On July 15, the 5th Scientific Atheism Forum, hosted by the Academy of Marxism, was held in Nanning
On July 15–16, 2017, the Fifth Scientific Atheism Forum of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) was held at Guangxi University in Nanning. The theme of this forum was “Publicity and Education on Scientific Atheism: Theory and Practice.” It was hosted by the CASS Leading Group for the Construction of Marxist Theory as a Discipline and Theoretical Research Project [1], and jointly organized by the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, the CASS Center for Scientific and Atheistic Research, and the Chinese Association of Atheism. Co-organizers included the School of Marxism at Guangxi University, the Guangxi Branch of the China Society for Dialectics of Nature, and the editorial department of the journal Science and Atheism.
Wang Weigun, President and Secretary of the Leading Party Members' Group of CASS, delivered a lengthy written speech at the forum titled “Upholding Marxist Atheism is a Major Principle.” Focusing on the study and implementation of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thought on Marxist atheism, he conducted an in-depth theoretical exposition and made comprehensive deployments for the relevant work of CASS. His speech resonated strongly with the attending scholars.
At the opening ceremony, Professor Cha Danming, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection of Guangxi University, and Research Fellow Fan Jianxin, Vice President of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, delivered addresses.
In his remarks, Fan Jianxin stated that atheism is the "foundation of foundations" and the "cornerstone of cornerstones" of Marxist theory. It should be promoted with confidence and conviction [2]; one cannot simply use the so-called excuse of “not provoking ethnic and religious conflicts” to hollow out the work of publicity and education regarding atheism. It must never be permitted for religion to interfere in state administration, the judiciary, school education, or social public education. While citizens have the freedom to believe in religion, they also have the freedom not to believe; however, members of the Communist Party cannot believe in religion. These basic principles and bottom lines of the Communist Party of China (CPC) toward religion must be held firm and allowed no challenge.
Zhu Xiaoming, President of the Chinese Association of Atheism, pointed out that in 2017, the Association was commissioned to undertake a major project of the Central Marxist Theoretical Research and Construction Project entitled “Research on the Basic Theory and Educational Issues of Marxist Atheism.” This is a powerful measure to implement the important discourse [3] of General Secretary Xi Jinping at the National Conference on Religious Work regarding upholding and promoting Marxist atheism. The project includes six sub-topics: research on the status, role, categories, and connotations of Marxist atheism; research on the atheistic thought of classical Marxist writers; research on the Sinicization of Marxist atheism; research on the atheistic thought within Xi Jinping’s governance philosophy; research on the historical experience of Marxist atheism education; and research on the current status, problems, and countermeasures of Marxist atheism education. At present, some phased results have already been produced.
Tian Xinming, a research fellow at the Higher Education Social Science Research Center of the Ministry of Education, emphasized that upholding Marxism requires upholding atheism; failing to uphold atheism constitutes a deviation from Marxism. Therefore, atheism is an indispensable constituent element of the Marxist view of religion, and the Marxist view of religion cannot be separated from Marxist atheism. Upholding Marxist atheism necessitates promoting it, which is unified with respecting the freedom of religious belief among the religious masses and upholding the patriotic united front [4]. Publicity and education on atheism cannot be limited solely to the CPC; it must be carried out facing the broad masses of the people.
Zhang Xinying, President of the journal Science and Atheism, argued that to deepen the study and implementation of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech at the National Conference on Religious Work, it is currently necessary to propose the following: while upholding the Party’s basic policy on religious work, we should—in accordance with the new thoughts, new viewpoints, and new orientations in General Secretary Xi’s speech—boldly yet rigorously consider appropriate discourse shifts, weighting adjustments, or theoretical reconstructions of certain long-standing formulations, mindsets, and concepts used in religious issues and religious work. Efforts should focus on demonstrating and vigorously promoting Comrade Xi Jinping’s enrichment and development of the theory of religion with Chinese characteristics. In this process, we should consciously "weed through the old to bring forth the new" [5] regarding certain ideas and working models, focusing our thinking and theoretical construction on how to better answer the "Three How-tos" [6]—the major issues raised by the central core of leadership—so that the various fronts involving religious issues and religious work can usher in a new situation expected by the Party and the people.
Jia Runguo, Deputy Director of the Religious Research Center of the National Religious Affairs Administration, noted that regarding the strengthening and improvement of religious work under the new situation, General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly proposed the concept of "religious governance." He emphasized that "religious issues are always major issues that our Party must handle well in the governance of the country," and that we must "incorporate religious governance into the national governance system" to ensure things are "manageable and managed well." This has formed a new philosophy for the Party’s religious work and opened up a new realm of Marxist religious theory. Regarding religious issues, we oppose "letting go" (fang), as we must uphold Marxist atheism; we also oppose "restriction" (shou), as we must guarantee citizens' freedom of religious belief. Instead, we should "guide" (dao): we must uphold the basic policy of religious work, construct active and healthy religious relations, and persist in the direction of the Sinicization of religions in our country. To do a good job in "guiding," the key is to strengthen the Party's leadership over religious work, improve the religious work system, and enhance the level of governance according to law.
Professor Xu Qinfa of the School of Marxism at Guangxi University stated that in the historical context of pluralistic values and diversified beliefs, education on Marxist faith undoubtedly possesses urgency and difficulty. Clarifying the essence and internal logic of Marxist faith and accurately grasping its spiritual connotation is the basis and prerequisite for conducting Marxist faith education. Analyzing the connotations and characteristics of the two basic dimensions of Marxist faith education—theory and practice—provides the two basic levels for testing the implementation path and results of such education. This can highlight the scientific truth and practical quality of Marxist faith, allowing it to be internalized into the dominant thoughts, concepts, and ways of thinking of the educated. This enables them to actively apply Marxist theoretical and methodological principles to observe and analyze various problems in real life, make accurate judgments consistent with history and reality, and consciously uphold and practice these principles in action.
More than 40 experts and scholars, representing various generations from nearly twenty research institutions and universities across the country, attended the forum. Participants engaged in heated discussions on topics such as the atheistic thought of classical Marxist writers, scientific atheism and Sinicized Marxism, the atheistic worldview and the ideals and beliefs of Communists, and the methods and paths of atheism publicity and education.
Vice President Fan Jianxin and Lei Depeng, Dean of the School of Marxism at Guangxi University, summarized the forum, expressing a mutual desire to strengthen cooperation in the disciplinary construction of Marxist atheism. Xi Wuyi, Director of the CASS Center for Scientific and Atheistic Research, delivered the closing remarks.