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
Nicaraguan Reformed Constitution: An Assault Against Religious Liberty
The National Assembly grants total power to President Daniel Ortega and his wife, including over creeds and beliefs, under the “clear ambiguity” of Article 14 of the fundamental law of the land.
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.
Testimonies from China
CCP’s Chinese New Year Wishes to Religions: Get Ready for Even More Control
A symposium promises for the coming year more “Sinicization” and surveillance of all religions.
Never Again, But Not for the Uyghurs: A Shameful Omission
Remembering the holocausts of the past is a mere exercise of rhetoric if present-day genocides are not denounced.
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.
Testimonies from the World
#SheToo: The Experience of MISA Women. 6. A Form of “Second-Wave Feminism”?
Female MISA students would say they are not feminists. But perhaps they are, in their own unique way.
#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.
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
The Real Problem with DeepSeek
The world is worried with the new Chinese AI assistant. The problem is how Communist China censors truth and manipulates data.
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
Japan, Fraudulent Claims in the Dissolution Case Against the Unification Church. 1. Fabricating Witnesses
One of the attorneys representing the Unification Church discusses the unethical tactics used by the the government in the case.
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
反カルト・ジャーナリストの鈴木エイトが名誉毀損で敗訴
鈴木エイトは、欧州反カルト主義者の典型的な態度に倣い、敗訴した事件で「ほぼ勝利した」と主張している。この記事では、鈴木を敗北させた弁護士がその理由を説明する。
Vereülekanded ja Jehoova tunnistajad: miks tegi Euroopa Inimõiguste Kohus otsuse Hispaania vastu
Suurkoda otsustas ühehäälselt, et pädeval täiskasvanud patsiendil on õigus keeldu-da mis tahes ravist, sealhulgas vereülekandest.
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.