Chinese Police Arrest 50 Christians, Including Children and Pregnant Women, for 'Inciting Subversion of State Power'

China
In February 2018, new regulations regarding religion took effect in China to help "block extremism."  Getty Images

Chinese authorities recently arrested more than 50 Christians -- including 11 children -- for "inciting subversion of state power," a persecution watchdog has reported.

According to an update from Chengdu's Early Rain Covenant Church, which was closed down by the communist government in December, multiple homes hosting prayer gatherings on Feb. 24 were surrounded by police officers who interrupted the services. At two of the home church services, every person in attendance was detained.

"Everyone, including Christian children, elderly people, and pregnant women, was taken away by police, and their phones were seized," notes the update.

According to a statement released by the church, two Christians who were arrested were "violently beaten."

"Tang Chunliang and his wife were hit in the face by a plainclothes police officer at the police station," the update reads.  "Some, including children, did not eat anything. Some were not released until 2:00 a.m. Tired children slept on ice-cold tables and floors. Others were not released until 6:00 a.m."

A short time later, two more churchgoers were arrested when they went to the Chengdu Police Station to visit their detained friends.

"They were then taken to the Taisheng Road Police Station, where they were locked up and interrogated," a March 2 statement from the church reads. "At 2:00 p.m., while being interrogated, they were personally humiliated, abused, and violently beaten by seven to eight police officers from the Chengdu Taisheng Road Police Station. They were detained for nearly eight hours."

China Aid founder Bob Fu, a well-respected human rights activist, tweeted that at least 11 of those who were arrested in Chengdu received a punishment of 10 to 14 days "administrative detention."

"Arbitrary arrest continues," Fu wrote, urging Christians worldwide to "walk with...these persecuted."

In December, church Pastor Wang Yi was arrested along with over 160 church members. Three months later, Wang and his wife remain in custody, and the pastor's parents and son have been under close surveillance since the arrest.

Since shuttering the church late last year, authorities have continued to harass Early Rain church members, according to updates from the church. Police have reportedly put pressure on landlords and employers, resulting in some churchgoers losing their homes and jobs. Some have had to move back to their hometowns.

At least one family of a church elder has been forced to move on multiple occasions as they have been deemed "illegal residents."

"Each time they are evicted, they find a new place to live," a church statement from Feb. 22 reads. "Then, after they've spent a few days adapting to their new home, police and national security come to their door and, through various methods, drive the family out of their home again."

China ranks as the 27th worst country in the world when it comes to the persecution of Christians, according to Open Doors USA's 2019 World Watch List.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.