Zhang Ge: Summary of the Annual Development Planning Meeting of CASS Research Center for Science and Atheism and the Journal "Science and Atheism"
On February 4, 2023, the Annual Development Planning Meeting of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) Center for Science and Atheism and the journal Science and Atheism (Kexue yu Wuoshenlun) was held at the Institute of Marxism Studies (IMS). The meeting was chaired by Researcher Gong Yun, Deputy Director of the IMS, Director of the CASS Center for Science and Atheism, Vice President of the China Association for Atheism, and Editor-in-Chief of Science and Atheism. Nearly 30 experts and scholars attended the meeting from the Party Committee of the CASS departments, the CASS Institute of Contemporary China Studies, the CASS Institute of World Religions, the CASS IMS, the China Institute for Science Popularization (CISP), Shanghai Normal University, the Central Institute of Socialism, the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, and the People’s Public Security University of China.
Gong Yun stated that in recent years, with the strong support of various scholars, the academic content of Science and Atheism has significantly improved, with marked progress in various indicators. Since its reorganization, the Center for Science and Atheism has also seen a clear resurgence in its work. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss two agendas: first, the Center's primary work for the current year, and second, issues regarding the development of the journal. To strengthen the discipline of scientific atheism, the role of these two important platforms must be fully leveraged.
Researcher Huang Yanhong, Secretary-General of the Center for Science and Atheism and Director of the Science and Atheism editorial office, introduced the work carried out by the Center and the development of the journal in 2022. She first reviewed the Center's primary work in 2022 across five areas: First, the publication and promotion of Principles of Scientific Atheism, which sparked a surge in the promotion and popularization of specialized atheistic monographs. Second, the compilation of a reader for atheism propaganda and education in rural areas; this was a key project in 2022, and the first draft has been completed. Third, responding to invitations from relevant Party Schools [1] to teach atheism courses for United Front [2] officials. Fourth, assisting a secondary-level School of Marxism at a university in Northwest China in establishing a course on Marxist atheism. Fifth, the successful hosting of the 10th CASS Forum on Scientific Atheism and the 2022 Annual Academic Conference of the China Association for Atheism.
She then introduced the current development status of the Science and Atheism journal. Regarding column design, in addition to special features, the journal primarily includes Marxist Atheism, Marxist Religious Studies, Foreign Atheism, the History of Chinese Atheism, Religious Governance, and Research on Cults. Among these, Marxist Atheism is a permanent column in every issue. Data shows that 62 academic papers were published throughout the year, with an average of over 200 downloads per paper. Two papers were reprinted in full by the Renmin University of China (RUC) Photocopying Service, with 25 entries indexed. This remains largely consistent with the previous two years: 2021 saw 2 full reprints and 52 indexed entries, while 2020 had 60 indexed entries. According to the impact factor update in the C-journal database [3] in December 2022, the composite impact factor for Science and Atheism in 2022 was 0.521, and the comprehensive impact factor was 0.244, representing a prominent performance among journals in the religious studies category. To provide a better platform for displaying academic achievements, the page count was increased in 2022 to over 80 pages per issue, with plans to increase this to over 100 pages per issue in 2023. To improve the reading experience, plans are also in place to adjust word count and line density for the 2023 layouts.
Subsequently, experts and scholars spoke individually to offer suggestions for the development of the Center and the journal.
I. On the Key Work of the Center for Science and Atheism
Regarding the understanding of the current situation facing atheism research, propaganda, and education: Researcher Zhu Xiaoming, Honorary President of the China Association for Atheism and former Party Group Secretary of the China Tibetology Research Center, discussed two points. First, atheism is the foundation of the Party's guiding ideology and an important component of the scientific worldview. It should be positioned as such rather than as something optional. We must properly handle the relationship between freedom of religious belief and the ideological struggle. Zhu Xiaoming believes that freedom of religious belief and ideological struggle encompass two aspects: one is the struggle and contest between atheism and theism; the other is the contest within religious circles between patriotic, progressive ideas and extreme, conservative, or even separatist ideas. From the perspective of theism vs. atheism, since the United Front Work Department manages religious work, it is not suitable for it to treat atheism as a core part of its mission. Therefore, the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Education, and the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee should take charge of this matter to break new ground. The second type of ideological contest—that between progressive and erroneous ideas within religion—should be handled by the United Front Work Department. Second, the position, tasks, and points of emphasis for Marxist atheism must be accurately identified within the overall situation of the Party and state in the New Era and the tasks facing the ideological field. Due to the impact of the pandemic and economic fluctuations, a "rebound" or "resurgence" of "religious fever" has occurred [4]. Consequently, there is a need to further strengthen atheism research, targeted studies, and the disciplinary construction of Marxist religious studies.
Professor Li Shen of Shanghai Normal University, a member of the Academic Advisory Committee of the CASS Center for Science and Atheism, suggested that in 2023, communication between the Center and relevant departments should be promoted. He proposed that the major goal for the cause of atheism this year remains "holding the ground" (jian shou zhen di).
Disciplinary construction is a key priority. Zhu Xiaoming offered four suggestions: First, he suggested compiling an Introduction to Marxist Atheism. This work has been discussed many times, with an existing outline and research foundation; he suggested achieving a breakthrough based on the Association's years of research and accumulation. Second, he suggested organizing the research and compilation of a Dictionary of Atheism. Third, he suggested holding an academic seminar on Professor Li Shen's Lectures on Marxist Religious Studies. Fourth, he suggested holding more academic lectures.
Li Shen argued that it must be clearly explained that Marxist religious studies and Marxist atheism are unified; in essence, Marxist religious studies is Marxist atheism. At present, relying solely on religious research institutions to hold high the banner of Marxist religious studies is insufficient. Marxist atheism research must confidently take up the banner of disciplinary construction for Marxist religious studies. He suggested: first, that the China Association for Atheism take the lead in establishing a Marxist Religious Studies Research Society under the Association, or a second-level society such as a Marxist Religious Studies Branch; second, the publication of a Marxist Religious Studies book series; third, organizing more small-scale seminars to respond to hot-button social issues.
Researcher Zhang Xinying, former Deputy Director of the CASS Institute of World Religions and President of the Science and Atheism magazine, noted that 2023 is the "re-election year" for the China Association for Atheism and suggested the Center prepare well for this transition. He suggested the Center organize more thematic symposiums this year to propose suitable selection directions through discussion. Furthermore, he suggested the Center and the journal pay more attention to religious research this year and strengthen ties with the natural science community and the media.
Researcher Zheng Nian, Deputy Director of the China Institute for Science Popularization (CISP), argued for further strengthening the "Two-Science Alliance" [5] tradition between the China Association for Atheism (and the Center) and the CISP, as well as the "Iron Triangle" relationship between the Association (and the Center), the CISP, and the China Anti-Cult Association. He believed that the missions and tasks of these three parties are very similar. He suggested that as a next step, the Marxist theory research community could be mobilized to open up directions in Marxist religious studies and Marxist atheism. Simultaneously, close attention must be paid to research on practical issues. For example, since the COVID-19 pandemic, "voices" regarding the number of religious believers have increased, as have studies reflecting an increase in believers in rural areas. He argued that both science popularization research and atheistic research should make their own voices heard.
Researcher Jia Runguo, Vice President of the China Association for Atheism and Deputy Director of the Religious Research Center of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, suggested that more effort be put into the system of Schools of Marxism in universities across the country for the disciplinary construction of scientific atheism. Marxist atheism is the "hard core" discipline of Marxist religious studies; without atheism, there is no religious studies. The theory of religious studies is atheism. We must hold high the banner of Marxist religious studies, reverse the research direction of religious studies that has prevailed for some time, and promote the development of religious studies into a think-tank model.
Professor Zuo Peng, Vice President of the China Association for Atheism and Director of the Marxism-Leninism Teaching and Research Department at the Central Institute of Socialism, argued that as textbooks are extensions of articles, research must come first to accumulate enough material to compile textbooks or introductory surveys. He also pointed out that current conferences hosted by the Center, such as the Scientific Atheism Forum, often suffer from limited time and too many speakers, leaving many with no opportunity to speak. He suggested the Center organize a "Grand Lecture Hall on Atheism" to give researchers more opportunities for learning, exchange, and speaking. Professor Wang Chuanli of the Tsinghua University School of Marxism also suggested that the Center could use university holidays to organize such lectures or activities, conducting more down-to-earth and targeted atheism propaganda and education activities on campuses.
Researcher Song Yuehong, Deputy Director of the CASS Institute of Contemporary China Studies, argued that the history, civilization, and spirit of the Chinese nation can all be studied and observed using Marxist atheism. Scientific atheism focuses on the state and the nation, discusses society and people, and adheres to a people-centered approach. Marxist atheism is a worldview; we can use it to understand and grasp history, and to study traditional Chinese studies (guoxue), especially Chinese studies in the New Era. He argued that the integrated development of Marxist atheism in the New Era should reflect the times, and academic research in philosophy and the social sciences should reflect the guiding position of Marxist atheism. Therefore, both the disciplinary construction of scientific atheism and the journal Science and Atheism could expand their horizons to include other relevant research.
Professor Wang Zhen, Director of the Ethnic and Religious Teaching and Research Office of the Department of United Front Theory at the Central Institute of Socialism, argued that the most important task this year remains holding the ground. She suggested setting up research projects in the name of the Association or the Center to collect large amounts of data, translate works, and build an "Atheism Library." She believed that research on atheism propaganda and education for ethnic minority areas and intellectuals should be initiated as soon as possible. She also suggested hosting a "Grand Lecture Hall on Atheism" and collaborating with local authorities, especially by holding academic activities in places like Xinjiang and Tibet. Professor Dai Jicheng of the People’s Public Security University of China suggested the Center organize experts in the field of atheism to give lectures at universities.
II. On the Development Direction of the Science and Atheism Journal
The first issue concerns column settings. Zhang Xinying noted that with the support of the IMS Party Committee, the discipline of scientific atheism has achieved great results, and Science and Atheism in particular has made significant progress. However, he warned that scientific atheism remains a marginal discipline, and the source of manuscripts for the journal remains a problem. He suggested adding columns for the "scientific spirit" and "scientific methods" and publishing more articles focused on hot-button issues—for example, research articles on the currently popular science fiction film The Three-Body Problem. Li Shen argued that the "Marxist Religious Studies" column must not only continue but be run well to build its influence.
Jia Runguo argued that the current problems in the development of the atheism discipline lie mainly in insufficient manpower, financial resources, and energy. Outside the CASS system, there are no other professional research teams in the country. He believed the journal is a platform and a "position" (zhen di) and that journal construction should be further strengthened. He suggested the "Religious Research" column focus on "theological research," "humanistic research," and "scientific research." Wang Zhen believed that current times represent the best period in the history of the Science and Atheism journal. She suggested the journal pay attention to the thoughts of well-known Western atheist scholars and that the "Sunny Book Series" column include excerpts of viewpoints. Researcher He Xinyuan, Deputy Director of the Department of the Sinicization of Marxism at the CASS IMS, suggested increasing the focus on translated introductions to foreign atheism and field investigation articles.
Professor Wang Tingyou of the Renmin University of China School of Marxism suggested that regarding topic selection, the journal should focus more on surveys of religious belief among university students, the correlation between atheism and the discipline of Ideological and Political Education (sizheng), and the issue of "religious penetration" [6] to expand its horizons. He argued that religious penetration is an important topic and suggested planning topics related to the drastic changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, Western religious penetration, and the relationship between religion and politics. Wang Chuanli suggested that the journal should set agendas in a planned manner, identifying research hotspots in advance to clarify the direction of topic selection, especially for topics with a strong sense of reality that answer current social concerns.
The second issue concerns journal evaluation. Zuo Peng argued that the most urgent task for the journal's development is to push for its inclusion in the "C-Journal" (CSSCI), "A-Journal" (AMI), and the Peking University Core Journal Catalog. To this end, research on hot-button issues must be furthered. For certain realistic issues worthy of becoming "hot," the journal should strive to be the "first to pay attention" and "first to publish." Examples include rural religious issues, religious belief among college students, the disciplinary construction of Marxist religious studies, and current hot topics like The Three-Body Problem.
He Xinyuan argued that since Science and Atheism is currently the most important platform for atheism research, it must be "pushed out" to become a major platform for research, propaganda, and academic exchange. Therefore, promoting the journal's entry into AMI, CSSCI, and the Peking University Core is the most critical task. Zheng Nian argued for pushing the journal into "core journals" and expanding its influence by increasing circulation. He noted that science popularization and scientific atheism propaganda/education are two sides of the same coin; to further consolidate the "Two-Science Alliance," cooperation between the journals Science Popularization Research and Science and Atheism could be strengthened.
The third issue concerns expanding influence. Researcher Liu Zhiming, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of CASS departments and Director of the Department of the Sinicization of Marxism at the IMS, suggested increasing publicity for the Association and the Center. In 2023, academic exchanges in scientific atheism should be further promoted to "invigorate" the Center and the Association. The Center should have large-scale promotional activities, especially at key nodes, with plans made in advance. Furthermore, the Center could coordinate the establishment of websites to promote digital construction. Wang Tingyou suggested the Center and the journal host more conferences to effectively expand their influence. He suggested the editorial office could expand its reach by co-hosting meetings and inviting more young scholars. Jia Runguo suggested that the journal increase its circulation within the Marxist theory research system.