A Chinese municipal government has decided to eradicate a form of traditional folk religion, in the name of improving the city’s “spiritual culture” and “air quality,” drawing ire from many Chinese netizens.
Chinese authorities in Gaoyou City in the coastal province of Jiangsu recently ordered the demolition of all shrines that worship the Chinese deity referred to as the Earth God, according to Chinese media. In total, 5,911 shrines were demolished during February and March, a task that took 26 days to complete.
