Die Bibel ist in China nicht sicher: Pray.com-App aus dem App Store entfernt

In China, religious freedom is heavily restricted, and the latest victim of this censorship is the Pray.com app. This app, which offers faith-based content, daily Bible-reading plans, and spiritual development programs, has been removed from the Apple App Store in mainland China.

The removal of the app is in accordance with China’s „Measures for the Administration of Internet Religious Information Services,“ which came into effect in March 2022. These measures require a government-issued permit to post religious content and outright ban the online airing of religious ceremonies, events, and worship services.

This censorship comes ahead of the National Day of Prayer on May 2, highlighting the oppressive environment for religious freedom in China. The founders of Pray.com are exploring alternative ways to deliver their content in mainland China and have extended an invitation to President Xi Jinping to join them for the National Day of Prayer event in Washington, D.C.

This is just one example of the Chinese government’s strict censorship policies. Under President Xi’s regime, the Chinese Communist Party has been known to rewrite Scripture and even label Jesus as a „sinner.“ Reports indicate that the CCP is updating the Bible to align with communist beliefs, including adding „core socialist values“ and removing passages that do not reflect these beliefs.

Last year, Chinese officials also introduced an app that requires citizens to pre-register before attending religious services, further infringing on religious freedom in the country. The pattern of censorship and control over religious practices is concerning and highlights the need for continued advocacy for religious freedom and human rights.

As the voices facing censorship in big tech platforms continue to grow, it is important to stay informed and engaged with news from a distinctively Christian perspective. Consider signing up for Faithwire’s daily newsletter and downloading the CBN News app to stay up-to-date on the latest developments. The fight for religious freedom in China and around the world is ongoing, and staying informed is key to supporting those facing persecution and censorship.