Anti-Christian Movement

Under strong nationalistic feelings, Christianity was viewed by some as the vehicle and product of foreign imperialism, and that Western-operated churches and mission works were a way to shape the development of China for the benefit of Western imperialists.

[3] The various movements were also inspired by modernizing attitudes deriving from both nationalist and socialist ideologies, as well as feeding on older anti-Christian sentiment that was in large part due to repeated invasions of China by Western countries.

[3] They brought forth age-old criticisms about the Western religion and accused the Christian missionaries of actively participating in it as a way of eliminating the native culture of China like other foreign imperialists.

Zhu argued that Jesus was an ordinary illegitimate peasant child who became the leader of a band of mystical enthusiasts (with bandit elements) such as were often found in Chinese history.

[9] Those that participated in persecuting the American Christians used fear tactics such as destroying the homes of the missionaries or kidnapping them and leaving them stranded somewhere in the wilderness, and caused multiple emotional breakdowns for many.

The Kuomintang's 1926 National Congress in Canton endorsed the growing anti-Christian movement in China, labelling missionaries as "tongues and claws of imperialism."

The KMT government banned foreign school administration, imposed a standard national curriculum and abolished compulsory religious activities and studies.