Bible distribution in China. Photo Credit: Bibles for China
The Chinese government has arrested four (4) Christians for selling audio Bibles as part of the nation’s crackdown on Christianity and eradication of “illegal publications.”
According to China Aid, an international non-profit Christian human rights organization committed to promoting religious freedom, the four Christians — Fu Xuanjuan, Deng Tianyong, Han Li and Feng Qunhao — were arrested on July 2 on charges of “illegal business operations” and on 9 Dec. 2020 were lined up before court.
They worked at a company called Life Tree Culture Communication Co., Ltd., which was founded in 2011 in the province of Guangdong.
International Christian Concern (ICC) reports that authorities are seeking harsh sentences for the accused, with the suggested sentence for Fu being five years in prison; Deng, as the company’s supervisor, to serve three years in prison and pay a fine; Feng, as the technician, to also serve three years in prison and pay a fine, while Han, as the accountant, to serve 18 months and pay a fine.
ICC is quoted by the Christian Post as saying that Life Tree Culture Communication Co. is a “legally established company,” but if China’s “government wants to criminalize you, it does not need a reason.”
“The hefty sentences against these Christians are used to scare other Christians so they would not dare to sell Bibles without going through state-sanctioned churches.”
As this website reported earlier, the authorities in China banned online retailers from selling copies of the Bible in April 2018. Legally, reports show, the Bible can only be distributed by government-approved agencies that supervise Christian churches in China.
China’s ruling Communist Party recognizes Buddhism, Islam, Taoism, Protestantism and Catholicism, even as the Party itself is officially atheist. Ever since Chinese President Xi Jinping came into power, though, the government has increasingly sought to crack down on Christianity, according to the Independent.
Open Doors, a non-denominational mission supporting persecuted Christians in the world, ranks China at No. 23 on its list of 50 countries where it’s most difficult to be a Christian. The nonprofit notes that all churches are perceived as a threat if they become too large, too political, or invite foreign guests, according to the Christian Post.
