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Submitted by camrong on Thu, 08/21/2008 - 12:48pm.
This is one reason why Christianity never makes much headway in China. Missionaries constantly flout the laws of the country that they are "guests" in. There's a lot they could do legally, but they choose to do it their own way regardless of the laws of the host nation. I would not be surprised if most of their "converts" were simply looking for someone to practice their English with.
I know it's a topic most people aren't too interested in around here. My personal experience there made it a topic of great interest to me and so I tend to go on and on...My wife thinks it's annoying, but what can you do? China (and India too) is a rising power that Americans need to know more about. I read a great article a while back by Fareed Zakaria. He worote that the rise of China and India are historical forces that cannot be stopped. The US can either ride this wave and benefit hugely from it, or be crushed by it. I couldn't agree more.
that the Chinese church grew like wildfire during the serious religious oppression years. Now that there is no persecution to speak of the growth numbers are far more slow.
People have opportunities now to improve the material condition of their life. Just like in the US spirituality get shoved out of the way by materialism.
I'm a realist, a pragmatist, whatever else you want to call it. I don't believe in stupid generalizations because they don't work. I'm only talking from personal experience. I had no interest in China until about 2000, when I did some summer English teaching in Beijing. Afterwards I was amazed that I could know so little about the most populous country in the world. I got to work educating myself and did a study abroad in Chengdu for a year. I met my wife the second week I was there and waited for her to finish school. I had a wonderful time in Sichuan. I saw a lot of problems, but I saw a lot of really great things too. It just seems to me that for those Americans who have never been to China, you should remember what American media is like. They write negative stories because that's what sells. There are huge problems in China, but there are problems everywhere. If all you read is negative stories about China, well of course you'll have a negative opinion. Just remember there is a positive aspect too.
free almost. the 2 old ladies did there protest right and what did they get? im sorry but i dont believe china is as great as you do, but i would love to visit and learn more of there culture. i just dont believe there gov. force is the right way.
Submitted by camrong on Thu, 08/21/2008 - 12:57pm.
I don't think you can believe everything you read about China, especially when everything you read is from US/Western-based media sources, which are usually professional China-bashers who often times distort and even fabricate facts to fit their agenda.
It's true that many people's homes (mostly old and outdated) were displaced by the new arenas, but from personal knowledge those folks were reasonably compensated by the government and now enjoy better and more modern living conditions. There will always be protesters for whatever reason (some are just greedy) but they don't represent the norm.
People here in the West like to bash the Chinese media for not reporting any bad news about their country, while not realizing that Western media is the extreme opposite. The truth oftentimes lays somewhere in between. We just need to keep an open mind.
Submitted by apetolla on Thu, 08/21/2008 - 1:51pm.
to hide it,I think).Article titled"Christian activists detail harrassment in China". You ever read anything badd about China in your vast 'researches' on the subject? Been to Tibet lately? Dali Lama hasn't.What a swell tyranny china is.
I haven't been to to Tibet in about five years. I was in Lhasa when the Iraq war broke out. A tibetan monk in the Potala Palace informed me. He wanted to know what an American thought about it.
I found plenty of bad stuff in China and in Tibet too. Most of the violence I encountered in China was actually perpetrated by Tibetans. Shortly after I arrived in Chengdu, a Tibetan disembowled a Han Chinese during an arguement. A group of Tibetan "students" tried to rape my wife's roommate. She was Tibetan herself. A Tibetan monk tried to convert me to his religion. After I declined, he offered to hook me up with Tibetan prostitutes instead. My wife is Chinese. Whenever we walked together near Tibetans, we were constantly harrassed. Don't believe the western media images of peaceful Tibetan monks. The reality is bit more ugly.
no respect
This is one reason why Christianity never makes much headway in China. Missionaries constantly flout the laws of the country that they are "guests" in. There's a lot they could do legally, but they choose to do it their own way regardless of the laws of the host nation. I would not be surprised if most of their "converts" were simply looking for someone to practice their English with.
Appreciate your perspective Camrong
Although I know little of China, I appreciate their rich history, culture and achievements. Thank you for educating us from the people's perspective.
Thank you YP
I know it's a topic most people aren't too interested in around here. My personal experience there made it a topic of great interest to me and so I tend to go on and on...My wife thinks it's annoying, but what can you do? China (and India too) is a rising power that Americans need to know more about. I read a great article a while back by Fareed Zakaria. He worote that the rise of China and India are historical forces that cannot be stopped. The US can either ride this wave and benefit hugely from it, or be crushed by it. I couldn't agree more.
i too appreciate
your perspective, wish i knew more about them, i am interested in there history. it is rich.
I heard from a missionary to China
that the Chinese church grew like wildfire during the serious religious oppression years. Now that there is no persecution to speak of the growth numbers are far more slow.
I think it's a quality of life issue...
People have opportunities now to improve the material condition of their life. Just like in the US spirituality get shoved out of the way by materialism.
Camrong, spirituality in the US is fine,despite dimmokritter
attempts to "shove it outta the way". Why are you such an apologist for tyrannies?
Ape- the difference between...
Ape, the difference between spirituality and religion..
Religion for people who are afraid of going to hell...
Spirituality for those of us who've already been there...
Don't mix 'em up...
not an apologist
I'm a realist, a pragmatist, whatever else you want to call it. I don't believe in stupid generalizations because they don't work. I'm only talking from personal experience. I had no interest in China until about 2000, when I did some summer English teaching in Beijing. Afterwards I was amazed that I could know so little about the most populous country in the world. I got to work educating myself and did a study abroad in Chengdu for a year. I met my wife the second week I was there and waited for her to finish school. I had a wonderful time in Sichuan. I saw a lot of problems, but I saw a lot of really great things too. It just seems to me that for those Americans who have never been to China, you should remember what American media is like. They write negative stories because that's what sells. There are huge problems in China, but there are problems everywhere. If all you read is negative stories about China, well of course you'll have a negative opinion. Just remember there is a positive aspect too.
you sound like
free almost. the 2 old ladies did there protest right and what did they get? im sorry but i dont believe china is as great as you do, but i would love to visit and learn more of there culture. i just dont believe there gov. force is the right way.
There are distortions...
I don't think you can believe everything you read about China, especially when everything you read is from US/Western-based media sources, which are usually professional China-bashers who often times distort and even fabricate facts to fit their agenda.
It's true that many people's homes (mostly old and outdated) were displaced by the new arenas, but from personal knowledge those folks were reasonably compensated by the government and now enjoy better and more modern living conditions. There will always be protesters for whatever reason (some are just greedy) but they don't represent the norm.
People here in the West like to bash the Chinese media for not reporting any bad news about their country, while not realizing that Western media is the extreme opposite. The truth oftentimes lays somewhere in between. We just need to keep an open mind.
camrong,see Statesman,8/11/08,page main 9,lower right(they tried
to hide it,I think).Article titled"Christian activists detail harrassment in China". You ever read anything badd about China in your vast 'researches' on the subject? Been to Tibet lately? Dali Lama hasn't.What a swell tyranny china is.
not lately
I haven't been to to Tibet in about five years. I was in Lhasa when the Iraq war broke out. A tibetan monk in the Potala Palace informed me. He wanted to know what an American thought about it.
I found plenty of bad stuff in China and in Tibet too. Most of the violence I encountered in China was actually perpetrated by Tibetans. Shortly after I arrived in Chengdu, a Tibetan disembowled a Han Chinese during an arguement. A group of Tibetan "students" tried to rape my wife's roommate. She was Tibetan herself. A Tibetan monk tried to convert me to his religion. After I declined, he offered to hook me up with Tibetan prostitutes instead. My wife is Chinese. Whenever we walked together near Tibetans, we were constantly harrassed. Don't believe the western media images of peaceful Tibetan monks. The reality is bit more ugly.
Apey, where are you?
You just post your sarcastic comments and run. Don't you want to talk some more?