China (MNN) — A revised law in China leaves a slippery legal opening for exploitation.
On January 1, China will begin enforcing a revised Law of Public Order Offenses. The measure updates the Public Security Administration Punishments Law and bans organizing or inciting others to participate in superstitious, sect, secret-society, or illegal religious activities.
Kurt Rovenstine of Bibles for China says the concern centers on how the law defines religion. “That’s where there’s concern is this last ‘illegal religious activity’, because it’s ill-defined,” he says.
Chongqing, China (Pphoto courtesy of Zekai Zhu via Pexels)
Rovenstine explains that when key terms are vague, enforcement can expand beyond public order into restricting faith practice. That ambiguity could open a legal pathway to limit some Christian activities.
“That just seems like an open door for someone that doesn’t really know what’s religious, legal or illegal, maybe to take advantage of that and make life a little more difficult for some of our friends there [in China],” says Rovenstine.
Under the revised law, violators can face five to ten days in detention or a fine of up to one thousand yuan. More serious cases could bring up to fifteen days in detention and higher fines.
It may not feel like a dramatic shift overnight, but it is another step toward narrowing freedoms. The broader pattern of legal and ideological restrictions includes banning foreign missionary activity, limiting access to online ministry, controlling sacred music, and tightening laws that restrict teaching children about Christianity.
Pray for wisdom for Chinese believers as they navigate daily Christian life and Gospel sharing.
“There’s wisdom and boldness to function within a world that has new laws every month that they have to try to navigate through,” says Rovenstine.
Another prayer request is for more Chinese to have access to Scripture, so they can endure trials with the wisdom and encouragement found in God’s Word. Visit Bibles for China to join a noble calling of providing a living water for the Chinese believers!
Header photo:A close-up of a Chinese STOP sign (photo courtesy of Tao Yuan via Unsplash).
