Eric's Beijing Diary

Interesting discussion this morning on Dialogue between Yang Rui and Louis Palau. Palau is an evangelist who has just co-authored a book with Professor Zhao Qizheng called "Riverside Talks." It is a hit here in China, and is also coming out in English. As a conversation between an atheist and a Christian, the objective of the book seems to be an attempt to build understanding between people of different belief systems. But I think the greatest significance of the books is what his says about the change in the way Christianity is addressed in a country which was once so hostile toward Christianity. Make no mistake, the Communist Party is still atheist, and so China is still officially an atheist society, but there seems to be much more a feeling of accommodation toward various religious beliefs today than in the days before China's "opening up."

What does this mean for Christians in China? I think it represents a unique opportunity for Christians to show that they are not a threat to any society. But I have concerns. Christianity has always tended to decline in character when it becomes popular or "fashionable." Someone asked me today if someone who was not a Christian could become president of the United States. I said that there is no requirement for membership in any religious group, but a candidate claimed to be an atheist, he would probably be unelectable. So in America, membership in a church does not indicate that a person is really a committed Christian. In China, it is quite the other way round. Many young people ask me, "Do you think I should join the Communist Party?" I always ask them, "Why do you want to join the party?" Always, they say something like, "Well, it's easier to get a good job if you are a member of the party." I tell them that I do not think this is a good reason to join the party. But I have also told young Christians that I think it would be good for them to join the party and be a positive influence in the government of their country. The answer is always the same. "Oh, no, we're not allowed. You have to be an atheist." Will that situation ever change? And if it did change, would it be good for China? For the church?