China is probably not a comfortable place to live

[MineralMan]

if you're a devout Christian or Muslim with political ideas. That certainly seems to be the case. The Chinese government doesn't particularly like folks who disagree with its policies or philosophy. So, if your religious beliefs mean that you object to what is essentially an atheist regime, you're probably not going to especially like the reaction.

However, that is China and how China apparently is. That doesn't make it an example for anything else that is not an identical situation. Wherever you are, if your philosophy and religion go against the government or the cultural norms of a place, you're probably going to be uncomfortable, at best, and perhaps treated poorly or even prosecuted, at worst.

Here in the United States, we have a government that is currently not pleased with Muslims who seek election to public office and win. Our President will say nasty things about you and his followers will post death threats against you on Facebook. If you have brown skin and grew up speaking Spanish, you'll run into the same issues here in the United States. People will think you aren't really an American and will treat you badly, because the head of our government seems to have a negative view of such people.

Every society has it's favorite groups and groups it doesn't like at all. I'm an atheist, and that's another group that takes a lot of crap from people who think their religious beliefs entitle them to some sort of extra privilege. It can be uncomfortable or even dangerous to be part of any of those "out" groups. People are often prejudiced and angry at people who don't look, sound, or think like they do. That's a typical situation, wherever you are.

It's too bad, whenever it occurs. That's not how things should be, most enlightened people think. But, there it is.

I don't live in China. I know nobody who lives in China. There are enough problems with intolerance and bigotry right where I do live. I try to help people who are set upon by other Americans, for whatever reason. I'm usually not very successful, though, since bigotry and intolerance are difficult to change. But, at least, I can try in the place where I live, to show support for those who are beset by prejudices and bigotry. I can express my disapproval of such negative behavior, and stand between people who are in dispute sometimes.

I can do nothing about China. Zero. So, I focus on intolerance and prejudice I encounter right here at home. Except for my lack of any religious beliefs, I'm a member of the approved population in this country, being white, male, heterosexual, and pretty well educated. So, I get to speak up and speak out against such ugly behavior here. I do that when I can and when I think it might be productive.

I can't do that in China, even though I recognize that there are people there who are beset by bigots or people with prejudices. I'm just a poor schlub living in Minnesota. So, I do what I can here and leave China to people who are in China. I'm sorry that everyone there isn't treated properly, but I see similar things all around me right nearby. I'm afraid I have to focus on that. I'd rather make my attempts to seek justice locally, rather than keep my attention on China.