If China prevails in Hong Kong, religious freedom could be the first right to...

万得福

If China prevails in Hong Kong, religious freedom could be the first right to disappear
Mary Vought, Opinion contributor

The world is watching while a record number of Hong Kong residents flood the streets protesting encroachment by China into their way of life. While news coverage has rightly focused on Hongkongers’ defense of their civil liberties, the faith community should be particularly troubled about the future of Hong Kong’s religious freedoms.

Sparked by an extradition bill that would provide mainland China unfettered power to extradite those living in Hong Kong, peaceful protests have slowly intensified since April. This summer, their ranks swelled into the millions. Recently, demonstrators have become increasingly desperate, shutting down the world’s eighth busiest airport for two nights in a row as China appears poised to quash the dissidents.

'No leniency or mercy' for protesters

Under an agreement between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Britain, which ruled Hong Kong for 156 years until 1997, the people of Hong Kong were supposed to be able to live freely in their capitalistic society under a “one country, two systems” model until 2047. The Hong Kong protesters see the extradition bill as an attempt by China’s Communist Party to demolish their way of life and discard their freedoms.

What will we do in the crunch: As China faces fate on Hong Kong, America and other democracies face a choice

As tensions rise, the Chinese government in Beijing has threatened to intervene with “no leniency or mercy” for protesters — labeling them “terrorists” and activating its military against them. As Chinese troop carriers amass at the border, the stakes for the people of Hong Kong continue to rise.

If China acts against the Hongkongers, religious liberty will likely be the first freedom to crumble in the aftermath.

Christian protesters demonstrating in Hong Kong on June 14, 2019. (Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images)

Religious persecution is rampant in communist China. Pew Research has named it the fifth most oppressive nation on the planet when it comes to restrictive laws and policies on religious freedom. Since the 19th century, religious groups have suffered greatly in China, with as many as 100,000 lives lost during the Boxer Rebellion and scores of Buddhist and Christian practitioners murdered during Mao Zedong’s reign of terror.

While persecution lessened after Mao’s death, President Xi Jinping is once again ratcheting up religious suppression due to paranoia that China’s heavily regulated religious groups could grow in number and ultimately undermine the power of the Communist Party.

Although the PRC claims it authorizes the practice of five religions — Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism — followers of these theologies routinely see their houses of worship bulldozed  and their finances, clergy appointments, worship services and more controlled by the state. Far from granting them protection, China’s registration system allows the government to more effectively track and persecute the faithful.

Christians are a frequent target of the religious police, often being banned from attending church services or imprisoned because of their faith. In 2017, a Christian pastor, her daughter and her toddler grandson were arrested and the two women were detained after singing a religious song in public (not their first run-in with police). Catholic bishops, who are historically only installed by the Vatican, are strictly appointed by Beijing alone.

There are countless reports of Chinese government officials arresting, torturing and physically abusing members, including children, of both registered and unregistered religious groups. Christians are far from the only people suffering under Xi’s crackdown. As many as 3 million Chinese citizens who practice the supposedly state-sanctioned religion of Islam have been transported to “counterterrorism” camps, where they are tortured until they renounce their faith.

Don't underestimate this threat

Those living in Hong Kong are right to fear a similar fate. Without complete withdrawal of the extradition bill, the “two systems” barrier will be gravely compromised. If China holds the power to “disappear” residents of Hong Kong, who will be willing to defend the cherished religious protections the barrier affords?

Religious liberty is not just a freedom afforded to the spiritually inclined. It is an intrinsic right woven deep into the fabric of society — an acknowledgement of the natural laws that transcend government and provide a moral compass for humankind.

We’re in a new Cold War:Hong Kong, like Berlin before it, is the first battle.

Freedom of religion also improves the lives of the weak and vulnerable. Hong Kong’s long history with faith-based organizations have led to many practical benefits for its people. Christianity arrived in Hong Kong in 1841. Protestant groups have established schools, aid organizations and hospitals that remain a cornerstone of life in Hong Kong.

All these valued institutions could be completely wiped away under the rule of the Communist Party.

It’s critical that faith-based activists in the United States and abroad correctly gauge the threat posed to our brothers and sisters in Hong Kong. The loss of Hong Kong to communist rule would result not only in the destruction of Hong Kong's religious liberties and the eventual persecution of people who embrace them, it would also send shock waves throughout global communities that are tirelessly fighting to hold on to their beloved freedom of worship.

ssgo2008

很多海外中国人在香港的事上都是力撑中共的， 更不要说国内的， 我看香港悬了。

gejkl

ssgo2008 发表于 2019-10-16 15:10
很多海外中国人在香港的事上都是力撑中共的， 更不要说国内的， 我看香港悬了。 ...

你怎么知道很多海外中国人都力挺中共，多数人不敢说话
只是不想给自己找麻烦，也看到了土共控制言论，连海外
中国人都不敢多说话，买买提文学城这些都被土共所控制。

ssgo2008

gejkl 发表于 2019-10-16 16:48
你怎么知道很多海外中国人都力挺中共，多数人不敢说话
只是不想给自己找麻烦，也看到了土共控制言论，连 ...

身边很多共粉。比例30%-40%。