President Bush in China -- Brave Support for Religious Liberty
Posted: Friday, November 25, 2005 at 2:34 am ET

Before the week ends, I want to draw attention to what many (but not all) in the mainstream media have missed -- President George W. Bush's brave and strategic support for religious liberty during his recent visit to Asia.

The President's first public appearance in Beijing was at Gangwasi Church (Protestant), where he also attended services last Sunday. This event came even before the official welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People.

From the President's comments after the service: My hope is that the government of China will not fear Christians who gather to worship openly. A healthy society is a society that welcomes all faiths and gives people a chance to express themselves through worship with the Almighty.
China recently arrested a pastor for printing and distributing Bibles, and the Chinese are still deprived of genuine religious liberty. The China Aid Association reported that the Chinese government arrested eight house-church pastors just prior to the President's visit.

The rest-Albert Mohler