CNSNews
Patrick Goodenough | September 13, 2018 | 4:25 AM EDT
[excerpt]
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/patrick-goodenough/xis-atheist-ideology-rising-nationalism-seen-be-driving-crackdown(CNSNews.com) – China’s communist authorities have for decades imposed rigorous controls on Christians – and other minority faith groups – but the forced closure of a large church in Beijing is underlining concerns of rising persecution levels under President Xi Jinping.
The problems have worsened since new regulations on religious affairs took effect in February, giving local authorities the power to decide on religious registration applications and to take action against unsanctioned religious activity.
A U.S.-based expert on religion in China on Wednesday attributed the crackdown to Xi’s “atheist ideology†as well as surging nationalism.
