July/August 2016 Church & State - July/August 2015

Around The World: Chinese Authorities Remove Crosses From Churches

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Authorities in China’s Zhejiang province have removed 1,200 to 1,700 crosses from Christian churches over the last two years, The New York Times reported in May.

Some Christians have rebelled against the cross removals; approximately 50 church members were injured in one recent confrontation with authorities.

“It was quiet late last year,” one anonymous Christian told The Times. “But the government is now making it clear that all of the crosses will go.”

President Xi Jinping announced at a recent “religious affairs” conference that religions must “Sinicize,” or become more Chinese. Xi claimed that some religious groups had provided an opening for “overseas infiltration.”

BREAKING NEWS

Americans United & the National Women’s Law Center file suit to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans.

Abortion bans violate the separation of church and state. Americans United and the National Women’s Law Center—the leading experts in religious freedom and gender justice—have joined forces with thirteen clergy from six faith traditions to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans as unconstitutionally imposing one narrow religious doctrine on everyone.


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