Dear World, China is going to do whatever they want

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AshburnerX

AshburnerX

Why are they naming a new Catholic leader for China? I was under the impression that the Chinese government was actively stamping out all signs of religion in the country, and only named a new Dali Lama because they wanted to legitimize their current claim over Tibet. I wouldn't be surprised about their being Chinese Catholics, as I know the church did some pretty intensive missionary work in China during the 19th and 20th centuries, but I really can't imagine in being a HUGE DEAL over there.
 
C

Chibibar

AshburnerX said:
Why are they naming a new Catholic leader for China? I was under the impression that the Chinese government was actively stamping out all signs of religion in the country, and only named a new Dali Lama because they wanted to legitimize their current claim over Tibet. I wouldn't be surprised about their being Chinese Catholics, as I know the church did some pretty intensive missionary work in China during the 19th and 20th centuries, but I really can't imagine in being a HUGE DEAL over there.
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It is actually pretty big (Christian and Catholics) BUT!!!!!!!! as long the government sanctions it.

So there are "groups" that are allow like Chinese version of Catholics.
 
strawman

strawman

Well, they appoint their own "pope", then they force all those who wish to worship according to the catholic faith to worship under their pope's guidance. They then do the same thing with all other religions of any consequence, and the effect is the same as stamping out religion - they will then control their people both politically and religiously, and anyone that objects are called dissidents and jailed.

But then, England did the same in it's own time, and Luther became a watershed for another pulling away from the Catholic faith. Honestly China is not doing anything new - it's just that they don't recognize religion as a valid choice - and as communists that's a valid point of view. It's the reason the US added "Under God" to the pledge of allegiance, to separate us from "godless communists."

If I understand correctly, from their perspective:
- God doesn't exist
- People run the churches and ultimately decide how their followers "worship"
- Sometimes their decisions teach people principles and values that are at odds with the nation's goals
- Some people need religious structures and organizations to be productive and happy

Therefore taking control of religious institutions makes the most sense.

Keep in mind that the whole concept of religious freedom is a relatively new development in human history.

---------- Post added at 03:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:34 PM ----------

Not that I support their position - I believe everyone should have the freedom to choose their own faith. But it's not shocking that they are pursuing this route. Whether they are successful will depend completely on the people in China, and honestly I have no idea how they'll react. Which is stronger - their faith in their county and nation, or their faith in their church? Do they view the pope as merely a figurehead and CEO of a religious organization, or as the leader of Christ's church on the earth as chosen by God?

It will be interesting to see how this plays out over time. It's interesting to see events like this in a contemporary viewpoint, whereas typically we read about such things in history books - books that the winner of any given conflict wrote.
 
C

Chibibar

First Lady Puffinstuff said:
Well, they appoint their own "pope", then they force all those who wish to worship according to the catholic faith to worship under their pope's guidance. They then do the same thing with all other religions of any consequence, and the effect is the same as stamping out religion - they will then control their people both politically and religiously, and anyone that objects are called dissidents and jailed.

But then, England did the same in it's own time, and Luther became a watershed for another pulling away from the Catholic faith. Honestly China is not doing anything new - it's just that they don't recognize religion as a valid choice - and as communists that's a valid point of view. It's the reason the US added "Under God" to the pledge of allegiance, to separate us from "godless communists."

If I understand correctly, from their perspective:
- God doesn't exist
- People run the churches and ultimately decide how their followers "worship"
- Sometimes their decisions teach people principles and values that are at odds with the nation's goals
- Some people need religious structures and organizations to be productive and happy

Therefore taking control of religious institutions makes the most sense.

Keep in mind that the whole concept of religious freedom is a relatively new development in human history.
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FLP: you are right. In today's religion, people don't brain wash their masses and take their money and control their actions.....oh wait...... nevermind... nothing new here.
 
strawman

strawman

I'm getting my facts mixed up - this isn't a big deal or anything new:

Communist China forced its Roman Catholics to cut ties with the Vatican in 1951, and worship is allowed only in state-backed churches, although millions of Chinese belong to unofficial congregations loyal to Rome.
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While many of the leaders of china's catholic church are backed by the vatican, a few are not, and this current exchange is over a recent appointment to the church leadership that the vatican does not approve. China has not appointed a pope, and while both desire reconciliation and harmony, china is willing only to "give certain degree of freedom to the church people in return for their loyalty" - in other words you are allowed "freedom" as long as you are loyal to the regime.

So.. yeah, another day, another dollar. Call me when China appoints their own pope and severs ties with the catholic church completely.
 
strawman

strawman

Jiarn;458103][QUOTE=North_Ranger said:
Emperor Popeatine vs. The People's Republic of China.

I don't know whether I should laugh or cry.
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It'd be pretty epic.[/QUOTE]

Only because both China and the Vatican have Nuclear weapons.






What? That's why the pope's hat is so pointy!








He hasn't been wearing it as often lately, as a show of good will, but you know he means business when he does.








pew pew pew!
 
strawman

strawman

mr_thehun said:
One of our top engineers is a catholic and so he gets special privilages, like the ability to have three children without consequence.
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Now that's interesting! I would expect more couples to join the catholic church just to obtain this special privilege.
 
Terrik

Terrik

Everyone knew that. Wikileaks didnt have to tell us that.

I saw Li Changchun once in Tianjin. I was brainwashed simply by his passing.
 
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