Christian Group Receives Bibles Back From Chinese Officials
Published: August 21, 2008
Bibles confiscated from a group of American Christians by Chinese customs officials will now be returned to them upon leaving the country.
Members of Vision Beyond Borders had refused to leave the airport in the southwestern city of Kunming, however, after realizing that the communist authorities would not relent, they finally chose to leave.
On Monday, the group said the U.S. Embassy told them the Chinese would abide by a law that forbids bringing religious products into the nation for more than personal use.
Chinese officials gave back all 315 Bibles that belonged to the group when they returned to Kunming airport, and then escorted them to immigration.
"They were nice, but you could tell they wanted us to leave," said Pat Klein, a group representative.
He said the group had planned to distribute the Chinese-language Bibles to Christian contacts in China.
China's government prohibits proselytizing and has expressed worry that the spread of religion goes unchecked, believers might ultimately challenge the Communist Party's authority.
The Vision Beyond Borders group distributing Bibles is a Wyoming-based group that seeks to spread Christian teaching materials around the world.
China has faced a large amount of criticism for human rights violations and repression of religious freedom.
Religious practice in China is heavily regulated, with worship allowed only in party-controlled churches, temples and mosques. Bibles in China are printed at just one plant, run by a government-backed Christian association for use in officially sanctioned churches. Although Bibles can be purchased in some bookstores, they are extremely hard to find.
According to a fax from the customs officials in Kunming, foreigners can only bring in one to three copies of religious products for personal use. A letter of authority must be obtained from the religious affairs office if more than three copies will be brought in. The policy was explained to the Americans, the fax said.
The Vision Beyond Borders group were leaving China for Thailand.
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Christian Group Receives Bibles Back From Chinese Officials
Published: August 21, 2008
Vision Beyond Borders had their Bibles confiscated after their refusal to leave country
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