News Blog

Really good news out of Beijing Thursday for those Olympic athletes who are devoutly religious. Bibles will be permitted in the Olympic Village during the Beijing Summer Games. Not only permitted, but according to Olympic organizers, they are welcome. I know some of you Flumesday readers abroad might be thinking, “why wouldn’t Bibles be welcome in Beijing next summer?” And sound question. Well earlier this week the Catholic News Agency (who knew that Catholic news required its own agency?) published a report that cited Italian newspaper La Gazetta as saying that Bibles were included on the list of prohibited items in the Olympic Village. The story spread about as fast as the legs of a godless harlot, appearing in all major news wires in America, Europe and Asia. Fox News reported this week that bibles and items such as video cameras and cups would be banned. Cups? Well late Thursday, China said that the Bible ban was “an “intentional distortion of the truth” and that Bibles would be allowed at the Olympics. But only one. Seriously. According to the Olympic website, “Each traveler is recommended to take no more than one Bible into China.” Because more than one would imply that you might be spreading the good word around the Olympic Village. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao assured those religious athletes that religious services for Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus would be offered in the Olympic Village. He said, “According to the Provisions on the Administration of Religious Activities of Aliens Within the Territory of the People’s Republic of China, foreigners are allowed to bring in religious publications, audio-video materials or other objects for personal use.” Pretty much everything except for cups.