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China quashes reports of Olympic Bible ban

Last Updated: Thursday, November 8, 2007 | 7:06 PM ET

The Associated Press

Beijing Olympic organizers are trying to quash reports that Bibles will be prohibited at the Games next year.

They say religious texts for personal use are welcome.

Controversy over the reported Bible ban is the latest speed bump for China's leadership, which wants the 2008 Games to project a positive image of China.

The reports in the Catholic News Agency and European media touched off an outcry, prompting a U.S. senator to call the Chinese ambassador in the U.S. for an explanation.

The Beijing Olympics organizing committee flatly denies the reports.

A notice on the official Beijing Olympics website says visitors can each bring a Bible.

However, the policy does not apply to Falun Gong, a spiritual movement that has been declared a cult by the Chinese government and is banned.

The U.S. State Department says Falun Gong members face arrest, detention and even possible torture in China.

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