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Free to believe

The Beijing Olympics gloss over the suppression of faith

Date published: 8/26/2008

DESPITE the harsh denials of atheistic totalitarian regimes, mankind has an inherent drive to worship, a "push" as the Encyclopedia of Religion calls it, "toward some sort of ultimacy and transcendence that will provide norms and power for the rest of life." That's why the right to believe unhindered by government can be called the "first freedom." It's also why, despite the enormously entertaining Beijing Olympics, we must continue to press the Chinese government in the area of human rights. For beyond the sheer artistry and wonder of the games lurks the dark side of China: The danger and discrimination faced by those who dare to believe.

Ten years ago, Congress passed the Religious Freedom Act--a template through which the United States promotes religious freedom abroad. One of the provisions requires an annual assessment of the state of religious freedom in every nation. Every year since 1999, China has been on the State Department's "countries of concern" list.

The Chinese government insists it allows religious freedom, but the truth lies elsewhere. Religious practice is confined to tightly controlled, registered groups. Access to Bibles and other sacred texts is limited. Proselytizing is prohibited. "House churches" are illegal. And anyone caught coloring outside these lines may be subjected to beatings, arrest, "re-education," or confiscation of property.

Activists like Carl Moeller of the Christian organization Open Doors estimate that 100 million Chinese "suffer some sort of repression or death for their faith" annually. Indeed, the State Department has found "credible reports of torture and deaths in custody of Falun Gong practitioners," as well as harassment and arrests of Muslim believers in that country.

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Date published: 8/26/2008