Patriotic Idolatry in China

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Official-churches-and-religions-celebrate-the-70th-anniversary-of-the-Chinese-communist-regime-(Video)-48071.html

Of course this is done voluntarily on the part of many American Churches. These idolatrous celebrations are more or less repeated in the United States. Of course they're not mandated but represent willing offerings on the part of American Christians to the deified holy state.

Were an American president of the right political stripe to suggest and encourage such ceremonies I am confident American Christians would comply. These sorts of idolatrous displays have become almost routine since 9/11.

What's worse, a congregation going through the motions in order to keep the government off their back or a congregation engaged in such activity and yet genuinely believing it is God honouring and that their empire is akin to Zion? There is of course no satisfactory answer to such a question but it ought to give one pause.

It is of course a disgusting spectacle and though I have no stake or actual interest in Roman Catholic affairs, one wonders if Bergoglio/Pope Francis feels any shame? Certainly to many he has egg on his face as his capitulation and compromise with Beijing has led to this. State sanctioned Catholics have their peace but Xi is probably closer to being their pope than Francis is or ever was.

Both state and underground churches are feeling the pressure but at least the underground congregations don't have to sing the national anthem and offer praise to Xi.