So China is setting up facilities for the myriad religious believers that will descend on Beijing for this summer's Olympic Games.
According to this report from Reuters, the "officially atheist" country is very kindly training local believers to provide religious services for the athletes and spectators who will travel from all over the world to participate in and watch the games.
What a shame the People's Republic can't extend the same courtesy to those citizens who dare to believe in a higher authority than the Communist Party of China. I'm sure many faithful - Tibetans, Gendun Choekyi Nyima (the genuine but imprisoned Panchen Lama) and Uighurs to name but a few - would have something to say about the real state of religious freedom in their country?
May we also add the Inner Mongolians - another ethnic minority who practice Tibetan Buddhism - to the list of those oppressed?
It's most odd how David "Gutless" Miliband, Britain's Foreign Secretary, didn't mention or notice any of this when he went on his Official Visit to the People's Republic last week? He returned telling Brits enthusiastically that we must "engage with China". Nor did he mention China's position as the leading polluter of Asia, nor yet its extended middle digit to the question of Global Warming. Nor indeed China's support for the Burmese Govt (which he's completely forgotten about now they've stopped machine-gunning monks, despite all his empty hot air at the time).
It's quite odd how Gutless Dave can be so extremely positive about a Communist nation which has never held any elections - and yet bear a constant visible burning hatred towards Russia, which has just elected a pro-reform lawyer over a vicious nationalist or an old-style Communist?
Mr Miliband's own blog on the FCO site writes enthusiastically of the luxurious treatment he received in the People's Repression of China - even going into some detail about the very nice VIP car he was allocated during his visit. It's quite remarkable how very cheaply a British Minister of State can be bought these days - you'll be finding them on eBay next?
Posted by: Neil McGowan | Thursday, 06 March 2008 at 12:10 AM
Oh yeah we are an atheist country. So what? What else could you do other than crying? You have no power. On our land only iron and blood talk. You have the right to despair; we don't give a shit.
Posted by: datastack | Thursday, 06 March 2008 at 12:17 AM
Naive remark, my friend.
I think the Japanese did more than cry - i think they got some iron and a lot of your precious blood, didn't they.
Remember what goes around, comes around.
hasta la vista
Posted by: Ben Joseph | Thursday, 06 March 2008 at 02:06 AM
Oh noez. A government that's finally had the good sense to marginalise the forces of religion within its borders is now being criticised by the 'freedom of stupidity' lobby?
Get with the program please, the only way to deal with other countries like China or Russia IS to engage with them, if you can think of a better way to change opinions that wont get your ass kicked, by all means dear boy, by all means.
datasack speaks truth, whine all you like, Britain and America have no right to speak to anybody about democracy or human rights, and as for the Japan comment, laugh it up. The balance of power has shifted. Atheists, ho!
Posted by: Dionysus | Thursday, 06 March 2008 at 03:02 AM
Japan's time was over 60 years ago; US' time, is ending. Our time has come. Also remember when japs invaded China it was the "Democratic" government who ruled China then. They failed; along with the "democracy". We prevailed; and look at those who dared to offend - US and its allies learned a precious lesson in Korea war when we defeated them. Today we are 1000 times stronger and the West are waning. There are no fairness in international affairs. Only power talks.
By the way, Dionysus is right - US & UK do not qualify to lecture others on human rights. They invaded Iraq and Afghanistan and are slaughtercing countless innocent Iraqi and Afghan civilians right at this moment as we speak. War criminals talking about human rights - what a joke.
Posted by: datastack | Thursday, 06 March 2008 at 03:58 AM
Interesting that the mention of religious freedom should bring forth such a gush of words about killing and power.
Posted by: khorwa | Thursday, 06 March 2008 at 04:28 AM
Ben Joseph go get a job, preferably not in the US military as I guess you may be one of those nutters pushing the button if it ever came down to it.....also you are racist - it comes out clear.
Posted by: Brigitta | Thursday, 06 March 2008 at 11:38 AM
Entirely agreed with Brigitta.
Ben's one of those pro-torture, pro-rape, pro-murder kind of atheists. Long trousers aren't automatic proof of maturity, Ben.
Posted by: Neil McGowan | Thursday, 06 March 2008 at 02:15 PM
Hi all,
Im not an atheist for sure and even not a big fan of the notion that all that is democratic is good ... it is a load of hooha.
And Brigitta makes being racist sound as if its something to be ashamed of ... im guessing you havent lived in countries like China, Japan and even, laughably, African states where racism is endemic. Its a natural phenomenon of the human world so go travel and learn about your world and environment please.
Posted by: Ben Joseph | Thursday, 06 March 2008 at 03:56 PM
Ben Joseph, yes racism is part of human beings in the lowest mentality with little consciousness or heart - this is found all over the world in some people. But I have found that when I travel I meet the goodness in most people because I am looking for and believing in the goodness. Please stop being so angry.
Posted by: Brigitta | Thursday, 06 March 2008 at 09:25 PM