The Chinese Government have banned children from attending churches in the country.
The government formally recognises five religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism, and Catholicism (though the Chinese Catholic Church is independent of the Catholic Church in Rome).This is said to tighten their grip on religious activities.
The new directive by the Government also prohibits children from attending religious sermons and other related activities across China.
Reports states that control on churches in the country started several years ago when places of worship were told to remove crosses from their buildings in Zhejiang Province.
William Nee, a researcher for Amnesty International who spoke to MailOnline UK, said,
“At this point it’s unclear how widespread the ban on children attending church services are in China, but these alarming reports seem to be coming in from fairly diverse areas throughout the country.”
Nee further said that the move reflects the tightening control of religion in “particular Islam and Christianity under the present administration” in the Asian country.
She added,
“In an important speech on religion last year, the President, Xi Jinping, said that young people must study science, believe in science and develop a ‘correct’ worldview and set of values.
“It could be that the government is concerned that young people going to church or religious activities may challenge their monopoly on truth and the government’s ability to instill its own historical narratives and worldview through the public education system.”
According to UCA News, the ban also promises that officials will investigate government approved churches and underground congregations who operate outside the tightly controlled Beijing-run Catholic and Protestant Churches.
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