Can you own a Bible in China?

No, owning a Bible isn't technically illegal in China, but official sale and distribution are heavily restricted to state-approved channels, making them hard to get, especially after online sales were banned in 2018; you can legally buy them at government-sanctioned churches or bookstores, but not general retailers, and bringing many into the country is prohibited.

Can I bring my personal Bible to China?

Any foreigner coming into China must not have any religious books or audio-visual materials that 'exceed personal use quantities' – otherwise they must obtain approval from relevant authorities and declare them at customs. This effectively prohibits the public importation of religious books, including Bibles.

Is Christianity in China allowed?

Chinese people over the age of 18 are only allowed to join Christian groups that are registered with one of three state-controlled bodies, either the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, the China Christian Council, or the Protestant Three-Self Patriotic Movement.

Are you allowed to preach Christianity in China?

While the CCP does allow a small number of missionaries to operate under strict government control, these regulations prohibit foreigners from preaching, sharing their faith, or establishing religious organizations without official approval.

Do Chinese read the Bible?

Tens of millions of Chinese Christians within China and elsewhere see this as the Word of God. They read it, memorize it, reverence it, and preach from it.

The Origin Of Chinese and Asian People According To Scripture

Are Bibles still illegal in China?

That's because China banned the online sale of Bibles back in 2018. Now, Chinese citizens can only legally obtain Bibles from churches and bookstores authorized by the Chinese Communist Party, severely restricting access to God's Word for Christ-followers and seekers living in the country.

What country doesn't allow Bibles?

In many Muslim states, such as Afghanistan, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen, access to the bible, especially in the official language of a nation, can result in punishment. Distributing Bibles with the intent to convert Muslims to Christianity is illegal in many of these nations.

What religion is most persecuted in China?

At least 100 million people—nearly one-third of estimated believers in China—belong to religious groups facing “high” or “very high” levels of persecution (Protestant Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, Uighur Muslims, and Falun Gong).

Do Chinese believe in Jesus?

National surveys conducted during the early 21st century estimated that an estimated 80% of the Chinese population practice some form of folk religion, for a total of over 1 billion people. 13–16% of the population are Buddhists, 10% are Taoists; 2.53% are Christians, and 0.83% are Muslims.

Can foreigners attend church in China?

If the purpose is solely preaching or proselytizing, they can only apply for an F visa, which requires prior approval. All religious activities by foreigners must be conducted at officially registered religious venues or at temporary sites approved by authorities.

What percentage of China believes in Christianity?

As for the numbers of Christians in China, estimates range from 2 to 9 percent of the population, or about 20 million to 130 million people, with Protestants like our DiDi driver far outnumbering Catholics.

What religion does China accept?

The government recognizes five official religions – Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism, and Catholicism. Regulations require religious organizations to register with the government.

Are Muslims allowed to go to China?

FAQs: Muslim-Friendly Travel in China

Yes, China has a long-standing Muslim heritage, particularly in provinces like Yunnan, Gansu, Ningxia, and Xinjiang. Cities such as Xi'an, Kunming, and Beijing offer halal food, historic mosques, and accommodations that are increasingly aware of Muslim travellers' needs.

Can I take a Bible on a plane?

You may wish to pack religious items in carry-on baggage in a container that can be separated from other belongings and placed by itself in a bin for X-ray screening. We recommend using a clear plastic container or bag or easily opened to remove religious items for screening.

What books can I not bring to China?

Book types that are typically banned are as follows: Books about Chinese modern politics, biographies of former leaders. Books about the lives of or allegations concerning current leaders - these are particularly sensitive topics.

Can you pray to God in China?

While China's constitution allows religious belief, Chinese Buddhism, Daoism, and folk practices are shown more leniency than other religions, such as Islam and Christianity, which are regarded as “foreign” by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

What is Jesus called in China?

Jesus Christ = 耶稣基督 (yēsūjīdū）

Who is the main God of China?

Although the use of "Tian" to refer to the absolute God of the universe is predominant in Chinese religion today, "Shangdi" continues to be used in a variety of traditions, including certain philosophical schools, certain strains of Chinese Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, some Chinese salvationist religions (notably ...

Is Christianity ok in China?

China has two officially tolerated churches, the Catholic Patriotic Association (circa 10m) and the Protestant Three Self Patriotic Movement (circa 25m), but the majority worship in Protestant “house churches” and live in a legal limbo – they are illegal though the state tolerates them, but pressures them to register ...

What items are banned in China?

The following items are prohibited from entering China: arms, ammunition, and explosives of all kinds; counterfeit currencies and counterfeit negotiable securities; printed matter, magnetic media, films, or photographs that are deemed to be detrimental to the political, economic, cultural, and moral interests of China; ...

Why did China reject Christianity?

The Chinese government is wary of religion for several reasons. China is officially an atheist state and Communist Party members are banned from believing in or practicing any faith; there is concern that religion can function as an alternative to Communism and thus undermine loyalty to the government.

Can I take a Bible to China?

Can I take Bible to China? Answer: Bibles are allowed for personal use and up to three copies is a reasonable number. Any extra copies will be confiscated by Customs.

What did Einstein say about the Bible?

Albert Einstein viewed the Bible as a collection of "honorable, but still primitive, legends which are nevertheless pretty childish," seeing it as a product of a pre-scientific era, though he respected its ethical teachings and the figure of Jesus, while rejecting organized religion as superstition and believing in a God revealed in the universe's harmony, not a personal one. He famously stated that the "word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses". 

How to buy a Bible in China?

Since the Bible does not have a government-issued ISBN, they can only be sold legally in churches and bookstores affiliated with the CCC/TSPM (China Christian Council/Three-Self Patriotic Movement).