Gong Shengliang

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Pastor Gong Shengliang (龚圣亮) is the head of the South China Church. Convicted of the crimes of forming an illegal cult and promoting violence and rape toward Church members, he is currently serving a life sentence in the People's Republic of China.

According to a spokesperson from China's National Agency for Religious Affairs, as well as Paster Gao Ying from the China Christian Council, Gong Shengliang has incited followers to beat up people who refused to join his religious group, and has used sulfuric acid to disfigure disobedient followers. Moreover, he has told female followers that having sexual relations with him is necessary for Christian piety, and has raped 8 women as a result. Cao Shengjie, Vice President of the China Christian Council, has reportedly called Gong Shengliang's organization satanic, and has asked that such abominations be dealt with severely for the sake of Christians everywhere.

He was sentenced to death in 2001, but because of international pressure, the sentence was reduced to life. Some who testified against Gong later stated that they were tortured into doing so. Liu Xianzhi, a former leader in the South China Church, has sought asylum in the United States and gives extensive testimony on the details of Pastor Gong Shengliang's case. There are also reports that he has been beaten and mistreated in prison.