Beijing Gospel Church Issues Public Letter Discussing the Disruption of House Church Gathering by Government Officialsby Staff
June 9, 2008
BEIJING, China, (christiansunite.com) -- China Aid has learned further details concerning the disruption and attack on the 1000 member Beijing Gospel Church. In an open letter directed at Government officials, victims of the attack were able to relay in graphic detail the events that happened on the morning of May 25.
According to eyewitnesses at approximately 9:30 am on Monday, house church gathering sites at Longhuayuan Residential Complex, Tiantongyuan Residential Complex, Century Jiayuan Residential Complex, Yangqiao Residential Complex, Ganjiakou Residential Complex, Zhongguancun Residential Complex and other gathering sites were broken into by government officials from 4 different Government agencies, including the Bureau of Ethnic and Religious Affairs. Officials proceeded to forcefully enter and search the homes of the house church members, confiscating religious materials without presenting proper documentation or search warrants.
Some members received minor injuries from police officials who resorted to violence against the members. Despite the illegal actions taken by the Government officials, the house church members obediently complied with their demands, even shaking the hands and pronouncing a blessing upon the officials who had broken into their homes.
Within the letter, House Church leaders cited several Constitutional laws stating the legality of their gathering. In the concluding statements of the letter, members pledged to continue gathering despite Government mandates ordering the contrary.
The example set forth by the members of the Beijing House Church is one of uncompromising religious worship, while remaining respectful and compliant to authorities and Constitutional commands.
CAA lauds the actions and responses of the Beijing House Church towards corrupt Government officials during this most recent attack. The House Church members have set a precedent of proper reaction towards Government officials who hypocritically persecute unregistered Churches while failing to remain consistent with policy and Constitutional law.
To voice your concern over this incident, contact:
Chinese Embassy in Washington DC
Address: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20007
Tel: (202) 338-6688, (202)5889760
Fax: (202) 588-9760
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