By Michael Gryboski
WASHINGTON – Even as the Communist Chinese government recently cracked down on Christian communities, Christianity continues to grow rapidly in the People’s Republic.
This was the observation noted by a panel – titled “Christianity in China: A Force for Change?” – sponsored by the Brookings Institution on Tuesday (June 4). Experts discussed the growth of Christianity, especially in the years since 1989, after the infamous crackdown on demonstrators at Tiananmen Square.
Carsten Vala, assistant professor at the Political Science Department of Loyola University Maryland and one of the panelists, told The Christian Post how many Chinese Christians view recent actions against them.
“Chinese Christian leaders look at this as a winnowing effect, so those who are not true Christians will leave the churches; the ‘Sunday Christians,'” said Vala.
“The really committed, devout believers will be increasingly strengthened in their faith by this ‘winds of persecution’ and honestly the church buildings may be torn down, but that doesn’t mean the congregations themselves have scattered.”
Held at the Falk Auditorium, the event featured two panels on Christianity in China, focusing on topics such as the socio-political status of Christianity in the Asian country and how Christianity is influencing civil society.
Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/panel-looks-at-christianitys-rapid-growth-in-china-despite-persecution-120850/