Zhao Jinying and Wang Yongyou: Research Progress, Hot Topics, and Future Trends of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Important Expositions on Religious Work
"The religious question is always a major issue that our Party must handle well in the governance of the country; religious work holds a position of special importance in the overall work of the Party and the state." Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has proposed a series of new concepts and measures regarding religious work, scientifically answering major theoretical and practical questions such as how to understand religion, how to handle religious issues, and how to conduct the Party’s religious work in the New Era. Deeply exploring General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourse on religious work (hereinafter referred to as the "Important Discourse") and comprehensively grasping its spiritual essence and practical requirements is a major task of the times facing the academic and theoretical communities. Over the past decade, the academic community has focused on the Important Discourse through multi-dimensional inquiries, achieving a series of significant research results. However, what is the latest progress in the study of the Important Discourse? What hot-button research domains have formed? What are the key directions for future research? These are all essential questions that must be answered to advance the academic and systematic study of the Important Discourse. In view of this, this article utilizes CiteSpace software to conduct a summary analysis of the relevant literature, aiming to clearly present the research progress, hot-button domains, and future trends of the Important Discourse, thereby providing beneficial reference for further deepening theoretical research and clarifying the practical direction of religious work.
I. Research Progress
The primary data source for this study is the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), supplemented by data from the National Philosophy and Social Sciences Documentation Center, with a search cutoff date of November 2024. To ensure the comprehensiveness of the collected literature, "Xi Jinping" was paired individually with "religion," "religious work," and "atheism" to search for titles and keywords. Additionally, key viewpoints from the Important Discourse, such as "the Sinicization of religion," "the key to religious work lies in 'guidance' [1]," and "actively guiding religion to adapt to socialist society," were used as titles and keywords for retrieval. Subsequently, manual verification was conducted to screen out 171 literary works as the research sample.
(1) Overall Research Trends
This article calculated the annual volume of relevant literature published in CNKI and the National Philosophy and Social Sciences Documentation Center over the past decade to intuitively reflect the academic community's level of attention and development trends regarding the Important Discourse (see Figure 1). Over the decade, research has generally shown a fluctuating trend, with three significant periods of academic activity. The first active period was 2016. In April 2016, General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the National Conference on Religious Work, proposing the major proposition of "upholding and developing the theory of religious affairs with Chinese characteristics" and making comprehensive arrangements for strengthening and improving religious work under the new situation. This initiated the first surge in studying and explaining the Important Discourse, leading to a rapid increase in the number of publications. The second active period was 2018. In the report to the 19th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed the important task of "fully implementing the Party's basic policy on religious affairs, upholding the direction of the Sinicization of our country's religions, and actively guiding religion to adapt to socialist society." [2] Centering on the study and implementation of the spirit of the 19th National Congress, the academic community launched a climax of research and elucidation on the Party’s theory and policies for religious work in the New Era. The third active period was 2021. General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the 2021 National Conference on Religious Work, proposing a series of new concepts and measures. This pushed research to a new height, with annual publications reaching 31, the highest peak in ten years. It is evident that the academic community’s attention to and publication volume on the Important Discourse are strongly correlated with the theoretical innovation and practical development of the Party’s religious work.
(2) Analysis of Periodic Frontiers in Research
To further understand the progress of this research field over the decade, CiteSpace software can be used for "burst detection" analysis of the sample keywords (see Figure 2) to grasp the research frontiers and dynamics in different periods. By studying the burst words related to the Important Discourse, the research can be divided into the following three periods.
First, from 2014 to 2016, the research frontier was "how to do a good job in the Party's religious work under the new situation." Burst words included "socialism," "religion," "Chinese Dream," "religious theory," and "religious work." The emergence of these keywords is inseparable from the developments of the times. Since the 18th National Congress, as socialism with Chinese characteristics entered the New Era, the theme of this period became how to understand and grasp the new situation and tasks of religious work. Scholars argued that religious work should be understood within the realistic relationship of "religion, ethnicity, and national security," actively guiding religion to adapt to socialist society.
Second, from 2017 to 2019, the research frontier was "theoretical and practical innovation in the Party's religious work." Burst words included "New Era," "religious outlook," "innovation," "ideology," and "religious relations." Some scholars explored the theoretical connotations and key points of innovation from a theoretical dimension, while others explored how to scientifically formulate religious governance policies and strengthen the construction of ideological positions in the field of religious work under the guidance of the Important Discourse.
Third, from 2020 to 2024, the research frontier was "how to promote the discipline building of Marxist Religious Studies." Burst words included "united front," "religious studies," "Important Discourse," and "characteristics." Strengthening the discipline building of Marxist Religious Studies is a major task for the New Era. General Secretary Xi Jinping explicitly stated the need to "strengthen the discipline building of Marxist Religious Studies." To this end, some scholars have explored how to strengthen the disciplinary system of Chinese Marxist Religious Studies and discussed its relationship with the construction of the "three teams" [3] and the Party’s religious work in the New Era. Other scholars have explored integrating the Important Discourse into the teaching of religious studies and promoting the integrated development of basic theoretical research and applied policy research.
II. Analysis of Hot-button Research Domains
Hot-button issues represent the research themes and trends in a certain field, while keywords are highly condensed reflections of the literature's themes and core content. By using CiteSpace software to perform statistical and cluster analysis on the frequency of keywords in the sample literature, we can accurately reflect the hot-button issues in this research field and further grasp current research focuses.
In CiteSpace, the node type was set to "Keyword" and the time slice to 1 year. Using the pathfinder algorithm, a keyword co-occurrence map for the Important Discourse research was drawn (see Figure 3). Figure 3 contains 86 nodes and 167 links, with a network density of 0.0457. Each node represents a keyword; the size of the node is positively correlated with the frequency of the keyword, while the links between nodes reflect the logical relationships between related keywords. As shown in Figure 3, the largest keyword nodes include "Xi Jinping," "religious work," and "New Era." These keywords point to macro-level content and occupy central positions in the map, connecting micro keywords such as "Sinicization," "religious policy," "religious issues," "publicity and education," and "atheism," constituting the high-attention topic clusters in the study of the Important Discourse.
To further analyze the connections between keywords and clarify the hot-button issues, a keyword clustering map was drawn using a clustering algorithm based on the keyword co-occurrence map (see Figure 4). When the modularity value (Q-value) is between 0.3 and 1, it indicates that the clustering structure is significant; when the average silhouette value (S-value) is greater than 0.7, it indicates the clustering has high credibility. The Q-value for the Important Discourse research cluster map is 0.5116 and the S-value is 0.8527, indicating that the clustering results are significant and highly credible. Furthermore, the six clusters formed—theory of religious affairs with Chinese characteristics, religious work, atheism, the Quran, religious outlook, and the New Era—are both clearly distinct and interrelated, indicating a good clustering effect that accurately outlines the hot-button issues of the research.
Combining the keyword co-occurrence and clustering analysis, it appears that four hot-button research domains have initially formed: the background origins, ideational content, value significance, and implementation of the Important Discourse. Specific reviews are as follows.
(1) How it Formed: Exploration of the Origins of the Important Discourse
Tracing the origins and clarifying the developmental lineage and socio-historical conditions of the theory is an essential path for deepening the study of the Important Discourse. Reviewing the research results over the past decade, it is found that the academic community has mainly explored the origins of the Important Discourse from theoretical, historical, realistic, and practical dimensions.
First is the theoretical source of the Important Discourse. Regarding theoretical origins, the basic consensus is that the Marxist religious outlook, the CPC's religious theory, and traditional Chinese culture are the ideological sources. Specifically, the incisive explanations by classical Marxist writers regarding the nature, roots, and social role of religion, as well as the processes and laws of its emergence, development, and disappearance, provided theoretical resources. In the process of the Sinicization of the Marxist religious outlook, the Party’s understanding of the nature of religion, religious work, and religious issues has continuously deepened, and the theoretical system of religious affairs with Chinese characteristics has become increasingly refined, laying the theoretical foundation. Traditional Chinese culture not only contains rich ideas about people-centeredness and livelihoods but also possesses unique methods of understanding and practical models for religion, constituting the cultural background for the "people-centeredness" in the Important Discourse.
Second is the historical logic of the Important Discourse. Its formation is a historical process and a theoretical achievement resulting from General Secretary Xi Jinping’s skill in integrating historical experience into religious governance and the practice of religious work. Some scholars, from the perspective of theoretical development, have traced the history of the CPC’s religious outlook and its inheritance and development by Xi Jinping’s religious outlook. From an empirical perspective, some have summarized the valuable experience accumulated by the Party in conducting religious work during the periods of Chinese revolution, construction, and reform and opening up. Others believe that the religious concepts, church-state models, and governance practices explored and formed over thousands of years of Chinese history provide historical references for the Party's religious work.
Third is the realistic basis for the Important Discourse. In the New Era, the Party’s religious work has achieved remarkable results but also faces complex and volatile situations at home and abroad. Preventing and defusing major risks in the religious field has become the realistic basis for the formation of the Important Discourse. Some scholars, taking a problem-oriented approach, have explored the contradictions and problems in the religious field from three aspects: solidarity challenges, security challenges, and governance challenges. Others believe the severe challenges facing religious governance mainly include insufficient understanding of religion's importance to national security at the ideological level, inconsistent local standards for religious governance at the institutional level, and a lack of professional talent and reserve forces at the personnel level.
Fourth is the practical foundation of the Important Discourse. Scholars believe that its formation is inseparable from Xi Jinping’s work experience during his local administration and his work style of emphasizing investigation and research. During his early religious work in Hebei, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Shanghai, Xi Jinping accumulated rich practical wisdom and successful experience, which enhanced his precise judgment of the situation of religious work, his comprehensive grasp of religious issues, and his deep understanding of religious theory. Meanwhile, in his long-term practice of religious work, he led by example and formed systematic insights through deep research and reflection, laying a solid foundation for the formation of his core theoretical viewpoints.
On the question of origins, the academic community has reached a basic consensus: the Important Discourse was generated and developed through the combination of theory and practice, and history and reality. It takes the Marxist religious outlook as its theoretical source, inherits and develops the theoretical system of religious affairs with Chinese characteristics, and is a profound summary of the historical experience and practical wisdom of the Party’s religious work and an active response to major realistic issues in the religious field.
(2) What it Consists of: Research on the Content of the Important Discourse
Returning to the ontology of the subject, clarifying the content composition and internal logic of the theory is a key link in profoundly understanding and grasping the Important Discourse. To this end, the academic community has conducted research and elucidation on the main contents and logical pathways from different entry points and interpretative perspectives. These will be summarized from macro, meso, and micro levels.
First, some studies have conducted a macro-level examination of the content system of the "Important Expositions" [4] from a systemic perspective. Some scholars point out that the Important Expositions constitute a theoretically rich and logically rigorous system, specifically composed of three levels: how to understand and view religion, how to handle religious issues, and how to successfully carry out religious work. Other scholars divide the theoretical system of the Important Expositions into two major aspects—the laws governing religion and the laws governing religious work—arguing that the former are theoretical laws focusing on the subjects and principles of religious work, while the latter are practical laws focusing on the agents and principles of religious work. Furthermore, some scholars, starting from the entire scientific system of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, have systematically elucidated the worldview and methodology contained within the Important Expositions [5]. Examining the content system of the Important Expositions from a macro level helps to further grasp its internal texture and logical architecture, clarifying the theme and main line that connect its core propositions.
Second, some research has provided a meso-level summary of the main content of the Important Expositions based on core viewpoints. Some scholars summarize the basic connotation of Xi Jinping's outlook on religion as the "Six Outlooks," namely: the outlooks on the essence of religion, history, values, adaptation, management, and the united front. Other scholars have categorized the main content of the Important Expositions from three aspects: problem awareness and problem orientation, political consciousness and political responsibility, and innovative advancement and practical paths. Still others believe the main content is concentrated in the "Nine Musts" summarized by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the 2021 National Conference on Religious Work. These "Nine Musts" construct a general outline for successfully carrying out religious work in the New Era across three levels: positions and viewpoints, policies and principles, and methods and measures. Summarizing and elucidating the core viewpoints of the Important Expositions from a meso-level contributes to a deep understanding of its ideological core and promotes the implementation of the Party's religious work theories, guidelines, and policies.
Finally, other research focuses on specific core tenets of the Important Expositions for micro-level analysis. On one hand, the academic community has conducted in-depth research on General Secretary Xi Jinping’s new concepts and interpretations regarding the understanding of religion and religious work. Scholars have examined the realistic background, main connotations, and theoretical characteristics of the "Outlook on Religious Functions in the New Era," and elucidated the historical position, basic connotations, and theoretical traits of the "Theory of Religious Relations in the New Era." On the other hand, academia has conducted multi-dimensional discussions on the new requirements and measures for religious work in the New Era proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping. Some scholars have explained the dialectical thinking contained in the "Theory of Actively Guiding Religion" from a philosophical perspective. Others have discussed the theoretical connotation and great significance of "adhering to the direction of the Sinicization of religion in our country" and the idea that "the key to religious work lies in 'guidance' (导)." Furthermore, some scholars have focused on the important viewpoint that "adhering to Marxist atheism is a major principle," explaining its position within Marxist theory and its relationship with the theory of religion with Chinese characteristics. Some scholars summarize General Secretary Xi Jinping's expositions on adhering to and developing Marxist atheism into six aspects, arguing that these expositions enrich and develop Marxist atheist thought and represent the latest achievement in the Sinicization of Marxist atheism. Targeted interpretation of the specific content of the Important Expositions from a micro-level helps to further clarify the goals, directions, and requirements of religious work in the New Era, providing ideological leadership and practical guidance for the orderly development of religious work.
Regarding content research, the academic community generally agrees that the Important Expositions constitute a theoretically rich, systematic, and complete scientific theoretical system, and are an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. On this basis, profound explanations of its content system, theoretical connotations, and core tenets have been provided; however, the analysis of the constituent elements and logical relationships within the content system of the Important Expositions requires further strengthening.
(III) What Impact: An Analysis of the Value of the Important Expositions
Discovering value and profoundly grasping the theoretical positioning and great significance of this thought is the basic prerequisite for using the Important Expositions to arm the mind, guide practice, and promote work. To this end, the academic community has mainly explored three aspects: theoretical, practical, and global significance.
In terms of theoretical significance, academia has primarily elaborated from two dimensions: theoretical positioning and theoretical contribution. Regarding theoretical positioning, the "Important Expositions" and "the Party’s Theory on Religious Work in the New Era" are theoretical expressions made in different contexts and from different angles. The former is an expression made from the height of the "entire scientific system" of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping's status as the "primary founder of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era." The latter is a theoretical summary and expression based on the practice of the Party's religious work in the New Era. These two clarify the scientific positioning of the theory from the dimensions of the relationship between the whole and the part, and between history and the current era. Regarding theoretical contributions, scholars believe that the Important Expositions are an inheritance and innovation of the Marxist outlook on religion and the theory of religion with Chinese characteristics. This theoretical innovation is mainly reflected in six areas: first, a new consensus of using the "Chinese Dream" to coalesce the hearts, wisdom, and strength of religious believers; second, a new way of thinking that uses the "spear" of the five major thinking capacities [6] to break the "shield" of fixed mindsets; third, new insights into improving the modernization of religious governance through "governing religion according to the law"; fourth, new initiatives to resolve religious differences and conflicts through civilizational dialogue; fifth, a new direction of focusing on building the Northwest into a frontier of national opening-up; and sixth, new measures of unswervingly adhering to principles regarding religious leadership and the issue of Party members holding religious beliefs.
In terms of practical significance, the academic community believes that the Important Expositions provide an ideological weapon and a practical guide for religious work in the New Era. Scholars have pointed out that the Important Expositions clarify the basic strategy, fundamental principles, strategic deployments, and leadership guarantees for the Party to understand and handle religious issues, providing theoretical and methodological guidance for the practice of religious work and religious governance in the New Era. Some studies, starting from specific fields of religious work and following the aforementioned research paradigms, have elucidated the practical guiding significance of the Important Expositions for advancing religious work in universities, as well as in Xinjiang and Tibet. Other scholars, based on the united front work of the New Era, believe that General Secretary Xi Jinping's theoretical innovations in religious work have expanded the construction of the "Great United Front" strategic framework, which is of great significance for consolidating the patriotic united front in religious circles and for forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.
In terms of global significance, scholars have mainly explored three levels: global religious governance, world peace and development, and the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity. First, the Important Expositions contribute Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to global religious governance; "adhering to the direction of the Sinicization of religion in our country" conforms to the universal laws of global religious evolution and directly faces the reality of frequent global religious conflicts, offering a reference for the world to understand and handle religious issues and improve the efficiency of religious governance. Second, the Important Expositions advocate for religious harmony and mutual learning between civilizations, which is of great realistic significance for correctly drawing the line between religion and religious projects of extremism and violent terrorist activities, building harmonious religious relations, and promoting the progress of human civilization and world peace and development. Finally, the Important Expositions manifest the Party’s objective and rational attitude toward religion, helping the world to read, understand, and identify with China, playing a positive role and having a profound impact on promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Regarding value analysis, although different scholars focus on different points, it is generally believed that the Important Expositions possess significant theoretical value and practical meaning. The Important Expositions reflect General Secretary Xi Jinping's innovative trait of simultaneously adhering to theoretical innovation to deepen theoretical cognition and sticking to a practical orientation to solve realistic problems. They hold important guiding significance and offer intellectual inspiration for China's religious work in the New Era and even for global religious governance.
(IV) How to Practice: Reflections on the Implementation of the Important Expositions
Grounded in practice, enhancing the ideological and behavioral self-awareness to implement the theory is the logical goal of studying the Important Expositions. Therefore, exploring the implementation of the Important Expositions from a practical dimension has naturally become a hot topic in current research. Related studies mainly revolve around the following two themes.
The first concerns reflections and discussions on how to deepen the study, implementation, and academic theorization of the Important Expositions. Regarding study and implementation, some scholars, starting from the theoretical content system, believe it is necessary to further deepen the understanding of the Important Expositions from the dimensions of theoretical innovation, problem orientation, strategic thinking, and deepening reform. Other scholars, from the perspective of worldview and methodology, argue that the "Six Must-Upholds" [7] should be used to recognize and grasp the positions, viewpoints, and methods of the Important Expositions. Still others, starting from the paths of study and publicity, believe that the implementation should be strengthened in terms of the breadth of theoretical publicity, the depth of education and training, and the intensity of policy guidance. Regarding academic theorization, some scholars point out that in addition to research and interpretation surrounding the basic concepts and central requirements of General Secretary Xi Jinping's speeches on religious work, research should extend autonomously to a series of related issues, such as the relationship between strengthening atheism education and the wax and wane of the religious atmosphere. Other scholars believe that the key to strengthening academic research lies in applying the essence of the "Two Combinations" [8] and the "Six Must-Upholds" to research. In terms of research prerequisites, one must adhere to the fundamental people-centered position; in terms of research principles, one must adhere to problem orientation, uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, and maintain a global vision—highlighting the practical, innovative, and open nature of the research; and in terms of research methods, one must adhere to a systemic concept, emphasize the extraction of signature concepts, accelerate the construction of a theoretical system, and focus on the academic transformation of the theory.
The second concerns exploring paths for applying the Important Expositions to guide the practice of religious work in the New Era. Some studies look at the whole, discussing practical paths to improve the level of religious governance in the New Era. Some scholars believe that to open up new horizons for religious work in the New Era, one must strengthen the "Four Consciousnesses" and adhere to the correct direction; strengthen the "Four Confidences" and improve the level of governance; and adhere to problem orientation while strengthening responsibility. Other scholars point out the need to strengthen in-depth analysis and scientific judgment on hot and difficult issues in the religious field, such as "religious extremism," "religious insularity," "religious conservatism," "religious commercialization," and "religious liberalization," in order to enhance the pertinence and effectiveness of religious governance. Furthermore, some scholars believe that religious governance is a systemic project that requires holistic planning, taking multiple measures such as raising political standing, implementing multi-party co-governance, adhering to governing religion according to the law, transforming governance methods, and leveraging technological advantages to improve the quality and efficiency of religious work. A small number of studies start from the local level, examining the development of local religious work. Based on field research, some scholars have proposed suggestions for further improving religious work in Hubei Province, including strengthening the Party's leadership over religious work, improving the self-management capabilities of religious circles, and strengthening publicity and guidance regarding religion. Other scholars have investigated the current state of atheism publicity and education in rural areas along the southwest border, arguing that such work must follow the general laws of ideological and political education while also respecting the customs and mindsets of the people in border regions.
Regarding implementation and practice, the academic community mainly adopts two analytical paths—theoretical research and practical exploration—which helps in profoundly grasping the ideological connotation and spiritual essence of the Important Expositions and promoting the innovative development of religious work in the New Era. However, there is a phenomenon where the connection between theory and practice is not tight enough. How to better combine theoretical research with practical exploration and promote their integrated progress is a problem that urgently needs to be solved in the future.
III. Prospects for Future Research Trends
In summary, current research—based on the logic of "how it was formed—what it consists of—what impact it has—how to practice it"—has conducted a relatively comprehensive review and interpretation of core topics such as the conditions of formation, main content, value implications, and implementation of the Important Expositions. It has yielded fertile research results and laid an important foundation for promoting the systematized and academic study of the Important Expositions. However, existing research still has certain deficiencies, and future work needs to be expanded and improved in the following areas.
(I) Strengthening the Collaborative Study of the Whole and the Parts
These important discourses constitute a theoretical system with rich connotations and rigorous logic, manifesting an interplay between the whole and its constituent parts. Promoting the further development of research into these important discourses requires both macro-level analysis regarding the whole and micro-level investigation focusing on specific parts, achieving a systematic theoretical construction through the collaborative interaction of holistic and localized research. First, we must strengthen the research and interpretation of the relationship between these important discourses and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is necessary to treat the important discourses as a specialized research field, clarifying research boundaries and content while deeply exploring their unique theoretical connotations and discursive expressions. Simultaneously, they must be viewed as an integral component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, further strengthening combined research between these important discourses and key ideologies in other fields. For instance, interactive research between these important discourses and Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law regarding the legalization of religious governance, or their cross-penetration with Xi Jinping Thought on Culture regarding ideological security, holds significant research value. Second, we must strengthen thematic and systematic research on these important discourses. Existing research results mostly analyze the theoretical connotations and significance of these important discourses from a macro perspective, while the interpretation of micro-level issues remains insufficiently deep or thorough. At the same time, the exploration of the constituent elements and logical relationships within the system of these important discourses is not comprehensive enough. Therefore, in future research, we must commit to both "point-based" thick description—carrying out thematic discussions on major propositions such as "the Sinicization of religion" and "the legalization of religious governance"—and "area-based" expansion. This involves comprehensively sorting through the content system of the important discourses, revealing their logical structure from multiple angles, and systematically presenting the full theoretical picture, thereby enhancing the academic rigor and innovativeness of theoretical research through a combination of points and areas.
(2) Advancing Integrated Research on Theory and Practice These important discourses are not only a scientific and systematic theoretical system but also an action program with a clear practical orientation. Currently, some results have examined—at a micro level—the guiding role of these important discourses in ethnic and religious work in places like Xizang, Xinjiang, and Hubei, or have conducted preliminary macro-level explorations into the practical paths of religious governance in the New Era. However, practical research on these important discourses remains relatively weak. In future research, it is necessary to follow the construction logic of "from practice to theory and back to practice," further advancing the integration and interaction between the Party’s theories and practices in religious work. First, research on the practical requirements of the important discourses must be strengthened. These discourses contain values and methodologies at the level of "Dao" (the Way) [9], standards and principles at the level of "Fa" (Law/Method), and paths and measures at the level of "Shu" (Technique/Art); they serve as the fundamental follow-through for doing religious work well in the New Era. Based on a scientific grasp of the practical requirements of these discourses, a major task for the current academic community is to explore how to transform the goals, tasks, principles, and policy measures of religious work determined by the Central Committee into specific work ideas and measures that are both forward-looking and adapted to local realities. Second, research on the practical experience of religious work must be strengthened. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, China’s religious work has undergone continuous innovation and advancement, achieving significant results and accumulating rich experience. In future research, there is an urgent need to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the practice of religious work led by the Party in the context of the New Era. This involves deeply exploring how the Party resolves and overcomes risks and challenges in the religious sphere as well as numerous difficult problems in religious work, and systematically summarizing the historical experience of major practical achievements in religious work to provide beneficial references for future efforts. At the same time, this experience should be elevated into rational cognition and distilled into new theoretical results, using new theory to guide new practice and achieving a virtuous cycle of theoretical and practical innovation. Third, research on practical problems in the religious field must be strengthened. Theoretical research is not a purely theoretical logical construction; rather, it exists to solve major realistic problems in practice. In future research, it is necessary to adhere to a problem-oriented approach, utilizing the positions, viewpoints, and methods inherent in these important discourses to carry out in-depth research on key, "hot-button," and difficult issues in the religious field, profoundly analyzing the root causes of problems and actively exploring new ideas and methods for their resolution.
(3) Strengthening the Expansion of Horizons and Methodologies For over a decade, scholars have conducted multi-dimensional and deep-level discussions surrounding these important discourses, making significant research progress, yet problems persist regarding limited research horizons and methods. In terms of research horizons, from a temporal dimension, existing research mainly focuses on the Party’s theory and practice of religious work since the 18th National Congress, with less attention paid to both positive and negative historical experiences in the field prior to that time. From a spatial dimension, the academic community mostly conducts research based on Chinese practice, while results featuring an international perspective are relatively scarce. Therefore, subsequent research needs to expand its horizons from both temporal and spatial dimensions. First, expand the historical horizon. We must not only place the important discourses within the history of the Party’s religious work, religious policy, and religious theory to clarify the historical veins and ideological inheritance of their theoretical innovation; we must also focus on studying the major political, cultural, and social events that occurred during the historical process of the formation and development of these discourses, analyzing their internal connections and elucidating the socio-historical causes of their formation. Second, expand the international horizon. Under the contemporary background of the "Two Overarching Situations" [10] intertwining and surging, the relevance of religious issues across different countries has strengthened and common characteristics have become more apparent. This necessitates the establishment of an international perspective to conduct objective and comprehensive research on religious issues, phenomena, and governance models worldwide, summarizing the lessons learned by various countries in handling religious issues and revealing the universal laws of religious survival and development to provide beneficial references for solving China’s religious problems.
Regarding research methodology, existing results consist mostly of normative research and single-discipline studies; future research needs to enhance the depth and breadth of theoretical study through the application of diversified research methods. First, the comparative research method. By conducting comparative studies with the religious views of Marx, Engels, and Lenin, as well as the religious work thoughts of major Party and state leaders such as Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, and Hu Jintao, we can profoundly grasp the original contributions and theoretical characteristics of the important discourses. Second, the empirical research method. Since research topics on these important discourses have a clear practical orientation, future research needs to persist in combining normative and empirical studies, strengthening the comprehensive use of methods such as field investigations, data analysis, and case studies. Third, the multidisciplinary cross-research method. These important discourses constitute a comprehensive topic involving multiple fields; research cannot be limited to religious studies, Marxist theory, and political science. It is necessary to give full play to the advantages of various disciplines, adopting the knowledge and methods of sociology, ethnology, and psychology to explore the essence and internal laws of religion and religious work, strengthening exchange and cooperation between different academic fields to form a favorable situation of collaborative multidisciplinary research.
(Author Bios: Zhao Jinying is a doctoral student at the School of Marxism, Southwest University; Wang Yongyou is a professor at the School of Marxism, Southwest University) Online Editor: Tong Xin Source: Science and Atheism, Issue 6, 2024