August 12, 1997
ON MY MIND / By A.M. ROSENTHAL
Jimmy Carter Turns
Lovely day at the shore -- warmed by the sun and the thought of writing about certain young Americans struggling for the liberty of persecuted people far away. Then Jimmy Carter appears, bringing the shadow that travels with him now.Once the 39th President prided himself on making human rights a priority in his Administration. But he has become part of the great change Beijing has brought about -- turning so many of the American elite into its political and economic servitors.
He appeared in an Op-Ed piece he wrote for The New York Times on Sunday. It is a classic example of propagandist technique -- manipulating truth to produce falsehoods. The most skillful specimen by Mr. Carter amounts to a denial of the millions of Chinese Christians who fight for their religious freedom, and of their suffering:
"Although congregations must still register with the Government, membership in Christian churches is booming."
The first half of that sentence treats the "registration" of Christian churches as if it were a formality, like getting a peddler's license. The truth, documented repeatedly by the U.S. Government, is that registration means submitting to full control by a specifically atheistic branch of the Communist apparatus. Control includes appointment of clergy, including bishops and cardinals, Catholic rejection of papal authority, banning of certain teachings like the second coming of Christ, forbidding proselytizing by foreigners.
The second part is a falsehood for what it does not say. Millions of Christians refuse to be part of the registered "official" churches. They worship in underground churches that the police try to search out and destroy. Their congregations are subject to incarceration, torture and death. But it is in the underground Catholic and Protestant churches that the greatest "boom" is taking place.
To ignore the soaring reality of those who refuse to submit to religious control, and their courage, is a disgrace. Mr. Carter commits others:
Chinese policies are shaped by fear of chaos from "unrestrained" dissidents. Who? What have they done to create this fear except ask for minimal freedoms?
He says "the tragedy of Tiananmen" aborted discussions he says he had arranged between Beijing and Tibetans. What was the tragedy -- the peaceful protest by students or the murderous attack on them ordered by the Communist leaders he treats with such oozing respect? Why did China not allow talks in four decades of occupying Tibet before Tiananmen -- and in the 10 years since?
I believe that Mr. Carter and China's Politburo are both increasingly worried about the rising power of the American public protest against persecution of Chinese Christians. So I take a cleansing shower by thinking of the Americans who want to help the persecuted, not deny them.
Almost every day letters arrive: What can I do, one person alone, to fight persecution?
I've never taken part in political action, but these are suggestions from Americans who have:
1. Take every opportunity available in a democracy to the individual: Write or call elected officials, editors, broadcasters and businessmen in the China trade about what kind of legislation, sanctions, news coverage or investment policy you seek as a citizen and consumer. Keep writing and calling.
2. Refuse to remain alone. Work with your congregation, union, clubs, professional association to get legislative action and business responsibility.
3. Vote and buy on your convictions.
4. Search out organizations already set up to fight persecution.
The young Americans I mentioned have formed Students for Tibet in high schools and universities (1-888-SFTIBET). They are part of a network of students, actors and musicians who give their energies, talents and money to arousing Americans to the slaughter of Tibet. Untiring protest by the Students for Tibet is an important reason that the Holiday Inn chain recently ended its management contract with a Beijing-owned hotel in Tibet.
So: Beijing rulers are doing two things at the same time. They are turning the powerful of America to their service. And they are creating millions of Americans, young and not so young, who will never be turned.
Copyright 1997 The New York Times Company
