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Cultural Revolution Slogan on Beijing Church. This is a faded sentence written on the wall next to the front door of the West Church (西堂)in Beijing. From 1966-1976, Chairman Mao launched the 'Cultural …More
Cultural Revolution Slogan on Beijing Church.

This is a faded sentence written on the wall next to the front door of the West Church (西堂)in Beijing.

From 1966-1976, Chairman Mao launched the 'Cultural Revolution' during which people were asked to criticize each other in order to root out all forms of 'wrong' thinking that opposed the ideas of Mao Zedong and the China communist party; during this time, many people were arrested, imprisoned and executed. Religion was harshly attacked and it was dangerous for other people to know that one had religious beliefs. Every buddhist temple or monastery, daoist temple, muslim mosque, and christian church was shut down for worship, and atheism was proclaimed to the people. The West Church was also shut down, and this slogan was written on it.

All over Beijing slogans like these were written on every building, saying things like 'Chairman Mao is the Red Sun in our hearts!’, or 'Break down the Old World, Erect the New World'. In this case the slogan is faded but appears to say something like 'Long live Chairman Mao.... is measured by the communist party of China who directs us!'

Most of these slogans around Beijing were since removed, and can only be seen in a few places. This church deliberately kept its slogan after it was reopened following the end of the cultural revolution and can still be seen on it today.

The church is part of the above-ground (ie. government registered) catholic church in China. It was founded by missionaries in 1723.

the photo is creative commons, and people may re-use it

All Glory to God