“Christian churches run a large number of educational institutions, ranging from nurseries to post-secondary institutions. Moreover, they provide 13 hospitals, a large number of clinics, family centers and old-age homes throughout Hong Kong,” the site InterNations outlines.
(Heather Clark – Christian News Network) Even though only a small percentage Hong Kong’s citizens profess to be Christian, numerous online videos have captured crowds singing “Sing Hallelujah to the Lord” on the streets in recent months among protests against a bill that some fear would extradite residents to Communist China. The protests — and singing — have continued as the calls have broadened into a wider demand for democracy in the region.
Concerns have also been raised over how the move might affect Christians. Believers currently have freedom under the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, but if China encroaches upon the territory, those liberties could be eroded. Christians in China are increasingly persecuted and oppressed, and do not have religious freedom.
“We fear that Christians in Hong Kong will suffer the same fate as Christians in mainland China,” one pastor stated, according to First Things, “with our churches being burnt down, our leaders having to be approved, and our Bible being changed to suit Communist propaganda.”