Zhang Ge: A Summary of the Academic Seminar on "Constructing China's Independent System of Atheistic Knowledge"
In 2022, during an inspection of Renmin University of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Speeding up the construction of a philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics is, in the final analysis, about constructing China's autonomous knowledge system." Atheism is the premise and foundation of Marxism. The research, publicity, and education of Marxist atheism play a special and irreplaceable role in consolidating the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field, maintaining ideological security, and preventing and defusing hidden risks in the religious sphere. Constructing an autonomous Chinese knowledge system of atheism is an inherent requirement of constructing China's autonomous knowledge system. To implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech, the editorial department of Science and Atheism (Kexue yu wushenlun) held an academic symposium on "Constructing China's Autonomous Knowledge System of Atheism" on April 19, 2025. This symposium was chaired by Researcher Chen Zhigang, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Committee and Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Vice Chairman of the Chinese Atheism Society, and Editor-in-Chief of Science and Atheism. More than twenty experts, scholars, teachers, and students from the Central Institute of Socialism, the China Tibetology Research Center, the Ministry of Education, the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Beijing Technology and Business University, as well as the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, Institute of World Religions, and Institute of Economics, attended the meeting to jointly offer advice and suggestions for constructing China's autonomous knowledge system of atheism.
I. Theory and Methodology for Constructing China's Autonomous Knowledge System of Atheism
Constructing China's autonomous knowledge system of atheism is necessary for implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches, for constructing the system of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, and is also the noble mission of those working in atheism research, publicity, and education in the New Era. Participating experts and scholars conducted in-depth discussions on how to construct this system.
Chen Zhigang pointed out that in 2016, at the Symposium on the Work of Philosophy and Social Sciences, General Secretary Xi Jinping explicitly called for "continuously promoting the construction and innovation of the disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system." In 2022, during his inspection of Renmin University of China, he further proposed "constructing China's autonomous knowledge system." For our discipline of atheism, this is both a major subject and a major task. To this end, we must adhere to the "Two Combinations" [1] and use the theories and methods of Marxist atheism to deeply excavate the rational components and humanistic care within fine traditional Chinese culture to serve the autonomous Chinese knowledge system of atheism.
Gong Yun, Party Committee Secretary of the CASS Institute of Economics and Chairman of the Chinese Atheism Society, put forward five suggestions for constructing this system. First, basic research must be consolidated. This begins with studying foundational concepts, such as the connotation of the atheism disciplinary system and the distinctions and connections between atheism publicity and atheism education. Second, professional research must be promoted. Atheism research, publicity, and education are long-term tasks; researchers must treat this work as a lifelong cause, "enduring loneliness, resisting temptation, and sitting on the cold bench" [2]—that is, doing research down-to-earth and in-depth. Third, avoid rushing for quick success. Atheism research is foundational work; it requires a few individuals willing to devote their entire lives to it to push the research forward continuously. The Chinese Atheism Society should strengthen organization and exchange, ensure coordination and division of labor, and unite atheism and religious researchers nationwide. Fourth, promote discourse innovation. Atheism publicity should be adept at proposing concepts—for example, clarifying that atheism is a healthy lifestyle, a way of thinking, and a philosophy. We must study and summarize General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on atheism, inventory the history, role, and special status of the discipline of atheism in China, and ensure that atheism publicity reaches the masses, allowing atheism theory to "fly from the scholar's study into the homes of ordinary people."
Zuo Peng, Director of the Teaching and Research Department of Marxism-Leninism at the Central Institute of Socialism, argued that constructing China's autonomous knowledge system of atheism requires "problem-consciousness" (wenti yishi). The construction of autonomous knowledge systems is a response to the problem of certain disciplines in philosophy and social sciences being heavily influenced by the West. The challenge facing the discipline of atheism in China is not whether it is "heavily influenced by the West," but rather the question of "existence." Therefore, our immediate priority is not the "autonomy" issue, but first constructing the "knowledge system" of Chinese atheism itself. So-called "knowledge" is the result of ideological understanding. The knowledge system of the discipline of atheism is the systematization and theorization of the results of ideological understanding regarding atheism. The most fundamental issue for this system is ontology—how to clearly prove the fact that "there are no gods in the world," and then publicize this reasoning so the majority of society accepts it. Next is the critique of theology. Without critiquing theology, one cannot clearly explain the fact of a godless world. However, if one truly critiques theology, one must consider whether the social atmosphere permits it. Only by resolving these two major issues can a knowledge system of atheism be constructed, eventually forming an autonomous Chinese knowledge system of atheism recognized by the majority of society.
Li Weijian, Director of the Contemporary Religion Research Office at the CASS Institute of World Religions, proposed that constructing the system requires answering four questions. First, clarify the relationship between Marxism, Marxist atheism, and Chinese atheism—especially traditional Chinese atheism. Second, clarify the relationship between atheism and theism, especially religion. Third, clarify the issue of atheism in theory and practice, especially regarding its popularization and mass character. Fourth, clarify the historical and contemporary nature of atheism. Some of these questions can be clarified now but lack sufficient popularization (spoken of but not implemented), while others require deeper research to be fully clarified.
Chen Tianjia, Director of the Ideological and Political Teaching and Research Office at the School of Marxism, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, argued that the system requires in-depth academic research into the secular humanistic characteristics of Chinese society and culture, building a study of secularization with "Chinese style" (Zhongguo qipai). He suggested actively excavating the spiritual character and life attitudes of Chinese culture—such as inclusivity, openness, equality, rationality, pragmatism, and independence—based on real life through the lens of the "Two Combinations," using new media platforms to highlight the diverse, inclusive, and healthy vitality of secular life in China's New Era.
Some scholars emphasized that to construct the system, one must study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, adhere to the Marxist view of religion as a guide, and base the work on China's theistic traditions and their contemporary forms. We must carry forward the traditions of ancient China’s naive atheism and modern scientific atheism, taking the resolution of current prominent theistic problems as the main direction of attack to form a scientifically complete knowledge system of Marxist atheism.
II. Construction of the Disciplinary, Academic, Discourse, and Textbook Systems of Scientific Atheism
At the Symposium on the Work of Philosophy and Social Sciences, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Only by taking our country's reality as the starting point of research, proposing subjective and original theoretical viewpoints, and constructing a disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system with our own characteristics can our country's philosophy and social sciences form their own features and advantages." He also noted: "We must do a good job in building the textbook system, forming a system of philosophy and social science textbooks that covers all categories, meets the development requirements of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and stands at the forefront of international academia." For Chinese atheism research, the primary tasks are building the "Three Systems" [3] of scientific atheism and forming a textbook system based on Marxist atheism.
Zhu Xiaoming, former Party Branch Secretary of the China Tibetology Research Center, suggested promoting the compilation of a "Four-Set" series on the basic theory of Marxist atheism. The "First Set" consists of expositions by classical authors; the series Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Stalin on Scientific Atheism has already been published. The "Second Set" covers research on the atheistic thought of classical authors, divided into four topics: Marx and Engels; the rise and fall of atheism in Lenin and the former Soviet Union; the atheistic thought and practice of Mao Zedong and the older generation of Party and state leaders; and General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on Marxist atheism. The "Third Set" is the compilation of An Introduction to Marxist Atheism. The "Fourth Set" is the compilation of a Dictionary of Atheism. Zhu argued that the next step is to study how to move the "Two Combinations" forward to take new substantive steps on the path of Sinicizing and modernizing Marxist atheism. Professor Li Shen of Shanghai Normal University suggested utilizing the practical results of Marxist atheism courses already offered in various locations to form a mature General Introduction to Marxist Atheism.
Tian Xinming, a researcher at the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Social Science Development Research Center, proposed focusing on the systematization and academicization of atheism theory with Chinese characteristics. This can be achieved by using the General Introduction textbook as a lever. We must study and implement Xi Jinping’s important expositions on philosophy and social sciences, identifying the "Two Combinations" as the fundamental path while integrating the "three major academic resources." [4] The theory should answer: What are Marxist atheism and theism? Why adhere to the former and oppose the latter? And how should this be done?
Zhang Xinying, former Deputy Director of the CASS Institute of World Religions and President of Science and Atheism, argued for firmly establishing the status of the discipline of atheism within Marxist Religious Studies. He noted that a striking highlight of Xi Jinping’s expositions on religious work is the emphasis on Marxist atheism. However, because atheism publicity and education were marginalized for over 30 years, the discipline declined, leading to a large-scale talent gap. To rectify this, top-level design is needed to incorporate atheism as a sub-discipline of Religious Studies, establish graduate programs, and build a tiered research team to ensure there are successors in the field.
Zeng Chuanhui, a researcher at the CASS Institute of World Religions, discussed the relationship between the "three systems" of scientific atheism. The disciplinary system is the institutional foundation; the academic system is the knowledge core and methodological basis; and the discourse system is the carrier. There is a logical interaction where the disciplinary system sets boundaries, the academic system provides theoretical innovation, and the discourse system transforms results into communicable knowledge, forming a closed loop of "Organization-Core-Carrier." At present, China's philosophy and social sciences must use cultural subjectivity to break through Western discourse hegemony, but atheism also needs to "re-take the class" (bu ke) on the critical introduction of ideas to achieve autonomous development. Furthermore, scientific atheism should study its conceptual system across three levels: categories (e.g., God-man/Heaven-man, Form-Spirit, Finite-Infinite), terms, and proper names. Current research should focus on critiquing superstition, religious extremism, and cults.
III. Research on the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxist Atheism
Advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxist atheism is a vital task in constructing China's independent knowledge system of atheism. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC: "Only by integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and fine traditional culture, and by persisting in the application of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, can we correctly answer the major questions posed by the times and practice, and consistently maintain the vigorous vitality and exuberant energy of Marxism." This provides us with scientific methodological guidance for researching the Sinicization and modernization of Marxist atheism.
Zhao Wenhong, a researcher at the Institute of World Religions of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), spoke on the academic mission of the discipline of atheism in our country. He noted that the academic mission of China's atheism discipline is determined by both academic logic and practical logic; specifically, it entails four major academic missions: first, safeguarding cultural security; second, safeguarding political security; third, safeguarding social security; and fourth, safeguarding national territorial security. Overall, the academic mission of the atheism discipline formed over several decades has shaped the scope of the discipline’s research objects and its stylistic characteristics, constituting a glorious and precious tradition. Although the current strength of the discipline is not yet robust, and the level of young scholars remains some distance from that of great academic masters, as long as all members of the discipline inherit and carry forward this fine tradition, the discipline of atheism will surely have a more brilliant future.
Yao Hongyue, a professor at the School of Marxism of Beijing Technology and Business University, proposed the academic and practical paths for the Sinicization of Marxist atheism. The academic path refers to taking dialectical materialism and historical materialism as the foundation, starting from the conceptual analysis of terms, proceeding through the summary and refinement of judgments, and finally achieving theoretical construction. Specifically, this includes constructing and interpreting a conceptual system centered on "deity" (shen [5]), deeply analyzing the physiological basis of life, as well as the physiological, pathological, psychological, natural, and social foundations of the ideas and phenomena of gods and spirits. This guides people to dialectically understand the generative mechanisms and principles of influence regarding such religious concepts and functions, thereby guiding people to believe in science, correctly understand themselves, society, and the world, and further identifying the deep-seated mechanisms explaining the emergence of theology. The practical path for the Sinicization of Marxist atheism takes the social functions and social impact of the Chinese theological system as its core research field. It deeply analyzes the complex influence of the Chinese theological system in the fields of literature, history, politics, society, daily life, production, governance, emotion, and morality. It conducts in-depth research and exploration regarding the nature of these influences, their pros and cons, and their generative mechanisms. The Sinicization of Marxist atheism should focus on key issues, including: first, the problem of using theological doctrines to delude the masses, seek wealth by harming lives, and violate laws and discipline; second, using the achievements of scientific development to explain the meaning and value of relevant tenets within the Chinese theological system; and third, based on the actual needs of human development, conducting deep research into resolving the dual impact [6] brought about by the Chinese theological system. In the theoretical construction and practical reality of the Sinicization of Marxist atheism, emphasis must be placed on analyzing issues of interest, regularity, cognition, and life expectations, so as to better explore and advance the Sinicization of Marxist atheism.
Some scholars believe that the Sinicization of Marxist atheism means applying the principles of Marxist atheism to study and resolve the problem of Chinese theism. On the basis of scientific research and the effective resolution of Chinese theistic issues, it involves building the basic framework of the Chinese atheism discipline and constructing an independent Chinese knowledge system of atheism.
In his concluding remarks, Chen Zhigang pointed out that constructing China's independent knowledge system of atheism is an inescapable duty of the Atheism Research Office of the Institute of Marxism Studies. Although the team in the Atheism Research Office is still relatively small, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" [7]; we have the perseverance, determination, and even more so the constancy of purpose to push this undertaking forward. Next, based on the opinions and suggestions of the experts, we will refine the goals and tasks of constructing China's independent knowledge system of atheism, sketch out a roadmap and timetable, and mobilize research teams across the country to jointly advance this cause. In terms of atheism propaganda and education, we will more actively embrace the internet, reach out to the masses, and produce more short videos and online "viral hits" that are popular and well-received by the people. As long as we persevere and accumulate progress bit by bit, we will surely advance steadily and persist over the long term. Subsequently, Researcher Huang Yanhong, Director of the Marxist Atheism Research Office and Director of the Editorial Department of Science and Atheism, responded to the specific questions raised by the experts and scholars.
(Author’s affiliation: Institute of Marxism Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences) Source: Science and Atheism, Issue 3, 2025 Web Editor: Tongxin