Although I enjoyed the O Games and getting to see the pictures of China. The Games went well with the exception of the Coaches Father being Stabbed to Death and his Wife nearly killed. However that could happen in Atlanta, London, or anywhere. Russia invaded Georgia and the United States did nothing to defend an ally.

China is going to continue to have human rights violations, (it kind of depends on what you consider a human right) Any Country that allows Abortion on demand and or Partial Birth Abortion is committing the Greatest of all Human Rights Violations.

China is going to filter the Internet and not allow Porn or Religion, and Microsoft will report to the Government Of China anything the Government wants reported. That is called Business. However the people will have basic access and be able to use the Net. You take what you can get.

What I did not see over the last several days and I am not surprised and because its China, I am not really offended. Is any signs and/or verbal displays of God. I did see the Women’s 4x200 Relay Team have their after Race huddle and Prayer. But mostly No God.

to awesomeron: "mostly No God"? Your God is too small. Mine is everywhere, omnipotent, omnipresent as they say. The Trinity, if you wish.

By the way, there are basic human rights, even accept as such by the UN. We could list them here if you wish.

What you call "business" is censorship. Hmmm, how easily we fall into the hole.

What would China have done if participants made the sign of the cross while on the podiums, the tracks, the pools, and the courts? Not a thing. They were successfull in their intimidation, weren't they.

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Christianity has a very large presence in China.
When China was closed to missionaries during the Boxer Rebellion, Christianity grew from about 40 Million to about 700 million, as an underground church.
Even, today, persecution has resulted in an amazing time of conversion. Praise God ! He is Sovereign.
In some cases, Christianity is having such a dramatic effect on the society that the government are encouraging businesses to promote Christian ethnics and principles.
Yes, persecution and human Right issue, continue, but God, indeed, takes what is bad, and uses it for His Good.
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Uhhh.... Do Not Worry, you might want to go back and recheck those numbers. If 700 million Chinese were Christian than the country would be majority Christian. According the CIA Factbook the number of Christians is between 45-60 million, an impressive number all by itself.

My opinion is that China did a terrific and amazing job at the Olympics. I do not hold China to the standard of a democratic country and know that there were abuses. However, overall I believe the Chinese people will, by and large benefit from the Games.

The Chinese people are just as human as the rest of us and seem to be pretty decent, warm people. My hope for them is that their gov't will become more open and allow more freedoms to their people.

I don't see how any Games will be able to compete with China's Opening and Closing Ceremonies. They were just so awesome. ( And expensive.)

So what? Who cares how many Mormons were in the Olympics? The Church has nothing to do with their success or failure as athletes. The Church did not sponsor them. The Church has no claim on them as athletes. This is just the Church trying to get free publicity for itself. What a cult!

Let's be very clear. Although there are 40-50 million Christians in China, there are not even enough Mormons to make a blip on the radar.

Mormons are not Christians. If Christianity makes a difference in China, it will be CHRISTIANITY that does so, NOT MORMONISM!

What about the Christian missionaries that went to China and did sneaky proselytizing against the law? I'm all for people learning about Christ, but shouldn't it be done the right way?

To Interesting: I live in Hawaii a land of many Gods and many ways to those Gods. I was working the Jesus thing here because the story was about Mormons. I saw Muslims go down on their knees also.

I do not think it was intimidation mostly but respect. Like I do not carry a Triple Combo when I go to another Church. I just carry a Bible. That’s out of respect its their house.

That figure on Christians in China is made up, because if the Church is underground then their are no rolls and know way of telling who is who and that’s the idea.

I am not sure that, the State really cares that much anymore but they do not want to encourage it thus the ban on both Porn and Religion of all types. Confuses the people and gets their mind off the State. Look at America 250+ ways to get to Jesus and if you don't do it my way you aren’t poop. Plus the people that do not know or love Jesus and will kill you if you do.

Yes it is Censorship but again you take what you can get.

It's sad that some people are so full of hatred.

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As a member of the Church, I find it interesting to learn about the various LDS athletes from different countries who competed in the Olympics.

Oh, I get it now. Because if the Chinese people don't become "true Christians," they all go to the bad place when they die and spend "eternity without the Lord." No fair chances, so that's why you have to go underground and preach illegally, because the ends justify the means.

Is the Mormon Church the only org. in the world that counted how many of the 1000s of athletes were Mormon at the Olympics?

What gaul and ego. wow...........

This article was published by a publisher that is read largely (no,I did not say entirely) by Latter-Day Saints, so the number of Mormons competing in the Olympics might be interest to them. That does not demonstrate any measure of ego. Merely a point of interest to a paricular demographic (look it up). If it is of no interest to you, fine, move on.

"700 million Chinese" does not constitute a majority of Chinese. Their numbers far surpass 1.4 billion.

Mormonism is not a cult. Your ignorance is showing.

The church does not need to use this information for "free publicity".

I find it interesting that the most ignorant comments came from a person, or persons, identified simply as "Anonymous".

Very telling.

YESSSSSS! Indeed the Mormon Church IS the only org. in the world that counted how many of the 1000s of athletes were Mormon at the Olympics? Wow is right! Isn't it great that they are counted? It is... isn't it?

The LDS Church is still relatively new and small in numbers; therefore, it interests many church members whenever 'one of our own' does something as important as participate in the Olympics. I'm sure some other faiths do the same thing; regardless, I'm amazed that you are so offended by that. Perhaps you were unaware that the Deseret News is owned by the LDS Church. If you already knew that and still bother to read, much less comment, on the DN stories, I think you've got some anger issues to work out.
P.S. 'gaul' is spelled 'gall'.

I have to say the Olympics is a wonderful time to see what results from dedication and also how the world can be brought together for several days simply to unite and compete . No matter the country, Olympians are an impressive group. Excellent job to them for their courage in performing and for getting up to keep competing when an event wasn't turning out how they'd hoped and trained. China did a superb job providing an appropriate venue for competition and tourism.

I read the article, but no where did I see anything about missionary work or numbers of Christians in China. I don't know why it is so wrong for a ".org" to recognize exceptional athleticism by their people.

There was no preaching or favortism. Everyone competed and were judged on their athleticsm, nothing more, just time on the floor. If people treated others according to their beliefs or not wasn't part of the judging criteria. This article wasn't about that, it just stated facts. It didn't even state what type of Mormons these athletes were. Let it be.

Quit the judgement, God will provide that in His own due time.

Hopefully, Anonymous will get the courage to speak his/her mind AND signing his/her name to his/her comments.

As LDS, I love to hear about the success of those who believe as I do. My parents learned from this faith not through "free publicity" from an event like the Olympics, but through the quiet and selfless service of American missionaries. We in no way feel they robbed us from our culture or anything of that sort (I am from Guatemala).

I extend my congratulations to these athletes who competed and the ones who made it to the podium. Your families, friends and fellow Mormons are proud of you!

Isn't it odd that the world, so many numerous countries can come together for 2 weeks in total peace? And yet there are people who can't control their religious bigotry for 5 minutes while they read an article?
Interesting.

This "Anonymous" is the same person that cast blame and guilt on the parents of the 4 year old killed in Saratoga Springs. Seriously "Anonymous," why don't you find a sounding board where people want to hear you. You probably did not have a chance to be heard growing up and you have found a "sounding board" here on the internet...but your negativity and anger and bitterness toward everyone else is not wanted. The funny thing is that all of us who you try to offend... well, we love you and wish you could get past your past suppression so that you can someday accept the fact that we all have something you want so badly...... PEACE! I's a wonderful gift. I hope you get it someday. Until them.. please relax and know that not every Mormon in this world is out to get you. oh and by the way... Mormon's are the epitome of CHRISTIAN!! True ambassadors and disciples! You want amazing Christians...Look at The parents of Cooper Mardesich! Peace be with you~