An In-Depth Study of the Marxist View on Religion

In recent years, the Central Committee has clearly proposed the construction of the core socialist values system, repeatedly emphasized upholding and consolidating the guiding role of Marxism in the ideological domain, and vigorously advanced the Project of Marxist Theory Research and Development. In the field of religious studies, we must conduct an in-depth study of the Marxist view on religion, persist in observing and analyzing religious issues from the Marxist standpoint, perspective, and method, integrate this with the realities of our country’s social development, continuously sum up new experiences, strive to perfect and develop a Marxist theory on religion with Chinese characteristics, and thereby better guide academic research on religion and practical religious work.

近年来，中央鲜明提出构建社会主义核心价值体系，反复强调坚持和巩固马克思主义在意识形态领域的指导地位，大力推进马克思主义理论研究和建设工程。在宗教研究领域，我们要深入研究马克思主义宗教观，坚持用马克思主义的立场、观点、方法观察和分析宗教问题，结合我国社会发展的实际，不断总结新的经验，努力完善和发展有中国特色的马克思主义宗教理论，更好地指导宗教学术研究和宗教工作实践。

I. Fully Recognizing the Great Significance of the Marxist View on Religion

一、充分认识马克思主义宗教观的重大意义

A view on religion is people’s basic understanding of religion and the basic methods derived from it for handling religious issues. The Marxist view on religion is an important component of Marxist theory. It encompasses Marxism’s basic theoretical perspectives on the essence, origins, characteristics, laws of development, and social role of religion, as well as the basic policies and principles derived from these for application in practice by Marxist political parties in handling religious issues. At present, as we study and research the Marxist view on religion, we must first have a firm, conscious, and clear recognition of its great significance.

宗教观，是人们对宗教的基本看法，以及由此而得出的处理宗教问题的基本办法。马克思主义宗教观是马克思主义理论的重要组成部分，是马克思主义关于宗教的本质、根源、特征、发展规律、社会作用等方面的基本理论观点，以及由此而应用于实践之中的马克思主义政党处理宗教问题的基本方针政策。当前，我们学习和研究马克思主义宗教观，首先要对马克思主义宗教观的重大意义，有一个坚定、自觉、清醒的认识。

(1) A Sharp Ideological Weapon for Observing Religious Issues. Religion is a very complex social-historical phenomenon that has long existed universally in human society. Regarding religion, people from different historical periods, different countries and regions, and different social strata have all conducted observations and reflections at different levels, from different angles, and with different methods, forming many mutually different or even diametrically opposed viewpoints. “As many religions as there are in the world, there are just as many definitions of religion; the divergences between different definitions of religion are no less than the divergences between different religions themselves.” [1]1 This is a common observation in religious studies, often attributed to various scholars, highlighting the difficulty of defining religion.

（一）观察宗教问题的锐利思想武器宗教是人类社会长期地、普遍地存在着的一种非常复杂的社会历史现象。对于宗教，不同历史时期、不同国家地区、不同社会阶层的人们，都有人进行过不同层次、不同角度、不同方法的观察和思考，形成了许多互不相同甚至截然对立的观点。“世界上有多少种宗教，就有多少种宗教的定义，不同宗教定义之间的分歧不亚于不同宗教之间的分歧。”

After the end of the Cold War, and especially since the beginning of the new century, the world has been in a period of major transformation, major adjustment, and major development. Economic globalization, political multipolarization, cultural diversification, and social informatization have become the general trend of the world. Correspondingly, the world religious sphere has also presented complex and diverse phenomena. The influence of religious factors in soft power competition, such as international politics, culture, and diplomacy, is increasingly rising. Traditional religions are generally reviving, new religions are constantly emerging, the process of religious secularization is accelerating, religious fundamentalism is on the rise, religious contradictions and conflicts occur one after another, and religious exchanges and dialogues are flourishing. In religious exchanges and dialogues, people have put forward various views and propositions on how to view religion and how to handle religious issues.

冷战结束以后、特别是进入新世纪以来，世界处于大变革、大调整、大发展时期。经济全球化、政治多极化、文化多元化、社会信息化已然成为天下大势。与此相应，世界宗教领域也呈现出纷繁复杂的现象，宗教因素在国际政治、文化、外交等软实力竞争中的影响日益上升，传统宗教普遍复兴，新兴宗教不断涌现，宗教世俗化进程加快，宗教原教旨主义抬头，宗教矛盾与冲突此起彼伏，宗教交流与对话方兴未艾。在宗教交流和对话中，人们对如何看待宗教、如何处理宗教问题，提出了各种各样的看法和主张。

Looking at the domestic situation, with the continuous deepening of economic, political, cultural, and social system reforms, and with the continuous expansion of opening up to the outside world, our society is undergoing extensive and profound social change and transformation. Against this broad backdrop, the religious population in our country continues to grow, the social influence of religion is constantly expanding, social contradictions related to religious factors have become more prominent, and the complexity and sensitivity of religious issues are increasingly intensifying. Correctly understanding and dealing with religious issues is more important and urgent than ever before.

从国内情况看，随着经济、政治、文化、社会体制改革的不断深化，随着对外开放的不断拓展，我国社会处于广泛而深刻的社会变革与转型之中。在这样的大背景下，我国信教人口持续增长，宗教的社会影响不断扩大，与宗教因素相关的社会矛盾有所凸显，宗教问题的复杂性和敏感性越来越强。正确认识和对待宗教问题，比以往任何时候都更加重要和紧迫。

The Marxist view on religion is a scientific view on religion comprehensively established on the basis of modern natural science, social science, and thinking science. It provides us with a sharp ideological weapon for deeply observing religious phenomena, scientifically analyzing religious issues, and accurately grasping the essence and laws of religion. Only by persisting in observing and analyzing religious issues from the Marxist standpoint, perspective, and method can we comprehensively and accurately grasp the new characteristics and new trends in the religious sphere, prevent various erroneous tendencies in dealing with religious issues, and maintain the correct direction of religious research and religious work.

马克思主义宗教观，是综合建立在现代自然科学、社会科学和思维科学之上的科学宗教观，为我们深入观察宗教现象，科学分析宗教问题，准确把握宗教本质和规律，提供了锐利的思想武器。只有坚持以马克思主义立场、观点、方法观察和分析宗教问题，才能全面、准确地把握宗教领域的新特点、新趋势，才能防止对待宗教问题上的各种错误倾向，才能保持宗教研究和宗教工作的正确方向。

(2) The Fundamental Guiding Ideology for Conducting Religious Work

（二）开展宗教工作的根本指导思想

The Party Central Committee has repeatedly emphasized the need to uphold and consolidate the guiding role of Marxism in the ideological domain. In the field of religious work, this means persisting in taking the Marxist view on religion as the fundamental guiding ideology for the Party and government to correctly understand and properly handle religious issues. We uphold the guiding role of Marxism because Marxism possesses distinct scientificity and truth, which have already been proven correct by the practice of our country’s revolution, construction, and reform. As Comrade Mao Zedong said: “When we say Marxism is correct, it is by no means because Marx was some kind of ‘sage,’ but because his theory has been proven correct in our practice and in our struggle.” [2]2 Mao Zedong, “Oppose Book Worship” (May 1930). Similarly, the reason we uphold the guiding role of the Marxist view on religion in religious work is the same. Over a long period, our Party has persisted in integrating the Marxist view on religion with the concrete realities of Chinese religion, correctly understanding and handling religious issues in China’s revolution, construction, and reform, and forming a series of basic theoretical perspectives and basic policies. Whether it was establishing a united front with religious circles during the New Democratic Revolution, or supporting religious circles in carrying out patriotic movements and democratic reforms of religious systems after the founding of the state, remarkable achievements were made. Especially since reform and opening up, our Party, on the basis of bringing order out of chaos [3]3 “Bringing order out of chaos” (拨乱反正) refers to the policy of correcting the errors of the Cultural Revolution era, initiated after 1978 under Deng Xiaoping. and in light of new situations and tasks, has continuously enriched and improved religious theory and religious policy. It has formulated the basic policy for religious work of comprehensively implementing the Party’s policy of freedom of religious belief, managing religious affairs according to law, adhering to the principle of independence and self-management, and actively guiding religion to adapt to the socialist society. It has put forward new requirements for correctly handling religious relations and giving play to the positive role of religion in promoting economic development and social harmony. This has opened up a new realm for religious work and formed a new situation where the religious sphere is generally stable, and religious figures and the vast majority of religious believers are patriotic and love their religion, united and progressive, and serve society.

党中央反复强调，要坚持和巩固马克思主义在意识形态领域的指导地位。在宗教工作领域，就是要坚持把马克思主义宗教观，作为党和政府正确认识和妥善处理宗教问题的根本指导思想。我们坚持马克思主义的指导地位，是因为马克思主义具有鲜明的科学性和真理性，并且已经为我国革命、建设和改革的实践所证明。正如毛泽东同志所说：“我们说马克思主义是对的，决不是因为马克思这个人是什么‘先哲’，而是因为他的理论，在我们的实践中，在我们的斗争中，证明了是对的。”同样，我们坚持马克思主义宗教观在宗教工作中的指导地位，道理也是如此。长期以来，我们党坚持把马克思主义宗教观同中国宗教的具体实际相结合，正确认识和处理中国革命、建设、改革中的宗教问题，形成了一系列基本理论观点和基本方针政策。无论是新民主主义革命时期同宗教界建立统一战线，还是建国后支持宗教界开展爱国运动和宗教民主制度改革，都取得了显著成绩。特别是改革开放以来，我们党在拨乱反正的基础上，结合新的形势任务，不断丰富和完善宗教理论和宗教政策，制定了全面贯彻党的宗教信仰自由政策，依法管理宗教事务，坚持独立自主自办的原则，积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应的宗教工作基本方针，提出了正确处理宗教关系，发挥宗教在促进经济发展和社会和谐中的积极作用的新要求，开创了宗教工作的新境界，形成了宗教领域总体稳定，宗教界人士和广大信教群众爱国爱教、团结进步、服务社会的新局面。

Needless to say, from 1957 onwards, and especially during the “Cultural Revolution,” [4]4 The “Cultural Revolution” (1966–1976) was a period of intense political and social upheaval in China, during which religious activities were severely suppressed. a “Left” guiding ideology grew, spread, and developed within the Party, affecting and spreading to religious work. There were some mistakes and some twists and turns, causing significant losses to the Party and state’s religious work. But this was precisely the result of dogmatically distorting and deviating from the basic principles of the Marxist view on religion, and wantonly destroying and trampling upon the Party’s correct policies on religion. This also makes us more soberly and firmly realize from the negative side that the more we face complex and changing situations, and the more we confront intricate religious issues, the more we must adhere to the guidance of the developing Marxist view on religion, and the more we must unswervingly implement the hard-won, proven-correct basic policies of the Party on religious work, without wavering, without slackening, and without making detours. [5]5 “Without wavering, without slackening, and without making detours” (不动摇、不懈怠、不折腾) is a common political slogan emphasizing steadfastness and avoiding policy reversals.

毋庸讳言，从1957年以后，直至“文化大革命”中，“左”的指导思想在党内滋长、蔓延、发展，影响和波及到宗教工作中，曾经有过一些失误，经历过一些曲折，给党和国家的宗教工作事业带来重大损失。但这恰恰是教条式地歪曲、背离马克思主义宗教观的基本原理，肆意破坏和践踏党对宗教的正确方针政策的结果。这也从反面使我们更加清醒和坚定地认识到，越是面临纷繁复杂的形势，越是面对错综复杂的宗教问题，越要坚持以发展着的马克思主义宗教观为指导，越要坚定不移地贯彻执行来之不易的、被实践证明正确的党的宗教工作基本方针政策，不动摇、不懈怠、不折腾。

(3) The Basic Scientific Method for Conducting Religious Research

（三）搞好宗教研究的基本科学方法

The Marxist standpoint, perspective, and method are the basic scientific method for us to conduct religious research. In March 1982, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, in the programmatic document “The Basic Viewpoint and Basic Policy on the Religious Question during the Socialist Period in Our Country,” [6]6 Document No. 19 (1982), a foundational text for the Party’s religious policy after reform and opening up. specifically pointed out: “Conducting scientific research on religious issues using the Marxist standpoint, perspective, and method is an important component of the Party’s theoretical work.” It emphasized that “building a contingent of religious theoretical research workers armed with Marxism, and running well research institutions and relevant university departments that use Marxism to study religious issues, is an indispensable and important aspect of building the Party’s theoretical contingent.” In an important speech delivered on December 18, 2007, at the second collective study session of the 17th Politburo, [7]7 The Politburo (政治局) is the top leadership body of the Communist Party of China. General Secretary Hu Jintao emphatically pointed out: “Under the new historical conditions, we must adhere to the Marxist standpoint, perspective, and method, comprehensively understand the profound natural, social, epistemological, and psychological roots of the emergence and existence of religion, comprehensively understand the objective reality that religion will exist for a long time in socialist society, comprehensively understand the complex situation where religious issues are intertwined with factors such as politics, economy, culture, and ethnicity, comprehensively understand the special position of religious factors within contradictions among the people, strive to explore and grasp the inherent laws of religion itself, and continuously improve the level of religious work.” This important exposition by General Secretary Hu Jintao sets clear requirements and points the correct direction for us to conduct in-depth religious research under the guidance of Marxism.

马克思主义的立场、观点和方法，是我们开展宗教研究的基本科学方法。中共中央在1982年3月《关于我国社会主义时期宗教问题的基本观点和基本政策》这一纲领性文件中特别指出：“用马克思主义立场、观点、方法对宗教问题进行科学研究，是党的理论工作的一个重要组成部分”；强调“建设一支用马克思主义武装起来的宗教理论研究工作队伍，努力办好用马克思主义研究宗教问题的研究机构和大学的有关专业，是党的理论队伍建设的一个不可缺少的重要方面。”胡锦涛总书记在2007年12月18日第十七届中央政治局第二次集体学习时发表的重要讲话中强调指出：“在新的历史条件下，我们要坚持马克思主义的立场、观点、方法，全面认识宗教产生和存在的深刻的自然根源、社会根源、认识论根源和心理根源，全面认识宗教在社会主义社会将长期存在的客观现实，全面认识宗教问题同政治、经济、文化、民族等方面因素相交织的复杂状况，全面认识宗教因素在人民内部矛盾中的特殊地位，努力探索和掌握宗教自身的规律，不断提高宗教工作水平。”胡锦涛总书记的这一重要论述，为我们以马克思主义为指导深入开展宗教研究，提出了明确要求，指明了正确方向。

At present, domestic academic research on religion is becoming increasingly active; the once relatively neglected study of religion is now becoming a "prominent discipline" and a "hot topic." People's understanding of religion is growing more diverse, and international academic exchanges on religion are also increasing. Under these circumstances, we must uphold the guiding position of the Marxist view on religion, and insist on using Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods to lead and guide this diversified academic research on religion. In any society, the dominant thought in the ideological sphere is determined by the economic base that plays the leading role. Marx said: "The ideas of the ruling class are in every epoch the ruling ideas, i.e. the class which is the ruling material force of society, is at the same time its ruling intellectual force." [8]8 Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, *The German Ideology* (1845-1846). Guiding ideology, as the core and soul of the superstructure, is not only an important component of the superstructure but also plays a key role in maintaining it. The consolidation and improvement of the social system require the dominant ideology to provide theoretical guidance, value orientation, and spiritual support. Our Party represents the fundamental interests of the broadest majority of the people, and our country unswervingly follows the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics; this determines that in the ideological sphere, we must adhere to the guidance of Marxism.

当前，国内的宗教学术研究日益活跃起来，过去比较冷落的宗教学正在成为“显学”、“热学”，人们对宗教的认识越来越多样化，与国际间的宗教学术交流也不断增多。在这样的情况下，我们一定要坚持马克思主义宗教观的指导地位，坚持以马克思主义的立场、观点、方法去主导和引领多样化的宗教学术研究。在任何社会，意识形态领域的主导思想，都是由其起主导作用的经济基础决定的。马克思说：“统治阶级的思想在每一时代都是占统治地位的思想。这就是说，一个阶级是社会上占统治地位的物质力量，同时也是社会上占统治地位的精神力量。”指导思想作为上层建筑的核心和灵魂，既是上层建筑的重要内容，又对维护上层建筑起关键作用。社会制度的巩固和完善，需要主导意识形态提供理论指导、价值导向和精神支撑。我们党代表最广大人民的根本利益，我们国家坚定不移地走中国特色的社会主义道路，这就决定了在意识形态领域必须坚持以马克思主义为指导。

It should be made clear that our emphasis on guidance by Marxism does not mean creating a "monochrome" or enforcing uniformity of opinion. The diversification of people's ideological understanding and the diversity of social thought and culture are objective and normal states. Drawing on various religious research methods such as the sociology of religion, anthropology of religion, psychology of religion, and comparative religion to study religious issues is also conducive to enlivening academic thought and promoting theoretical innovation. We must both uphold the guiding position of Marxism and adhere to the principle of "letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend," [9]9 "Let a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend" is a Chinese Communist Party policy for promoting progress in the arts and sciences, first proposed by Mao Zedong in 1956. respecting differences and tolerating diversity. To put it succinctly, it is a single guiding principle with diverse coexistence.

应当明确，我们强调以马克思主义为指导，并不是搞“清一色”，搞舆论一律。人们的思想认识多样化，社会思想文化多样化，是一种客观的、正常的状态。借鉴宗教社会学、宗教人类学、宗教心理学、比较宗教学等各种宗教学方法研究宗教问题，也有利于活跃学术思想，推动理论创新。我们既要坚持马克思主义的指导地位，又要坚持“百花齐放，百家争鸣”的方针，尊重差异，包容多样。概括地说，就是一元主导，多样并存。

II. Deeply Grasping the Spiritual Essence of the Marxist View on Religion

二、深刻把握马克思主义宗教观的精神实质

In studying and researching the Marxist view on religion, what matters is not to pick out phrases or quote classics from the works of Marxist writers, but to comprehensively and profoundly understand the spiritual essence of the Marxist view on religion, to grasp its worldview and methodology of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, and to grasp its theoretical system, which is both continuous in lineage and advances with the times.

我们学习和研究马克思主义宗教观，重要的不在于从马克思主义经典作家的著作里寻章摘句、引经据典，而在于全面、深刻地理解马克思主义宗教观的精神实质，把握其辩证唯物主义与历史唯物主义的世界观和方法论，把握其既一脉相承又与时俱进的理论体系。

(I) The Principle of Historical Materialism

（一）历史唯物的原则

The Marxist view on religion is fundamentally different from all theological and idealist views on religion, and also differs from the ancient naive materialist and modern mechanical materialist views on religion. Its most important, fundamental, and greatest characteristic is the scientific principle and law of historical materialism that runs through it.

马克思主义宗教观，从根本上不同于一切神学主义的、唯心主义的宗教观，也区别于古代朴素唯物主义的、近代机械唯物主义的宗教观，它最重要、最根本、最伟大的特点，就是贯穿于其中的历史唯物主义的科学原理和法则。

Marx pointed out that historical materialism was the result of his combining the critique of religion with political critique, and combining philosophical research with economic research. This result, "once achieved, served as a guiding thread for my subsequent studies." [10]10 Karl Marx, "Preface to A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy" (1859). Engels also pointed out that historical materialism is the science concerning real people and their historical development. Once generated, it became the methodological guidance for further in-depth research on religion and other disciplines, "becoming our best tool and sharpest weapon." [11]11 Friedrich Engels, *Ludwig Feuerbach and the End of Classical German Philosophy* (1886).

马克思曾指出，历史唯物主义是他把宗教批判和政治批判结合起来，把哲学研究和经济学研究结合起来的成果，这一成果“一经得到就用于指导我的研究工作”。恩格斯也曾指出，历史唯物主义是关于现实的人及其历史发展的科学，一经产生，就成为进一步深入研究宗教和其他学科的方法论指导，“成为我们最好的工具和最锐利的武器”。

It is precisely by adhering to and applying the basic principles of historical materialism that the Marxist view on religion emphasizes that we cannot study religion in isolation, especially not study religious ideology in isolation. Instead, we must place the complex phenomenon of religion within the historical process of the contradictory movement between productive forces and relations of production, and between economic base and superstructure in the development of human society. We must also examine and analyze it within the actual connections between religion and various social aspects such as economy, politics, culture, and ethnicity. It is in this way that the Marxist view on religion possesses a profound historical perspective and a broad social viewpoint, a unique feature that none of the religious theories before Marx and Engels possessed.

正是坚持和运用历史唯物主义的基本原则，马克思主义宗教观强调，不能单纯地就宗教研究宗教，特别是不能单纯地就宗教意识形态研究宗教意识形态，而是要把宗教这一纷繁复杂的现象，放到人类社会发展生产力与生产关系、经济基础与上层建筑矛盾运动的历史进程中，放到宗教与经济、政治、文化、民族等社会诸方面的现实联系中，加以考察和分析。正是这样，马克思主义宗教观具有着深邃的历史眼光和广阔的社会视角，这是马克思、恩格斯以前所有的宗教理论所不具备的独有特色。

It is precisely by adhering to and applying the basic principles of historical materialism that the Marxist view on religion holds that religion, as a form of social consciousness, like other forms of social consciousness, is a reflection of social existence. Therefore, to study the essence and roots of religion, one must ultimately seek them in the material base of religion; to study the historical development of religion, one must examine the changes and developments in the material conditions of life at each stage of religion's development, and explain the changes in religion through the changes in social structure determined by the actual development of productive forces. It is in this way that the Marxist view on religion has unveiled the various mystical halos surrounding religion, profoundly perceived the actual material base of religion, and scientifically revealed the essence, roots, laws of development, and social role of religion.

正是坚持和运用了历史唯物主义的基本原则，马克思主义宗教观认为，宗教作为一种社会意识形式，同其他社会意识形式一样，是社会存在的反映。因此，研究宗教的本质和根源，归根到底应当从宗教的物质基础中去寻找；研究宗教的历史发展，就应当考察宗教每一发展阶段的物质生活条件的发展变化，用现实的生产力发展状况所决定的社会结构的变迁去说明宗教的变迁。正是这样，马克思主义宗教观揭开了笼罩在宗教身上的种种神密光环，深刻洞察了宗教的现实物质基础，科学揭示了宗教的本质、根源、发展规律和社会作用。

As Marx said: "We do not turn secular questions into theological ones. We turn theological questions into secular ones. History has long been explained by superstition, but we now explain superstition by history." [12]12 Karl Marx, "On the Jewish Question" (1843).

正如马克思所说：“我们不把世俗问题化为神学问题。我们要把神学问题化为世俗问题。相当长的时期以来，人们一直用迷信来说明历史，而我们现在是用历史来说明迷信。”

(II) The Scientific Dialectical Method

（二）科学辩证的方法

Marx and Engels founded the doctrine of materialist dialectics, thereby elevating dialectical thought to a scientific level. The Marxist view on religion, as an important component of the Marxist theoretical system, fully embodies the scientific dialectical method. Carefully studying the classic Marxist works on religion and learning from the important documents of our Party on religious work, one can deeply appreciate that the Marxist view on religion, whether in its basic theories or its basic policies, is full of materialist dialectics, shining with the truth of materialist dialectics. It is precisely by applying materialist dialectics that, at the theoretical cognitive level, it analyzes both the cognitive and psychological roots of religion, and its natural and social roots; it analyzes both the historical laws of the emergence, development, and extinction of religion, and the objective real conditions for the long-term existence of religion; it analyzes both the ideological attributes of religious concepts and emotions, and the social attributes of religious organizations and activities; it analyzes both the relationships among the internal elements of religion, and the relationships between religion and economy, politics, culture, society, as well as ethnicity, the state, and so on. Similarly, by adhering to materialist dialectics, at the policy practice level, it frankly acknowledges the ideological opposition between Marxist political parties and religion, while emphatically stressing the unity of fundamental interests between the broad masses of religious believers and non-believers; it respects and protects both the freedom of religious belief and the freedom not to believe and to propagate atheism; it insists on both managing religious affairs according to law and actively guiding religion to adapt to the socialist society; it pays attention to both overcoming and restraining the negative effects of religion, and fully affirming and leveraging the positive role of religion; it continuously strengthens both religious cultural exchanges and interactions, and adheres to the principle of independence and self-management, resolutely resisting the infiltration of hostile forces using religion, and so on. The materialist dialectics contained in the Marxist view on religion provide us with the correct direction and scientific method for correctly understanding and handling religious issues, and for preventing interference from "Left" and Right erroneous tendencies.

马克思和恩格斯创立唯物辩证法学说，从而把辩证法思想推向了科学的高度。马克思主义宗教观作为马克思主义理论体系的重要组成部分，也充分体现了科学辩证的方法。认真研读马克思主义有关宗教的经典著作，学习我们党关于宗教工作的重要文献，可以深切体会到，马克思主义宗教观，无论是在其基本理论中，还是在其基本政策中，都充满着唯物辨证法，闪耀着唯物辨证法的真理光辉。正是运用唯物辨证法，在理论认识层面，既分析宗教的认识根源、心理根源，又分析宗教的自然根源、社会根源；既分析宗教产生发展消亡的历史发展规律，又分析宗教长期存在的客观现实条件；既分析宗教观念、宗教情感等意识形态属性，又分析宗教组织、宗教活动等社会属性；既分析宗教内部诸要素的关系，又分析宗教与经济、政治、文化、社会以及民族、国家等诸方面的关系；等等。也正是坚持唯物辩证法，在政策实践层面，既坦率承认马克思主义政党与宗教在意识形态上的对立性，又着重强调广大信教和不信教群众根本利益的一致性；既尊重和保护宗教信仰自由，又尊重和保护不信教、宣传无神论的自由；既坚持依法管理宗教事务，又注重积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应；既注意克服和抑制宗教的消极作用，又充分肯定和发挥宗教的积极作用；既不断加强宗教文化交往交流，又坚持独立自主自办原则，坚决抵御敌对势力利用宗教进行渗透，等等。蕴含在马克思主义宗教观中的唯物辩证法，为我们正确认识和处理宗教问题，防止“左”、右两种错误倾向的干扰，提供了正确的方向和科学的方法。

Comrade Jiang Zemin pointed out: "When we study theory, the key is to learn to use Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods to observe and solve problems, to improve dialectical thinking ability, and to prevent metaphysics and one-sidedness. This requires us to seriously study and master the basic principles of Marxist philosophy." [13]13 Jiang Zemin, speech on studying Marxist philosophy, circa 1990s. In studying and researching the Marxist view on religion, we must comprehensively master its scientific dialectical analytical method, and insist on using materialist dialectics to understand and handle religious issues.

江泽民同志指出：“我们学习理论，关键是要学会运用马克思主义的立场、观点、方法来观察和解决问题，提高辩证思维能力，防止形而上学和片面性。这就要求我们必须认真学习和掌握马克思主义哲学的基本原理。”我们学习和研究马克思主义宗教观，必须全面掌握其科学辩证的分析方法，坚持用唯物辩证法去认识和处理宗教问题。

(III) The Quality of Advancing with the Times

（三）与时俱进的品质

The Marxist view on religion was founded by Marx and Engels, inherited and enriched by Lenin and other Soviet Communists, and subsequently upheld and developed by Chinese Communists such as Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, and Hu Jintao. It is a scientific theoretical and policy system that is both continuous in lineage and advances with the times.

马克思主义宗教观，是由马克思、恩格斯创立的，经由列宁等苏联共产党人继承和丰富的，继由毛泽东、邓小平、江泽民、胡锦涛等中国共产党人坚持和发展的，是一个既一脉相承又与时俱进的科学的理论体系和政策体系。

The Marxist view on religion not only possesses a solid scientific and theoretical foundation but can also be continuously enriched and developed in step with the practice of revolution, construction, and reform, achieving an organic unity of scientificity and revolutionary character, theory and practice, inheritance and innovation. To study and research the Marxist view on religion, one must understand its classic original works and important viewpoints, as well as grasp its scientific system that both carries forward the tradition and advances with the times.

马克思主义宗教观，不仅具有坚实的科学基础和理论基础，而且能够随着革命、建设、改革的实践不断丰富发展，达到了科学性和革命性、理论性和实践性、继承性和创新性的有机统一，学习研究马克思主义宗教观，既要理解其经典原著和重要观点，也要掌握其一脉相承又与时俱进的科学体系。

Over more than 60 years since the founding of New China, and especially over more than 30 years of reform and opening up, our Party, through long and arduous exploration and by summing up positive and negative experiences, has gradually formed a complete set of religious theories and policies guided by the Marxist view on religion, with Chinese characteristics, and in line with the basic national conditions of the primary stage of socialism. This has greatly enriched and developed the Marxist view on religion, making it an important component of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In contemporary China, upholding the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is truly upholding Marxism; similarly, upholding the religious theories and policies of socialism with Chinese characteristics is truly upholding the Marxist view on religion. In the new period and new stage, we must adhere to the guidance of the Scientific Outlook on Development, grasp the theoretical quality of the Marxist view on religion in advancing with the times, perfect the religious theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and promote the continuous innovation of the Marxist view on religion as the times advance and practice develops.

新中国成立60多年来，特别是改革开放30多年来，我们党经过长期艰辛探索，总结正反两方面的经验，逐步形成了一整套以马克思主义宗教观为指导的、具有中国特色的、符合社会主义初级阶段基本国情的宗教理论和宗教政策，极大地丰富和发展了马克思主义宗教观，成为中国特色社会主义理论体系的重要组成部分。在当代中国，坚持中国特色社会主义理论体系，就是真正坚持马克思主义；同样，坚持中国特色社会主义宗教理论和宗教政策，就是真正坚持马克思主义宗教观。新时期新阶段，我们要坚持以科学发展观为指导，把握马克思主义宗教观与时俱进的理论品质，完善中国特色社会主义的宗教理论体系，推动马克思主义宗教观随着时代的前进和实践的发展不断创新。

III. Actively Promoting the Sinicization, Modernization, and Popularization of the Marxist View on Religion

三、积极推进马克思主义宗教观中国化、时代化、大众化

The Fourth Plenary Session of the 17th Central Committee of the Party [14]14 The Fourth Plenary Session of the 17th Central Committee of the CPC was held in September 2009, focusing on strengthening and improving Party building under new circumstances., based on new changes in the world situation, national conditions, and Party conditions, as well as new requirements for the development of Marxism, put forward the strategic task of promoting the sinicization, modernization, and popularization of Marxism. To implement this spirit in religious research and religious work, it is necessary to promote the sinicization, modernization, and popularization of the Marxist view on religion.

党的十七届四中全会根据世情、国情、党情的新变化和马克思主义发展的新要求，提出了推进马克思主义中国化、时代化、大众化的战略任务。在宗教研究和宗教工作中贯彻落实这一精神，必须推进马克思主义宗教观的中国化、时代化和大众化。

(1) Sinicization. Only by combining the Marxist view on religion with China's national conditions and continuously enriching and developing it in practice can it better play its role in guiding practice. Promoting the sinicization of the Marxist view on religion means, in accordance with the new requirements for religious work in the new stage of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, continuing to adhere to the combination of the basic principles of the Marxist view on religion with the concrete reality of religion in China, continuously forming new ideas of the Marxist view on religion with Chinese characteristics, in line with China's reality, and embodying China's experience, and continuously enriching and perfecting the religious theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

（一）中国化。马克思主义宗教观只有同中国国情相结合，在实践中不断丰富和发展，才能更好发挥指导实践的作用。推进马克思主义宗教观中国化，就是要根据建设中国特色社会主义新阶段对宗教工作的新要求，继续坚持把马克思主义宗教观的基本原理同中国宗教的具体实际相结合，不断形成具有中国特色、符合中国实际、体现中国经验的马克思主义宗教观新思想，不断丰富和完善中国特色社会主义宗教理论。

(2) Modernization. Modernization is an inevitable requirement of the theoretical quality of the Marxist view on religion in advancing with the times. Promoting the modernization of the Marxist view on religion means, in accordance with the contemporary theme of peace and development in the world, combining the contemporary characteristics of economic globalization and religious pluralism, basing ourselves on the contemporary issues of promoting scientific development, fostering social harmony, and jointly building a harmonious world, absorbing the outstanding achievements of religious research from various countries, drawing on the successful experiences of various countries in managing religious affairs, emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, and forging ahead with innovation, responding to the needs of the times, solving practical problems, and continuously endowing the Marxist view on religion with distinct contemporary content and characteristics, making it a scientific theory for promoting religious harmony.

（二）时代化。时代化是马克思主义宗教观与时俱进的理论品质的必然要求。推进马克思主义宗教观时代化，就是要根据当今世界和平与发展的时代主题，结合经济全球化、宗教多元化的时代特征，立足推动科学发展、促进社会和谐、共建和谐世界的时代课题，吸取各国宗教研究的优秀成果，借鉴各国管理宗教事务的成功经验，解放思想、实事求是、与时俱进、开拓创新，回应时代需求、解决现实问题，不断赋予马克思主义宗教观鲜明的时代内容和时代特色，使之成为促进宗教和谐的科学理论。

(3) Popularization. Promoting the popularization of the Marxist view on religion means, in light of the actual existence and influence of religion, and the reality of religious issues and religious work, continuously systematizing, popularizing, and concretizing the basic principles of the Marxist view on religion and the latest achievements of its sinicization and modernization, and continuously using scientific and innovative methods, diverse and lively forms, and easy-to-understand language to widely publicize and comprehensively popularize them among cadres and the masses, making it a worldview and methodology for people to correctly treat life, death, illness, old age, good fortune, and misfortune, correctly understand and transform the world, correctly understand and handle religious issues, and correctly carry out religious research and religious work.

（三）大众化。推进马克思主义宗教观大众化，就是要结合宗教存在和影响的实际、宗教问题和宗教工作的实际，不断把马克思主义宗教观基本原理和中国化、时代化的最新成果系统化、通俗化、具体化，不断以科学创新的方法、多样活泼的形式、通俗易懂的语言向干部群众广泛宣传和全面普及，使之成为人们正确对待生老病死、吉凶祸福，正确认识世界、改造世界，正确认识处理宗教问题、正确开展宗教研究和宗教工作的世界观和方法论。

In summary, the sinicization, modernization, and popularization of the Marxist view on religion are an interconnected and inseparable unified whole. Sinicization is the core, the general principle and general requirement that guides modernization and popularization; modernization is the key, an important indicator of the scientificity and advanced nature of sinicization and popularization; popularization is the foundation, an important pathway for expanding the depth and breadth of sinicization and modernization.

总之，马克思主义宗教观中国化、时代化、大众化，是一个相互联系、不可分割的统一整体。中国化是核心，是统领时代化和大众化的总原则、总要求；时代化是关键，是展现中国化和大众化科学性与先进性的重要标志；大众化是基础，是拓展中国化和时代化深度与广度的重要途径。

Online editor: Jia Fei

网络编辑：嘉扉