A 'Real' War on Christmas? Police Across China Attack Christians for Celebrating Christmas

On Christmas Day, police across China tear gassed and beat down Christians for worshipping at "unofficial" Christmas services, according to an American aid group in the region.

“[On Christmas] morning at about 8.00 a.m. our church was holding a Christmas activity on Binjiang Road in Langzhong city,” Li Ming, said in an interview with RFA on Monday.

“There were around 20-30 police officers, and they used tear-gas canisters,” he said. “My eyes were so swollen I couldn’t see at all.”

According to Li, police arrested three people and confiscated the group’s musical instruments and sound system.

The alleged Christmas Day oppression was not limited to one city. ChinaAid, a Texas-based group that focuses on the abuse of Christians in China, reported that 30 members of Shouwang Church in Beijing were arrested while holding outdoor worship services.

According to eyewitnesses who spoke to ChinaAid, police looked as if they “were getting ready for a big battle” as they streamed in to break up the proceedings and detain worshippers. To read more, click here.