The U.S. State Department issued its Annual Report on International Religious Freedom on Sept. 13, and once again pointed out that the Chinese Communist authorities seriously violate religious freedom. In response, the secretary generals of the five [state approved] religions in China jointly issued a statement, “demanding that the U.S. stop the use of religion to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs.”
When I read the report on people.com on Sept. 16, I could not help but feel humored. When the U.S. government criticizes the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the majority of religious believers in China stand to benefit. However, the five religious heads did not show the slightest appreciation, but rather banded together to defend the CCP. It makes one ponder the true identities of these so-called religious figureheads.
I would definitely have taken their statement as having come directly from the CCP’s propaganda department, if it had not clearly said that it was a joint statement by the five religions. The statement is full of Communist Party jargon, such as “arbitrarily distorting” (the facts), and “the Chinese government firmly carries out religious freedom,” and so on.
Jiang Yu, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, can take this statement straight to the reporters; she doesn’t have to change a single word.
The five religions in China—Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and protestant Christianity—have rarely had anything to do with each other. They don’t even recognize one another. But under the CCP’s regime they suddenly become “united” in support of the CCP, jointly publishing a statement and even singing “red songs” together on stage.
Maybe one day the portraits of Marx, Lenin, Mao, Deng, and Jiang Zemin will hang in Buddhist and Taoist temples and in churches—who knows?
If what the statement says is true, we can only draw one conclusion: all is well with religious freedom in China!
But is it? Is the Catholic archbishop appointed by the CCP recognized by the Pope? Does the CCP dare to admit its suppression of China’s Christian house churches?
Arrests and persecution of Tibetan Buddhist monks have long been known to the world. Confronted by inquiries [regarding the persecution] of Falun Gong practitioners, dare any of the CCP officials publicly respond to the international community?
China once created a splendid culture due, in part, to the influence of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. It was because of these religions that Chinese people’s moral standard maintained a high level throughout their long history.
However, when the CCP seized power, it burned scriptures, destroyed temples and churches, and smashed Buddha statues. It destroyed religions by all means. Later, to keep up appearances in the eyes of the international community, it raised up many religious figures who showed loyalty to the CCP.
One such example is Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple. Who would think of him as a sincere monk? The swimsuit catwalk in front of Shaolin Temple is definitely another wonder of the world.
After reading the statement by the heads of the five religions on people.com, another article about Jia Qinglin, the fourth ranking member of the CCP, caught my attention. Jia sent a congratulatory message to the Chinese Islamic Association for holding the 9th National Conference.
I would like to quote a couple of passages from that article: “Jia Qinglin hoped that the new leadership of the Islamic Association of China can learn in depth, and carry out thoroughly, the spirit of the important speech that comrade Hu Jintao made on July 1, and insist on the CCP’s basic policy on religious work ... Continue to vigorously carry forward the glorious tradition of patriotism and faith loving. Firmly and unswervingly support the leadership of the CCP.”
What should one be thinking after reading these passages?
Read the original Chinese article.
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