ANSWERING TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY:

In China, Churches Challenge the Rules: Bold Congregations Risk Official Wrath (Maureen Fan, 10/01/06, Washington Post)

WENZHOU, China -- A new breed of churches in this region of China has demonstrated a boldness and independence unmatched elsewhere in the country, despite strict government guidelines for places of worship.

Here in Wenzhou and the surrounding province of Zhejiang, just south of Shanghai, a growing number of congregations that began life as house churches -- unauthorized places of worship set up in private, often dilapidated homes -- have recently registered with the government, while continuing to spurn the rules of the official Protestant church in China. Like so many institutions in China, these churches now hover in a sort of legal netherworld. [...]

Nothing illustrated the boldness of Zhejiang's Christians more clearly than the hasty building of an illegal house church this summer in a suburb of Hangzhou, the provincial capital. When local officials demolished the church, a massive riot ensued, with 3,000 protesters facing off against thousands of uniformed riot police, security guards and plainclothes police.

It was the most dramatic example in a series of arrests, raids and demolitions of churches considered illegal by the authorities. Some observers said the riot was only the latest chapter in a long-running battle between authorities and the more outspoken of China's growing population of 45 million to 65 million Christians. Other activists said it represented a stepped-up persecution of unregistered congregations.

The 85-year-old church, in the suburban district of Xiaoshan, had its own building before government officials turned it into a hospital many years ago. Since then, members had haggled with officials for compensation and a new location, most recently rejecting a government-approved spot beside a noisy highway.

"Xiaoshan people have the tradition of family or house gatherings and they're rich, so they want more freedom," said Chen. "It's hard for the government to regulate them and tell them where to build their church."

Tired of delays, church members decided in July they couldn't wait any longer. Hundreds gathered in Xiaoshan's Cheluwan village to build the church by hand. They began on a Monday, one group encircling the site to serve as protection with a second group working in rotation through the night. Some volunteers cooked while others stood above one another on metal scaffolding, handing up bricks, sand, cement, shovels and rope.

By Saturday morning they needed only to lay the roof. But on the afternoon of July 29, authorities sent several hundred trucks, four bulldozers, and thousands of riot police, security officers and non-uniformed guards to the scene. Police used bullhorns to order everyone to disperse.

"Stop all illegal activity," the police demanded, as bystanders used their cellphones to photograph their arrival. "Nobody should obstruct state officials who are executing their public function. Nobody should make up facts, spread rumors or disturb social order."

A riot broke out as church members tried to stop the demolition. More than 50 people were detained and many were beaten, said an attorney for the detained, who interviewed and photographed the injured. Six church leaders remain under arrest for instigating violence and interfering with the law. Prosecutors will decide whether to formally charge them this month.

The head of the village, who said his surname was Wang, insisted there had been no injuries and complained that the church was unregistered and illegal.

"They're absolutely lawless. They consider God to be the most powerful authority and ignore the law," Wang said in a telephone interview.

Amen, brother.

Posted by Orrin Judd at October 1, 2006 10:12 AM