The government has called for the suppression of the growing number of "Christian cults". While nearly all of these sects are purely religious and have nothing to do with politics, Chinese leaders cannot forget that new religious sects have often led to major rebellions in China. In the 19th century, the Tai-Ping rebellion (led by a man who claimed to be the brother of Jesus Christ), left over 20 million dead and was suppressed with great difficulty.