Christian persecution and lack of Bible supply in China have become subjects of Australian media interest after a group of American Christians had more than 300 Bibles confiscated by Chinese customs officials last week.
The group were planning to give the Bibles to Christians in China who are desperate for God’s Word. Bringing religious materials into China is forbidden if they are used for more than personal use.
National Director for Bible League Australia, Grahame Smith, said at least 50 million Christians in China are waiting for Bibles.
“The Bible is to Christians, what food is to people in the midst of famine,” he said. “Yet millions don’t have access to a Bible. That’s why people are prepared to take risks to ensure that God’s Word reaches spiritually hungry Christians.
“Bible League is thankful that a number of media outlets chose to report on the extent of Christian persecution and Bible shortage in China.
“As the article in the Sydney Morning Herald (19/08/08) described, Christians who worship in house churches risk persecution because they do not meet in government sanctioned churches which are controlled by the Communist Party.
“The article accurately described how Bibles that are legally printed in China are mainly placed in government sanctioned churches and bookshops—creating a great shortage amongst Christians who worship in house churches.
“Bible League places Bibles into the hands of Christians who are worshipping in house churches or living in isolated, rural locations. Without Bible League’s ministry, millions more Chinese would be without God’s Word. Last year, Bible League provided 1.2 million Scriptures to people in China.”
