[twigs]

My husband and I have befriended a young Chinese couple who have moved here from Beijing. They are good friends and we value their friendship a lot. Still, we can see such differences in them than in Americans. They have no religious beliefs, although they believe in being good. There is just an emptiness there. The wife told me about her abortion in China as though she had gotten rid of a headache--no thought or feeling at all. And they are so mean to each other. My husband and I both have huge tempers and say things we regret, I'm very sorry to say. But they say things to each that is just the norm. We would never say what we hear them say to each other. And different Chinese, if they are from different areas of china, treat each poorly, although they will treat Westerners with a great deal of respect. My friend told me when Chinese couples come to America, a lot of them divorce. I think it's becaue they witness American marriages which are a lot healthier, in general, than theirs. My friend comments frequently that I always know my husband loves me. It's very sad.

[wideawake]

Interesting. I've had similar experiences with Russian neighbors - living under communism really warps people, even if they don't buy into communism.

[Red Boots]

Interesting. I read a book recently about a Chinese lady who now lives here, describing Chinese child-raising techniques as being what we here in American would consider child abuse. Anything a parent might do to a child is excused as being in the child's best intrest. She certainly thought the parenting was harsh and cruel compared to American parenting.

As to the emptiness, it might explain the astonishing growth of Christianity there, even in the face of prosecution. Most people need to believe in something. I think the impact of Christianity in China's future may be the wild card.