"Like most people, I turned to Christianity when studying in the United States, hoping to find the bright side of life in this religion," said Qin, who believes that it is the Bible and church that released him from homesickness and helped him adapt to his new environment. Now, going to church and reading the Bible are an important part of his spiritual life.

At the beginning, Qin even sneered at the words "In God We Trust" printed on every U.S. currency note, and it seemed ridiculous to him when Americans referred to "sinners."

PIETY: Students read the Bible at a chapel in Beijing (CNS)

But, driven by curiosity, he opened the Bible. Although he never regarded himself as a perfect person, neither did he consider himself a sinner, but when he came to the Book of Romans, it suddenly struck him that he was a sinner, too. "I used to think that since I've violated no laws, no sins should be blamed on me, but on second thought, it's true that I've offended and hurt others and that is a sin."

It's a common scene in the Bible for Jesus to persuade those who have committed sins to practice introspection. Qin believes that it is through introspection that one finds his or her existence. He has already developed the habit of self-examination every day. At the same time, Qin is also active in helping those in need.

"It's known to all Christians and believers that Jesus was an active philanthropist who also demanded that his followers commit themselves to all kinds of good deeds," Qin added.

By chance, Qin met Wu Yusi, a young woman whose faith reflected the influence of her pious Christian parents. Wu recalled that her economist father used to tell her, "The 10 principles of Best Business Practices acknowledged by both governments and the business community in developed countries all originate from the 10 Commandments of the Bible."

"The first time my father got a deep understanding of the Bible was during his prison days in 1966, when the 'Cultural Revolution' stormed the whole country," Wu said. "My father was thrown behind bars due to his so-called anti-Mao Zedong Thought passages. Together with my father was a Christian who prayed every morning and never bent under political persecution. This inmate was active in helping others and said under the instructions of God, he had come to spread love among the people by enduring all these miseries."

A girl's dream

When Wu was born six years after the Cultural Revolution ended in 1976, she was baptized. "When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of having my wedding ceremony in church," she said.

Her dream of a church wedding ceremony came true when she married Qin in Beijing. Later they both went to Iowa State University to study for their doctorates. Years of love have been diluted by dull daily life, however, and even pushed them to the brink of divorce.

At this critical moment, a retreat saved their relationship. "We planned to get divorced after fulfilling our promise to the church to take part in the retreat, where we were told again and again about the importance of introspection, especially in the face of troubles and conflicts," Wu said. "We were asked to find our own deficiencies and tolerate those in others. Thank goodness, this changed our decision to divorce! I used to think I was good at self-examination!"

At a retreat, people typically travel to a serene rural setting, free from daily pressures and activities, and talk to each other while priests give lectures.

According to Wu, after finding so many affectionate Christian couples at the retreat, she and her husband began to ponder their respective wrongdoings and admitted they were both responsible for their frustrated marriage.

Now, the reconciled couple studies the Bible harder than ever. "It's not enough to understand the basic meaning and principles, but to apply these useful instructions in real life is more important. Deeds outweigh words," Qin said.

'Do no harm'

Qin Shan is a journalist for a magazine in Beijing. While conducting interviews in rural areas, he met his wife Wu Wen, who was then a rural teacher. Influenced by Wu, a Christian, he turned into Christianity too.

Qin said he concealed his identity as a Christian from his parents until he was about to have a wedding ceremony in church with his bride Wu. " I did not know how to explain to my parents--they would suspect that I had betrayed my country," he said.

Qin's concern was not groundless. He still remembers that his father used to tell him that Christianity came to China "on cannonballs" after the Opium War in 1840. The religion was then blamed for the huge misery of the Chinese people. It was viewed as a philanthropic religion only to be used by the Western invaders as a tool, and this played a role in turning people against it.

The Chinese, especially the older generations, find it hard to forget the humiliation and pain China suffered after it was defeated by the British, and so Christianity, which closely followed in the wake of the British cannons, left no good impression on Qin as he grew up listening to these stories.

Qin's father, however, shows great tolerance for his son's choice. Reflecting an attitude that is quite typical among the Chinese, he said, "Religion is no more than personal values," but he also warns Qin to be a patriotic citizen, never doing harm to the country.