China Tightens Online Restrictions on Religious Content and Activities

China Tightens Control on Digital Religious Expression

In a move that signals increasing control over religious expression, China has introduced comprehensive regulations restricting online religious content. This includes prohibitions on teaching Bible lessons to children and forming youth religious groups.

The National Religious Affairs Administration has released new articles that further limit faith-based online activities, building upon existing laws. According to religious rights magazine Bitter Winter, these new rules significantly curb digital religious engagement.

The magazine noted, “This is not the first time China has tightened its grip on religious life, but it may be one of the most technologically invasive.” It elaborated that in today’s digital age, where religious content often streams online, this regulation appears to be a strategic effort to disconnect sacred activities from digital platforms.

A translation of the new regulations by Bitter Winter reveals that Article 5 mandates clergy to conduct religious education only through officially registered religious websites and platforms that have secured an “Internet Religious Information Services License.”

Informal channels, such as personal social media accounts, livestreams, and WeChat groups, are off-limits for any religious instruction. Bitter Winter highlighted that “Self-promotion is banned, and clergy may not use religious identity to attract followers or traffic. Foreign entanglements are forbidden: no supporting or participating in ‘overseas religious infiltration.’”

Article 10 imposes further restrictions, barring clergy from spreading religious ideas to minors or organizing religious education and activities for them online. This includes a prohibition on organizing youth religious camps or training sessions.

Bitter Winter also reported, “Commercialization is a no-go. There should be no fundraising, selling religious merchandise, or monetizing religious activities online. AI evangelism is also off the table. Clergy may not use generative AI to produce or disseminate religious content.”

Those who violate these regulations may face administrative penalties. Potential consequences include suspension of religious credentials, closure of online accounts, and even criminal investigation, as noted by Bitter Winter.

The magazine further stated, “Platforms hosting non-compliant content may be ordered to restrict, warn or shut down offending accounts.”