China cracks down on religious freedom

Family Research Council: On Sunday, in a brutal display, more than 100 members of an underground church in China were taken into custody for trying to worship in public. Officials say the raid is part of a broader crackdown that's been taking place across the country for weeks. . . . This is just the latest wave of persecution in China, as the government tries to disband the church. Rev. Jim Tianming says the threats to men and women of faith have never been greater. America, which has always rushed to defend the persecuted Church, has been unusually silent. Could it be that we've lost our leverage in the battle for human rights because America is a debtor to China? Is our ability to speak on behalf of our Christian neighbors stymied by all the money we owe to the country at fault? NY Times