Bloody Christians - 20-30 millions killed in 14 years

[kılıç_mehmet]

I like reading about history and thought I had at least a decent summary overview of Chinese history, but I saw an article on BBC today about a war in 1800s which I wasn't aware of. I think many of us Westerners sort of lump most 19th century Chinese history into the Opium wars and boxer rebellion.

At the time China was ruled by the Qing dynasty (aka the Manchus). Buddhism was widespread but largely a peasant religion along with folk superstitions. The ruling classes followed Confucianism. However, Western powers were interfering and this included sending Christian missionaries.

One Protestant missionary (probably an American, Rev. I. J. Roberts who preached illegally) converted and baptised a seemingly bitter failed-applicant for Qing civil service, Hong Xiuquan. Hong quickly decided that he had revelations from God and Jesus which told him that he was the younger brother of Jesus (not sure if that's literal or not, Chinese culture often talks of non-relatives as 'elder brother') and set out to create a Christian Kingdom in China by the sword.

It was called the Taiping rebellion and cost 20-30 million lives. Most were civilians and many died of the famine and disease that accompany such war. In one battle about 100,000 people perished (battle of Nanjing). Both sides committed horrific war crimes, and some 600 cities were destroyed.

Much of his Christian theology is conveniently considered heretical by major Christian doctrines. Oddly, although it was ahead of its time in terms of gender equality, it was incredibly against genders even meeting, let alone mating. Even married couples were forbidden to sleep together at one point. Among the many moral laws imposed and punished inhumanely, polygamy was banned, including the Chinese custom of concubines.

Guess who had concubines though? Yes, Jesus' hypocritical little brother Hong.

Ironically the rebellion ended in part because the English and French assisted the Qing in suppressing it, for reasons of trade.


20-30 million people killed for the "Great Peaceful Kingdom of Heaven".

In truth, this wasn't a Christian rebellion. Indeed, the man claimed something extraordinary. However, I believe that you fail to see the ethnic tensions beneath the whole Christian thing. The Qing dynasty was an ethnic Manchu dynasty. This was just one of the many rebellions that happened during those times. And I could tell you this that the man you speak of just now, is probably considered a national hero in China, despite the deaths that were caused due to the rebellion.