aatombomb:

[T]here are three other reasons Mr Lin’s stardom could fluster the authorities. First, he is very openly Christian, and the Communist Party is deeply wary of the deeply religious (notably on those within its own ranks). Second, he is not a big centre or forward, the varietals which are the chief mainland Chinese export to the NBA, including the Mavericks’ Mr Yi; and of course he came out of nowhere to become a star, having been educated at the most prestigious university in America, Harvard.

What of Mr Lin’s faith? If by chance Mr Lin were to have gained entry into the sport system, he would not have emerged a Christian, at least not openly so. China has tens of millions of Christians, and officially tolerates Christianity; but the Communist Party bars religion from its membership and institutions, and religion has no place in its sport model. One does not see Chinese athletes thanking God for their gifts; their coach and Communist Party leaders, yes, but Jesus Christ the Saviour? No.

Kind of sucks the air out of Tebowing, doesn’t it? Nothing makes the persecution complex of American Christians look more ridiculous than someone who is proud of his faith (but not obnoxious about it) from a place that actually, you know, persecutes Christians. 

His family is actually from Taiwan, though, right? To my knowledge Christians aren’t persecuted there. Not to take away from the larger point that American Christians’ persecution complex is more than a little ridiculous.