Communist authorities in southwestern China’s Yunnan province sent a notice to a village warning that any resident who converts to Christianity will face financial penalties or even the confiscation of their land.
The notice sent to Huang Fei village in that province’s Yingjiang County, which is close to the China-Myanmar border, states that the residents of the Dai ethnic group are Buddhist and Christianity is an “evil cult,” according to the U.K.-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide, which says that converts in several other villages might’ve received similar threats either by notice or in-person.
China Bans Teachers From Mentioning God Or Prayer In Classrooms
It adds that “believing in Jesus Christ and other sects” is a violation of the “rules” of the village and punishable with a financial penalty to the community, such as confiscating a pig weighing more than 299 pounds. For the residents, who are mostly farmers, it’s a hefty fine.
“This is not only the case in this village, but also in many other Dai villages in the surrounding area, including Ruili, although some rules are written down and some are unwritten,” a source was quoted as saying.
Chinese Pastors Ordered To Praise President Xi Jinping From Pulpit Or Shut Down Churches
The notice, or the regulation, is titled, “Supplement to Regulations of Huang Fei Village,” and was passed by the village committee, according to China Christian Daily, which also reported that the penalties are as per the local “Xizhaizi” ritual sacrifice meant to punish those who go against Dai’s ethical principles and religious taboos.
“Normally an offender walks around the village on a specific day, carrying tribute (live pigs or children) while blaming himself aloud,” the Daily said. “After the walk, he should cook tribute food for all the people in the whole village. The offender needs to pay the total expense by himself. The activity is very intimidating, offering the severest punishment in dignity and property to the offender.”
China Tells Christians ‘You Are Not Permitted To Believe In God’ In China
Some recent social media posts in China also reveal that similar “notices” were also sent to the Li community in the southern island province of Hainan, CSW reported.
The increased targeting of Christians in ethnic minority villages in the two provinces suggests that it’s a planned campaign, the group said.
Persecution watchdog Open Doors USA ranks China as the 23rd worst country in the world when it comes to the persecution of Christians. The organization notes that all churches are perceived as a threat if they become too large, too political, or invite foreign guests.
Why Many Chinese Are Becoming Christians
Chinese Christians Memorize Entire Bible In Prison, Says Gov’t Can’t Take What’s In Your Heart’
Click Here To Read More.
