Human Dignity as a Right and Virtue in Practice: A Socio-Theological Reflection from and on the Cross Removal Incidents in China
This paper is written to reflect human dignity in practice with reference to the cross removal incidents in China in Zhejiang Province between 2014 and 2016. This paper starts with three questions: How did the Chinese authorities treat Christians? How did Christians respond to what the Chinese autho...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-04-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/9/5/138 |
| _version_ | 1811227064191156224 |
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| author | Lap Yan Kung |
| author_facet | Lap Yan Kung |
| author_sort | Lap Yan Kung |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper is written to reflect human dignity in practice with reference to the cross removal incidents in China in Zhejiang Province between 2014 and 2016. This paper starts with three questions: How did the Chinese authorities treat Christians? How did Christians respond to what the Chinese authorities did to them? How did Christians view themselves, taking into account the treatment of the Chinese authorities? In contrast with the indignity of the Chinese authorities, Christians in their resistance have displayed a dignified manner characterized by non-violence and forgiveness, as well as the spirituality of persistence in truth and living in hope. The interaction between the government and the churches in these incidents has revealed both the hope and constraints of human dignity in practice, that is, the rule of law and freedom of expression, dignity and the face culture in China, and dignity as “respect-as-observance.” Christians in their resistance may have little impact on the improvement of human rights conditions in China, but as the Dao De Jing says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Thus, Christian resistance is one of the many steps to protect and respect human dignity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T09:35:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f3f3b9650c3f4bf98fa74777d5ed7beb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T09:35:06Z |
| publishDate | 2018-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-f3f3b9650c3f4bf98fa74777d5ed7beb2022-12-22T03:38:15ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442018-04-019513810.3390/rel9050138rel9050138Human Dignity as a Right and Virtue in Practice: A Socio-Theological Reflection from and on the Cross Removal Incidents in ChinaLap Yan Kung0Divinity School of Chung Chi College, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, ChinaThis paper is written to reflect human dignity in practice with reference to the cross removal incidents in China in Zhejiang Province between 2014 and 2016. This paper starts with three questions: How did the Chinese authorities treat Christians? How did Christians respond to what the Chinese authorities did to them? How did Christians view themselves, taking into account the treatment of the Chinese authorities? In contrast with the indignity of the Chinese authorities, Christians in their resistance have displayed a dignified manner characterized by non-violence and forgiveness, as well as the spirituality of persistence in truth and living in hope. The interaction between the government and the churches in these incidents has revealed both the hope and constraints of human dignity in practice, that is, the rule of law and freedom of expression, dignity and the face culture in China, and dignity as “respect-as-observance.” Christians in their resistance may have little impact on the improvement of human rights conditions in China, but as the Dao De Jing says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Thus, Christian resistance is one of the many steps to protect and respect human dignity.http://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/9/5/138human rights in Chinacross removal in Chinatheology of the cross and Chinese Christianityfreedom of religion in Chinafreedom of expression in China |
| spellingShingle | Lap Yan Kung Human Dignity as a Right and Virtue in Practice: A Socio-Theological Reflection from and on the Cross Removal Incidents in China Religions human rights in China cross removal in China theology of the cross and Chinese Christianity freedom of religion in China freedom of expression in China |
| title | Human Dignity as a Right and Virtue in Practice: A Socio-Theological Reflection from and on the Cross Removal Incidents in China |
| title_full | Human Dignity as a Right and Virtue in Practice: A Socio-Theological Reflection from and on the Cross Removal Incidents in China |
| title_fullStr | Human Dignity as a Right and Virtue in Practice: A Socio-Theological Reflection from and on the Cross Removal Incidents in China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Human Dignity as a Right and Virtue in Practice: A Socio-Theological Reflection from and on the Cross Removal Incidents in China |
| title_short | Human Dignity as a Right and Virtue in Practice: A Socio-Theological Reflection from and on the Cross Removal Incidents in China |
| title_sort | human dignity as a right and virtue in practice a socio theological reflection from and on the cross removal incidents in china |
| topic | human rights in China cross removal in China theology of the cross and Chinese Christianity freedom of religion in China freedom of expression in China |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/9/5/138 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lapyankung humandignityasarightandvirtueinpracticeasociotheologicalreflectionfromandonthecrossremovalincidentsinchina |