China plans giveaway of Olympic Bibles

China has been long known for persecuting Christians - at least those who are not members of the local church. And the first draft of rules given out for athletes competing in the Olympic games this summer indicated that Bibles would be banned. But now China is claiming they will be giving out free Bibles to anyone who wants them at the games.

Athletes and visitors alike will be able to obtain free copies of the Bible, New Testament and booklets with the four Gospels during the Games next month, the China Daily reports...

“This is especially significant (because) as far as I know, this is the first time an Olympics logo will be used on a religious booklet,” Rev. Xu Xiaohong, who oversees publications for the China Christian Council, told China Daily. “The Olympic spirit and the spirit of living a ‘purpose-driven life’ that Christians believe in come together in the combination.”

Is this truly a step toward religious freedom in China, or simply a publicity stunt to blunt international criticism? Only time will tell.