Action and Conflict Affects Interaction Paper
Kathy Jean-Louis
COMS560
June 2014
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no
one will see the Lord.” (Hebrew 12:14, 2011) This is the way that Christians are supposed to
live but because of our sin nature it is very difficult to do. The history of mankind has always
had battles with the flesh and the spirit which trickle down into every aspect of life, especially
when it comes to the matters of religion and power. An example of this can be seen in the
relationship between China and the United States. They have been in conflict with one another
since the 1940s and continue to struggle with it today.
Since 1949 the relationship between the United States and China has had its ups and
downs. When the Nationalist government was defeated by peasant communists, the United
States had difficulties maintaining a healthy relationship with China because the United States
supported the Nationalists. (Alessi, 2013) After years for wars and disagreements China invited
a U.S. ping pong teams along with journalist to China which was the first time since 1949.
Despite this step towards peace the two countries continue to struggle to have an honest and true
relationship. In 1999, NATO accidentally bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade during a
campaign against Serbian forces that was in Kosovo. (Alessi, 2013) This again caused for
tension between China and the US but in 2000 President Bill Clinton signed the U.S.-China
Relation Act. This act gave Beijing the ability to have permanent trade relations with the U.S.
and also to give them the opportunity to join the World Trade Organization in 2001. (Alessi,
2013)
This was the first step to healing the previous wounds between the two countries. “While
forgiveness might happen between God and an individual penitent, among persons and groups
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Action and Conflict Affects Interaction Paper
in society only some lesser form of condoning, dismissal, or forgetting appeared possible.”
(Raymond G. Helmick, 2002) No matter what the circumstance the United States recognized
that a wrong was committed and in order to move forward and attempt to resolve the conflict
acceptance of the wrongful act needed to not only be said but seen.
The future of these two powerful countries is promising but there are obvious challenges
that they both face. One that is ever so pressing is the financial crisis. America and its citizens
have been struggling for years. Jobs are scarce, education and training is lacking, and many
programs established to support and take of the elderly and veterans are being terminated. As we
look at China they’re having issues as well. China is still considered to be a developing country.
(Developing Countries, 2013) There are parts of the country that still do not have kitchens in the
home. In the 1980s, students in Shanghai and Beijing were in an uproar about corruption with
the government and the lack of modernization but today we see a new generation arising.
Over these past thirty years this new generation of Chinese decent has watched China go
from a primitive isolated country into a powerhouse of the future and with this they are willing
and ready to jump on the wagon. “Now, that generation has matured and is playing an important
role in Chinese business and society.” (Singh, 2011) With this we see a new culture arising
within the Chinese culture as well as within the American culture. With America being
comprised of many different people from all across the world we too have been learning and
adding to our cultural outlooks and practices for a better tomorrow but as these changes are
taking place we see tensions building due to the high level of competition and wanted to be
number 1.
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Action and Conflict Affects Interaction Paper
China is on the rise and we see their presence across the world. They have over a two
million man army and we see many companies shipping their jobs overseas to countries like
China. This then results in new conflicts with countries like the United States who are watching
as their citizens struggle to find employment which then effects economic stability.
Advancements in the areas of technology continue to grow and since technology is the driving
force in the present day we must consider the power that China holds. Despite the many financial
difficulties facing our nation China continues to increase and grow economically and financially.
It is even said that by 2040 China’s economy will grow to $123 trillion. (Fogel, 2013) We have a
new generation of Chinese people intertwining the old with the new. Their business practices are
definitely aiding them in becoming more and more powerful so we must ask ourselves what it is
they are adding or subtracting to their agendas that is causing a ruffle in the feathers.
One aspect that I must address about the Chinese culture is their commitment to their
history, heritage, and beliefs which I feel the United States has not done. China’s beginnings are
rich with the rise and fall of dynasties and empires, status of individuals by ranking or class, and
a constant discipline in everyday life based on the traditions of their people. Records dating back
to 1600 B.C. we see China as having numerous challenges as well as many victories and
although the records only go back to 1600 B.C. we look at its surrounding countries like Egypt
and the Middle East and we see that there are aspects of each culture that are intertwined with
China and its history. (Chinese History, 2002)
Since the Han dynasty Confucianism has been the center stage for their way of life, the
conducting of business, and the function on a day to day basis. (The Confucian Ethics and the
Traditional Chinese Business Culture, 2003) It focuses on the importance of family without the
concept of an afterlife and it teaches against the belief in God or a higher power. The main
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Action and Conflict Affects Interaction Paper
concepts of Confucian are Jen, human heartedness and goodness, Li, guide to human action and
principles of social order, Yi, righteousness, Hsiao, reverence, Chih, moral wisdom, Chun-Tzu,
the ideal man, and Te, the power by which men are ruled. (Philosophy 312: Oriental Philosophy
Main Concepts of Confucianism, 2013) In order to keep balance, ethical principles were
incorporated. This goes for their sales and purchases as well as any group, individual, or
company who wants to do business and overall most people followed those principles. Integrity,
character, and righteousness take precedence over profits and material gains.
The Chinese Communist Party is an atheist group that is the ruling political party in
China. It is mandatory that everyone that is part of this group not be religious and if found to be
it is grounds for removal of your position in the group because they do not believe that the two
are not compatible. Despite this warning though there are some that have been known to do both
but in secret. As Christians we know that we are not to stand ashamed before the world for the
gospel. “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them
when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26,
2011) Staying in a group that does not acknowledge the power and presence of God is in itself
against God. This leaves room for the notion that what you are able to accomplish is not because
of God but because of one’s own strength and power.
In China’s constitution it is stated that there is freedom of religion but that has not been
the case. There are five main religions in China which are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam,
Catholicism, and Protestantism. (Bhattacharji, 2008) If anyone were to practice any other
religion except for the ones listed it is considered to be illegal. All religious groups are to be
registered with one of these groups and are monitored by the State Administration for Religious
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Action and Conflict Affects Interaction Paper
Affairs. They provide no protection under the Chinese law if the group does not fall into one of
the five categories.
This conflict of religious beliefs has been around for a long time and seeing that those in
power have usually been those who have great influence within the church causes even more
problems. Christianity in China is nothing new. The apostle Thomas is said to have went to
China to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in 64 A.D. but definitely 634 A.D. during the reign of
the Tang dynasty. (Baugus, 2013) Matteo Ricci attempting to convince the people of the region
that Confucianism and Roman Catholicism were compatible. He argued that the church would
be willing to accept them to continue with their offerings and rituals to the emperor. This as we
know it is idolatry. “You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God
am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth
generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me
and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:5-6, 2001) Going against this just to grow in
numbers is not only against biblical teachings but a sin against God.
At the same time Christians were being persecuted. For example, many who did convert
to Catholicism worshipped in secret because according to China’s laws it was forbidden to
pledge allegiance to a foreign figure and seeing how Catholics are committed to the Pope they
fall under this category. There is also a maximum of members a religious group can have so to
join a congregation that is at its maximum would not be permitted, legally that is. (Bhattacharji,
2008) In order to avoid many of these problems many have turned to house churches. There is
more religious freedom this way but that still is not ideal. In a report by the China Aid
Association there have been almost sixty cases where Chinese officials have harassed house
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Action and Conflict Affects Interaction Paper
churches resulting in 788 arrests and 693 detentions in 2007. (Bhattacharji, 2008) This does not
sound like a country that has religious freedom and the challenges they face will not be resolved
overnight. They are working against centuries of tradition and that sort of conviction and belief
is very difficult to change. Imagine when Christ walked the earth. He came to fulfill the
prophecy of the Old Testament but His message was not received. He also added to the laws
which then made Him an outcast. “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not
receive him.” (John1:11, 2011) They rejected His message so much that they took His life but
like the prophecy this too had to be done in order for victory and wholeness to be restored.
I’m reminded of the story of David when he had Bathsheba’s husband Uriah killed in
order to cover his sin. Although he was living day to day his relationship with God was
hindered. He had to confess and repent in order to be forgiven, restored, and reconciled back to
God. Since he could not hear the cry from his soul for the sin he committed God sent Nathan to
help. Nathan shared the story of a man who was rich with goods but stole only one possession
from another lesser man. “David burned with anger against the man. “I solemnly swear, as the
LORD lives,” he said to Nathan, “the man who did this certainly deserves to die! And he must
pay back four times the price of the lamb because he did this and had no pity.” (2 Samuel 12:5-6,
2011)
As shown throughout this paper conflict, forgiveness, and reconciliation needs to be
present and in practice throughout the world in order for us to survive and coexist. “Justification,
insofar as it relates to an offense against another, can only be set right by that party, not by the
perpetrator. Otherwise justification becomes self-justification. This blocks the process of
forgiveness and, consequently, the possibility of restored relationships or reconciliation.”
(Raymond G. Helmick, 2002)
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Action and Conflict Affects Interaction Paper
References
Exodus 20:5-6. (2001). Retrieved from Biblegateway.com:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2020:5-7&version=ESV
Chinese History. (2002). Retrieved September 27, 2013, from Ohio State University:
http://people.cohums.ohio-
state.edu/bender4/eall131/EAHReadings/module02/m02chinese.html
The Confucian Ethics and the Traditional Chinese Business Culture. (2003). Retrieved
September 27, 2013, from ChinaCulture.org:
http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_madeinchina/2006-02/20/content_79482.htm
2 Samuel 12:5-6. (2011). Retrieved from Biblegatetway.com:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+12&version=GW
Hebrew 12:14. (2011). Retrieved October 9, 2013, from Biblegateway.com:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews+12&version=NIV
John1:11. (2011). Retrieved from Biblegateway.com: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?
search=John%201:11&version=NIV
Luke 9:26. (2011). Retrieved October 9, 2013, from Biblegateway.com:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%209:26&version=NIV
Developing Countries. (2013). Retrieved October 10, 2013, from The International Statistica
Institutel: : http://www.isi-web.org/component/content/article/5-root/root/81-developing
Philosophy 312: Oriental Philosophy Main Concepts of Confucianism. (2013). Retrieved from
philosophy.lander.edu : http://philosophy.lander.edu/oriental/main.html
Alessi, Z. C. (2013). U.S. Relations with China. Retrieved from Council on Foreign Relations:
http://www.cfr.org/china/us-relations-china-1949---present/p17698
Baugus, B. (2013, February). An Orientation to China's Reforming Churches: Part Two.
Retrieved from Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals:
http://www.reformation21.org/articles/an-orientation-to-chinas-reforming-churches-part-
two.php
Bhattacharji, P. (2008, May 16). Religion in China. Retrieved September 27, 2013, from Council
on Foreign Relations: http://www.cfr.org/china/religion-china/p16272
Fogel, R. (2013, September 26). Why China's Economy Will Grow to $123 Trillion by 2040.
Retrieved from Foreign Policy:
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/04/123000000000000
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Raymond G. Helmick, R. L. (2002). Forgiveness and Reconciliation. West Conshohocken:
Templeton Foundation Press.
Singh, N. (2011, March 11). How China's Next Generation Can Manage. Retrieved from The
Mantle: http://mantlethought.org/content/how-chinas-next-generation-can-manage
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