Faster, Higher, Stronger Human Rights

The modern Olympic Games have always made politics and sport strange bedfellows.On one hand, the Games provide an opportunity for nations to cast aside their differences and compete on a level playing field. On the other hand, they often highlight the stark differences in the world's geopolitical makeup.The Beijing Games of 2008 are no different. Though it boasts a massive population and booming economy, the Chinese government's "improvements" on human rights have been miniscule. Forced abortion, censored speech, and religious persecution have been hallmarks of the communist regime.Even as government officials prepare to take President Bush on a tour of state-sanctioned churches, China Aid reports that House Church Alliance President Zhang Mingxuan, his wife and another pastor were arrested and detained this week-presumably for unregistered religious activity. Today in Beijing President Bush briefly addressed China's human rights problem: "We must [...] be candid about our belief that all people should have the freedom to say what they think and worship as they choose. We strongly believe societies which allow the free expression of ideas tend to be the most prosperous and the most peaceful." We at FRC agree with the president, but as the Olympics seek to take us "Faster, Higher, Stronger," the advance of human rights in China should live up to the same motto.

by Tony Perkins

http://www.frc.org/

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