Start of Olympics on 8.8.08 Hardly 'Lucky' for Suffering Christians

Start of Olympics on 8.8.08 Hardly 'Lucky' for Suffering Christians

SANTA ANA, Calif., Aug. 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- 8.8.08 will signal the start of the long-awaited 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on Friday with the elaborate opening ceremonies.

The Chinese consider eight a lucky number because in Cantonese it sounds like the word for "get rich" or "prosper."

Many Chinese will celebrate Aug. 8, 2008 as one of the most important dates in Chinese history - the launching of a prestigious event for the entire world to see the "new, open China."

But many Christians are hardly "lucky" this year. The fact is that many Christians have suffered even harsher persecution by the Chinese government due to the glare of the Olympic spotlight. As a result, many have been thrown into prison or transported to areas far away from Beijing and the Games venues. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reported last week that nearly 700 Protestant leaders who are not registered with the government have been placed in custody in the past year.

Those prisoners include Shi Weihan, who was re- arrested earlier this year for publishing Bibles and Christian literature. Shi ran a Christian bookstore, a printing press and travel agency. The bookstore is located near the Olympic Village. Weihan's health has deteriorated since his imprisonment due to poor prison conditions and refusal of prison officials to give him medicine for his diabetes, according to China Aid Association. CAA recently reported Shi was coerced to sign and recognize a confession convicting him of "engaging in the printing and distribution of a large number of illegal publications."

"Unfortunately, there has been a crackdown on house church leaders in wake of the start of the Olympics," states Open Doors USA President/CEO Carl Moeller. "Please join me in praying for all those in prison. It's a travesty that hundreds of Christians sit in prisons while the Chinese government pats itself on the back for its hosting of the Games."

Open Doors is urging Christians in the United States to email Chinese Ambassador to the United States Zhou Whenzong to express their concern over the status of Shi, including lack of access to medical care and medicines, adequate clothing, visitation rights for his family and a fair and prompt trial. To send an email and for more information, go to www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.

Open Doors is looking for prayer warriors to host a special prayer event in their church or small group during the Games Aug. 8-24 with Open Doors offering resources in the "Get-Set-Pray" kit. The materials can be downloaded from the Open Doors Website.

Please especially pray for the meeting between President Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao this weekend in Beijing. President Bush will bring up concerns over China's poor human rights record.

An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with more millions facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our Website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.

(For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org).

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