A Rant for Christianity

Hello My Dear Great Ones,
In the last week, due to George Floyd, I have thought a lot about why people persecute others based on race or religious beliefs.  Fear, ignorance, etc are of course big reasons.  Yet, I think the biggest reason is that more is caught than taught.  We aren’t born racist or anti religious.  These negative attitudes and beliefs are things we pick up along the way. From parents, leaders, people in authority.  When these negative attitudes and beliefs become laws or institutionalised it becomes even more legit to be racist or persecute Christians.  Think of the Nazis and their “enabling,”  government crackdown laws.

I am happy to see that the old excuse that cultural norms, laws etc that often dictate negative attitudes toward others is being challenged as UNacceptable in the US and around the world.  Education, empathy, interaction, conversations, tangible actions to improve equality, and good relationships between races are what is being encouraged now by many.   Enough stupidity is enough stupidity.

Here in Hong Kong I am a VERY visible minority.  Yet, I can happily report ten
years on that I have never experienced any racial discrimination.  I mainly work
with Chinese kids and colleagues.  Many of my friends are Chinese.  

The kids in particular are great.  I don’t think they have any concept that I am of a
different race.  I just see them as kids.  Believe me when I say that kids, no
matter what color or race, are basically all the same.  Kids are kids.

While racism in Hong Kong, at least in my circles, is not an issue, my faith in Jesus
Christ may very well be.

Despite the fact that only three percent of HK’s population is Christian they have
had and are having a massive impact on its society.  Jackie Pullinger’s ministry to
drug addicts and the poor is world renowned.  Another ministry called Crossroads
educates people on the poor and provides materials and funds to countless people locked in poverty throughout Asia and the world.  There are many thriving Christian churches and other ministries as well.  On top of that there are three large and well attended Christian International Schools.  Several other schools in HK were started by Christian missionaries and their curriculum is heavy on the Bible.  Several hospitals in HK were started by Christian organisations.  Christian symbolism abounds in the city.  

However, the new National Security Law, plus many other anti-Christian/religious laws from mainland China may create some issues for the Christians in HK.  Here’s an excerpt from a New York Times article written just two years ago: 

As millions around the world gathered to celebrate Christmas, China is capping a year in which the government of President Xi Jinping has led an unrelenting campaign against unofficial churches in China, which by some estimates serve as many as 30 million people.

Mr. Xi, apparently concerned that independent worship might pose a threat to the ruling Communist Party’s dominance over daily life in China, has sought to bring Christianity more firmly under the party’s control. The government this year banned online sales of the Bible, burned crosses, demolished churches and forced at least a half-dozen places of worship to close.  Despite Mr. Xi’s efforts to expand the officially atheist party’s control of worship, religious life in China is flourishing.

While official figures are imprecise, experts believe there are about 60 million Christians in China, with roughly half worshiping at state-sanctioned churches and half at unofficial churches.

However, recently a friend of a friend of mine received an email from his headmaster at an international school that he works for in Guangzhou.  That city is  about an hour north of HK.  The gist of the email stated that no one at the school was allowed, due to Chinese Laws, engage in any sort of religious activity.  In particular telling students about their faith or leading

any “religious,” activities outside of school time. Failure to do so would be considered a criminal act and you could face jail time. 

Basically, according to that law Celia and I, plus thousands of others at churches, ministries and the international Christian schools in HK  are engaging in criminal activity!  We are breaking Chinese laws!  Outrageous.  

I was hired by an international Christian school here in HK mainly because I am a devout Christian who happens to also be a decent and qualified PE teacher.  We are not only encouraged by administration to provide a good program to our students, but to openly share our faith in Jesus.  

We do this through conversations, prayer times, and incorporating Christian principles in our teaching.  ie integrity when playing sports in PE.  There are also daily Bible devotions for the kids every day. 

In a way I understand  the Chinese government’s problem with Christianity.  They see it as a “western,” religion, much like Americans seem to be adverse to anything that looks like socialism.  Yet it is deeper than that.  Chrisitianity is about love, serving one another, and encouraging social justice.  It would expose the human rights atrocities that have been and being committed by the Chinese government.  It would expose the government’s abuses of power. It would expose its corruption.  

Communism is an atheistic man made system which runs counter to a faith based on a belief in Jesus Christ and the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit.  Sure men have used Christianity for their own selfish gains much to the detriment of others.  Yet, overall Christianity has outlived countless political systems, governments, and nations.  Much more good has come from Christianity than bad.  Even without professing faith nations like the US, Canada, Germany and many others have benefitted from JUST following Chrisitan principles in terms of how they govern and educate their citizens.      

So here is what I think.   As Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union and the DDR plus many other former communist east bloc states proved, you can suppress a population through fear and intimidation for only so long.  It may be 60-70 years, it may be longer than that, but a system that stifles free speech, free thought/expression, and freedom of religion WILL eventually fail.  It may end peacefully or violently, but it WILL fail.  We were created in the image of God not a mindless puppet.

Anyway, pray for us in HK.  Pray for China.  Many Christians and others are being persecuted there for their beliefs.  It is not right. 

I personally am all for supporting PEACEFUL demonstrations for human rights and religious freedoms. In fact I have been at a few protests/vigils/demonstrations in Hong Kong. I'm only one man, but together great things can happen. 

At the Tiananmen Square Massacre vigil in Hong Kong last year. It had a record attendance. This year thousands showed up even though it was "cancelled," by authorities.