China Issues New Warning to Communist Elites About "Dangers" of Christianity

Isaiah Narciso : May 28, 2015
The Gospel Herald

"For many years now, a lot of Chinese officials and Communist Party members and their families have been turning to Jesus." –Beijing pastor

(China)—China's top anti-corruption agency has warned the elite class of Communist Party members to stay away from religious activities, including Christianity, urging "stricter disciplinary measures" to prevent cases of abuse. (Photo: Beijing University of Technology economist Hu Xingdou/SCMP Pictures)

According to Verna Yu of South China Morning Post, China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, or CCDI, claimed that a "lapse in ideology" had become a "serious disease," which has led some people to abandon Communist ideology and pursue religion instead. The agency made its claims in a front-page article on Monday.

"Many cadres show no sign of stopping... This shows that corruption has still not been brought under control," the article said, noting that rampant corruption has severely disrupted the relationship between the party and the people.

Economist Hu Xingdou of Beijing University of Technology told South China Morning Post that the CCDI had an objective to deal with abuse of authority by holding those at the local level accountable and by ensuring that its orders were carried out consistently across the country with universal standards.

According to Martin Roth of BosNewsLife, the agency's announcement has been interpreted by critics as an ominous sign for religious freedom in China. China's Communist Party, which has some 87 million members, has asked them to uphold atheism.

CCDI's article claimed that when it came to Communism, "a lapse in ideology is the most serious disease." It also slammed members who "do not believe in Marxism-Leninism," adding that the trend could "lead to disastrous consequences" if it continued unchecked.

"Their minds are not on their work [and] they busy themselves with religious activities," CCDI wrote in its article. "Some cadres even take the lead in becoming Believers."

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