Hua Huiqi, a Christian considered a “religious dissident” was arrested on Sunday on his way to a church service at Kuanjie Protestant Church, an officially sanctioned church, where President Bush and his family felt perfectly safe to worship.

Mr.Hua Huiqi escaped from police custody. He now fears for his safety. His mother has been imprisoned, his land seized, his brother also arrested but released.

Meanwhile President Bush and his family enjoyed the service where a children’s choir sang “Amazing Grace” in English and Chinese.
I couldn’t help but wonder if President Bush was as saddened by this as I was, or if he even knows the history of this heart wrenching song.

For those of you who don’t know, the song amazing grace was written by John Newton a British slaver who had come to accept Jesus Christ as his personal savior. He left the sea and became a teacher of The Word Of God.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come.
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

A tad bit more than a small contradiction between China’s claims of religious freedom and the reality lived by Chinese citizens.

Qin Gang, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, continues to insist Chinese citizens have complete religious freedom.
Slavery comes in many forms.

Yes China, you can be proud of the religious freedom you offer to your citizens.