Despite the Chinese
government publishing a new document claiming that it allows freedom of
worship, Bibles can no longer be purchased online in China.
The disappearance of Bibles on internet retailers is the latest
restriction the country had placed on its fast-growing Christian
population.
Religious freedom campaigners have said freedom for Christians in China is currently the worst it’s ever been.
The crackdown on Christians in China has meant that crosses have been
removed from churches, churches have been demolished, and Christians
suspected of worshiping at home have been detained.
A new Chinese government white paper on religious freedoms published
this week asserted that all faiths must “adapt themselves to the
socialist society”.
The paper listing official Communist Party policies added: “Religious
believers and non-believers respect each other, and live in harmony,
committing themselves to reform and opening up and the socialist
modernization, and contribute to the realization of the Chinese Dream of
national rejuvenation.”
William Nee, China researcher at Amnesty International, said the Vatican should address the online Bible sale ban with Beijing.
Chinese Catholic bishops and the Vatican have not had good relations for
decades because Chinese Catholic bishops are not appointed by the Pope.
However, both sides have shown some progress in reconciliation in recent
weeks.
Nee said, “The Vatican should probably take this issue into
consideration in its discussions with their Chinese counterparts, since
the banning of the sale of Bibles is obviously a worrying move,
demonstrating the worsening state for freedom of religion in China.
“There is a broader trend under President Xi Jinping to more tightly control religion, especially Christianity.
“It’s absurd that the government claims to promote religious freedom at the same time that they’re banning the sale of Bibles.”