This should not be allowed.
The Chinese government’s tightening grip on Christians, especially on the youth, has been escalating as President Xi Jinping’s “Sinicization” campaign takes hold. This strategy demands religious practices conform to Chinese norms and align with socialist ideals, aiming to mold future generations into adherents of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The extent of control imposed on minors is alarming, with measures reminiscent of ancient methods. A pastor from a coastal area in southeast China, sharing insights with Global Christian Relief, likened the government’s approach to “The Pharaoh Policy,” drawing parallels to Pharaoh’s actions against the Israelites’ children in Exodus 1. The intention is clear: restrict exposure to religious teachings among the young.
The crackdown on minors attending religious gatherings started in 2017, contrasting with the more lenient approach under previous leadership. Formerly, children could attend Sunday School, but now parents are coerced into signing pledges renouncing religion for their kids.
The government’s surveillance extends to ensuring children don’t step into places of worship, disregarding pleas from parents who can’t leave their children unattended. Secret Sunday Schools have emerged in response, held discreetly in homes to evade these restrictions.
Homeschooling has become a refuge for some Christian families, aiming to shield their children from CCP indoctrination. Yet, this alternative faces obstacles, with authorities shutting down homeschools and levying exorbitant fines, forcing some to consider sending their children abroad for education.
The crackdown doesn’t spare Christian college students either. Campus fellowships are dismantled, and students face restrictions on religious activities, with severe consequences for proselytizing.
Even seminaries associated with unregistered churches have been targeted, signaling the government’s authority over religious education. The crackdown extends beyond the mainland, with Chinese Christian leaders risking interrogation upon return from regions like Hong Kong, which once served as educational sanctuaries.
In essence, the increasing control on Christians, especially on minors, through stringent measures, surveillance, and limitations on education, reflects the government’s determination to shape ideological conformity and allegiance to the CCP.