Chinese Authorities Cross

For John, BLUF:  Sure, it might just be aesthetics, but this is a reason government powers should be limited.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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From The International New York Times, via Reporter Michael Forsythe, we have "Chinese Province Issues Draft Regulation on Church Crosses".

HONG KONG — Cities in Zhejiang, one of China’s most prosperous provinces, are studded with Christian churches, Protestant and Catholic alike. Until recently, many of them had been topped by large crosses soaring into the sky, often illuminated with neon lights at night.

Under a new draft regulation made public this week by the provincial government, such crosses — those that have not already been removed by government order — will most likely have to come down.

Well, it isn't the war on Christmas.  For one thing, China's economy would suffer a noticeable dip if Christmas went away.  Not Christmas in China, but Christmas outside China.

Here is the province, in red.

This has apparently not gone down smoothly, nor without some dissension.♠

Zhejiang’s new regulations were issued weeks after a Christian pastor in the province was sentenced to a year in jail after speaking out about the removal of crosses.  The pastor, Huang Yizi, who served at a government-sanctioned church, had questioned why the police last July beat more than 50 parishioners who had tried to stop the authorities from taking down a cross at the Salvation Church, a Protestant place of worship.

Mr. Huang was arrested last August, and the church’s cross was removed several days later.  He was charged with “gathering crowds to disturb social order,” a charge commonly used in China to imprison people who speak out against government policies.

I bet Ms Pam Geller would drive the Chinese Authorities crazy.  I suspect they would have to put her away for a long time, or shoot her.  Not just a short stay in prison, like Mr Nakoula Basseley Nakoula.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  In China there is a difference between a "sanctioned" church and other forms of organization, as discussed here.