Hong Kong\u2019s more than one million Christians are divided between the \u201cblue\u201d pro-government camp and the \u201cyellow\u201d opposition. Both sides vent their fears and frustrations to church leaders, who are trying to keep their congregations together.<\/p>\n
Most young churchgoers support the pro-democracy protests, several pastors told me. They believe Christians have a moral obligation to oppose injustice, Pastor Mike Ng said, but they\u2019re struggling to discern whether civil disobedience and defensive violence are justifiable. \u201cWe cannot give them very insightful or comprehensive answers,\u201d the pastor admitted. \u201cEven for myself, I cannot be satisfied.\u201d<\/p>\n
It makes sense that many Christians would be sympathetic to the protesters, given the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s history. Mao Zedong wanted to eradicate religion. Christians got some respite from Deng Xiaoping, who ruled from 1978-92 and allowed religious practice, albeit under heavy control. But a new crackdown began when Xi Jinping assumed office in 2013. The government has imprisoned pastors, torn down churches, and in some cases replaced images of Jesus with portraits of Mr. Xi.<\/p>\n
Yet many older churchgoers oppose the protests and remain loyal to Beijing, according to several pastors. Some think \u201cthe Bible teaches us to be obedient,\u201d even to imperfect governments, Mr. Chan said. Others grew up poor in the mainland and take pride in China\u2019s prosperity and growing prominence, which they attribute to the Communist Party.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Youth may be on the literal front lines of Hong Kong’s protests, but pastors are in the spiritual trenches. Here’s my latest for @WSJopinion<\/a>. https:\/\/t.co\/RVQgvWtiLt<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jillian Kay Melchior (@JillianKayM) October 18, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n