How should Christians think about a boycott of the Olympics?

On Tuesday, the ERLC hosted a special online event called “Oppression & The Olympics: A Discussion of China’s Human Rights Atrocities Ahead of the Winter Games.” During their time together, three panelists discussed China’s many human rights violations and why the Beijing Olympics is an occasion to spotlight the need for accountability.

In light of the upcoming American coverage of the Olympics by NBC Universal, some have urged the public to not engage in watching the games because of the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing human rights violations, in particular against the Uyghur ethnic minority. This raises the question of boycotts and how Christians should think about them.

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This Week in Washington, D.C.

All eyes turn to China this week as the 2022 Winter Olympics kick off in Beijing. Despite the International Olympic Committees stated mission of “building a better world through sport,” these games are proceeding amidst an ongoing genocide of the Uyghur people and horrific human rights abuses against religious and ethnic minorities.

The ERLC has been shining a spotlight on this issue and hopes that these Games will be used as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on what is happening in China rather than as a platform for propaganda.

Here are a few resources to help you think biblically about these Olympic games and raise awareness of what is happening in China:

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From The Public Square

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The challenges are great, but so are the opportunities. The need for the US government to promote international religious freedom has never been more pronounced.

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Faith-based adoption agencies that contract with the state of Michigan can refuse to place children with same-sex couples under the proposed settlement.

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Between 2016 and 2020, younger white evangelicals started to shift away from pro-life positions while older ones solidified their stances.

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A Florida bill that would limit classroom discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity and encourage parents to sue schools or teachers that engage in these topics is speeding through the state House and Senate.

Featured Podcasts

This week on the Digital Public Square podcast, Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, the China reporter for Axios, joins Jason Thacker to talk about the Chinese communist party, the upcoming Winter Olympic games in Beijing, and state of global affairs.

On Capitol Conversations, Chelsea Sobolik sits down with David Curry, President and CEO of Open Doors USA, to discuss the release of Open Door’s 2022 World Watch List and the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian. David also shares ways that Christians can pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world.

On this week's episode of the ERLC Podcast, Brent and Lindsay discuss the ISIS leader killed by U.S. forces, Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine, and Tom Brady’s retirement. They also talk about the new SBC EC interim president, Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, and praying for the people of Ukraine and Russia.

What You Need to Read

David Prince with How the Chinese Communist Party ‘Disappeared’ Tennis Star Peng Shuai

In a lengthy November post on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform similar to Twitter, 35-year-old Shuai alleged she was raped by one of China’s senior political leaders, former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli. Her post almost immediately disappeared from Weibo, and then she suddenly disappeared from public view as well. Since that time, the Chinese government has censored any mention of Shuai or her accusation against Zhang Gaoli.

Jordan Wootten with Explainer: Open Doors releases World Watch List 2022 showing top areas of Christian persecution

For nearly 30 years now, as a way of monitoring severe and ongoing opposition to Christianity, Open Doors has published what it calls the annual World Watch List— a “ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.” For those of us in the West who enjoy an unprecedented level of religious liberty, the World Watch List is a sobering reminder that our brothers and sisters around the world face real and present danger simply for following Jesus.

Chelsea Sobolik with A call to pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia amid mounting tensions

Times of trial and suffering are often used by God to draw people to himself. And we should ask, seek, and knock with confidence that this would be the case with the escalating tension between Russia and Ukraine. In the midst of the darkness, may it be that the light of Christ brings hope and help through his people, his Word, and his mercy shown to a war-torn region.