Friday, January 29, 2016

Church Near Confucius' Hometown Sparks Tussle; Many Chinese See Qufu as China's Spiritual Home

Ancient Chinese Confucianism is being confronted by Christianity, as conflict arises over a Christian church looking to expand in a region that is known as Confucius' hometown, the Christian Headlines website reports today (January 29, 2016).

Confucius' hometown of Qufu in eastern China's Shandong province has long been a bastion of ancient Chinese spirituality. Although China's Communist party has tried to eradicate religion in the past, Confucianism is seeing a rebirth in China, just as many Christians are being persecuted and their churches demolished.

The presence of a Christian church less than two miles from Qufu's main Confucian temple is currently sparking debate.

One Confucian scholar, Zeng Zhenyu, believes that a Christian church has no place so close to the sacred spot of Confucius' hometown. "Qufu in China is like Jerusalem and Mecca," Zeng, a professor at Shandong University's Advanced Institute for Confucian Studies, said. "It's the Chinese people's spiritual home."

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