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Chinese Christians Concerned Over Plight Detained Bible Printers

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 (4:21 am)

By Worthy News Staff

BEIJING, CHINA (Worthy News) — Chinese Christians on Wednesday, July 1, were awaiting the international community to "pray and act" on behalf of jailed Christian house church leader Shi Weihan and six of his associates who have been sentenced to prison terms for allegedly printing Bibles and Christian books without government approval, their supporters said.

"Most of the books Shi Weihan published were Bibles and Christian books," added former house church pastor Bob Fu, who currently leads advocacy group China Aid Association (CAA).

"He distributed them free of charge, because the Chinese government does not permit Bibles to be sold in public bookstores, and there is a great need for them," he told Worthy News and its partner agency BosNewsLife. "We call upon Christian book authors and those who placed orders for printing Bibles and Christian literature to speak out for Shi and his family."

On June 10 the Beijing Court found Shi Weihan, 38, guilty of "illegal business operation" and sentenced him to three years in prison and 150,000 Yuan fine (about $22,000 USD) for printing and distributing Bibles at no cost. Six of his associated, also received criminal sentences for "illegal business operation."

MORE SENTENCES

Tian Hongxia, who worked for Shi Weihan, was fined three years in prison and 150,000 yuan. The other five sentenced were Li Fengshan, Zhou Xin, Cheng Xiaojing, Lű Yuequan and Li Zong, all shareholders and employees of Xinshu Printing Company Ltd. of Beijing, the printing company which printed the Bibles and Christian books.

Their sentences range from one to two years with fines from 60,000 yuan to 120,000 yuan, trial observers said. Shi's wife has hired Christian lawyer Li Fangping to represent him to appeal the verdict, CAA said. The appeal process is expected to take up to one year.

It comes at a time when "Shi Weihan’s wife Zhang Jing and their two daughters, 12-year-old Shi Jia and 8-year-old Shi En Mei, are under tremendous pressure from authorities," CAA said.

The crackdown comes amid reported concerns within Chinese government about the spread of Christianity in the Communist-run nation. Chinese officials say they are upholding the law and that Christians can observe their faith within state structures, such as the state-run churches.

Related News Stories:

  1. BREAKING NEWS: China Sentences "Bible Printer" Shi Weihan To Three Years In Prison
  2. American Aviators Aren't Alone: Chinese Christians Held Hostage
  3. Chinese Authorities Raid House Churches, Arrest 80
  4. NEWS ALERT: Chinese Christian Bookstore Owner To Stand Trial
  5. China "Abolishes" House Church Alliance; Major Crackdown Reported
  6. China Police Raid Vacation Bible School; Children "Traumatized", Church Leaders Detained
  7. Detained Chinese Christian Activist In Life Danger

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  • FresnoJoe

    {{{… Chinese officials say they are upholding the law …}}}

    Upholding The Law Of God's Love

    "And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:"

    "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."

    "And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."
    Mark 12:29-31

    Can Only Be Do

    "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
    Philippians 2:13

    By Faith In

    "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,"
    Ephesians 3:17

    Jesus

    "And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest."

    But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;"

    Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,:

    To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."
    Acts 26:15-18

    The LORD OF LORDS

    "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war."

    "His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself."

    "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God."

    "And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."

    "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."

    "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
    Revelation 19:11-15

    Believe The Lawman, Believe The LORD Jesus Christ
    And Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING
    Love, Joe

  • FresnoJoe

    {{{… Chinese officials say they are upholding the law …}}}

    Upholding The Law Of God’s Love

    “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:”

    “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

    “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
    Mark 12:29-31

    Can Only Be Done

    “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
    Philippians 2:13

    By Faith In

    “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”
    Ephesians 3:17

    Jesus

    “And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.”

    But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;”

    Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,:

    To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
    Acts 26:15-18

    The LORD OF LORDS

    “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.”

    “His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.”

    “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.”

    “And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.”

    “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”

    “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
    Revelation 19:11-15

    Believe The Lawman, Believe The LORD Jesus Christ
    And Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING
    Love, Joe

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