False Gods
18th National Congress of Chinese Communist Party, Author Dong Fang (PD as created by Voice of America)
A growing cult of personality is developing around China’s President Xi Jinping, so much so that Christians there are actively being urged by the Communist Party to place their trust in Xi, and replace any pictures of Christ with his [1A].
Party members engaged in addressing poverty issues make a specific point of taking credit for the relief their actions may provide “melting the hard ice in the hearts of religious believers” [1B].
False Gods
Xi is not the first leader lauded as a savior. Mass murderer, Mao Tse-tung, was, also, glorified in China. North Korea’s Kim Jung-un is similarly exalted today.
But history is littered with the graves of others like them, men enamored of power and self-deluded enough to presume themselves gods.
Christians are aware that this is a fallacy – that these men are merely false gods – which is why we are viewed by totalitarian governments as posing an existential risk. Truth is always at odds with lies.
“Jesus answered [Pilate], ‘My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world’ ” (John 18: 36 NLT).
Christ, of course, made clear that His kingdom is not of this world. But Christianity offers a competing world view to that of such governments – a world view in which each life matters, and material things are not the measure of a man’s existence.
Magical Thinking
This is not to say that belief in Christ is a guarantee of health, happiness, and prosperity [2]. That is merely magical thinking, contrary to the real message of the Gospel. Christ invited us to take up our cross and follow Him.
A Grave Threat
But Communism can tolerate no opposition. It is sustained by force. Its very purpose is to eradicate religion.
The difference between democracy and totalitarianism is not a mere difference of opinion. It is the difference between freedom of the press and suppression, between freedom of religion and persecution, between life and death.
The Chinese know this. The North Koreans know this. The Russians know this. Only the Americans seem oblivious.
Statues of mass murderer, Joseph Stalin, are once again being erected in Russia [3]. It should come as no surprise that Russia would seek to interfere in the American electoral process and take other steps to undermine our democracy.
Politicians who do not recognize that Communism and the false gods it perpetuates are a grave threat to Christianity and the American way of life are fooling themselves. Worse yet, they are fooling us.
Which is what makes the Russia scandal so dangerous.
—
[1A and 1B] Washington Post, “Jesus won’t save you – President Xi Jinping will, Chinese Christians told” by Simon Denyer, 11/14/17, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/11/14/jesus-wont-save-you-president-xi-jinping-will-chinese-christians-told/?utm_term=.726fa8549368.
[2] The supposed guarantee is the same “prosperity gospel” many televangelists hawk to their audiences.
[3] USA Today, “As Confederate statues fall in US, Russians are erecting statutes for dictator Stalin” by Anna Arutunyan, 8/16/17, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/08/16/soviet-union-terror-josef-stalin-popularity/556625001/.
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse https://avoicereclaimed.com
A Lawyer's Prayers 
Sad situation.
These are good points. I think we should also note that “democracy” as it stands today in our own country is also at risk of perpetuating the very same ideals as communist societies.
You’re right. Democracy needs tending. The Founding Fathers feared mob rule — an ignorant majority, moved by bias or self-interest, exercising power over a minority (any minority), whether in the heat of passion or with the authority of law, against that minority’s consent, and to that minority’s detriment.
The more that true life changing faith in Christ is watered down by a Christianity that IS of this world with its worldly measurements of success as its goals, the more we will see our nation and the ones in Europe taken over by “isms”… materialism, socialism, fascism, communism, Mohamed-ism, etc.
Anna, you interestingly pointed out how each of these movements have an all important and often ruthless leader as they are made our gods. I believe that this is a good measuring stick on just how far these “isms” have replaced God in our lives.
It would be well to remember the sober warning of Lord Acton of England who said, “It is not a question of who has the right to rule. NO ONE has the right to rule. Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” All these cases of sexual abuse by men and women in authority that are coming to light here in America is a great example of just how true this is whether it be parents over their children, school teachers over their students, Hollywood directors over starlets, powerful congressmen, or presidents, humans can not handle unbridled authority. They cannot be put in the place of God in the lives of others without dire consequences. Eventually their sins find them out. “How the mighty have fallen” is a fact born out in history over.
Only the rule of Christ in our hearts by His love can save us from our own corruption. Thank God that he would not let those human idolaters make him king.
So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45, NRS)
Well said, Michael.
An excellent and thought provoking post Anna.
Many thanks, Alan.
Thank you for this Anna! I’m so appalled that Christians attack the press and valid news reports talking about the Russia connection with hindering our election, and the possibilty of White House involvement. It looks like some have made an idol of Donald Trump, and even more so of “conservatisim”. Simply mind boggling.
That is precisely what has happened, Nicodemas. We cannot blame wolves in sheep’s clothing for our demise, when we go willingly down the garden path. But “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness…” (Isa. 50: 20).
Yes, for sure! Liberals and the media are not the enemy! Even if we disagree, there is a way of doing so respectfully. The big change in attitude direction seemed to begin when President Obama ran for office the first time. The right made a choice to get nasty, in an effort to win. At least that’s what I saw. Peace to you.
The labels “the right” and “Liberals” and “the media” are easier to handle but lack definition. I invite you to see people as individuals, with many being in the opposite “camp” but having values similar to your own, and seek to become friends with people you don’t understand. If you are interested in conversing I am at james.bruce.mcnaughton@gmail.com :>)
Only the rule of Christ in our hearts by His love can save us from our own corruption
I like this observation. Thank you for a good “reply”
Peace to you and blessings.
There is rising of false Christianity in China too that operates through mass media and technology…they are usually run away Chinese Christians to South Korea, Japan and America…they try to fight against communism in China too…
I did not realize there was opposition to Communism is China. That must be extremely dangerous. Thank you for pointing it out.
This is my testimony for the glory of God and for the encouragement of many: I was born in the Communist Romania 63 years ago. I got saved thru a crisis conversion after I left the country. Man was born to worship somebody. Man was born to be creative, poetic and artistic. In the past I worshiped the communist leaders because of ignorance. I always knew something was wrong, that the love was artificial and forced. But I could not see the wrong and I could not see the solution. But once the light of God in the face of Christ shone in my heart, no idol could compete with it. I fell in love with my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I was ready to die for Him. The stronghold of the demon of unbelief was destroyed and can never be rebuilt in my heart. Glory to God!
You have a powerful testimony, Sylvia. My own family is from Hungary.
Though my parents and grandparents were able to reach the West following WWII, we had family members behind the Iron Curtain. For years, we sent “care” packages to them at the holidays. These included a few items of clothing, photos, a letter, and some non-perishable food. As I’ve said elsewhere, Lipton Soup was a favorite because it could be shipped for less cost than cans.
There was always money tucked into the packages — a bribe for the guards who would be inspecting them.
When I was in the second or third grade, we received a note from the children in the family thanking us for the chicken soup. Even then I knew there was something inherently wrong with a system under which children had to be grateful for chicken soup.
May God bless and keep you.
If we learn to be grateful to God for small things, we shall be grateful when the big things come. God bless you too!
Apparently now, China is calling Islam a mental illness and has
💜 Jackie@KWH
been putting Muslims into internment camps until they agree to
submit to the Communist religion. One oppressive force forcing
itself upon another, yet still wrong!
I had not heard this, but it does not really surprise me.