The Chinese man who faced a possible death sentence for smuggling Bibles into China has been sentenced to two years in prison. He may end up being freed right before President Bush visits China next month. The man, Li Guangqiang, has already served 18 months.

The truth is that he should never have been arrested in the first place. China has signed all sorts of treaties in recent years, including those pledging to allow people religious freedom, in an effort to gain acceptance in the international community. Of course, then they turn around and violate the treaties, and there is no outrage from democratic governments. European governments raise a ruckus because they think we are treating terrorists in a less than cushy fashion, but say nothing when a Christian is jailed for smuggling Bibles. Why? Because there's 1 billion Chinese that we'd like to buy our products.

Well, they can buy all of our products, except the Bibles.