Technology Helps Sneak Christianity into China
About one out of four people live in China, but until recent technological advances there were very few ways that Christians could get past the Communist government to reach those people with the message of Christ. But through radio, internet and other types of technology, Christianity is growing in China by opening up people's minds to religion and allowing Christians who are there to have access to Christian resources in order to spread the word.
Radio can effectively reach people throughout China with the message of Christ. By using shock waves, radio stations set up in countries that surround China can broadcast in China without government limitations on the content of their programming. Some of these radio stations also broadcast throughout the world to reach the many Chinese people outside of China who have not had the opportunity to hear the gospel presented in their language (Lin). "The Back to God Hour" is just one example of how radio is being used to spread Christianity in China. Based in Chicago, IL with an office in Honk Kong, "The Back to God Hour" broadcasts three hours a day around the world with an emphasis on China. Their programs include Christian music, stories with Biblical values, sermons and question and answer time. They receive approximately 300 letters a week from listeners with faith questions (Lin and Back to God Hour Pamphlet). "The Back to God Hour" and radio ministries like it are reaching thousands of people in China and throughout the world with the message of hope in Jesus Christ.
The Internet is the newest form of technology that is being used to spread Christianity in China. Although the government filters out most Christian web sites, some can still be seen in China. Information is added to the Internet so quickly that they can not filter fast enough. Also, there are people in China who know how to avoid the filters set by the government (Tao). It is important to point out that even though there is some availability to Christian material on the web in China, only 1 percent of the people there have access to the Internet right now. However, this number is doubling every year. In the web page entitled "Incredible Growth in China" it says: "China begins a campaign to bring industries, government offices, and households online as part of a national strategy to make the internet a more powerful engine for growth…The official Newspaper China Daily reported, 'Beijing has accepted the fact that there is no way to really control the growth, or the use of the internet.
On a stop in Colorado during a business trip to California in 1883, Coin became fascinated with silver and took up a pick to try his hand at mining. Calling his mine “Silver Bell,” Harvey’s mine was the second largest producer in the area; however, due to the increase in transportation costs, increasing labor unrest, and the plummeting market value of silver, Harvey abandoned his mine. From Coin’s mining days, he formed an interest in silver as opposed to gold as the U.S. monetary system standard. In 1891, he became the chairman of the Trans-Mississippi Congress, whose interest was in promoting legislation that would benefit the states west of the Mississippi.
Wallace, Daniel B. "Ephesians: Introduction, Argument, and Outline." Bible.org. N.p., 28 June 2004. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.
Although fiction, the book Safely Home written by Randy Alcorn is a very authentic story based on real characters. The Chinese culture is exhibited in a very proper way. This book consists of a powerful story which focuses mainly on the persecution of Christians in China. Although not every follower of Christ lives in China and not every Christian is persecuted the way that Li Quan, his family and other fellow believers were persecuted, the morals and examples can be applied to any Christian’s life. Since the story takes place in today’s time period, the scenario is even that much more relatable to any present Christian 's life. Awareness is a message spread throughout the book, Christians should be more informed on the details of persecution
Buddhism and Christianity were each founded by one person, and then eventually grew into two of the largest religions in the world. Each religion had different reasons
It is interesting to note that some of the new Internet regulations contradict International Laws signed by the Chinese government. China signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1998 that states that “Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print…or through any other media of his choice”.
Levy, Janey. Genocide in Darfur. New York, N.Y. 10010: The Rosen Publishing Book, Inc., 2009. Print.
During the fourteenth century, the facilitation of trade and communication throughout Eurasia caused the Mongols to unintentionally expedite the spread of the bubonic plague in South- western China causing the disappearance of Christianity. However, in the sixteenth century, when the world economy began to stabilize, Roman Catholic missionaries made their way throughout Asia to win converts and set up churches, monasteries, and Christian communities by using European science, technology, and mechanics to piqué Chinese and Japanese curiosity. Without any adaptations of Proselytism “off limits”, it ensured the rise of Christianity in Asia after the demographic recovery of Europe. Missions conducted by notable Jesuits, such as, Matteo Ricci made Christianity both accessible and more appealing to the culturally and ethnically diverse population of Asia through language and technology while St. Francis Xavier, another missionary, took a similar approach but focused more on the arguments placed against Christianity. Matteo Ricci, an Italian Jesuit priest, traveled from Portugal in trying to persuade China into adopting the Christian doctrine. Ricci and his cohorts were the first missionaries to make significant progress in China during the seventeenth century. Although he failed to evangelize all of China, his method of introducing Christianity created a significant cultural impact. These impacts required him to learn and be familiar with the Chinese language. Upon arrival to China, Ricci learned “to speak the native language and to read their books,” (Ricci, 271) which helped him to communicate with the locals about European science, technology, and mechanics. The document entitled, “A Discourse of the Kingdom of China” by Matteo Ricci...
Regarding religion, Chinese culture saw the emergence of Confucianism and Buddhism as the major influence. Confucianism stressed filial piety which meant respecting elders and superiors, ruling righteously, and obeying commands and orders. Confucianism was introduced by the Chinese thinker Confucius. Buddhism was brought to China, but originated in India and was founded by Siddhartha Gautama. Followers of Buddhism worshipped Buddh...
Confucianism is a philosophy and way of life formed in China by Confucius, an early Chinese philosopher. It began as a simple concept with ideals of personal virtue, simple filial piety, and basic gender distinctions and social inequalities. But, over time with the emergence of Neo-Confucianism it began to transform into a way of life that was degrading towards women with certain hostilities towards rivaling religions. In its early period, from around 500 B.C.E to the Common Era, Confucianism changed in that it became the leading belief system and a major part of Chinese tradition. From the transition into the Common Era to the end of the Classical time period, Confucianism was altered because of a loss of popularity following the collapse of the Han dynasty and the corruption in the governing political system. In its ending period, the post-classical era, Confucianism underwent perhaps its biggest adjustments with the emergence of Neo-Confucianism. The ideas and virtues presented in the “rebirth of Confucian philosophies” of intolerance of foreign religions and extreme filial piety...
Chinese people might find naming their religion challenging as it is a mixture of “traditional religion, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism” (Corduan, 2012, p.388). The Chinese Popular Religion continues to evolve and change as the world around it changes and outside influences enter the Chinese culture (Corduan, 2012). Investigation of the Chinese Popular Religion includes its key features, practices, and influences, along with tis role in contemporary China, and how Christians can enhance their interactions.
Religion usually plays a big part in the cultures of the world and is the basis for their beliefs and values. In many countries religion is very important, so important that some cultures use it in every aspect of their lives. China l...
Confucius was born into a time when the feudal system of China had collapsed. He was raised a scholar by his mother and worked in the Chinese government. After his mother passed away, he become a teacher. Confucius was a witness to the chaos of his time and resolved to aid those who were suffering from the social disorder. Confucius believed that the production of strongly educated individuals could become great leaders and that they in turn would create a harmonious society. In order to achieve this, the cultivation of one’s intellect and virtues were necessary. This could be done through education, which included poetry, the arts, and philosophical teachings. Believing that the past con...
The concept of Confucianism has contributed immensely in the forming of Chinese character, behaviour and the way to live, with its main purpose being to achieve harmony which is considered the greatest social value. Confucianism firmly highlights the impression of mercy, social order and fulfilment of responsibilities. The effects of Confucianism had impacted both China and Japan to the extent that the changes are still noticeable to this day.
Interests: China’s leaders desire to improve their nation’s economy while preserving political stability. They want to censor political discussions to prevent “westernization” of China,
For many centuries, Confucianism has been widely revered by the Chinese for its emphasis on morality. Confucius, who lived from 551 to 479 BCE, is different to most philosophers in that he showed no interest questioning his existence, the possibility of a God, or the reality that he seemed to live in; instead he focused on the human relations side of philosophy as it was his belief that people should “give (themselves) earnestly to the duties due to men … (and) keep aloof from (spiritual beings)” (Confucius 195). By negating the metaphysical side of philosophy, he was able to devote himself to mold his disciples into ideal gentleman who were morally righteous, and were able to benefit society. He believed in the importance of individuals who knew their roles in an well-structured society, that was a feudal system. In his opinion, the ideal gentleman should be obedient to his elders, have humanness and be morally righteous. Through his teachings, he was able to reform an entire country; the Chinese found Confucianism to embody practices of humaneness that they could apply in their daily lives through his religion.