China: Chinese Christians Sentenced to Death, Page 2

March 2002

Articles in this issue:  Reaching the Persecuted, Page 1 | China, Page 2 | Sudan, Page 3 | Saudi Arabia, Haiti, Page 4

“Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” John 15:20

Chinese Christians Sentenced to Death

Despite persecution, Chinese believers worship joyfully.

Persecution against Christians in China has  been on the rise since late last year. One of the recent targets of persecution has been the South China Church, and its founder, Pastor Gong Shengliang. It is believed that Pastor Gong was arrested in Hubei province in August of 2001. However, the case against Pastor Gong came to light only in late December when he was sentenced to death for complicity in rape and leading an evil cult. The date of execution was set for January 5, 2002, but by the grace of God, it was later suspended for a few months so Pastor Gong could appeal his case. Many other adherents of the 50,000 member strong South China Church have also been detained and several, like Pastor Gong, have been sentenced to death for their participation in an "evil cult."

Though not all sources agree on the sentences given to the Chinese Christians, to the best of ICC's knowledge the following people were charged, in addition to Pastor Gong, during a secret trial in Hubei province during December: Hu Yong and Xu Fuming (death), Li Ying and Gong Bangkun (death, suspended for 2 years), Sun Minghua (life imprisonment), Yi Chan-fu (20 years) and Xiao Yanli (18 years). Over 50 other people are said to be detained in addition to those formerly charged.

The charges against Pastor Gong and the members of his church seem to be totally fabricated. Several young women have already come forward to explain that their accusations of rape had been forcibly obtained under beating and electric shock by Chinese police officers. Letters smuggled out of prison reveal the torture endured by these women: "Less than half an hour after the interrogation, they began to beat me and tried to pull out my hair. A younger interrogator grasped the front part of my shirt, shouting `Speak out fast: how many times did you sleep with your teacher [Gong Shengliang]? Don't pretend to be a virgin. Why do you button up? I could strip you to see how much of a virgin you are.' I held my shirt tight and wouldn't allow them to tear it apart. However, a button was torn away. This interrogator began to poke my chest with an electric bar that had just been charged. I tried to block it with my hand while shouting for help. So he tried to stop me by shocking my mouth with the bar. He threatened to tie my hands behind my back if I kept stopping him. When he saw that I was trying to protect my chest, he poked my legs with the bar and several times the bar almost touched my private part. He also beat me on my calves." (Source: Committee for Investigation on Persecution of Religion in China)

In a separate case Li Guangqiang, a Hong Kong Christian, was arrested for smuggling Bibles to an outlawed Christian group called the Shouters. Though he was indicted on charges of assisting an evil cult, a crime punishable by death, miraculously the charges against Li were changed, resulting in a sentence of only 2 years in prison. He was then released unexpectedly on February 9. His release was largely due to international pressure, including pressure from President Bush. In light of this, ICC urges all concerned Christians to write immediately to President Bush as well as to the Chinese Embassy to express outrage at the unjust sentences assigned to Pastor Gong and his church members. Perhaps our intervention on their behalf can lead to another miracle.

(Click here for more information on China.)

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POSTED:  March 30, 2002

March 2002

Articles in this issue:  Reaching the Persecuted, Page 1 | China, Page 2 | Sudan, Page 3 | Saudi Arabia, Haiti, Page 4