The 9th Scientific Atheism Forum Held in Nanjing
On June 26, 2021, the 9th Scientific Atheism Forum was successfully held at Nanjing University. The forum was hosted by the Leading Group for the Construction of Marxist Theory Discipline and Theoretical Research Project of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, and the Nanjing University School of Marxism; it was organized by the CASS Research Center for Science and Atheism and the Chinese Atheism Society. The theme of the forum was "The Centennial Communist Party of China and Marxist Atheism." More than 70 experts and scholars from various universities and research institutions—including CASS, Nanjing University, the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan University, Shanghai Normal University, Xinjiang University of Finance and Economics, and Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University—attended the forum. Opening remarks were delivered by Xue Hailin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Nanjing University; Gong Yun, Vice President of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies; and Fan Jianxin, President of the Chinese Atheism Society and Secretary of the Party Committee of the CASS Institute of Political Science.
Opening remarks by Xue Hailin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Nanjing University
Secretary Xue Hailin emphasized that at the 2016 National Conference on Religious Work, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed that adhering to Marxist atheism is a major principle [1]. This is both a basic requirement for the Communist Party of China as the governing party and an essential characteristic of a socialist state. As Communist Party members, we must be firm atheists and actively propagate Marxist atheism. He expressed expectations that this conference would bring forth the most cutting-edge research results.
Opening remarks by Gong Yun, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies, CASS
Vice President Gong Yun pointed out that the hundred-year history of the Communist Party of China is a history of Chinese Communists—guided by Marxist theory—upholding and promoting the scientific spirit, overthrowing the rule of theocracy [2], eradicating deep-seated malpractices and decadent customs [3], and leading the masses to rely on their own wisdom and hands through arduous struggle and courageous innovation. As the starting point and ideological cornerstone of Marxist theory, Marxist atheism is the most indispensable "spiritual base color" for Chinese Communists. Nanjing University has an excellent tradition of research in Chinese atheistic thought, which we should inherit and carry forward. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on Marxist atheism at the 2016 National Conference on Religious Work have already pointed the way forward for the disciplinary construction of scientific atheism in the New Era. Scientific atheism will continue to play a crucial role in defending the dominant position of the Marxist mainstream ideology.
Opening remarks by Fan Jianxin, President of the Chinese Atheism Society
President Fan Jianxin pointed out that the dissemination of Marxism over the past century and the current publicity and education regarding scientific atheism—including the work of the Chinese Atheism Society and the construction of the atheism discipline—are all aimed at continuously consolidating and expanding the position of atheism. We must form a synergy across all sectors of society to implement the "major principle" of Marxist atheism into practical work in all aspects, thereby effectively promoting Marxist atheism as the mainstream ideology to occupy a dominant position in the minds of the masses.
Professor Li Shen of Shanghai Normal University; Xi Wuyi, Director of the CASS Research Center for Science and Atheism; Zhao Wenhong, former Party Secretary of the CASS Institute of World Religions; and Zhang Xinying, former Director of the CASS Network Center and Vice President of the Chinese Atheism Society, delivered keynote speeches respectively on: "Atheism and Traditional Culture," "Opening Up a New Platform for the Disciplinary Construction of Marxist Atheism in the New Era," "Small-scale Secularization as the Core of Sinicization of Foreign Religions," and "Strategic Choices for the Social Dissemination of Atheism." The meeting was chaired by Hu Daping, Dean of the School of Marxism at Nanjing University.
[Keynote speeches were chaired by Hu Daping, Dean of the School of Marxism at Nanjing University] [Speech by Professor Li Shen of Shanghai Normal University] [Speech by Xi Wuyi, Director of the CASS Research Center for Science and Atheism] [Speech by Zhao Wenhong, former Party Secretary of the CASS Institute of World Religions] [Speech by Zhang Xinying, former Director of the CASS Network Center and Vice President of the Chinese Atheism Society]
Participating experts and scholars also engaged in extensive and in-depth discussions on issues such as "Marxist Atheism and the Party's Centennial," "Marxist Atheism Education," "Marxist Religious Studies," and "Governance of Heterodox Cults [4]."
(Reported by Li Cheng)