ICC Note:
A ‘Christianity theme park’ sparks outrage across China, especially among the devoted followers of Chairman Mao. The park will reside in the Xingsha Ecological Park in Changsha, the capital of central China’s Hunan province, or Mao’s ‘holy land.’ Changsha earned ‘holy land’ status for Mao’s devotees because this is where he was ‘converted’ to communism. Alongside Mao’s devotees, other critics of the park claim, “the Christian park ‘unnecessary and inappropriate’, a threat to ‘ideological security’, and a violation of people’s freedom not to believe in God.” Beijing academic and expert on China’s Neo-Maoism Jude Blanchette remarked, “The outcry from the Neo-Maoists, who have considerable influence on China’s leaders, did not bode well for the church. I would be surprised if the cross stays up there that long.” However, the government has not spoken against the theme park, so development will carry on.
02/14/2014 China (Christian Today) – Outrage has been sparked over plans for a ‘Christianity theme park’ in China, with the park’s location considered ‘sacred ground’ for devoted followers of Chairman Mao.
The Xingsha Ecological Park in Changsha, the capital of central China’s Hunan province features a 260ft tall church inspired by Noah’s Ark, and a Bible institute. The 150,000 square metre development is set to open in June 2017.
The development has sparked outrage after the news that the predominantly atheist Chinese government would spend £478 million subsidizing the project, as the Daily Mail reported.
The controversy was exacerbated by the fact that the land on which it is set to be built is considered to be holy ground for devotees of Mao Zedong.
‘When I saw the news about the so-called “Christianity theme park”, I couldn’t believe my eyes,’ Guo Songmin, a prominent neo-Maoist scholar and commentator, wrote online, as the Guardian reports.
‘The whole church thing is as inconceivable as a visitor from outer space and is largely a cultural invasion,’ Guo said. He demanded that the church’s cross be replaced with a red star – an emblem of the communism that Mao championed.
Mao was ‘converted’ to communism in Changsha, giving the city its ‘holy land’ status for his devotees.
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