温州基督徒关于政府“强拆十字架及教堂”的联合声明

2014年，浙江各地频发“拆十字架和教堂”事件。三月以来，隶属温州市的永嘉、乐清、瑞安等地基督教会陆续接到拆除十字架和教堂的通知，给当地信徒带来很大困扰，引发了紧张的政教关系。为了维护宗教信仰自由、促进社会和睦共处，温州基督徒经过恳切祷告和商议，谨声明如下：

一、基督教传入中国历经千百年，已成为社会文化的组成部分。十字架是基督教神圣的外在标志，教堂顶部的十字架是其最主要的身份标识。政府方面突然勒令教会拆除、整改十字架是对信徒信仰实践的粗暴干涉，严重伤害广大信徒的宗教情感。

二、教堂是基督徒敬拜上帝的神圣场所，拆十字架和教堂必然扰乱基督徒的正常信仰生活。宪法赋予公民宗教信仰自由，政府应当合理合法地保障公民的信仰权益。

三、我们相信圣徒相通，众信徒在耶稣基督里连合一体。保护十字架和教堂建筑免于拆除是所有基督教不同宗派、不同传统、不同地区教会共同的责任和义务。

四、部分教堂的某些楼层如果存在违建，有其较复杂的历史、区域性的形成因素。我们敦请教会谦卑自察，诚恳地接受政府和舆论的监督，补办相关手续，并恳请政府酌情处理。惟愿双方秉承公义，友好协商，共谋福祉。

五、吁请浙江省政府立即终止“拆十字架和教堂”行动。该行动立项欠妥，激化社会矛盾，不利于长久安定团结，作为基督徒，我们殷切期盼国泰民安，荣神益人。

愿上帝赐福中国

温州基督徒

二零一四年四月八日

An urgent call is made for signing the following Joint Declaration of Christians in Wenzhou on the Government’s “Forceful Demolition of Crosses and Churches.” Please send an email to wzbxcc@gmail.com with the signature format of name, title and church name.

The Joint Declaration of Christians in Wenzhou on the Government’s “Forceful Demolition of Crosses and Churches”

2014 has seen frequent incidents involving “the Demolition of Crosses and Churches“ across Zhejiang province. Since March, 2014, the Christian churches in Yongjia, Yueqing and Ruian in the Wenzhou area have continually received notices of demolishing crosses and churches, greatly troubling the local congregants and resulting in tense relations between state and church. In order to defend the freedom of religious faith and promote the harmony of the society, Christians in Wenzhou make the following declaration after earnest prayers and discussions:

First, it has been more than one thousand years since Christianity initially came to China and Christianity has become an integral part of the society and culture. The cross is the external holy mark of Christianity and also the most important identity symbol of the church buildings. The sudden order of the government to demolish and rectify the crosses has been a gross infringement upon the religious practices of Christians and has gravely hurt the religious feelings of the vast number of believers.

Second, since churches are the holy places where believers worship their God, demolishing crosses and churches would inevitably disrupt the normal religious life of Christians. The Chinese constitution grants citizens the freedom for religious faith, and the government should accordingly protect the citizens’ right to faith in a reasonable and legal manner.

Third, we believe in the communion of saints and the union of believers in Jesus Christ. It is the common responsibility and duty of all Christian denominations and traditions and churches in all places to protect the crosses and churches from being demolished.

Fourth, if the construction of some floors of some church buildings is indeed illegal, there have been very complex historical and geographical reasons behind it. We request in earnest that the concerned churches humbly conduct self-examination, sincerely accept the supervision of the government and public opinion, make up the relevant procedures and cordially ask the government to handle the issue reasonably. It is our sincere hope that the churches and the government will carry out friendly consultations in common pursuit of mutual benefits in accordance with the principle of justice.

Fifth, we call on the Zhejiang provincial government to immediately terminate the action of “Demolishing Crosses and Churches.” This action has been proposed without solid grounds, heightening the social tensions and generating harm to the long-run peace and unity. As Christians, we sincerely hope for the prosperity of our country and peace of our countrymen, to the glory of God and the benefit of man.

May God bless China!

Christians in Wenzhou

April 8, 2014