Shun (Linyi
Enyuan Reformed Mission), Elder Li Rongtai (Linyi Enlin
Reformed Church), Minister Yang Binchuan (Zaozhuang Zhuentang
Church), Pastor Liu Hongwei (Beijing Ganlanshan Church),
Minister Lin Hesheng (Chengdu Fanglin Church), Liu Zhiyong
(Xi'an Jitaicun Cornerstone Church), Minister Luo Ruisheng
(Guangzhou Sui Guizheng Fuyin Tuanqi Huangshen Jiangdian),
Minister Ye Xinde (Fujian Zhangpu Yilin Zhijia Reformed
Church), Minister Meng Yongguang (Gansu Lanzhou Chenxing
Church), Minister Wang Zisheng (Qingdao Jimiya Church),
Minister Huang Wenyou (Hong Kong Chinese Christian Church).
Minister Chen Huizhen (Zhangzhou Longhai Shima Xincheng
Church), Pastor Liu Yang (Xi'an Xinwang Ai Church), Minister
Sun Chao (Yunnan Qujing Feila Tiefei Church), Pastor Xu Mei
(Xi'an Enquan Church), Pastor Dong Zhi (Beijing Hemujia
Church), Brother Liang Yongen (Dalian Shien Zhen Church),
Pastor Ju Dawei (Xi'an Halleluiah Church), Pastor Zhao Yanwei
(Zhengzhou Zhongai Church), Pastor Ren Jinbiao (Hebei Botou
Shihong Grace Church), Pastor Huang Lei (Hunan Yueyang Shipan
Shisheng Jingdu Church), Pastor Sun Hong (Jilin Shengyue
Zhendao Church), Minister Zhu Lehai (Zhangjiajie Hope
Christian Church), Pastor Zhang Qianjin (Beijing,
missionary), Pastor Gao Quanfu (Xi'an Zhiguang Church),
Pastor Guo Zhi (Dongguan Reformed Gospel Church).
Minister Chen Shengda (Wenzhou Boteli Church), Minister
Wang Lanqing (Shandong Linyi Tiancheng Shengyue Church),
Pastor Guo Yijun (Beijing Endao Reformed Baptist Church),
Minister Xu Fengchuan (Anhui Fuyang Nanzhao Xingqi Faguang
Church), Minister Huang Wenguang (Shenzhen Jehovah Yile
Church), Minister Li Jianxuan (Shenzhen Thanksgiving Church),
Minister Yin Xuguang (Beijing Shijing Shanshuguang Church),
Pastor Zhou Yunfeng (Xianyang Xin Wang Ai Yangwang Church),
Minister Yang Fuli (Shijiazhuang Hongdao Church), Teacher
Cheng Chaohua (Wenzhou Shenzhou Preaching Team), Minister Qin
Shengjie (Henan Balizhuang Church), Teacher Wang Weixin
(Wenzhou Yufutang Church). Pastor Weng Xiangkun (Wenzhou
Shenzhou Preaching Team), Pastor Huang hanxin (Wenzhou
[[Page E1459]]
Shenzhou Preaching Team), Minister Wang Xiao (Henan
Dongguocun Church).
Pastor Zhu Jiahao (Wenzhou Shenzhou Preaching Team),
Minister Xinyi Chuandao (Datong Lirenzao Church), Minister
Zhao Lihui (Datong Lirenzao Church), Pastor Lin Jinlian
(Wenzhou Shenzhou Preaching Team), Pastor Yan Xiaojie
(Wenzhou Shangjiang Church), Minister Chen Jiafu (Chen Dawei)
(Fuzhou Boteli Reformed Church), Pastor Du Youchang (Jingmen
Ganlanshan Church), Pastor Wang Yongcheng, Elder Feng
Guangxiong (Shen Ai Shi Ren Fengshou Church), Pastor Ruan
Dawei (Zhanjiang Gengxin Church), Minister Guan Xinyuan
(Jiangsu Liyang Family Church), Minister Zhao Ruohan (Henan
Xihuo Church), Minister Sun Chanli (Hubei Shiyan Rongguang
Biliya Church), Elder Li Youhong (Chengdu Shengming Zhi Quan
Church), Elder Yan Xixia, Elder Su Bingsen, Elder Li
Yingqiang, Elder Tan Defu, Minister Zhang Xudong, (Chengdu
Early Rain Covenant Church).
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