Beijing Bible Ban? - Holy Book Restricted at Olympics

A set of policies for the Beijing Olympic Game was put into place, banning people from taking the Bible into the Olympic Village during next summer’s games. If this doesn’t stir up major debate, I’m not sure what will.

“Any printed material, film, tapes that are ‘detrimental to China’s politics, economy, culture and ethics’ are also forbidden to bring into China,” the official Beijing 2008 Olmpic Games site says on a page called “Entry and Exit: Entry” for the Beijing Tourism Admin.

A note suggests travelers not bring more than one bible in the country.

“The Chinese government views religion as a threat to its power. As a result, it restricts religious activities to government-sanctioned organizations and registered places of worship. It also seeks to stamp out those religious activities that are not government-sanctioned,” the Cardinal Kung Foundation explained.

“The Cardinal Kung Foundation also protests that Olympic prestige is diminished by the Chinese government’s injustices, writing that ‘the noble name of “Olympic” is being severely tarnished by its association with the evil spirit of religious persecutions and human rights violations in China.  This is about the time for the Olympic Committee to consider canceling the games in China in order to preserve their good name and spirit,’” the Catholic News Agency reported.

As hosts of an international event, you’d think they’d have to be a little more tolerant of other people’s cultures and beliefs. China has stirred up a lot of controversy in recent months due to their apprehension to embrace Western culture:

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