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Chinese Government Offers Incentives to Report House Churches

by | Mon, Sep 21 2020

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Authorities in China are closing the net on house churches by offering cash rewards to anyone reporting “illegal religious activity”.

The Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau has urged citizens to submit photos and videos of “unapproved” meeting places in exchange for cash – the equivalent of about $A100 – for each tipoff.

Authorities say even gatherings of as few as three Christians should be reported immediately.

Barnabas Fund reports, Three-Self Church leaders were told they should encourage their congregations to spy on unregistered venues and collect the monetary rewards.

The church leaders say they won’t do things against their conscience, and everyone has the right to practise their faith.

Hundreds of house churches and Three-Self churches have been either shut down or demolished across China as part of the government’s growing crackdown on Christianity.