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Comment by Quarrelsome | Hacker News Reader

Its worth noting the absolutely insane impact that cargo cult Christianity had on China which arguably caused the Chinese civil war. That might be some context as to why Christianity has been singled out?

EDIT: why would you downvote this?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiping_Heavenly_Kingdom

From the source:

> A self-proclaimed convert to Christianity, Hong Xiuquan ... [claimed] ... that he was the second son of God and the younger brother of Jesus.

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Not really... That is a symptom, not the cause of the Chinese civil war(s). The arrival and the dominance of the Western powers eroded the strength and faith people had in the Qing Dynasty. The Taiping rebellion was a reaction to that but just one event in a long series of the fracturing of China as the Qing declined.

Christianity isn't being singled out. Islam is also a target. They oppress the hell out of the Uighurs too. (Although they do tolerate the Hui but the Hui have been in China for centuries and are generally assimilated)

They also targeted the Falun Gong.

As a rule of thumb, anything that represents an alternate source of authority in China will be targeted and oppressed.

> As a rule of thumb, anything that represents an alternate source of authority in China will be targeted and oppressed.

to be fair its the mistake that most autocrats make in not seizing control of religion. Religion is often the one available source of dissent. As the Shah learned in Iran; its a terrible mistake to make.

Don't forget Tibetan Buddhists.

You are correct. Few realize that China -- nearly all of it -- had been exposed to Christisnity; albeit, a really bizarre form of it preached by Xiuquan.

I don't believe this period of China's history is taught much in China and, after all of the purges and communist stuff that happened later, I don't think it's part of the collective consciousness. Could be wrong. But, my Chinese friends had never even heard of the Xiuquan episode. (There are similar 'wierd' periods in European/Americsn history that are likewise glossed over and forgotten.)

His name was Hong Xiuquan, with Hong being the family name. The movement is known as Taiping Rebellion. It is taught but is portrayed as a just peasant rebellion against the Qing. However the connection with Christianity is only obliquely hinted at.

You're being down-voted because your comment can be construed as justification. Which, if it is, is absolutely deplorable.

these people should read the link. Its a fascinating piece of history. If one had that native history one could understand a little more why they might persecute Christianity a bit more strongly than other religions.

None of that in any, shape or form ever seeks to justify it. Just understand it.

If you disagree with the justification, it would be better to explain that position. Otherwise it appears that you are starting from the premise that this is bad so any justification presented must necessarily be dismissed regardless of validity.

I don't think it's a justification, it's a contextualization.

yep, and you presented it in a factual non biased way. it's just not convenient for the HN narrative that censorship=BAD.

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