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Growth of Christianity in China (view source)
Revision as of 17:37, February 11, 2017
, 17:37, February 11, 2017→Ethnic Chinese and the rise of Christianity in Southeast Asia
China, devoured by hunger so many times in its history, now feels a spiritual hunger beneath the neon exterior of its suddenly great cities. Four hundred million Chinese on the prosperous coast have moved from poverty to affluence in a single generation, and 10 million to 15 million new migrants come from the countryside each year, the greatest movement of people in history. Despite a government stance that hovers somewhere between discouragement and persecution, more than 100 million of them have embraced a faith that regards this life as mere preparation for the next world. Given the immense effort the Chinese have devoted to achieving a tolerable life in the present world, this may seem anomalous. On the contrary: it is the great migration of peoples that prepares the ground for Christianity, just as it did during the barbarian invasions of Europe during the Middle Ages.
China, devoured by hunger so many times in its history, now feels a spiritual hunger beneath the neon exterior of its suddenly great cities. Four hundred million Chinese on the prosperous coast have moved from poverty to affluence in a single generation, and 10 million to 15 million new migrants come from the countryside each year, the greatest movement of people in history. Despite a government stance that hovers somewhere between discouragement and persecution, more than 100 million of them have embraced a faith that regards this life as mere preparation for the next world. Given the immense effort the Chinese have devoted to achieving a tolerable life in the present world, this may seem anomalous. On the contrary: it is the great migration of peoples that prepares the ground for Christianity, just as it did during the barbarian invasions of Europe during the Middle Ages.
<ref>[https://soundfaith.com/sermons/24469-christianity-finds-a-fulcrum-in-asia Christianity Finds a Fulcrum in Asia] by Justin Wood</ref>}}
<ref>[https://soundfaith.com/sermons/24469-christianity-finds-a-fulcrum-in-asia Christianity Finds a Fulcrum in Asia] by Justin Wood</ref>}}
== China, state atheism and persecution ==
''See also:'' [[Atheism and communism]] and [[Communism and religious persecution]]
[[Communism|Communist]] countries practice [[state atheism]] (See: [[Atheism and communism]]).
[[File:Flag of the PRC.png|thumbnail|200px|right|In 1955, [[China|Chinese]] communist leader Zhou Enlai declared, "We Communists are atheists".<ref>Noebel, David, The Battle for Truth, Harvest House, 2001.</ref> In 2015, the Communist Party of China reaffirmed that members of their party must be atheists.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/02/china-communist-party-atheism-zhejiang-ban-religious-members-christianity_n_6599722.html China's Communist Party Bans Believers, Doubles Down On Atheism]</ref>]]
In 1955, [[China|Chinese]] communist leader Zhou Enlai declared, "We Communists are atheists".<ref>Noebel, David, The Battle for Truth, Harvest House, 2001.</ref> In 2014, the Communist Party of China reaffirmed that members of their party must be atheists.<ref>
*[http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/19567-china-s-communist-party-reaffirms-marxism-maoism-atheism China’s Communist Party Reaffirms Marxism, Maoism, Atheism], ''New American'', 2014
*[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/02/china-communist-party-atheism-zhejiang-ban-religious-members-christianity_n_6599722.html China's Communist Party Bans Believers, Doubles Down On Atheism]</ref>
In 2016, the ''International Business Times'' reported:
{{cquote|A senior Chinese advisor on religious affairs has said the country should promote atheism throughout society, in remarks that appear to reflect a deepening campaign to reinforce traditional Marxist values in China — and could add to concern about official attitudes among believers in the country’s five officially recognized religions.<ref>[http://www.ibtimes.com/senior-chinese-religious-advisor-calls-promotion-atheism-society-2363850 Senior Chinese Religious Advisor Calls For Promotion Of Atheism In Society], ''International Business Times''</ref>}}
There is growing persecution of Christians by the Chinese government.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/04/22/martyr-killed-by-bulldozer-becomes-symbol-growing-persecution-christians-in-china.html Martyr killed by bulldozer becomes symbol of growing persecution of Christians in China]</ref> Historically persecution has often been an ineffective means to stop the growth of Christianity in a region.<ref>[http://oprev.org/2011/07/persecution-does-it-help-or-hurt-church-growth/ Persecution: Does It Help or Hurt Church Growth?]</ref> Persecution and exponential Christian growth have frequently coincided. On the other hand, persecution often coincides with diminishing Christianity.<ref>[http://oprev.org/2011/07/persecution-does-it-help-or-hurt-church-growth/ Persecution: Does It Help or Hurt Church Growth?]</ref>
The historian Martin Van Crevel points out that sovereign states are losing power/influence due to technology democratizing access to information, welfare states increasingly failing, [[fourth-generation warfare]] being waged against countries and sovereign states increasingly losing their ability to maintain internal order.<ref>[http://strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/parameters/Articles/96spring/creveld.htm The Fate of the State] by MARTIN VAN CREVELD</ref><ref>[https://www.sonshi.com/martin-van-creveld-interview.html Martin van Creveld interview]</ref>
== Ethnic Chinese and the rise of Christianity in Southeast Asia ==
== Ethnic Chinese and the rise of Christianity in Southeast Asia ==