This week I chose to read the NYT article, “Pastor in China Who Resisted Cross Removal Gets 14 Years in Prison.”  I chose this article because I am devoted to my Christian faith and I was concerned and interested in what had happened to the pastor.  The article states how a protestant pastor and his wife were targeted for resisting orders to remove a cross and received sentences of 14 years and 12 years, respectively.  They were charged with corruption and gathering people to disturb social order and were also penalized with heavy fines and had money taken from them.  The article goes on to detail the additional detainment of a well known Christian lawyer who just so happened to be planning to meet with American state department officials to discuss religious freedom in China.  It is terrifying to think that if I were in another country I could be detained just because I defended my religion.  While I fully understand not all people unite under one faith, it amazes me how little protection some have in other countries and it is difficult for me to comprehend not having full religious freedom. This article made me reflect on the privileges the citizens of the United States enjoy and how much I take my civil rights for granted sometimes.  The government would be in complete control, and I would not be able to speak my mind or practice my faith.  It also made me question why the United States conducts so much business with China when they do not give their citizens religious freedoms and other basic rights.