Opinion Piece: The Release of Pastor Jin Mingri Draws Attention – Religious Belief Should Not Shield Illegal Acts

Jin Mingri, founder of the prominent Chinese underground church 'Zion Church,' was arrested last year. After being detained for more than half a year, he was suddenly released in July this year. Although some media outlets and scholars have suggested this was a carefully calculated 'diplomatic transaction' by China—turning 'prisoners of conscience' into low-cost bargaining chips to ease pressure in U.S.-China negotiations—neither side has officially responded to the incident. Nevertheless, the case has drawn global attention, as Jin Mingri’s release is seen as a milestone in China’s long-standing efforts toward religious freedom. Jin Mingri’s family issued a statement expressing hope that this event symbolizes positive progress in both religious freedom in China and Sino-U.S. relations.

However, some still argue that Jin’s release does not indicate a relaxation of religious persecution in China, pointing out that eight other pastors remain imprisoned. Christian scholar Liang Yancheng holds a different view. On July 31, Liang stated on the program 'Star TV' that if tens of thousands of house churches operate without issue, why is only Zion Church under pressure? He emphasized that China consistently protects religious freedom, and that Jin Mingri and church leaders were not investigated or detained for their beliefs, but for violating laws.

According to the indictment, eight core members of Zion Church—Wang Lin, Gao Yingjia, Yin Huibin, Wang Cong, Liu Zhenbin, and Lin Shucheng—were accused of 'jointly committing fraud' and conducting illegal religious activities, deceiving believers into donating over 10 million RMB in 'offerings.' Wang Lin, Wang Zhong, and Wu Qiuyu were charged with 'jointly and intentionally engaging in illegal business operations,' selling religious-related 'course packages' online without authorization from 2020 to 2025, collecting over 2 million RMB in illegal revenue. The indictment further states that 'Wang Lin played a leading role in the fraud and illegal business operations, Gao Yingjia and Yin Huibin were principal offenders in the joint fraud, while the others were accomplices.'

Coincidentally, a similar case has emerged in the United States. Last year, a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Georgia indicted eight individuals linked to the House of Prayer Christian Church (HOPCC) on various fraud and tax charges. According to a 26-count indictment made public on September 10, 2025, by a U.S. federal court, the defendants allegedly exploited military personnel by recruiting them into the church, directing them to enroll in the House of Prayer Bible Seminary (HOPBS) program, and then diverting their veterans’ benefits into church-controlled accounts. Church leaders reportedly disguised payments to themselves as 'expense reimbursements' or 'offerings'—a situation strikingly similar to the Zion Church case, where over 10 million RMB in 'offerings' were allegedly collected from believers. Whether Zion Church similarly disguised payments as 'offerings' remains under investigation.

Claiming religious persecution simply because Jin Mingri was released while eight other pastors remain detained is overly simplistic. It is inappropriate to hastily label legal investigations into church leaders’ violations as 'religious persecution.' True religious freedom means a stable and secure spiritual refuge within the legal framework—not a shield for fraud or disrupting others’ lives. As Jin Mingri wrote in his pastoral letter from prison, Zion Church is a gospel-centered church, part of China’s house church tradition, inheriting the legacy of past generations, upholding the gospel, and emphasizing the separation of church and state. The church does not oppose dialogue with the government or resist authority, but stresses obedience to those in power. Jin Mingri did not excuse the investigation and detention of church leaders. Instead, he viewed this 'trial'—which led to the imprisonment of many fellow workers—as an opportunity to reveal their true story to others and to gain education and growth for themselves. Liang Yancheng concluded that believers’ understanding of China’s religious environment should be rational, objective, and guided by conscience. Whether people fall into blind belief amid online information depends entirely on their own rational and objective thinking.

*The author is a freelance writer.