Once again, the CCP announced it had “elected” a bishop three months before the Pope appointed him. The Papal mandate was not mentioned in the consecration ceremony.
Catholic Church in China: The Strange Case of Bishop Ji Weizhong
Guangdong, Shengja Church: Leaders Sentenced for “Illegal Business Operations”
Printing and selling for a small fee Christian literature is now regarded as sufficient to throw fraud charges at house church preachers and elders.
China: Exams for Muslim Imams—on Xi Jinping’s Thought on Religion
In Hunan, Hui imams should pass a test: but the main subject matters of the exam are the Secretary General’s speeches and the new regulations on religions.
News from the world
Japan: Anti-Cult Journalist Eight Suzuki Found Guilty of Defamation
Importing a typical attitude of European anti-cultists, Suzuki claims he “almost won” a case he lost. In this article, the attorney who defeated him explains why.
Mihai and Adina Stoian: A Humanitarian Appeal
Pending a final decision on their extradition to France, the two yoga teachers detained in Georgia should be released on bail for health reasons.
Five Jehovah’s Witnesses Sentenced to Two Years in Jail in Algeria for Sharing Their Faith
Their teachings are accused of “endangering the unity of the nation.” It is a clear violation of international principles on freedom of religion or belief.
Testimonies from China
Stories of Uyghurs in Syria: Love Under the Bombs
The war years were hell for Syrians but sometimes paradise for the Uyghurs, who were better off there that under Chinese persecution. Some even found love.
Denied Asylum in Italy, Church of Almighty God Member Was Arrested and Tortured in China
An exclusive testimony documents a tragedy. “Bitter Winter” knows its source and is confident the story is true.
My Friend and His “Expensive” Girlfriend: How a Uyghur Musician Ended Up in Syria
A journey from cheerful musician to fighter. China may call it radicalization. I see it as part of a generation’s religious awakening.
Testimonies from the World
#SheToo: The Experience of MISA Women. 5. The Paradox of Polyamory
MISA women talk about experiments with multiple-partner relationships and what they believe they had to do with spirituality.
#SheToo: The Experience of MISA Women. 4. Sacred Eroticism in Practice
MISA students talk about eroticism, Tantra, and their relationships with their men.
#SheToo: The Experience of MISA Women. 3. Erotic Continence
Women describe the most controversial practices of MISA, those related to sacred eroticism.
Interviews
Dying in Bangladesh at Age 16—Just for Being an Ahmadi – Part II: An Eyewitness Account
A young student in Ahmednagar, Bangladesh, tells “Bitter Winter” how sectarian hatred broke one young life.
Op-eds China
Earthquake in Tibet: The Wrong Condolences
Statements of solidarity in the name of friendship with “the Chinese people” just send the wrong message.
Featured China
Church of Almighty God Refugees Asylum Claims. 9. Chinese Surveillance of CAG Refugees Abroad
If CAG Chinese members have been identified by China abroad, they will be arrested if they return to their native country.
Op-eds International
Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Czech Republic: The Strange Theories of Zdeněk Vojtíšek
The Czech anti-cult professor offered an incorrect representation of what consequences the dissolution of the Jehovah’s Witnesses would have in his country.
Featured International
Modern Vietnamese Painters in Paris: An Art Full of Spirits
Lê Phô, Mai Thứ, and Vũ Cao Đàm lived in France and learned French artistic techniques but never forgot the Buddhas and spirits of Vietnam’s tradition.
Documents and translations
Le richieste di asilo di membri della Chiesa di Dio Onnipotente. 9. Sorveglianza cinese dei rifugiati della CDO all’estero
Se membri cinesi della CDO sono stati identificati come tali dalla Cina all’estero, saranno arrestati se torneranno nel loro Paese d’origine.
Le richieste di asilo di membri della Chiesa di Dio Onnipotente. 8. La questione del passaporto. La sentenza di Friburgo
Nel 2019 il Tribunale amministrativo di Friburgo, in Germania, ha respinto l’argomentazione secondo cui le domande di asilo dei membri della CDO che hanno ottenuto un passaporto in Cina dovrebbero essere respinte.
Le richieste di asilo di membri della Chiesa di Dio Onnipotente. 7. Come hanno ottenuto il passaporto?
Un tipico ma infondato argomento contro i rifugiati della CDO è che, se fossero stati davvero perseguitati in Cina, non avrebbero mai potuto ottenere un passaporto.