International Cultic Studies Association
Article News Summaries

Vol. 1, No. 1, 2002

News Summaries: January 16, 2002 to January 31, 2002

Government Policy / China

Commentary: China's "Crackdown" on Religion

From: "China's Human Rights Abuses: Giving the Devil His Due," by John W. Whitehead, Rutherford Institute Report, 1/9/02, Internet)

"Indeed, the persecution of religion has been so systematic that the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom's 2001 annual report noted that religious freedom in China has "sharply deteriorated." Among the Commission's details of the Chinese government's intensified crackdown on religious communities were: the destruction or government confiscation of as many as 3,000 churches, temples and shrines in China; increased government control over official Protestant and Catholic churches; the extension of restrictions on Tibetan Buddhists' religious practices to apply to ordinary citizens in private homes; "oppressive, often brutal measures" targeting Muslims; a rise in the reported number of cases of torture by government officials; and instances of foreigners being detained and/or sentenced for religious activities in China.

"As a result of these atrocities, the Commission on Human Rights recommended that the American government "persistently urge" the Chinese government to take steps to protect religious freedom. It also suggested that the American government use its influence with other governments to ensure that Beijing not be selected as the site of the International Olympic Games."

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International Cultic Studies Association
Article News Summaries

Vol. 1, No. 1, 2002

News Summaries: January 16, 2002 to January 31, 2002

Government Policy / China

Commentary: China's "Crackdown" on Religion

From: "China's Human Rights Abuses: Giving the Devil His Due," by John W. Whitehead, Rutherford Institute Report, 1/9/02, Internet)

"Indeed, the persecution of religion has been so systematic that the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom's 2001 annual report noted that religious freedom in China has "sharply deteriorated." Among the Commission's details of the Chinese government's intensified crackdown on religious communities were: the destruction or government confiscation of as many as 3,000 churches, temples and shrines in China; increased government control over official Protestant and Catholic churches; the extension of restrictions on Tibetan Buddhists' religious practices to apply to ordinary citizens in private homes; "oppressive, often brutal measures" targeting Muslims; a rise in the reported number of cases of torture by government officials; and instances of foreigners being detained and/or sentenced for religious activities in China.

"As a result of these atrocities, the Commission on Human Rights recommended that the American government "persistently urge" the Chinese government to take steps to protect religious freedom. It also suggested that the American government use its influence with other governments to ensure that Beijing not be selected as the site of the International Olympic Games."

_____________________________________________ ^

International Cultic Studies Association
Article News Summaries

Vol. 1, No. 1, 2002

News Summaries: January 16, 2002 to January 31, 2002

Government Policy / China

Commentary: China's "Crackdown" on Religion

From: "China's Human Rights Abuses: Giving the Devil His Due," by John W. Whitehead, Rutherford Institute Report, 1/9/02, Internet)

"Indeed, the persecution of religion has been so systematic that the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom's 2001 annual report noted that religious freedom in China has "sharply deteriorated." Among the Commission's details of the Chinese government's intensified crackdown on religious communities were: the destruction or government confiscation of as many as 3,000 churches, temples and shrines in China; increased government control over official Protestant and Catholic churches; the extension of restrictions on Tibetan Buddhists' religious practices to apply to ordinary citizens in private homes; "oppressive, often brutal measures" targeting Muslims; a rise in the reported number of cases of torture by government officials; and instances of foreigners being detained and/or sentenced for religious activities in China.

"As a result of these atrocities, the Commission on Human Rights recommended that the American government "persistently urge" the Chinese government to take steps to protect religious freedom. It also suggested that the American government use its influence with other governments to ensure that Beijing not be selected as the site of the International Olympic Games."

_____________________________________________ ^

International Cultic Studies Association
Article News Summaries

Vol. 1, No. 1, 2002

News Summaries: January 16, 2002 to January 31, 2002

Government Policy / China

Commentary: China's "Crackdown" on Religion

From: "China's Human Rights Abuses: Giving the Devil His Due," by John W. Whitehead, Rutherford Institute Report, 1/9/02, Internet)

"Indeed, the persecution of religion has been so systematic that the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom's 2001 annual report noted that religious freedom in China has "sharply deteriorated." Among the Commission's details of the Chinese government's intensified crackdown on religious communities were: the destruction or government confiscation of as many as 3,000 churches, temples and shrines in China; increased government control over official Protestant and Catholic churches; the extension of restrictions on Tibetan Buddhists' religious practices to apply to ordinary citizens in private homes; "oppressive, often brutal measures" targeting Muslims; a rise in the reported number of cases of torture by government officials; and instances of foreigners being detained and/or sentenced for religious activities in China.

"As a result of these atrocities, the Commission on Human Rights recommended that the American government "persistently urge" the Chinese government to take steps to protect religious freedom. It also suggested that the American government use its influence with other governments to ensure that Beijing not be selected as the site of the International Olympic Games."

_____________________________________________ ^

International Cultic Studies Association
Article News Summaries

Vol. 1, No. 1, 2002

News Summaries: January 16, 2002 to January 31, 2002

Government Policy / China

Commentary: China's "Crackdown" on Religion

From: "China's Human Rights Abuses: Giving the Devil His Due," by John W. Whitehead, Rutherford Institute Report, 1/9/02, Internet)

"Indeed, the persecution of religion has been so systematic that the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom's 2001 annual report noted that religious freedom in China has "sharply deteriorated." Among the Commission's details of the Chinese government's intensified crackdown on religious communities were: the destruction or government confiscation of as many as 3,000 churches, temples and shrines in China; increased government control over official Protestant and Catholic churches; the extension of restrictions on Tibetan Buddhists' religious practices to apply to ordinary citizens in private homes; "oppressive, often brutal measures" targeting Muslims; a rise in the reported number of cases of torture by government officials; and instances of foreigners being detained and/or sentenced for religious activities in China.

"As a result of these atrocities, the Commission on Human Rights recommended that the American government "persistently urge" the Chinese government to take steps to protect religious freedom. It also suggested that the American government use its influence with other governments to ensure that Beijing not be selected as the site of the International Olympic Games."

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