Petitioners converted to Christianity see plight as part of poor's struggle
A growing number of Chinese with grievances are finding some comfort in religion, and the feeling that they are not alone in their struggle
Wang Chunyan's Christmas wish this year is that she will have warm quilts and thick coats to last her and her family through the frozen winter in Beijing.
Wang, 51, her 49-year-old sister and 45-year-old brother have been homeless and sheltering wherever they can - at train stations, in underpasses, sometimes at cheap hostels - in the capital since their home in Dalian , was forcibly demolished in 2008.
Seeking compensation from her local government, Wang and her family came to Beijing to lobby the central authorities. Although the local government in Dalian was ordered to pay compensation, Wang she said she has not received a yuan so far.
But Wang no longer harbours the bitterness and anger over her misfortune common among petitioners. Instead, she credits her newfound Christian beliefs with helping her transcend hatred towards the authorities who not only demolished her home, but refuse to compensate her.
"Jesus said: 'Those with a heavy burden can come to me'," Wang said. "When we suffer, God will open the door for us."
Wang is one of a growing number of petitioners turning to Christianity. Bringing their grievances over confiscated land, demolished houses, unfair court judgments and other miscarriages of justice, they come to the capital in the hope that the central government will order local authorities to treat them fairly.