Confronting China’s Religious Oppression: A Call to Action

Pastor Ezra Jin, after his release from a Chinese prison, emphasized the need for religious freedom in China while addressing a group in Capitol Hill. His freedom came after President Donald Trump addressed his case with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a summit. Jin led the Zion Church in Beijing, an independent Christian congregation not aligned with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Repression of Religious Groups in China

In China, all religious organizations must fall under CCP control or they face harassment, detention, or worse. This includes forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners, a spiritual group harshly targeted by the CCP. Ten Chinese Catholic bishops find themselves detained for opposing CCP directives. Cardinal Joseph Zen from Hong Kong was recently convicted for failure to register a charity, criticizing China’s secret deal with the Vatican.

The Panchen Lama, the second-highest authority in Tibetan Buddhism, was abducted over three decades ago. His status and location remain unknown. Religious leaders not aligned with Beijing face threats, imprisonment, or disappearance.

Global Implications of Religious Oppression

This system of state-controlled religion contravenes the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the belief in individual religious freedom. The CCP’s oppression extends beyond China. Reports of disinformation, harassment, and threats against overseas dissidents, including nearly 300 threats against Falun Gong practitioners, underline a sinister pattern. More than 5,000 deaths of Falun Gong members have been recorded since a crackdown began in 1999.

Recent findings indicate Beijing exploits technology for surveilling overseas communities. Xi Jinping’s scheduled presence in Washington on September 24 raises the chance for leaders like Trump to address these human rights issues.

The Cost of Standing Up

Communism rejects the notion of divine authority, elevating government as the supreme power. Under such systems, religion must be controlled because religious beliefs often inspire defiance against unjust governance. Historical precedents show how religious people across regimes have stood firm against oppression.

Standing up to China may not cost Americans their freedom, unlike those in China who risk their lives for their beliefs. Instead, it calls for a willingness to challenge China’s oppressive practices.

America’s Role in Addressing the Issue

Trump has taken steps by imposing tariffs on China and confronting its allies. His actions should be a foundation for greater pressure to dismantle China’s religious oppression. Drawing parallels to Reagan’s stance against the Soviet Union, there is an opportunity to advocate for those forced to choose between faith and freedom.

When Xi arrives in Washington, the message should be clear: the American people reject any form of cross-border interference that threatens the rights to faith and freedom.