Christians across Communist China are being arrested, detained and effectively “disappeared” for worshipping outside state-controlled churches, according to a major investigation by The Telegraph. The report details accounts from underground Christians who say police have raided homes in the middle of the night, separated families and imprisoned pastors as the regime intesifies its campaign against independent religious groups. One Christian identified only as “TJ” recalled police smashing into his home before dragging away his wife.
“They grabbed my clothes and grabbed my hands so I couldn’t move. I could hear my daughter crying so much in the room next door but I couldn’t go to her, I couldn’t hug my wife.” His wife remains in custody, according to The Telegraph. China officially permits Christianity only through churches controlled by the Communist Party, where congregations are expected to display portraits of Xi Jinping and demonstrate loyalty to the regime.
