To address these violations, on June 22, 2009 the four persecuted Christians entrusted Attorney Wu Chenglian, to submit their administrative lawsuit to the Luonan People’s Court of Shaanxi. They sued for the following:

• The repeal of the administrative penalty enacted by the Luonan County Public Security Bureau
• The return of the seized books and fines
• Compensation for the lawsuit expenses accrued throughout the case and any losses due to the abolishment
• A public apology to the defendants issued by the Luonan County Public Security Bureau broadcast by the Luonan TV Station

Pastor Bike was hopeful after witnessing these public trials. “I believe the Luonan Court will handle this case with fair judgment, and the government will change the erroneous views and mentality of the religious department of Luonan through the law.” He says hopes that all Christians in China will continue to follow the holy will of God, abide by the laws and the regulations of the state and protect their freedom of belief and human rights in accordance with law. Pastor Bike further encourages Chinese Christians to urge the public security departments and the departments in charge of religious affairs to correct their illegal conduct and bring God’s blessings to the nation.

ChinaAid resolutely supports the members of Taochuan Christian Church in their brave actions to protect their freedom of belief according to the law. ChinaAid urges the police officers who are persecuting the Christians to repent, and encourages supporters of religious freedom to speak out for justice and freedom on behalf of the persecuted Christians.

Contact the following government authorities in Shaanxi and urge they allow Taochuan Church to worship freely, and compensate and publicly apologize to Huang Sumin, Liu Caili, Xu Fenying and Zhang Miaoli:

• Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong
• 3505 International Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
• Tel: (202) 495-2000
• Fax: (202) 588-9760

Watch video of Huang Sumin, Liu Caili and Xu Fenying being escorted in handcuffs that was shown on the local TV station after the Christians were arrested at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzuoKENo6DQ

NOTE: If you are a citizen of another country, please click here to find the contact information of the Chinese embassy in your own nation www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zwjg/2490/ .

Many families are facing the reality that they might have to care for aging parents and “elder care” might become a national issue as it has among the Japanese in recent decades. Also, the prosperity of America is challenged by economic powerhouses China and India, who have some of the fastest growing economies in the world and both countries combined account for roughly, one-third of the global population. In fact, India has now achieved a milestone in 20 years to have nearly 365 million middle-class families, which is more than the entire United States population. When a person feels helpless and as though they are unnoticed and invisible, it is easy to want to complain, criticize, denounce and voice outrage toward political leaders for our misfortunes, but is this the way for a Christian to behave? What would believing Christians do today if they were subjected to a few of the following examples?

Matthew 26: 57, 59, 67-68
And those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and elders were gathered together. Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, in order that they might put Him to death. Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

Luke 23: 4, 13-16, 20-24
And Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no guilt in this man.” And Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you have made against Him. “No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. “I will therefore punish Him and release Him.” And Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, but they kept on calling out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!” And he [Pilate] said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; I will therefore punish Him and release Him” But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that he be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand should be granted.

Acts 12: 1-3
Now about that time, Herod the king [Agrippa I??] laid hands on some belonging to the church in order to mistreat them, And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. . .

Acts 18: 12, 16-17
But while Gallio was pro-counsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, and he drove them away from the judgment seat. And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. And Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.

Acts 23: 33; 24: 22, 26-27
And when these had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the “Way,” put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” At the same time too, he [Felix] was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he used to send for him quite often and converse with him. But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.

NOTE: In the aforementioned, these men had perverted justice and abused their power as civil servants and representatives of the people, and so what are believers to do about the circumstances experienced in these times of today? How would you act if you were abused while in police custody, falsely imprisoned, or someone perjured themselves at your trial? How would you act if Federal or State Laws denied you Civil Rights, Due Process in the Courts, Military service, equal housing, or employment and promotional opportunities because of your race, gender, or lifestyle choice? What if a loved one spent years in ‘solitary confinement’ or was on “Death Row” and later given “LETHAL INJECTION,” but you knew they were innocent? The medicine for this remedy is a painful pill to swallow as referenced in the following:

Titus 3: 1
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed.

I Peter 2: 13-15, 17
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the king.

Romans 13: 1-7
Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you not want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword of God in vain; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscious sake. For because of this we pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom is due; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

I Timothy 2: 1-3
First of all, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made in behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may live a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

by Robert Randle

pbks@hotmail.com
http://choirboy51.blogspot.com

The year of the Beijing Olympic Games marks a year of increased persecution of house church Christians. In 2008, the total number of house church Christians persecuted in the nation increased 157%. In Beijing alone, persecution increased 418%.

It is important to note that persecution of Christians is clearly human rights abuse. The Chinese government does not recognize the human rights of house church Christians because they are not members of the registered church. One Chinese Christian observed the universal implications of their suffering, “If someone thinks that … Chinese Christians are striving only for Christianity and the Chinese nation, he misunderstands, because they firmly believe that what they suffer is the sacrifice for human dignity and freedom.”

China Aid urges recipients of this information to hold the Chinese government responsible for the human rights abuses against house church Christians in China. Make your appeal for accurate reports to be used during the UN Universal Periodic Review on China by contacting your country’s UN representative (www.un.org/members/missions.shtml), sending e-mails to UN officials (see below) and circulating this report.
What you can do to help:

• Read the 2008 Persecution Report.
• Send a polite letter urging the UN to support Christians who are persecuted in China:
  • Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: InfoDesk@ohcr.org
  • Petitions Team for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: tb-petitions@ohchr.org
  • Office of the Spokesman for the UN Secretary- General: inquiries@un.org
  • UN Commission on Human Rights: 1503@ohchr.org