Home
/
RELIGION & LIBERTY ONLINE
/
China: The Economics of Religious Freedom
China: The Economics of Religious Freedom
Apr 6, 2026 12:20 PM

Here’s a summary of a piece over at Forum 18:

Economics has a large effect on China’s religious freedom, Forum 18 News Service notes. Factors such as the need of munities for non-state e, significant regional wealth disparities, conflicts over economic interests, and artificially-induced dependence on the state e all provide the state with alternative ways of exercising control over munities. Examples where economics has a noticeable effect on religious freedom include, to Forum 18’s knowledge, the Buddhist Shaolin Temple’s business enterprises, clashes between Buddhist temple personnel and the tourism industry, the demolition of a Protestant church in Zhejiang Province, the expropriation of Catholic properties in Xian and Tianjin mercial development, the dependence of senior state-sanctioned religious leaders on the state for personal e, petition between and amongst registered and unregistered religious groups. Perhaps the greatest beneficiary of economic clashes is the state, which can use both control of e and also favouritism in economic conflicts to restrict religious freedom.

The Voice of the Martyrs News & Prayer Update also passed this along from the China Aid Association:

A pastor in the Three-Self Church in Pinglu County, Shanxi Province was prohibited from preaching and forced to leave the church by the Religious Affairs Bureau. The Pinglu Church invited a Hong Kong-based American pastor, Dennis be (Chinese name Bao Dening), to visit the church. The evening of July 9th, the head of the Pinglu Religious Affairs Bureau, Zhang Lianjie, came to the church and tried to dismiss the Bible classes and forbid the children to listen to Bible stories. He returned the next day with more officials, forcing the elders to retract their invitation to Pastor Bao Dening. In spite of immense pressure, church activities continued. On July 24th, Zhang came again and announced that a meeting would be held the next day to “discuss” Pastor Hu Qinghua’s leaving Pinlu. All the members of TSPM (Three-Self-Patriotic Movement) and CCC (Chinese Christianity Council) were to be at the meeting. The meeting began at 6 p.m. and the elders enumerated the achievements of Pastor Hu since taking charge of the church. The meeting continued till 11 p.m., but no matter how hard the elders insisted, Zhang Lianjie declared that Pastor Hu Qinghua had to leave Pinglu Church immediately. Pastor Hu Qinghua has left Pinglu, but he still tries fort and encourage the brothers and sisters in Linglu Church, by phone, to stand firm in the truth.

Comments
Welcome to mreligion comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
RELIGION & LIBERTY ONLINE
Bible Verse of the Day
  Daily Verse Reflection   Commentary on Proverbs 22:4   (Read Proverbs 22:4)   Where the fear of God is, there will be humility. And much is to be enjoyed by it; spiritual riches, and eternal life at last.   FAQs about the Daily Bible Verse   Why is reading a daily Bible verse important?   Reading a daily Bible verse helps you focus on God's word,...
Bible Verse of the Day
  1 John 2:12 In-Context   10 Anyone who loves their brother and sisterThe Greek word for brother and sister (adelphos ) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God's family; also in 3:10; 4:20, 21. lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.   11 But anyone who hates a brother...
Bible Verse of the Day
  Daily Verse Reflection   Complete Concise   Chapter Contents   Exhortations to meekness, gentleness, and humility. (1-5) To kindness towards all men, especially believers. (6-11) The Galatians guarded against the judaizing teachers. (12-15) A solemn blessing. (16-18)   Commentary on Galatians 6:1-5   (Read Galatians 6:1-5)   We are to bear one another's burdens. So we shall fulfil the law of Christ. This obliges to mutual...
Bible Verse of the Day
  FAQs about the Daily Bible Verse   Why is reading a daily Bible verse important?   Reading a daily Bible verse helps you focus on God's word, offering spiritual guidance and encouragement for the day ahead.   How can I incorporate daily Bible reading into my routine?   Set aside a few moments each morning or evening to read and reflect on a verse....
Bible Verse of the Day
  Daily Verse Reflection   Commentary on John 10:10-18   (Read John 10:10-18)   Christ is a good Shepherd; many who were not thieves, yet were careless in their duty, and by their neglect the flock was much hurt. Bad principles are the root of bad practices. The Lord Jesus knows whom he has chosen, and is sure of them; they also know whom...
The Intersection of Faith and Economic Freedom
The intersection of faith and economic freedom is a topic that explores how religious beliefs and practices intersect with economic systems and policies.
Bible Verse of the Day
  Daily Verse Reflection   Commentary on Jeremiah 17:5-11   (Read Jeremiah 17:5-11)   He who puts confidence in man, shall be like the heath in a desert, a naked tree, a sorry shrub, the product of barren ground, useless and worthless. Those who trust to their own righteousness and strength, and think they can do without Christ, make flesh their arm, and their...
Bible Verse of the Day
  Daily Verse Reflection   Commentary on Matthew 7:15-20   (Read Matthew 7:15-20)   Nothing so much prevents men from entering the strait gate, and becoming true followers of Christ, as the carnal, soothing, flattering doctrines of those who oppose the truth. They may be known by the drift and effects of their doctrines. Some part of their temper and conduct is contrary to...
Bible Verse of the Day
  Daily Verse Reflection   Commentary on Psalm 71:1-13   (Read Psalm 71:1-13)   David prays that he might never be made ashamed of dependence upon God. With this petition every true believer may come boldly to the throne of grace. The gracious care of Divine providence in our birth and infancy, should engage us to early piety. He that was our Help from...
Bible Verse of the Day
  FAQs about the Daily Bible Verse   Why is reading a daily Bible verse important?   Reading a daily Bible verse helps you focus on God's word, offering spiritual guidance and encouragement for the day ahead.   How can I incorporate daily Bible reading into my routine?   Set aside a few moments each morning or evening to read and reflect on a verse....
Related Classification
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.mreligion.com All Rights Reserved