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USA Today is reporting that an owner of a Christian bookstore in Beijing is being held in secret detention since November 28 because of his faith.

According to the report, businessman Shi Weihan was arrested because of his faith and refusal to register their unapproved “house church” with authorities. His arrest comes as the Chinese government is struggling to convince critics that it has expanded religious freedom and tolerance.

China is trying to show the world that religious groups are free to worship, provided they register with the government. However, Chinese police regularly arrest thousands of Christians who are affiliated with unsanctioned religious groups. Recently, government officials denied reports that Bibles would be banned from the Olympic Village at the 2008 Summer Games in

Read the news report by clicking here.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

Tags: China, Christianity, Persecution