The Mission and Tasks of Atheism in the New Era: A Summary of the 5th Congress of the Chinese Atheism Society and the 2018 Annual Academic Conference

December 1–2, 2018, the 5th Member Representative Assembly of the Chinese Atheism Society and the 2018 Academic Annual Conference were held in Beijing. The meeting was hosted by the Chinese Atheism Society and the Center for Scientific Atheism Research of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). Nearly a 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 meeting 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 the outstanding contributions of Mr. Du Jiwen, an Honorary Member of CASS, to scientific atheism, the Society presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

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 topics such as how to uphold and develop Marxist atheism in the New Era and how to shoulder 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, scientifically analyzing 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 religious work under new circumstances. 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 its society is a 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, President of the Science and Atheism journal, noted that since the 18th National Congress ^[1], religious work, like other undertakings of the Party and the state, has undergone historic changes. Compared to the "innovative advancement" at the level of practical work, there remains a significant gap in the academic community’s demonstration and publicity regarding 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 CASS Institute of Intelligence and Information, 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. We should innovatively advance ethnic and religious work, differentiate between theists and researchers of theism, correctly grasp the issues of how to conduct research and how to publicize, and correctly express positive social 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 on upholding and publicizing Marxist atheism, and maintain a high degree of horizontal alignment 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 new circumstances, we must persist in using the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method to understand and guide the practice of religious work, profoundly revealing new changes to respond to new challenges. Tian Xinming argued that Marxism-Leninism uses a "mild" attitude to unite the broad masses of religious and non-religious people while using a "militant" ^[2] spirit to uphold atheism and oppose theism in terms of worldview. The unification of these two aspects constitutes a scientific attitude toward treating religion and atheism in a comprehensive and complete manner. One cannot split or oppose these two aspects, assigning 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 regarding 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 advancing the innovative development of religious work from a theoretical level, we cannot discuss the "theory of religion with Chinese characteristics" in isolation from the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method emphasized by General Secretary Xi Jinping, nor from the Party’s program and nature. We must not treat certain religious theories formed or emphasized during special historical periods—including the period of "setting things right" ^[3]—with a dogmatic attitude. Instead, we should combine new conditions and, in 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, constantly opening 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 ^[4] of the CPC Central Committee, pointed out that religious issues are related to 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, according to the important concept of "guidance," while adhering to the major principle of Marxist atheism and the general direction of the Sinicization of religion. To do a good job of "guidance" starting from "persisting in 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 "integration of religion and ethnicity" (jiaozu yiti) still holds mainstream discourse power at present. In fact, there are essential differences between ethnicity and religion. The greatest drawback of the "integration of religion and ethnicity" theory is that it leads to ethnic closure. To bind a specific ethnic group with a specific religion causes the ethnic group to be saturated with religious characteristics. Using religion as an ethnic core value will strengthen cohesion toward the birthplace of that religion, leading to signs of eccentric and alienated movements and weakening the believers' centripetal force toward the Chinese nation (Zhonghua minzu). Breaking the shackles of the integration of religion and ethnicity and fostering a sense of community for the Chinese nation is the historical mission entrusted to us by the New Era. Li Weijian, a researcher at the CASS Institute of World Religions, proposed that "adaptation to socialist society is the sole criterion for testing the Sinicization of contemporary Chinese religion." He elucidated the essential connection and logical relationship between this adaptation theory and the theory of Sinicization: that is, the adaptation of religion to socialist society is Sinicization for the current era, and guiding religion to adapt to socialist society must persist in 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 evolution in the history of modern Western thought. Marxism surpassed previous atheism by basing it on practice, thus making practice the essential characteristic of Marxist atheism. Professor Wang Zhen of the Central Institute of Socialism elaborated on the significance of the Sinicization of religion for contemporary Chinese cultural construction and even the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. She proposed that the principle of the Sinicization of religion is the supremacy of national interests, the model of church-state relations for Sinicization should be "the state leads and religion assists," and the direction of theoretical construction for Sinicization can be summarized as "the world belongs to the public" (tianxia wei gong) ^[5].

Generally speaking, in studying the deep theoretical and practical issues of Marxist atheism, we must follow the laws of religious development and religious work while also proceeding from Chinese reality, rather than mechanically copying the policies of other countries. We must remain grounded in reality while facing the future of socialist development. We must uphold theoretical thoroughness while considering feasibility at the practical level. We must consider the freedom of belief for religious masses while also considering the freedom of belief for non-religious masses, continuously enriching and developing the theory and practice of religion with Chinese characteristics.

3. In-depth discussion on the methods of publicity, education, and promotion 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 Party members to "remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind." Researching and publicizing Marxist atheism is an important responsibility for theoretical workers to "cultivate the roots and consolidate the foundation" for the New Era. Professor Zuo Peng of the University of Science and Technology Beijing combed through 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 of and emphasis on religious work is the basic prerequisite; the responsibility and commitment of scholars are powerful drivers; the 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 reduce the growth rate of religious believers, and how to resist religious spiritual temptation and ideological infiltration of 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 University of Finance and Economics, argued that the current series of measures for de-radicalization in Xinjiang provide 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 national and political levels. In this sense, Marx called states that achieved the separation of church and state "atheistic 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. We must consider the content, methods, and means of education and differentiate between different educational targets. We must ground ourselves in the people's growing needs for a better life in the New Era, grasp key areas and weak links, and make 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 the theory of religion with Chinese characteristics, we must strengthen research on theoretical innovation. Tian Xinming argued that persisting in thorough materialism and thorough atheism, and opposing all idealism and theism, is an inherent theoretical character of Marxism-Leninism. The essence of the debate over whether to uphold or deny Lenin’s "militant atheism" lies in the question of whether contemporary China should clearly and firmly 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.

Zhang Xinying argued that Marxist atheism research requires appropriate discourse transformation, weight adjustment, and theoretical reconstruction, consciously realizing the "weeding out of the old to bring forth the new" (tuichen chuxin) ^[6] regarding certain ideological concepts and thinking models. Other scholars conducted an in-depth analysis of "Organic Marxism," which has spread abnormally in China in recent years, and criticized its theological essence ^[7].

In his concluding remarks, Jia Runguo pointed out that the 2018 Academic Annual Conference 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 infiltration and spread of various theistic thoughts, 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 the theoretical innovation of 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 the theory of religion with Chinese characteristics, and realize the "Sinicization" of Marxist atheism theoretical research and practice. At the same time, we must enhance political sensitivity and political discernment, build a solid ideological defense line, consciously draw a clear line between Marxism and non-Marxism or anti-Marxism, and defend and develop Marxist atheist thought.