I am planning to spend some time with my friend Paul in Seoul, South Korea. He is a devout Christian and sent me a PowerPoint with this message:
It is very pleased to be known you so far. The Lord be with your new adventure in China. Let's keep in touch and someday we may meet each other... Enclosed pls find my spiritual life story. It is my personal gift to you heartedly. Grace and peace from God, Savior and Lord, be to you always.I can stomach this sort of devotion to God, but not this group's nonsense. Maybe this is what the Chinese are guarding against?
Since the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949 by the Communist Party of China, Catholicism, like all religions, has only been legally permitted to operate under the supervision of the state. All worship must legally be conducted through State-approved churches belonging to the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, which does not accept the primacy of the Roman Pontiff.
The Chinese Constitution reads:
Article 36. Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief. 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. The state protects normal religious activities. No one may make use of religion to engage in activities that disrupt public order, impair the health of citizens or interfere with the educational system of the state. Religious bodies and religious affairs are not subject to any foreign domination.Which do you think has greater religious tolerance and freedom, China or the United States? Is the Rosary a normal religious activity? Is making a movie about climate change a normal religious activity and/or does it interfere with the educational system of the state?
I just found a second documentary with the words Green Dragon in its title. This one looks more interesting: http://www.greendragonfilm.com/.
ReplyDeleteI also just read an article by the same fellow who wrote about dryers in China for the Washington Post. See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/07/AR2010120702673.html?nav=emailpage.
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