Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

Above, Taizhou authorities removed the cross topping Ao Huan Christian Church on July 1, 2015. Photo: China Aid

October 2015 – Since 2013, China’s government has been removing hundreds of crosses from churches and sometimes demolishing entire churches. In May, new guidelines mandated that church crosses must be no more than one tenth the height of the building, must be fixed on the building and not above it, and must be a color that blends with the building rather than painted the customary red.

In response, Christians have begun their own campaign to display small red crosses in homes and cars.

“Each time they take a cross down, we will put more up,” an anonymous church leader said. “We will make the cross flourish throughout China.”

The movement is the most recent in non-violent protests against cross removals. In 2014, more than 100 protestors were detained and 38 were injured, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

christianitytoday.com, 8/13/15; onenewsnow.com, 8/13/15