Leaders Replace Jesus And Mary In Churches
Chinese authorities have been intensifying efforts to integrate Communist ideology into religious practices, replacing Christian symbols with portraits of President Xi Jinping and Chairman Mao Zedong in churches across the country. According to a report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), these changes are part of a broader campaign known as the “sinicization of religion,” which aims to align religious expressions with the ideals of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Religious imagery like crosses and depictions of Jesus and the Virgin Mary are being removed from churches and replaced with Communist symbols and slogans.
The campaign has gained momentum since 2018, with revised regulations that impose tighter government control over religious institutions. Churches are now required to display CCP-approved slogans and teachings, further blending state propaganda with religious practices. For example, in Jiangxi province, a painting of the Virgin Mary was replaced with a portrait of Xi Jinping, and other churches have incorporated images of Mao and Xi into their structures. The removal of Christian symbols, sometimes under the pretense of safety concerns, is becoming more widespread, especially in provinces like Anhui.
Religious institutions are under strict state control, with seven national organizations managing religious affairs for Buddhists, Taoists, Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims. These organizations ensure that religious teachings conform to CCP ideology. The restrictions also extend to underground churches, which face severe consequences, such as surveillance, shutdowns, and arrests of leaders who refuse to comply with state directives. Furthermore, children under the age of 18 are banned from receiving religious education, a policy that is rigorously enforced.
Despite government claims that China protects religious freedom, personal accounts from Christians in the country reveal increased state interference and surveillance, particularly after the regulatory changes in 2018. Many religious adherents have been forced to alter their practices or gather in secret to avoid persecution. The international community, including human rights organizations, continues to raise concerns over the erosion of religious freedoms in China, while the Chinese government dismisses these reports as interference in its internal affairs.