Chinese Pastor Detained For Refusing Communist Religious Orders
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – A Chinese Reformed pastor serves 15 days of detention without trial for not obeying religious guidelines by the ruling Chinese Communist Party, well-informed Christians told Worthy News Thursday.
Zhao Weikai of the Xuncheng Reformed Church in Taiyuan, the capital of China’s northern Shanxi Province, was detained after 20 police officers raided his home on May 17.
Without providing a warrant, the officers seized computer equipment and books, according to Christians with close knowledge about the situation.
Zhao and his wife Li Xin were reportedly taken for questioning under charges of “proselytism.”
Li was released late May 17, but Zhao was ordered to serve 15-day administrative detention, said rights monitor ChinaAid and other activists.
Zhao had been “invited” to “talk” with police “because of his refusal to abide by the religious mandates of the Chinese Communist Party,” the rights groups said.
Zhao’s church had been raided in November on December 30 last year when security officers reportedly disrupted a Bible study in the home of fellow Pastor An Yankui, Christians said.
The reported arrests come amid broader concerns about an intensified crackdown on Christians in China, according to ChinaAid founder Bob Fu.
Last week Fu received the Wilberforce Award from the respected Colson Center for Christian Worldview.
The Wilberforce Award was established in 1988 to recognize Christian leaders who exemplify the principles and commitment of William Wilberforce. The English statesman waged a 40-year campaign which led to the abolition of slavery in Britain.
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