WHERE'S THE PROMISED FREEDOM? - Just a Minute for 8/11/08

            Howdy Folks – Have a good weekend?  Enjoy watching the Beijing games?

 

            There’s no doubt the Chinese are better firecracker makers than anyone else – after all they did invent gunpowder – and when you’re anywhere in a major city – or minor one for that matter – in Taiwan or Hong Kong, Singapore or on the mainland and it’s time to celebrate the Chinese New Year you’re going to think you’ve stumbled into a small war. So… I take nothing away from the spectacle of the opening of the 29^th Olympiad in Beijing last Friday.

 

            It did seem to me – as I remembered the other Olympics I’ve seen on TV – the Chinese Olympics was – or is – a gigantic case of “It’s all about me!” That’s understandable of course, since they have only been back in these international competitions since they began sending people out to beat everyone in sight in Ping-Pong. Remember that?  They really picked something they knew they could win. And I have no doubt they will come away from the Olympics with a whole slew of ‘braggin’ rights.’ That’s fine by me.

 

            What does concern me is they seem to learn nothing from the mistakes their leaders back in Tiananmen Square days made. They still arrest people wholesale, and toss them into prison helter skelter without informing family or having procedures established well for a day to be heard by a judge. There is very little that presents itself to the western world as the rule of law. It seems more the rule of whim.

 

Presently one of the leaders of the House Church or “Underground Church” movement, Pastor Zhang Zhongxin, has been imprisoned in Shandong Province under a sentence of two years because he has been engaged in “cultic” activities. The definition of cultic in Mainland China apparently is anything which the Chinese Government has NOT approved.

 

            In fact it’s reported the police officials have organized, at government’s behest, “House Cells” which can be included in the Three Self (government registered and controlled) churches so when people wish to be in those kinds of churches they will still be under the leadership of government trained-pastors who follow government policy “or else.”

 

            These are the same techniques the Communist rulers of Russia and various countries in Eastern Europe swallowed up into the Soviet Union used to placate and infiltrate churches they felt were a threat to their iron clad rule. Eventually, I pray, these oppressive techniques will backfire to the point the totalitarians will abandon them. But a swift look at the way strong arm-tactics have oppressed nations in Africa and parts of South America, doesn’t give one cause for optimism.

 

            Cordially, IN HIM

 

 

            Jack

 

 http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama08-11-08.mp3

 

http://www.jebcovoice.net/scripts/jamt08-11-08.doc

 

 

“JUST A MINUTE”

WHERE’S THE PROMISED FREEDOM?

Just A Minute – No doubt the Beijing Olympics are spectacular – but so are Red Chinese crimes. At this very moment they break their word. To win the 2008 Olympics, the government pledged free and open media access. That pledge is not honored. The very first Olympic reporters complained they were denied total Internet access. Their voices opened certain sites but some, like Amnesty International, the BBC, or other news sources are still dark.

Even as I speak Pastor Zhang Zhongxin, a house church leader according to the China Aid Association, neither opposes the government nor leads a revolution – but is under a two years sentence by the Shandong Authorities for “cultic activities.” Any religious activity not approved by the Red Chinese is automatically called “cultic” – but in reality it’s no more threatening than organizing a Sunday school.

Before embracing the Red Chinese remember their leaders are responsible for the deaths for more of their own people dying by their decree than any other nation in world history.

If China wants commercial harmony with the United States, release Pastor Zhang immediately.

<> I’m Jack Buttram

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