Navigating faith and freedom in China’s house churches

Contrary to its external portrayal, Christianity has had a deep historical and cultural impact on modern China. But in the mid-20th century the Communist Party suppressed the religion due to perceived imperialist ties. The growth of Protestantism in the post-Mao Zedong era led to the emergence of 'house churches', independent bodies avoiding official oversight due to stringent state regulations, creating a struggle for space, resources and unrestricted faith practice. These churches implicitly call for a re-evaluation of the state's relationship with religious institutions, demanding the right to practice their faith as they see fit.