Pastor Bob Fu to Release New Book in Taiwan
(Texas – February 25, 2025) Pastor Bob Fu, Ph.D., founder of ChinaAid, will release his new book “The Illusion of Religious Freedom in Communist China” in Taiwan this weekend, with three launch events scheduled in two locations, Taipei and Tainan.
Dr. Fu’s Vision for Religious Freedom in a Post-Communist China
Dr. Fu’s book, “The Illusion of Religious Freedom in Communist China: It Can Be Effectively Achieved Through The Politics of Inclusive Pluralism”, is based on his 2018 doctoral dissertation at the University of Durham in the United Kingdom. It explores how a post-communist, democratized, pluralistic, and even Christianized China could effectively protect religious freedom for all worldviews and religions.
“Long live Red Terror!” In 1949, the ruling Chinese Communist Party used this and other political slogans as levers for conflict and conflict management. The Chinese Cultural Revolution sparked widespread anger, fear, and terror among Chinese citizens. Today, the CCP-controlled Chinese regime seeks to portray a positive image on human rights issues. However, the dark reality of Chinese society reveals a brutally authoritarian state that has no regard for religious freedom.
Dr. Fu Advocates for “Inclusive Pluralism” to Protect Religious Freedom
In a post-communist, Christianized, and democratic China, what guiding philosophy would best help advocate for, provide, and protect religious freedom for all? Dr. Bob Fu argues that while various Christian-oriented theories may seem promising, they fail to provide a sufficiently pluralistic foundation for protecting the religious freedom of both believers and non-believers alike. Similarly, the dominant theories of Western political liberalism have not proven to be inclusive enough for all faiths and worldviews. As an alternative, he advocates for “inclusive pluralism” in his book—a contextualized theory modeled on principled pluralism. He believes this approach has the potential to make religious freedom a reality for everyone.
In his book, Dr. Fu states that for China to truly achieve religious freedom, its political system must undergo substantial democratic reforms. He introduces the concept of inclusive pluralism, outlining its potential to facilitate religious freedom in China’s future. This includes allowing every religious or ideological group to freely express itself in the public sphere and enabling religious believers to practice their religious beliefs freely.
Having long been concerned and committed to China’s religious freedom and future, he hopes that Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party leadership will read this book and be provided with the understanding that “inclusive pluralism” is the actual realization of Article 36 of the Chinese Constitution, and it is the protection of religious freedom; this advocacy and practice align with international definitions and practices.
If China does not do the above, with its current propaganda-driven illusion of religious freedom, which in reality enforces policies of religious persecution, it will not contribute to its national stability but will instead deepen societal divisions.
Upcoming Book Launch Events and Dr. Fu’s Commitment to Religious Freedom
The Chinese edition of Dr. Bob Fu’s new book is published by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. It comes highly recommended by Pastor Huang Chun-Sheng of Jinan Church, Dr. Cheng Yang-en (Pastor), Chair of the Faith and Order Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, and pastors including the Moderator of the 37th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.
Dr. Fu’s visit to Taiwan coincides with the 78th anniversary of the February 28 Incident. On February 28 at 2:28 PM, he will deliver a sermon at Jinan Church in Taipei. Following that, he will host three book launch and discussion events: on March 1 in Taipei and on March 4 and 5 in Tainan.
Background of Dr. Fu
Born and raised in China, Dr. Fu was a student leader during the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy movement while studying at a university in Shandong. He later taught at the Party School in Beijing and secretly became one of the leaders of the Beijing house church movement. In 1996, he and his wife were imprisoned for two months on charges of “illegal evangelism.” The following year, they fled to Hong Kong and were granted religious refugee status by the Clinton administration, which brought them to the United States. In 2002, he founded “China Aid Association” in Philadelphia, an organization dedicated to exposing human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party and advocating for religious freedom in China.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai of ChinaAid)
