8.8.08 will signal the start of the long-awaited 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on Friday with the elaborate opening ceremonies. The Chinese consider eight a lucky number because in Cantonese it sounds like the word for "get rich" or "prosper."
Many Chinese will celebrate Aug. 8, 2008 as one of the most important dates in Chinese history – the launching of a prestigious event for the entire world to see the "new, open China."
But many Christians are hardly "lucky" this year. The fact is that many Christians have suffered even harsher persecution by the Chinese government due to the glare of the Olympic spotlight. As a result, many have been thrown into prison or transported to areas far away from Beijing and the Games venues. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reported last week that nearly 700 Protestant leaders who are not registered with the government have been placed in custody in the past year.
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with more millions facing discrimination and alienation.More from ChristianNewsWire
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