by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - As China’s communist regime continues its campaign to suppress Christianity in the country, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials recently raided a funeral home during a Christian memorial service in Guiyang City, Guizhou province, International Christian Concern reports.
Rights group China Aid said the CCP officials arrived at the Guiyang funeral home and banned Christians from bringing musical instruments into the service, ICC reports. The official told the believers: “You are responsible for the results if you bring any musical instruments in.” The officials went on to confiscate items inscribed with crosses or religious words and banned prayer, singing, and Scripture reading during the ceremony.
According to ICC, there has been a dramatic increase in persecution against Christians in Guiyang in recent years. “CCP officials regularly raid house churches, Sunday worship services, and the homes of pastors, elders, and Christians. As a result, many people who profess their faith in Jesus have been arrested,“ ICC said.
However, ICC added, this was the first recorded instance of a funeral being raided. This, ICC said, indicates the increase in the CCP’s suppression of Christianity.
ICC noted in its report that, although Beijing is cracking down on Christianity, it has become more tolerant of Buddhism and Daoism.