Q: The CPC, as the ruling party, advocates antitheism.
But the Constitution states that citizens enjoy freedom of
religious belief. Are there contradictions? Can citizens freely
participate in religious activities?
A: The CPC advocates antitheism and does not believe in any
religion. However, we advocate dialectical materialism, which is
belief in the primacy of matter. As a social phenomenon that exists
objectively, religions have their own objective laws of
development. According to historical materialism, religions as a
social phenomenon will exist for a long term. Therefore there is no
contradiction between advocating dialectical materialism and
respecting freedom of religious belief.
Furthermore, all efforts of the CPC are to realize and protect
the basic rights of the people. These rights are reflected in many
aspects, and of course include people's right to choose their
religious belief. Only when we respect people's freedom of
religious belief can we unite more people to achieve the goal of
rejuvenating China and establishing a better world. How can the CPC
not be at peace with religions in the long term, and treat
religions cautiously and friendly?
The Chinese Constitution says, "Citizens of the People's
Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief. No state
organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to
believe in, or not to believe in, any religion; nor may they
discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in,
any religion. The state protects normal religious activities." In
2004, China issued its first administrative regulations on
religions, the Regulations on Religious Affairs, clearly
stipulating the various rights of religious organizations and
people who believe in any religions to hold religious activities,
establish religious schools, publish religious books, manage
religious properties, and so forth. The regulations also regulate
administrative behaviors of related government agencies in order to
protect the legitimate rights and interests of people who believe
in religions, religious organizations and places for religious
activities.
Statistics show that at present, there are more than 100 million
religious followers, more than 3,000 national or local religious
organizations, more than 100,000 places for religious activities
and about 300,000 clerics in China. If people go to South Cathedral
and North Cathedral of Beijing, Christian churches in Beijing, or
Taoist or Buddhist temples such as the Lama Temple, they will find
that people there rub elbows. They will easily see that Chinese
citizens can freely participate in religious activities.
?????????
A lama blows a Buddhist trombone at a religious
festival.
