“If teachers hold religious beliefs … this becomes a political problem for the government.”
Christian Headlines
Chinese schools are requiring Christian teachers within the nation’s school system to renounce their faith or risk being fired, according to a new report by a religious liberty watchdog.
Bitter Winter, which monitors religious freedom in the country, said the pressure on Christian teachers intensified after Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2018 said one goal of education was to raise the next generation of socialists. The speech was reported by state-run media.
“The state’s control over ideology is becoming stricter and stricter, particularly in the field of education,” a Catholic kindergarten teacher told Bitter Winter. “If teachers hold religious beliefs … this becomes a political problem for the government.”
The teacher told Bitter Winter she has received criticism for her faith in staff meetings. Additionally, the school principal warned her that a “spiritual civilization award” worth several million yuan that was given to the county could be withdrawn if the government learns of her faith.
“I learned that another county had all of its civilization awards revoked because an inspection team discovered two primary school students singing Christian hymns,” the teacher said.
Teachers in multiple provinces have reported persecution for their faith.
Bitter Winter reported:
A school in Heilongjiang province last June threatened to dismiss a teacher “after finding out that she also preached in a house church,” Bitter Winter reported.
“She was told to stop doing that, or the government would punish the entire school.”
A kindergarten teacher in Liaoning province last August was forced to quit after authorities learned she was a practicing Protestant.
School officials in Shandong province last July investigated newly employed middle school teachers to determine if they held religious beliefs.
“The inquiries into teachers and their family members were carried out in secret, without approaching them directly, only talking to no fewer than five people in their workplace, residential community, or school,” Bitter Winter said.
Website: Christian Headlines
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