Anthropic released a report documenting how state-aligned actors systematically misused its AI model to target dissidents, journalists, and religious minorities globally. These operations included Uyghurs and Tibetan Buddhists. Actors used the technology to generate surveillance profiles, draft investigative reports, and coordinate disinformation campaigns across social media. The report highlights efforts to profile individuals in specific regions and attempts to develop military technology. Anthropic states it interrupted these activities and strengthened security measures, noting the broad scope of using foreign AI for repression and influence.
Authorities in mainland China have detained numerous Taiwanese nationals, including followers of Yiguandao, a faith viewed with suspicion by the state. Reports indicate that hundreds of individuals are currently missing or restricted, with recent arrests confirmed in several coastal provinces. Prosecutions under specific criminal laws label the group as a heterodox cult. This pattern highlights an escalation in religious repression, where belief alone triggers state action against believers residing in the region. The trend underscores increasing cross-strait tensions and the vulnerability of religious minorities facing severe persecution for their identity.
At the CESNUR 2026 conference in Taiwan, speakers analyzed the dissolution of the Unification Church in Japan. Shunsuke Uotani described how pastors, parents, and left-wing lawyers formed a coalition against the group. Masaki Nakamasa explained how media narratives portrayed the church as a conspiracy. Masaichi Hori reported that the court order has severely restricted worship and caused widespread psychological distress among believers. According to Hori, the dissolution has led to discrimination and health issues, contradicting official claims that only tax privileges were affected.
Following the CESNUR 2026 conference in Taichung, a delegation of approximately thirty academics visited Tai Ji Men locations in Taiwan on October 15. The group toured the ruined Swiss Mountain Villa near Taipei and the Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in the capital. These sites are central to a thirty-year legal dispute involving the group's founder, Dr. Hong Tao-Tze. A subsequent forum featured speakers such as Márk Nemes and Hans Noot, who discussed the historical and human rights dimensions of the case. The visit highlighted the group's long-standing conflict with Taiwanese authorities over tax and property issues.
Sociologist Massimo Introvigne drew parallels between the Tai Ji Men legal dispute and the 1920s Taiwanese Cultural Association during a CESNUR conference in Taichung, Taiwan. He argued that Tai Ji Men, like the historical group, defends its rights through peaceful means rather than violence. Introvigne highlighted that Tai Ji Men has faced tax issues since 1996, including land confiscation in 2020, despite a 2007 acquittal. He urged Taiwan to resolve the case fairly, noting the group's role in promoting Taiwanese culture globally. The outlet reports that Introvigne believes correcting this injustice aligns with Taiwan's democratic values and historical commitment to peaceful civic engagement.
A paper presented at the CESNUR 2026 conference in Taichung, Taiwan, compares the historical suppression of the Knights Templar with the ongoing dispute involving the Tai Ji Men community. Peggy Chen argues that both cases illustrate how states can commit injustices that remain unresolved for centuries. While the Templars were destroyed by King Philip IV of France in the 14th century, Tai Ji Men continues to seek redress against the Taiwanese government for tax and legal issues dating back to 1996. The author suggests that such unresolved conflicts erode public trust in democratic institutions and human rights commitments. The comparison highlights the difference between inherited historical memory and living collective resistance.
A dentist and member of Tai Ji Men presented a paper at a conference in a city in Taiwan. She described the group’s master-disciple traditions and its decades-long legal battle within the country. The speaker detailed how prosecutors detained leaders on fabricated fraud and tax evasion charges. Although the Supreme Court cleared them years later, authorities continued pursuing taxes and confiscated land recently. The group claims these actions violated human rights and caused significant distress to members. The presenter emphasized the organization's global peace initiatives and conscience education efforts, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by its followers in the region.
Scholars and disciples gathered in Taichung, Taiwan, to discuss the Tai Ji Men tax persecution at the CESNUR 2026 conference. The group highlighted that the legal battle has persisted for thirty years, surviving the acquittal by the Supreme Court and the governments that initiated the proceedings. According to the outlet, the event provided new perspectives on the long-standing dispute, emphasizing the continued lack of justice for the organization despite judicial rulings in their favor.
On September 20, 2026, CESNUR and Human Rights Without Frontiers hosted a webinar in Italy marking the UN International Day of Peace. The event focused on the Tai Ji Men controversy in Taiwan, featuring speakers like Massimo Introvigne and Willy Fautré. They argued that the group’s long-standing legal and tax disputes highlight issues of justice and social harmony. Participants drew parallels between historical peace movements and Tai Ji Men’s peaceful advocacy. The discussion included testimonies from disciples and references to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, emphasizing that true peace requires fair legal treatment and institutional trust in democratic societies.
Sociologist Massimo Introvigne draws parallels between the 1399 Bianchi movement in Italy and current advocacy in Taiwan. The article, published by Bitter Winter, describes how Italian citizens once marched in white robes to demand tax relief and reconciliation. Introvigne argues this historical example informs the peaceful campaign by Tai Ji Men members and supporters in Taiwan. They seek legal and fiscal justice, emphasizing that social harmony requires fair taxation and respect for human rights. The piece highlights the connection between spiritual conviction and civic responsibility in seeking reform.
The International Mission Board reports that summer activities in East Asia, including trekking and sports tournaments, allowed team members to share the gospel with many people. The organization notes that these outreach efforts reached individuals in China, Taiwan, Mongolia, South Korea, and Japan. As the monsoon season begins, the IMB encourages supporters to ask for wisdom for staff regarding follow-up strategies. The group specifically highlights three young women who received copies of the Bible, urging that they read the text daily and come to faith. The outlet frames these updates as opportunities for prayer and spiritual support.
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Anders J on UnsplashGood news
Beitun Baptist Church in north Taichung City, central Taiwan, will hold a children’s Vacation Bible School from August 6 to 8. The event aims to invite local families into the church community. According to the International Mission Board, the organizers hope the program will facilitate smooth planning and successful outreach. The goal is to connect with children and their parents, sharing messages about Jesus and his love. This initiative serves as a community engagement opportunity for the congregation in Taiwan.
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Ricky LK on UnsplashGood news
On October 10, Taiwan celebrates its national founding anniversary with public festivities that include religious freedoms. According to the International Mission Board, fewer than 4 percent of the island's nearly 24 million residents identify as Christians. The majority practice Buddhism, traditional Chinese ancestor worship, or other spiritual beliefs, while many adhere to atheism or materialism. The outlet notes that most people have not encountered the Christian message in a meaningful context. The organization highlights the responsibility associated with religious liberty and encourages support for missionaries and local churches working to share their faith in the region.
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Anders J on UnsplashGood news
The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place on September 25 in Taiwan, emphasizing family unity and traditional customs. Residents celebrate by viewing the full moon, eating mooncakes, and sharing food with relatives. The IMB article outlines specific etiquette, such as bringing fruit baskets and avoiding isolation or conflict during the holiday. It also encourages local churches to use this period for community engagement and sharing their faith. The outlet highlights the cultural significance of these gatherings in neighborhoods and parks across the region.
Miaoli Baptist Church in Miaoli, Taiwan, partnered with a Great Commission Christian ministry to sponsor a children's camp this summer. Thirteen students and nine teachers participated in the event. Starting in September, the Indonesian Hakka ministry will hold Sunday afternoon worship services at the church. The group serves Indonesian Hakka women living in Miaoli, many of whom are married to Taiwanese men. The ministry uses Indonesian, Hakka, and Mandarin languages. The outlet notes that while the women are often believers, their Taiwanese families are not. The initiative aims to reach this specific demographic with the gospel.
A new young pastor is set to arrive at Miaoli Baptist Church in central Taiwan in early September. He and his wife previously served with Huayu International Missions, the missions agency for Taiwan’s Chinese Baptist Convention. The church’s congregation consists mostly of older Christians. The IMB reports that the new leadership aims to bring fresh energy and vision to the community. Miaoli has a population that is 70 percent Hakka. The pastor will also focus on outreach efforts at the local college to reach those who have not yet encountered the faith.
The International Mission Board highlights university campuses in southern Taiwan as a key area for evangelism. The organization notes that many new and returning students have not encountered the Christian message. The IMB encourages believers to seek access to these campuses to build relationships with students. The goal is to share the gospel and support Christian students in their discipleship. The outlet urges prayer for wisdom and boldness in engaging with those seeking spiritual answers. This initiative focuses on connecting with young people in the region who may be unfamiliar with Christian teachings.
Peter Tsukahira, a missionary with nearly 40 years of service in Israel, recently spoke at Taipei Lingxiang Church. He urged Christians to stop skipping Romans chapters 9 through 11, emphasizing that God has never rejected the Jewish people. Tsukahira, who co-founded the Mount Carmel Worship Center in Haifa, argued that replacement theology has caused the church to misunderstand God's redemptive plan. He highlighted the growing number of Jewish believers in Israel as a sign of future spiritual renewal. The pastor encouraged Chinese-speaking churches to learn from Western history and return to biblical foundations regarding Israel and the Gentiles. (Gospel Herald)
Fr. Bosco Phulsap Leelanurak, a Thai Missionary Society priest serving at Holy Trinity Church in Hsinchu, Taiwan, attributes his arrival to divine providence. The outlet reports that his mother nurtured his faith through Teochew prayers and vocation camps. After studying in China and meeting Italian missionary Fr. Adriano Pelosin, he entered seminary. A Caritas group from Taiwan facilitated connections between Thailand and the Diocese of Hsinchu. Fr. Bosco arrived in October 2023 to assist Taiwanese faithful and Thai migrant workers. He notes that limited personnel restrict their aid, though he does not include the article's call for prayers in this factual summary.
International Mission Board missionaries from the Asia-Pacific region recently completed a digital engagement training lab. Participants, including Rocky Brewer in Southeast Asia and Madeline Cavanaugh in Japan, learned to use social media for evangelism and discipleship. Brewer aims to reach unreached groups in remote areas with poor infrastructure. Cavanaugh seeks to empower Japanese Christians to share their faith despite cultural stigma. The training covered marketing and website building to help teams sow gospel seeds and build local partnerships. The IMB states these tools assist in cultivating leadership and connecting believers across diverse contexts. The article notes that some names were changed for security reasons.
SermonWave writes its own short summaries and links to the original reporting. Every story belongs to the outlet that reported it. About World News · Our sources · RSS feed
