Unprecedented concern about the growing influence of religion
in China underscored speeches by top Communist Party leaders at a recent Religious
Work Conference in Beijing.
President Jiang Zemin himself set the tone, stressing the importance
of religion in world affairs. He warned that the impact of religion on the political
and social life of the world could not be underestimated.
Unprecedented concern about the growing influence of religion
in China underscored speeches by top Communist Party leaders at a recent Religious
Work Conference in Beijing.
President Jiang Zemin himself set the tone, stressing the importance
of religion in world affairs. He warned that the impact of religion on the political
and social life of the world could not be underestimated.
Jiang stressed the Communist Partys work to control religious
affairs was linked to Chinas social stability and national security. He
warned that no one would be allowed to abuse religion in order to sabotage the
party, socialism or national security.
While exchanges between Chinese and foreign religious societies
would be encouraged, infiltration by overseas forces using the cover of religion
would be resolutely resisted, Jiang emphasized. Instead, he called for strengthened
Communist Party leadership in religious affairs.
Officially, the conference paid tribute to the positive role
of religious people – said to number about 100 million – who are actively
serving Chinese society by providing disaster relief, helping the disabled and
such.
However, the overwhelming emphasis was on tightening control
of religious affairs. The basic framework remains the “united front”
of the 1950s.
Repeated mention of “unity and stability” revealed
the governments concern that religion is a force in China today with the
potential to undermine Party dominance.
And while long-term toleration of religion was affirmed, it
was on party terms.
Religious believers were told bluntly that they must first
“love their homeland, protect the socialist system, cherish the leadership
of the Communist Party, and obey the laws and regulations and policies of China.”
Further, it is required of them that “the religious activities they engage
in obey and serve the highest interests of the country and the overall interests
of the nation,” Ziang said.
The state still is absolute in China. This presents serious
problems to Christians who prefer to worship in unregistered Protestant churches
or the pro-Vatican underground Roman Catholic Church.
One major outcome of the conference is that it reportedly will
become easier for churches and other religious organizations to register directly
with the state without joining the official Protestant Three Self Patriotic
Movement or the Catholic Patriotic Association. For decades, unregistered Christians
have refused to join the groups and accept their level of control for reasons
of conscience.
The details of the new regulations have not been seen yet,
but such a move may be a powerful attraction to many younger Christians, observers
suggest. More pragmatic than some of their elders, they may be tempted to accept
registration and a degree of state supervision for the benefits of worshipping
and preaching legally.
But the possibility of registering with the state and remaining
genuinely autonomous and free of interference has not been seen in practice.
As a result, many older Christians are skeptical of the relaxed rules.
Meanwhile, the party remains bent on crushing opposition, especially
cults and sects, observers warn. Those religious believers who still refuse
to register under the new terms may face the bleak prospect of being labeled
as cult members and risk the full repressive force of the state.
In addition, no one knows what impact the new rules will have
on unregistered churches, possibly dividing them as members debate the merits
of registering. Also, no one is sure what impact an influx of new members will
have on the Three-Self and Catholic associations.
What is sure is that despite announced changes, the Chinese
leadership still is stuck in a largely negative and repressive mind-set concerning
religion, observers say.
“Its all about control,” one foreign observer emphasized. “If
a large number of influential Chinese are outside the Partys mantle, then
thats dangerous.” (Compass Direct)