Both local and visiting Taiwanese believers were arrested and charged with being part of a “xie jiao,” although Yiguandao is not in the official list of banned movements.
Main Content
- News China
- News Global
- Op-eds China
- Op-eds Global
- Testimonies China
- Testimonies Global
- Featured China
- Featured Global
NEWS FROM CHINA
Taiwanese, Western Taoist Priests Ordained by the CCP-Controlled China Taoist Association
Likely in perfect good faith, newly ordained priests from Europe, America, Taiwan, and democratic Asian countries in fact now “represent” a Chinese body under Party supervision.
The 7th Dongyue Forum: The Paradoxical “Sinicization of Taoism” Continues in China
The Forums were created in 2018 to promote and study how Taoism can be “Sinicized,” i.e., is converted more and more into a mouthpiece of the Communist Party.
News from the world
France, the Anti-Cult Association UNADFI Loses a Case Against CAP-LC
Anti-cultists believed that by reproducing an article by “Charlie Hebdo” they could refuse to correct their defamatory statements, as “Charlie Hebdo” had not been sued. They were wrong.
A New Hate Crime, “Jehovahphobia.” 2. New Countries, Including Japan, Enter the USCIRF List of Countries Persecuting the Jehovah’s Witnesses
The American federal commission mentioned recent Japanese incidents. Other democratic countries could have been included, too.
A New Hate Crime, “Jehovahphobia.” 1. USCIRF Reports Increased Jehovah’s Witness Persecution
The American federal commission updated its 2020 report on the widespread attacks against the religious organization.
Testimonies from China
Yunnan, Why Hui Muslims Protested the Arrest of Imam Ma Yuwei
A popular imam was arrested for resisting direct government control. This time, Hui Muslims decided to publicly protest.
Guiyang Renai Church: Verdict Against Elder Zhang Chunlei Confirmed on Appeal
The religious leader’s family has been informed that the first degree decision sentencing him to five years in jail was upheld on October 25.
China, Christians Told They Should “Sinicize” Music Too
Hymns and music should be “de-Westernized” and incorporate “red” elements, participants at a training seminar in Xiamen were told.
Testimonies from the World
Made in Japan: No FoRB for the Family Federation. 2. Revamping the Debunked Notion of “Cult”
Most scholars have abandoned a word that has no definition and no borders. It is used only as a derogatory term to stigmatize “the other.” Yet, in Japan it is still current.
Made in Japan: No FoRB for the Family Federation. 1. Denying the First Political Human Right
Religious liberty is not only the freedom of believing or non-believing, but that of living one’s life according to one’s belief or non-belief. Yet, Japan curtails it. The case of the Family Federation.
Religious Freedom in Post-Authoritarian Taiwan. 7. Conclusion
Transitional justice and freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) are connected. Without effective transitional justice, FoRB in Taiwan will remain incomplete.
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
Three Years After the Uyghur Tribunal Verdict: Where Do We Go from There
Renewed calls for governments to take the genocide against the Uyghur people seriously were heard at a UK Parliament event.
Featured China
Daoism under Sinicization. 4. The Sad Life of “Sinicized” Daoists
Harassment and political indoctrination try to transform Daoists into mouthpieces for the regime—which also wants to control Daoists abroad.
Op-eds International
Te Tamari no Atua: A Christmas Letter from Bitter Winter
Gauguin’s iconic nativity is also an apology for religious liberty. And we ask you all to support religious liberty this Christmas.
Featured International
The Esoteric Munch: An Exhibition in Milan
The most visited exhibition of 2024 in Italy offers an opportunity to revisit the Norwegian painter’s interests in Spiritualism, Theosophy, and the demonic.
Documents and translations
TierraMitica (Terre mythique) : une communauté péruvienne. 3. La vie et l’art dans la communauté
Ce n’est pas seulement un « Disneyland inca », mais aussi un lieu d’expériences avec de l’art, des jeux et de la créativité.
France, l’association anti-sectes UNADFI perd un procès contre CAP-LC
Les activistes anti-sectes pensaient qu’en reproduisant un article de « Charlie Hebdo », ils pouvaient refuser de corriger leurs propos diffamatoires, puisque « Charlie Hebdo » n’avait pas été poursuivi. Ils se sont trompés.
TierraMitica (Terre mythique) : une communauté péruvienne. 2. « Voyages mythiques »
Après l’abandon de l’ayahuasca, les expériences se sont poursuivies grâce à des techniques de méditation guidée.