China Accuses Christians of Being an “Evil Cult”
Chinese authorities have begun a crackdown on “evil cults” but, unfortunately, those who were arrested and accused of being cult members were Christians, according to the persecution watchdog group China Aid.
The arrests were made in October and November, but the exact number of the Christians apprehended by authorities in Yunnan province is still not yet known.
The woman was apparently released, but was re-arrested a month later on the same charge. Authorities accused her of being the “backbone of evil cults and organising three meetings on behalf of these institutions.”
Her father denied her involvement in any cult activities but to no avail.
The woman told China Aid that four other church members were arrested on the same charge. However, local Christians in the area said as many as 12 people might have been apprehended.
Another eight Christians were also accused of belonging to illegal cults and arrested in Novemeber in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province.
Chinese authorities accused the arrested Christians of belonging to a sect based in Taiwan, which China regards as a cult.
Watchdog groups have reported that the latest arrests were part of a widespread crackdown on Christian churches being undertaken by the ruling Communist Party in China. An undetermined number of Christians and human rights activists are now in jail for protesting against forced church demolitions and the arrest of other activists, the groups said.
- Pray for the Church in China as it heads towards the new year, and an increased crackdown by the Chinese Government.
- Pray for encouragement for Chinese believers as they face ongoing oppression and risk of imprisonment for their faith.
- Pray for those who are in prison, for courage, enduring faith and for their witness to draw other prisoners, and their guards, to know Jesus Christ.
- Pray for the Church in China, as it continues to grow at a rapid rate, for good discipleship of new believers, for training opportunities for leaders and for the continues spread of the Gospel to all regions of China.
Matthew 5 vs 11 – 12: “‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.“
Source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article
