Cross-Cultural Blog

My research paper will delve into the topic of Christian persecution in China, highlighting the intense experiences many go through because of their faith and conviction. For a while, I wasn't able to develop any type of convincing thesis in regards to the topic. Furthermore, much of the direction I had taken was pathos-driven in that I was searching for captivating tales or eye-opening first-hand accounts. However, a web article from The Economist, (www.economist.com) put an abrupt change to all that and led me in the direction of a possible thesis.
The article, titled "Sons of Heaven, Inside China's fastest growing non-governmental organization" cites how Christianity is actually growing in China and examines how the atheistic regime of China has actually PROLIFERATED the gospel throughout China due to its stringent laws. The web article provides statistics from organizations like the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (which is an American think tank) and the China Aid Association (CAA). It also has the primary source of Zhao Xiao, a former Communist party leader who has now given his life to Christ.
The web article from The Economist provides the balance that I was aiming to achieve as I was researching a touchy topic. It has both statistics and objective data (like the fact that the CAA confirms there are 130 million Christians in China, which is perhaps more than the communist party in China), but incorporates that information well with the first-hand accounts of Zhao Xiao, as well as other Christians. The article serves as a type of template with which I should approach my paper. As opposed to relying so much on pathos-driven media and information, objective data and statistics may paint a clearer picture of the issue. However, in spite of the benefits available from this source, the one area in which this article made a difference was in regards to my thesis. I started research with only a topic in my mind, but after looking at this article and viewing its data, one possible thesis I am strongly considering is that Christianity in China will CONTINUE to grow, in spite of the high cost that many believers have had to pay and the obvious deterrents to which the government resorts. The fact that there could be more Christians than Communists in a socially communist nation is intriguing and helps me narrow my research. For instance I could discuss the reasons more and more Chinese are willing to risk all they have for a bold faith in Christ. The argument that Christianity will continue to grow is more like a thesis-in-progress and may not be the one with which I end up directing my research but it definitely focuses my efforts.