HONG KONG (Compass) -- Pressure on China's house churches has intensified this
year as the Chinese authorities close down meetings, fine and even imprison
house church leaders, often using the pretext that the leaders are extreme and
indulge in cultic activities.
This argument is used by the political leadership of China's official Three
Self Patriotic Church (TSPM) and has been relayed overseas -- generally by
Christians only in contact with TSPM spokespersons and ignorant of the house
church movement. Because many cults -- both indigenous and imported from
overseas -- are now active in China, this argument has some plausibility.
Yet a reasoned defense of the house church case in the November 2000 issue of
the privately-printed house church magazine "The Way" analyzes recent
government statements from a Christian perspective. Through examining the
government's drive against sects and cults after its crackdown on Falun Gong
since the summer of 1999, the anonymous author gives six keys to distinguish
the house church movement from cults. Following is a translation of the major
part of the article.
"On October 8-9, 1999, the Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's
Procuratorate jointly issued a statement dealing with the issue of how to deal
legally with cults. The first clause clearly defines 'heretical organizations'
as those illegal organizations that harm society by using religion, 'qigong' or
other pretexts to deify their leaders, idolize their leaders and control their
followers by creating and spreading superstition to cheat people.
"Recently, on October 27, 1999, the "People's Daily" published
an editorial and gave six clear definitions of a cult: worship of the sect
leader, mind-control, fabrication of heretical doctrines, extortion of money,
secret organization and injury to society. The present writer will show that
China's house churches are not cultic, but believe in orthodox Christianity.
"1. Worship of the Sect's Leader. The "People's Daily" editorial
raises the examples of the People's Temple cult, the Aum Rikkyo cult in Japan
and the Dravidian cult as all deifying their leaders. Clearly, however, they
are flesh-and-blood people who, although demanding absolute submission from
their devotees, are unable to free themselves from a sinful nature, nor escape
death and the future judgment.
"The heart of the house churches' faith is Jesus Christ. He is God and was
incarnate to save mankind. He was crucified for the sin of mankind. After three
days He rose again and ascended into heaven and will come again to judge the
world as King and to receive His bride -- the church. This is the firm faith of
the Christian faith for nearly 2,000 years and is also the orthodox faith
upheld by Chinese house churches.
"I ask, which sect leader can compare with Jesus Christ? They elevated
themselves but lived lives of debauchery and unrighteousness. But Jesus
willingly humbled Himself to dwell with sinners and draws them by love.
Countless men and women down through the ages have been changed by the life of
Jesus Christ. So the government has no reason to talk in the same breath of the
house churches, which uphold orthodox Christianity, with cults universally
rejected by the people.
"2. Mind Control. The editorial states that 'mind control is the basic
stratagem of the cult leader to strengthen his "divine" status and
maintain the loyalty of his devotees ... by controlling the thought and actions
of every person' so that they 'lose their sense of responsibility towards their
family and society.'
"But there is no mind-control in the house churches. ... We willingly and
gladly serve Jesus Christ without anyone constraining us. The Christian's zeal
to preach the gospel and to attend meetings is a powerful motivation in the
believer's life to do good and spread love in society. The preacher teaches the
believers to love God and other people, but this is not mind-control but
guidance in the truth. There is a basic difference, in that Christian teaching
leads people towards the good and toward love and is a positive contribution to
society, whereas cults entice people to commit sin.
"3. Heretical Doctrines. The editorial states that 'heretical doctrines
lead people into a negative, world-denying lifestyle. They manufacture theories
of the end of the world' and 'trick people into giving up taking medicine.'
However, eschatology is a vital part of orthodox Christianity and Judaism.
"Today, the house churches have a biblical basis when they preach about
the Last Things. Unlike the 'last days' preached by the cults, the Bible does
not state the precise time when Jesus is coming again. The cults encourage an
attitude of fear and irrational behavior such as mass suicide. But Christians
remain alert and take a positive attitude waiting for the coming of their Lord.
They must not only spread the gospel but be salt and light in this world and be
good at their jobs.
"Furthermore, Jesus not only gives us spiritual life but also cares for
our bodies. He healed the sick and drove out demons and gave his disciples the
same authority. We use this authority according to His teaching, and this is
not superstition. Christians know that God can heal miraculously, but we do not
oppose the sick taking medication.
"4. Extorting Money. The editorial states that 'modern cult leaders
illegally make money by printing vast amounts of books, religious images,
tapes, etc.' It is absolutely true they miss no opportunity to get rich by any
means. The Unification Church (Moonies) in Korea and the USA are like this. But
Christians are taught by the Bible not even to have covetous hearts. 'The love
of money is the root of all evil.'
"God hates covetousness. Christians stress giving their money away --
willingly and gladly. This is both the teaching of the church and of the Bible.
This is an expression of gratitude to God for His grace. The offerings are not
for a particular person but for the common expenses of the church. House church
workers use money for God's work.
"5. Secret Organization. The editorial states that cults are usually
strictly organized around the leader to carry out covert activities. They fear
exposure of their dark activities by the light. However, secret meetings are
not a modern phenomenon. The early church had to meet in secret under the
savage government persecution of the Roman Empire. This form of meeting is what
we mean by 'house church.' Of course, this mode of meeting is not the most
ideal, but is necessary when the church is forced into being illegal. But our
meetings are very different from the cults, as our only motive is to worship
the Lord Jesus.
"Today's Chinese house churches are similar to the persecuted early
church. They have not been authorized by the government and are under attack.
The house churches have already issued a joint statement of faith and their
stance towards the government and its religious policy and towards the 'Three
Self,' in order to let the world know their faith.
"But we still have not obtained government recognition. Many house
churches still suffer interference by local government and are forced to meet
underground.
"Actually, according to the registration law of the State Council issued
in 1994, all the house churches can become open and legal. But the problem is
that the reality is far removed from this. We are often forced to join the
Three Self and deny our faith. In fact, house church meetings are not like the
absolutely covert meetings of the cults. In many areas, they are carried out
half in the open. Otherwise, why are they so often attacked? [By the police,
who know where to find them. Translators note.]
"If the government does not want the house churches to be 'underground,'
why is it everywhere forcing them from the open further underground? It is hard
to understand why they are forced into illegality and confused with the cults.
"6. Harm to Society. The editorial states: 'The most important harm done
by cults is shown by their using extreme methods to confront society. Most cult
leaders have political ambitions ... they want to establish political control
or a theocracy over China and even the entire world.' They will not stop at
even using terrorism. This cult phenomenon is now a worldwide threat attracting
international attention.
"Anyone with some knowledge of history knows the incalculable contribution
of Christianity to mankind. Only since its founding have people known the true
meaning of 'love.' People can only love one another in Christ because of the
love which comes from God. Only this love can bring peace and stability to
society.
"The preface of the book, 'If There Were No Jesus,' by Dr. James Kennedy
and Jerry Newcombe, states: 'If there were no Jesus the world would be even
more tragic. The motive force behind the noblest and most loving deeds of many
people has come from the love of Christ. And the greatest accomplishments in
the world have all flowed from the humble service of the carpenter of
Nazareth.'
"It is an incontestable truth that Christianity has promoted social
advance and the development of modern science.
"The love for God and others of China's house church Christians has
promoted social stability and advancement. Ethics and morality based on
Christian love have changed society. Many more people are acknowledging this.
Some scholars also recognize that ethics and morality can only be rebuilt on a
Christian foundation.
"China's house churches are united with the worldwide church in their
orthodox faith. We do not have any of the six characteristics of the cults.
Moreover, the Religious Affairs Bureau has stated that cults are not true
religions. So, no one has any reason to define us as a cultic organization.
"China's house churches have been led by God through storm and tempest. In
this new century, we call on the government and on society to recognize the
legal status of the house churches. House churches are in no way a cult! We
ourselves have a responsibility to oppose cults! However the government chooses
to treat the house churches, we will continue to follow Christ."