The Mission and Tasks of Atheism in the New Era: A Summary of the "Fifth Congress of the Chinese Atheism Society and 2018 Annual Academic Conference"

From December 1–2, 2018, the 5th Membership Representative Conference of the Chinese Atheism Society and the 2018 Academic Annual Meeting were held in Beijing. The conference was hosted by the Chinese Atheism Society and the Center for Scientific and Atheism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). Nearly one hundred experts, scholars, and graduate students from more than 30 universities and relevant research institutions across the country attended the seminar. The theme of the conference was "The Mission and Tasks of Atheism in the New Era." The opening ceremony was presided over by Xi Wuyi, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Chinese Atheism Society. Zhu Xiaoming, President of the Chinese Atheism Society, delivered the work report of the Fourth Council of the Chinese Atheism Society at the opening ceremony. To commend Mr. Du Jiwen, an Honorary Member of CASS ^[1], for his outstanding contributions to scientific atheism, the Society presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The participating experts and scholars focused on two major themes: "Research on the Theory and Practice of Marxist Atheism" and "Research on the Publicity and Education of Marxist Atheism." They conducted in-depth discussions on issues such as how to uphold and develop Marxist atheism in the New Era, and how to assume the mission and tasks of Marxist atheism in the New Era.

1. Deeply studying and implementing the spirit of Xi Jinping's important speech at the National Conference on Religious Work

On April 23, 2016, General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the National Conference on Religious Work, providing a scientific analysis of the situation and tasks facing religious work and profoundly elucidating a series of major theoretical and practical issues. This constitutes a programmatic document guiding our efforts in religious work under the new situation. Tian Xinming, a researcher at the Social Science Center of the Ministry of Education, argued that actively guiding religion to adapt to socialist society is the fundamental direction and goal of the Party's religious work. The proposition put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping—that "the adaptation of religion to the society in which it exists is the trend and law of religious survival and development"—is determined by the essence of religion and its position in human society. It is an objective law revealed by summarizing the history of religious development and serves as an important objective basis for formulating the policy of "active guidance." Zhang Xinying, director of the journal Science and Atheism, noted that since the 18th National Congress ^[2], religious work, like other undertakings of the Party and the state, has undergone historical transformations. Compared to the "innovative advancement" at the level of practical work, there remains a significant gap in the academic community's efforts to demonstrate and publicize General Secretary Xi Jinping's enrichment and development of the theory of religion with Chinese characteristics, especially the fundamental spirit of his important speech at the National Conference on Religious Work. Gong Yun, a researcher at the Institute of Information Studies of CASS, pointed out that atheism research in the new period should comprehensively and accurately implement the spirit of Xi Jinping's speech at the religious work conference and actively guide religion to adapt to socialist society. It is necessary to innovatively promote ethnic and religious work, distinguish between theists and researchers of theism, correctly grasp the issues of how to conduct research versus how to conduct publicity, and correctly express social "positive energy."

The academic community should fully study the innovative points regarding religious theory and policy within Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions and requirements regarding upholding and publicizing Marxist atheism, and maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee in thought, politics, and action.

2. Multi-perspective research on deep theoretical and practical issues of Marxist atheism

To strengthen the study of Marxist atheism under the new situation, we must persist in using the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method to understand and guide the practice of religious work, profoundly revealing its new changes to respond to new challenges. Tian Xinming argued that Marxism-Leninism uses both a "mild" attitude to unite the broad masses of religious and non-religious people, and a "militant" spirit to uphold atheism and oppose theism in terms of worldview. The unity of these two aspects constitutes a scientific attitude toward treating religion and atheism in a comprehensive and complete manner. One cannot sever or oppose these two aspects, attributing them separately to Marx, Engels, or Lenin, thereby denying Lenin's "militant atheism." The key to doing religious work well lies in "guidance" (dao). To "think deeply, see through, and grasp accurately" in terms of guidance, one must study and master the laws of the contradictory movement of things and promote the development of things in the process of resolving contradictions.

Zhang Xinying argued that to continue promoting the innovative development of religious work at the theoretical level, we cannot discuss "socialist religious theory with Chinese characteristics" in isolation from the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method, or from the Party's program and nature as emphasized by General Secretary Xi Jinping. We cannot adopt a dogmatic attitude toward certain religious theories formed or emphasized during special historical periods, including the "setting things right" ^[3] period. Instead, we should combine new circumstances with the practice of upholding the Party's basic policy on religious work, seriously consider certain formulations and concepts that have long existed and been used in religious work, and continuously open up new frontiers for religious work in the New Era. Jia Runguo, a researcher at the Research Center of the National Religious Affairs Administration of the United Front Work Department, pointed out that religious issues concern ideology and national security. Strengthening ideological work in the religious field requires handling the contradictions between atheism and theism, and between Sinicization and non-Sinicization, in accordance with the important concept of "guidance," while adhering to the grand principle of Marxist atheism and the grand direction of the Sinicization of religion. To do the work of "guidance" well from the starting point of "upholding the direction of the Sinicization of religions in our country," the core is to follow Chinese standards and Chinese rules.

Xi Wuyi argued that the concept of "the unity of religion and ethnicity" (jiaozu yiti) ^[4] still holds mainstream discourse power at present. In reality, there are essential differences between ethnicity and religion. The greatest drawback of the "unity of religion and ethnicity" theory is that it leads to ethnic closure. Binding a specific religion to a specific ethnicity allows the ethnicity to be permeated with religious characteristics. Taking religion as a core ethnic value will strengthen the cohesive force toward the religion’s place of origin, leading to signs of centrifugal tendencies and alienation, which will weaken the religious believers' centripetal force toward the Chinese nation. Breaking the shackles of the "unity of religion and ethnicity" and fostering the consciousness of the community of the Chinese nation is a historical mission bestowed upon us by the New Era. Li Weijian, a researcher at the Institute of World Religions of CASS, proposed that "adaptation to socialist society is the sole criterion for testing the Sinicization of contemporary Chinese religion," and elucidated the essential connection and logical relationship between this adaptation theory and the theory of Sinicization—namely, that the adaptation of religion to socialist society is Sinicization for the current era, and guiding religion to adapt to socialist society must involve upholding the direction of Sinicization. Both adaptation and Sinicization are part of the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the reform and opening up, representing the unity of theory and practice. Professor Shu Guifeng of Liaoning University argued that "atheism," as an independent theoretical form, underwent a logical evolutionary process in modern Western intellectual history. Marxism surpassed previous forms of atheism by basing itself on practice, thereby making practice the essential characteristic of Marxist atheism. Professor Wang Zhen of the Central Institute of Socialism elaborated on the great significance of religious Sinicization for contemporary Chinese cultural construction and even the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. She proposed that the principle of religious Sinicization is the supremacy of national interests; the model for church-state relations in religious Sinicization should be "the state leads and religion assists"; and the direction of theoretical construction for religious Sinicization can be summarized as "the world belongs to the public" (tianxia wei gong) ^[5].

In summary, researching the deep theoretical and practical issues of Marxist atheism requires following the laws of religious development and religious work while also proceeding from Chinese reality—not blindly copying the policies of other countries. It must be based on reality while facing the future of socialist development. It must uphold theoretical thoroughness while considering feasibility at the practical level. It must consider the freedom of belief for religious masses while also considering the freedom of belief for non-religious masses, continuously enriching and developing socialist religious theory and practice with Chinese characteristics.

3. In-depth discussion on the publicity, education, and promotion methods of Marxist atheism

How to strengthen and promote the publicity and education of Marxist atheism was a focus of discussion among the participants. Zhu Xiaoming argued that Marxist atheism is an inherent constituent factor of the philosophical foundation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and an important ideological foundation for Communist Party members to "stay true to their original aspiration and founding mission." Researching and publicizing Marxist atheism is an important responsibility for theoretical workers to "cultivate the roots and strengthen the foundation" for the New Era. Professor Zuo Peng of the University of Science and Technology Beijing reviewed the history of atheism publicity and education since the reform and opening up. He argued that the experience and enlightenment gained are: the Central Committee’s clear understanding and emphasis on religious work is the basic prerequisite; the responsibility and commitment of scholars are powerful drivers; implementation by local governments and departments is an important reliance; and the mobilization and participation of the masses are the solid foundation.

Jia Runguo pointed out that we must strengthen Marxist atheism publicity and education, researching how to maintain the dominant position of Marxist atheism as the mainstream ideology in the minds of the people, how to slow the growth rate of religious followers, and how to resist the spiritual temptation and ideological penetration of religion among the masses.

The military is an important front for Marxist atheism publicity and education. Ding Yu, an associate professor at the Army Engineering University of the PLA, argued that the People's Army, as an important creator, active disseminator, and model practitioner of advanced culture, is an important fresh force in publicizing scientific atheism.

Xinjiang is also currently a key region for atheism publicity and education. Zhang Chunxia, an associate professor at Xinjiang Finance and Economics University, argued that the current series of measures for de-radicalization in Xinjiang provides an important opportunity for scientific atheism education. We should seize this favorable opportunity to carry out scientific atheism education at four levels: grassroots cadres, grassroots masses, primary and secondary schools, and universities.

In addition, Huang Chao, an associate professor at Wuhan University, argued that the separation of church and state in modern states was originally the practice of atheism at the state and political levels. In this sense, Marx called states that achieved the separation of church and state "atheist states."

Strengthening the publicity and education of Marxist atheism is an inherent requirement for deeply implementing the Party's leadership, management, and discourse power over ideological work. It is necessary to consider the content, methods, and means of education while distinguishing between different targets of education. It must be based on the people’s growing needs for a better life in the New Era, focusing on key areas and weak links while making full use of information technology.

4. Defending and developing Marxist atheist thought through theoretical innovation

The participants unanimously agreed that under the new situation, to defend and develop Marxist atheist thought and to uphold and develop socialist religious theory with Chinese characteristics, we must strengthen research into theoretical innovation. Tian Xinming argued that adhering to thorough materialism and thorough atheism, while opposing all forms of idealism and theism, is an inherent theoretical character of Marxism-Leninism. The dispute over whether to uphold or deny Lenin's "militant atheism" essentially concerns whether contemporary China should clearly uphold Marxist atheism and oppose theism.

Zhu Xiaoming argued that we should strive to build an atheism disciplinary system guided by Marxism, promote the Sinicization of Marxist atheism, and promote the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture ^[6]. Zhang Xinying argued that Marxist atheism research needs appropriate discourse transformation, weight adjustment, and theoretical reconstruction, consciously achieving the "weeding out of the old to bring forth the new" (tuichen chuxin) regarding certain ideological concepts and thinking patterns. Some scholars also conducted an in-depth analysis of "Organic Marxism," which has spread abnormally in China in recent years, criticizing its theological essence.

In his concluding remarks, Jia Runguo pointed out that the 2018 Academic Annual Meeting of the Chinese Atheism Society was an important meeting for winning new victories for the cause of atheism in the New Era at a new historical starting point. We have more capability and confidence than ever before to defeat the penetration and spread of various theistic ideas, fundamentally reverse the passive situation of atheism publicity and education, open up a new realm for the cause of atheism in the New Era, and make new contributions to the development of 21st-century Marxist atheism.

The participating experts and scholars reached the following consensus: under the new situation, unswervingly promoting theoretical innovation in Marxist atheism and continuously prospering the research of Marxist atheism is a great mission and sacred duty bestowed by history upon every Marxist theoretical worker. We should vigorously promote the academic style of integrating theory with practice, adhere to the ideological line of seeking truth from facts, uphold and develop socialist religious theory with Chinese characteristics, and achieve the "Sinicization" of Marxist atheism theoretical research and practice. At the same time, we must enhance political sensitivity and political discernment, build a strong ideological line of defense, consciously draw a clear line between Marxism and non-Marxism or anti-Marxism, and defend and develop Marxist atheist thought.