China demands churches’ tithes, donations

The communist government of China’s Zhejiang Province is enforcing a new law that demands numerous churches to turn over all of their tithes and donations to state authorities.

 

According to a nonprofit Christian organization dedicated to serving the persecuted Church in China, the officials of Pingyang County in Wenzhou are compelling members to give all of their churches’ income to state authorities.

 

“The government officials will interfere with church affairs, managing our donations and some large-scale projects,” a source told China Aid.

 

And the persecution doesn’t stop there, as the government’s consent must be acquired in order to do just about anything inside — or outside — church walls.

 

“We have to obtain [the government’s] permission if we would like to buy equipment or decorate the church,” China Aid’s source continued. “We will have to ask for permission for any expenses more than a few thousand yuan.”

 

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