...well,it may be radical for China. I openly read my Bible in a restaurant. But I wasn't hauled away! If I ever find a fellow believer he/she may tell me that I needn't worry about it. Or they may tell me to be careful. But I wasn't calling folks over to my table and invited them to have a Bible study with me. That could be problematic. I'm trying to get the lay of the land when it comes to displays of faith.
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I did something radical today...
- Thread starter Rippon
- Start date
I doubt you will be bothered as long as you do not get on your soapbox and start preaching or bothering strangers.
Also from my experience the way to get in trouble very fast in China is to engage in any activity they might consider political. The Chinese are allowed a lot of freedom as long as their activities are not seen as any kind of what the authorities would view as a negative political statement or activity
Enjoy your time in China. The people and culture are fascinating. It is a different world in China, so learn to roll with the punches. It is the only place I have ever lived where I could be totally frustrated and totally fascinated all at the same time.
Also from my experience the way to get in trouble very fast in China is to engage in any activity they might consider political. The Chinese are allowed a lot of freedom as long as their activities are not seen as any kind of what the authorities would view as a negative political statement or activity
Enjoy your time in China. The people and culture are fascinating. It is a different world in China, so learn to roll with the punches. It is the only place I have ever lived where I could be totally frustrated and totally fascinated all at the same time.
I admire your bravery. I would have taken my laptop or iTablet so I could minimise the webpage in case any secret officials came along.
Thanks for the advice. Feel free to share more about your experiences in China. Did you meet any believers --either Chinese or foreigners?
Most people who know me well know that I am very stubborn about recognizing any walls, barriers, rules or taboo's made against speaking out for Christ as having legitimacy. As a matter of fact even today a young lady who was asked to speak a funeral (one where the family have become so angry with God that they refused to have a pastor there, long tough story) came to me for help with what to say and will be delivering a sermon I wrote for her which addresses their hard feelings and ends with the Gospel.
My loved ones know that chances are I would not fare well in China and no doubt would make every attempt to keep me from going there.
I will pray tell you to keep out of trouble and be safe anyway, but honestly these words seem odd and out of place coming out of "my" mouth.
My loved ones know that chances are I would not fare well in China and no doubt would make every attempt to keep me from going there.
I will pray tell you to keep out of trouble and be safe anyway, but honestly these words seem odd and out of place coming out of "my" mouth.
The later would have been the radical act my brother......they would probably just throw you outa the country (make sure you bring back some crocs ....size 10 to 11 mens & no sissy colors):laugh::thumbs:
Yes, I met both foreigners and Chinese who were Christians. I have not been in China for 11 years, so things may have changed since then. At that time a Chinese Christian had to develop a trusting relationship with me before they told me they were Christian. Almost all, if not all, went to an underground church. I never asked where their church was and did not ask to go with them as I did not want to put them at any possible risk. As a Westerner people always knew, no matter where I went that I was a foreigner. There is no hiding that fact. Here in the States we never know when we see a person if they are a new arrival or if their family has lived here for 200 years.
Perhaps the young people of today are more open about their religious beliefs. The last time I was at the university a number of students ask me about my beliefs. They were searching. But, again, this was only after they had gotten to know me and a level of trust had developed.
I have a Chinese friend here who travels often to China on business. His comment to me recently was that MONEY is god in China now. He grew up in China and is not happy with how Chinese have become so materialistic.
I did go to a state approved church once and was warmly welcomed. However I did not go back as I realized that I did cause them some problems, primarily the church was so full that they made the choir move over so and I and three others had a place to sit down. That church has a number of services on Saturday and again numerous services on Sunday. Each service was packed in the sanctuary, the alley way outside was filled with people listening and a large room next door was rented. It was also always filled with people listening to the service.
Later at another location I talked with one of the pastors and he told me about their Bible publishing house and how they distributed Bibles, both inside the city and in rural villages.
Your students are part of the one-child policy and that must have had quite an impact on how they view themselves and the world. It would be interesting to hear about them through your experiences.
Thank you Benjamin.
I pray that I will meet some of either category.
I'd say in my roughly 38 days in the mainland, that that is probably the case.
That interests me a lot.
I was surprised by the fact that many in China do not follow the one-child rule/law. The parents just have to pay much higher fees for those born after the eldest.I have met some adults with as many as six siblings. That's rare. But quite a number have two or three siblings.Perhaps in other parts of the nation like Bejing, it is more controlled.
I didn't quote other parts of your post in order to conserve space and avoid repetition. But I appreciate your thoughts --they are helpful.