Changes

====China====

====China====

As with all forms of public assembly, the [[China|Chinese]] [[Communism|Communist]] Party keeps a tight rein on all religious activity,<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (August 19, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/08/19/china-communist-party-reasserts-absolute-control-over-religion/ China Communist Party Reasserts Absolute Control over Religion]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 19, 2018.</ref> including those of Christians.<ref>Bohon, Steve (December 15, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/30932-church-in-china-under-intense-attack-by-communist-government Church in China Under Intense Attack by Communist Government]. ''The New American''. Retrieved December 15, 2018.</ref><ref>Kuo, Lily (January 13, 2019). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/13/china-christians-religious-persecution-translation-bible https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/13/china-christians-religious-persecution-translation-bible]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.</ref> While thousands of state-sanctioned churches exist in China, the process for obtaining a permit for a new church is cumbersome, and to be approved, clergy must also take exams over communist ideology.<ref name=StatedeptChina>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108404.htm]</ref> There is a shortage of Chinese-born ministers who would pass state qualification, and Chinese citizens are forbidden by law to worship at churches with foreign-born pastors.<ref name=StatedeptChina /> For all of the above reasons, the vast majority of Christians in China opt to worship at underground "home churches." Leaders and members of these churches face fines, imprisonment, and confiscation of church property.<ref name=VM>[http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/1096.htm Persecution Of Christians Around The World]</ref> In some extreme cases, an underground church is labeled a cult, which the CCP uses to justify some of the worst of its persecution, including torture and forced labor.<ref>[http://www.online2.church123.com/attach.asp?clientURN=christiansolidarityworldwide2&attachFileName=52d82f5db78a2871ae131128a54455ac.attach&attachOriginalFileName=CSW_Briefing_China_Liu_Statement.pdf Torture testimony of Liu Xianzhi]</ref>

As with all forms of public assembly, the [[China|Chinese]] [[Communism|Communist]] Party keeps a tight rein on all religious activity,<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (August 19, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/08/19/china-communist-party-reasserts-absolute-control-over-religion/ China Communist Party Reasserts Absolute Control over Religion]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 19, 2018.<br>See also:

*Fu, Eva (June 21, 2019). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/pompeo-condemns-atrocities-in-china-vows-to-safeguard-international-religious-rights_2973712.html Pompeo Condemns Atrocities in China, Vows to Safeguard International Religious Freedom]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved June 22, 2019.</ref> including those of Christians.<ref>Bohon, Steve (December 15, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/30932-church-in-china-under-intense-attack-by-communist-government Church in China Under Intense Attack by Communist Government]. ''The New American''. Retrieved December 15, 2018.</ref><ref>Kuo, Lily (January 13, 2019). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/13/china-christians-religious-persecution-translation-bible https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/13/china-christians-religious-persecution-translation-bible]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.</ref> While thousands of state-sanctioned churches exist in China, the process for obtaining a permit for a new church is cumbersome, and to be approved, clergy must also take exams over communist ideology.<ref name=StatedeptChina>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108404.htm]</ref> There is a shortage of Chinese-born ministers who would pass state qualification, and Chinese citizens are forbidden by law to worship at churches with foreign-born pastors.<ref name=StatedeptChina /> For all of the above reasons, the vast majority of Christians in China opt to worship at underground "home churches." Leaders and members of these churches face fines, imprisonment, and confiscation of church property.<ref name=VM>[http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/1096.htm Persecution Of Christians Around The World]</ref> In some extreme cases, an underground church is labeled a cult, which the CCP uses to justify some of the worst of its persecution, including torture and forced labor.<ref>[http://www.online2.church123.com/attach.asp?clientURN=christiansolidarityworldwide2&attachFileName=52d82f5db78a2871ae131128a54455ac.attach&attachOriginalFileName=CSW_Briefing_China_Liu_Statement.pdf Torture testimony of Liu Xianzhi]</ref>

The Chinese government forces all practicing religions in the country, including Christianity, to conform to the nation's communist ideology.<ref>Martel, Frances (September 7, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/09/07/government-christian-leader-theology-shall-reflect-chinese-culture/ Government Christian Leader: ‘Theology Shall Reflect Chinese Culture’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 12, 2017.</ref> Kindergartners are forced to sign an atheist manifesto.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (February 22, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2019/02/22/chinese-kindergartners-forced-to-sign-atheist-manifesto/ Chinese Kindergartners Forced to Sign Atheist Manifesto]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 22, 2019.</ref>

The Chinese government forces all practicing religions in the country, including Christianity, to conform to the nation's communist ideology.<ref>Martel, Frances (September 7, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/09/07/government-christian-leader-theology-shall-reflect-chinese-culture/ Government Christian Leader: ‘Theology Shall Reflect Chinese Culture’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 12, 2017.</ref> Kindergartners are forced to sign an atheist manifesto.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (February 22, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2019/02/22/chinese-kindergartners-forced-to-sign-atheist-manifesto/ Chinese Kindergartners Forced to Sign Atheist Manifesto]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 22, 2019.</ref>