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