Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

October 6, 2008 10:52:20 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Pragmatism Dictates China's Religious Policy

Posted Jul 2, 08 8:51 PM CDT in World 

(Newser) – China officially sanctions religious worship only at state facilities, but the Christian Science Monitor finds that plenty of wiggle room exists in the business world. It profiles one company whose Christian CEO is allowed to put up a church at every worksite. Why such accommodation in a formally atheist state? The company, SMIC, makes semiconductors, an area of production China is desperate to increase for its domestic electronics industry.

Despite Beijing's tough rhetoric on religion, Chinese officials are flexible in practice—if they get something out of it, the CSM notes. Companies that promote “harmonious society” in the government's view are generally undisturbed; those seen as subversive are not. "As long as we're considered China's semiconductor company, as long as we're good for China, they work with us," said an SMIC spokesman.

Source Christian Science Monitor

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon
A man chats on the mobile phone near a statue of the Buddha in a shop outside the Potala Palace in Lhasa, western China's Tibet Province, Saturday, July 28, 2007.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
A Chinese man reaches toward a cross at the top of a church under construction in Huai'an in east China's Jiangsu province Wednesday, June 25, 2008.   (AP Photo)
A golden Buddhist statue is transported for blessing at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, western China's Tibet province, Friday, July 27, 2007.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

China  • technology  • Christianity  • electronics  • religious freedom  • atheism  • religious conflict  • semiconductor chip


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »