re: #74 Vicious Babushka

I’ve been surprised at the number of Christians here in China. But they keep a low profile, with none of the over-the-top born-again shenanigans we have in the States. China recognizes Judaism, Christianity (generic Protestant and Catholic — not sure about Orthodox) and Islam as state-sanctioned religions, but worshiping must be done in officially recognized churches. Most cities with over 1 million people have at least one Christian church, it seems.

Christians run into trouble in China when they establish “home churches” outside the scrutiny of the government, or when they go off into the hinterland to preach the gospel. It should be no surprise that the government in China tries to keep a tight lid on any public expression or organization. Falun Gong is one homegrown religious movement that the Chinese government would just as soon wipe out.

Even so, several Chinese of varying ages, believing that I must be a Christian since I come from America, have told me they are Christian. One student invited me to her home church, which I politely declined. Too risky to my keeping my job, if, on the off chance, the police raid the home church and close it down.