CONFLICTING STORIES OF CHINESE 'FREEDOMS' - Just A Minute Radio for Monday 101025

            Wonderful to have you all with us on this brisk fall morning…

 

            We’re taking a little break from politics which has come at us so hot and heavy – and threatens not to let up as we get down to the end.  The Pollsters can’t do new polls fast enough to reflect all that’s going on these last few days. Indeed I think we tend to slow down in our ability to process all the information that’s developed in this final phase.

 

            But today the searchlight turns to Beijing and South Africa.  An evangelical leadership group has planned a nine day meeting in South Africa beginning last Saturday.  As 100 Chinese pastors and leaders were headed for the airplanes inside China to fly to the meetings – orders were given NOT to let them board the planes and to confiscate their papers.

 

            So the international meeting planned for South Africa will come up about one or two hundred people short of their expectations. It’s hard to get an accurate number because the South China Morning Post published in Hong Kong, reports more than 200 Chinese were denied boarding ability to fly to the international gathering in South Africa. What’s the reason?… I’ll give you the ‘reason’ we were turned down in Friends of Free China when we attempted to film inside Communist China – and we asked why.  The Chinese answer at that time was: “No reason just regulation,” Which is often the totalitarian response to any inquiry about the government.

 

            China, and any sovereign government for that matter, believes they have to answer to no one for their actions – and they are correct so long as they are willing to accept the consequences.  But the consequence is, their word becomes unreliable – and their motives suspect. Obviously such is NOT the way to build mutual trust and experience among nations with whom you wish to have good relations.  China’s attitude as long as I have had dealings with their government is, their government is right – so just don’t bring it up.

 

            Well, I don’t suppose we’ll settle the matter here today – and that won’t make the election any sooner either – nor the consequences any more palatable as they continue to slam the door on neighbor’s fingers.  What is it you fear?  That people of the world will see your anti-everybody attitude?  If so – what gain is that?

 

            So… let us turn first to our Heavenly Father for His answers and His blessings.

 

            Cordially, IN HIM

 

            Jack & Barbara Buttram

Delayed audio link:

 

http://www.wmuu.com/blog/category/audio/just-a-minute/

 

 

“JUST A MINUTE”

CONFLICTING STORIES OF CHINESE ‘FREEDOMS’

Just a Minute: -- More than 100 Chinese Christians seeking to attend an international evangelical conference in South Africa were reported as barred from leaving the country. Some in the group said they were stopped because their churches are not allowed by the state.

Organizers of the South African conference say they expected more than four thousand Christians from all around the world to discuss faith, poverty, the AIDS epidemic and other issues at the conference which is planned to last nine days and began Saturday in Cape Town.  However members of the Chinese delegation were stopped at the passport control desks at international airports inside China where Communist Chinese officials confiscated their documents.

Meanwhile – outside the mainland borders, in Hong Kong, which is officially part of China but under different government administration, the South China Morning Post reported Red Chinese authorities said more than 200 leaders had been stopped.  Scores of Catholics took to the streets in Hong Kong demanding Beijing free imprisoned evangelists and allow people freedom of belief and religion.  The government has acted despite a formal invitation from the organizers.

¨      I’m Jack Buttram.

. (END)                                        Jebco Editorial Service

www.wmuu.com

E-mail n4zhk@arrl.net