| They cannot remember their own martyrs but should pray for the Communist soldiers who died in the war with Japan.by Zhang Chunhua Christians in China are forbidden to pray for their martyrs. Those killed by the CCP obviously cannot be commemorated, but even those martyred for their faith in Imperial China are not remembered, lest the devotees make unpleasant comparisons with later killings. However, there are times when all Christians throughout China should mandatorily celebrate martyrs. Last week at Fujian Theological Seminary members of the local Three-Self Church were invited to celebrate the martyrs of what in China is called the “People’s War of Resistance Against the Japanese Aggression.” Jesus as King of Peace was also prayed for the “peaceful reunification” of China, with an eye on Taiwan. It did not happen in Fujian only. In fact a directive was sent to all churches that are part of the government-controlled Protestant Three-Self Church, the only Protestant church with a legal existence in China, reading as follows: READ MORE FROM THE WORLD Brainwashing, Italian-Style: The Birth of “Plagio” The Constitutional Court eliminated in 1981 a provision that incriminated mind control. It had a long history, from Roman to Italian law.by Massimo Introvigne Article 1 of 5. In Italy, we often hear the expression “plagio,” coming from the Latin plagium,used as a synonym for “brainwashing” or “mind control.” We may read, for example, that a “victim” was “subject to plagio” by a “cult.” This use of the word “plagio” is rooted in the old article 603 of the 1930 Italian penal code, which under the heading “plagio” mandated a jail term of five to fifteen years for those who reduced one or more other persons to a “total state of subjugation,” depriving them of their free will. Article 603 was repealed by the Constitutional Court in 1981. Anti-cultists claim that this left a “legislative vacuum,” but they are wrong. The Constitutional Court did not say that “plagio” exists but the article punishing it was against the Constitution. It said that “plagio” does not exist. If something does not exist, no law is necessary to prohibit or punish it. In this new Bitter Winter series, we examine the complicated and fascinating history of “plagio” in Italy. As we will see, the discussion is very much relevant for the international controversies on “brainwashing.” READ MORE Others Spend Billions for Their Lies: Would You Donate A Few Dollars for the Truth? Bitter Winter launches a donation campaign to survive and thrive – we need your help, now. Donate and support us! |
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Christians in China are forbidden to pray for their martyrs. Those killed by the CCP obviously cannot be commemorated, but even those martyred for their faith in Imperial China are not remembered, lest the devotees make unpleasant comparisons with later killings.