On the Main Content of Marxist Scientific Atheism Education in Institutions of Higher Education

Abstract: Marxist scientific atheism is an important component of advanced socialist culture and an integral part of the Marxist worldview. Marxist scientific atheism education is a crucial element of Party building and ideological and political education in China’s institutions of higher education. It concerns the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological domain, the construction of the Party’s advanced nature and integrity, and the cultivation of qualified builders and reliable successors for socialism. Its main content includes “five points”: the basic point is education in dialectical materialism and historical materialism; the key point is education in advocating science and opposing superstition; the core point is education in the Marxist view of religion; the focal point is education in the system of core socialist values; and the ultimate goal is education in the free and comprehensive development of the individual.

提 要：马克思主义科学无神论是社会主义先进文化的重要组成部分，是马克思主义世界观的应有之义。马克思主义科学无神论教育是我国高校党建和思想政治教育工作的重要内容，关系马克思主义在意识形态领域的指导地位，关系党的先进性和纯洁性建设，关系社会主义合格建设者和可靠接班人的培养，其内容主要包括“五点”：基本点是辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的教育，关键点是崇尚科学与反对迷信的教育，核心点是马克思主义宗教观的教育，着力点是社会主义核心价值体系的教育，落脚点是人的自由全面发展的教育。

Keywords: institutions of higher education; Marxist scientific atheism; education

关键词：高等学校 马克思主义科学无神论 教育

Marxist scientific atheism, which is atheism founded on dialectical materialism and historical materialism, reveals the origin and essence of theism, such as religion, answers the fundamental question of the relationship between humanity and God, and points out that the world is material and godless. God is the result of the alienation of human essence, a distorted illusory reflection in the human mind of objective forces that dominate humanity. Institutions of higher education are important positions for cultivating successors to the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, bearing the significant responsibilities of talent cultivation, scientific research, social service, and cultural heritage and innovation. University students, moreover, are important successors in building the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and are the nation’s precious talent resources. Under the new circumstances of profound changes in the world situation, national conditions, and Party conditions, ideological and political education in China’s higher education institutions faces both favorable conditions and severe challenges. Therefore, strengthening Marxist scientific atheism education in higher education institutions and consolidating the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological domain of higher education have become a major and urgent strategic task for Party building and ideological and political education in higher education institutions. To strengthen Marxist scientific atheism education in higher education institutions, its main content must first be clarified.

马克思主义科学无神论，是建立在辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义基础之上的无神论，揭示了宗教等有神论的起源和本质，回答了人与神关系的基本问题，指出了世界是物质的和无神的。神是人本质异化的结果，是支配人的客观力量在人头脑中颠倒的虚幻反映。高等学校是培养中国特色社会主义事业接班人的重要阵地，肩负着人才培养、科学研究、社会服务、文化传承创新的重要职责，大学生更是建设中国特色社会主义事业的重要接班人，是国家的宝贵人才资源。在世情、国情、党情发生深刻变化的新形势下，我国高校思想政治教育既面临有利条件，也面临严峻挑战，所以加强高校马克思主义科学无神论教育，巩固马克思主义在高校意识形态领域的指导地位，已成为高校党建和思想政治教育工作的一项重大而紧迫的战略任务。而加强高校马克思主义科学无神论教育，必须首先明确其主要内容。

I. Education in Dialectical Materialism and Historical Materialism Is the Basic Point of Scientific Atheism Education

一、辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的教育是科学无神论教育的基本点

Dialectical materialism reveals that the origin of the world is material and godless. Dialectical materialism is the modern materialism founded by Marx and Engels on the basis of critically absorbing the “rational kernel” of Hegelian dialectics and the “basic kernel” of Feuerbach’s humanist materialism, and on the basis of summarizing the knowledge of human natural sciences, social sciences, and thinking sciences. It profoundly reveals the basic laws of the dialectical relationship between matter and consciousness, the dialectical relationship between practice and cognition, and the dialectical relationship between internal and external causes. It scientifically expounds the basic principles of the material unity of the world, the practical standard of truth in cognition, the law of the unity of opposites, and the law of the negation of the negation. It correctly answers the major question that there is fundamentally no god in the world, and that gods are merely subjective images of the objective world. The idealist viewpoint that the world is constituted by consciousness and that ghosts and gods exist in the world violates scientific common sense and the scientific spirit and is fundamentally erroneous. It is necessary to vigorously strengthen education and guide university students to consciously apply the basic viewpoints and methods of dialectical materialism to understand nature, society, and the world of human thought, and to truly understand that the unity of the world lies in its materiality.

辩证唯物主义揭示了世界的本原是物质的和无神的。辩证唯物主义是马克思、恩格斯在批判吸收黑格尔辩证法的“合理内核”和费尔巴哈人本唯物主义的“基本内核”的情况下，在总结人类自然科学、社会科学和思维科学知识的基础上而创立的现代唯物主义，深刻揭示了物质与意识辩证关系、实践与认识辩证关系、内因与外因辩证关系等基本规律，科学阐述了世界的物质统一性原理、认识的实践检验标准、对立统一规律、否定之否定规律等基本原理，正确回答了世界上根本不存在神，神只是客观世界的主观映象的重大问题。那种认为世界是由意识构成、世界存在鬼神的唯心主义思想观点是违背科学常识和违反科学精神的，是根本错误的。必须大力加强教育和引导大学生自觉运用辩证唯物主义的基本观点和方法去认识自然、社会和人的思维世界，真正懂得世界的统一性是在于它的物质性。

Historical materialism critiques the idealist view of history that subjectivizes human society. Historical materialism is the scientific theory, i.e., historical materialism, formed by Marx and Engels through the application of dialectical materialism to the field of human social history. It profoundly reveals the basic laws of the dialectical relationship between social existence and social consciousness, the dialectical relationship between productive forces and relations of production, the dialectical relationship between economic base and superstructure, the dialectical relationship between society and nature, the dialectical relationship between human development and social development, and the dialectical relationship between value and truth. It scientifically expounds the basic principles of the basic structure of society, the laws of social development, and the free and comprehensive development of the individual. It emphatically points out that theism, such as religion, is a product of a specific stage of human social development and has a long process of eventual extinction. The idealist view of history, which holds that history is created and dominated by gods, is erroneous. It is necessary to educate and guide university students to consciously apply the basic viewpoints and methods of dialectical materialism and historical materialism to understand nature and human society, to understand that the masses of the people are the creators of history and the decisive force driving the development of social history, and to gradually establish a mass viewpoint.

历史唯物主义批判了把人类社会主观化的唯心主义历史观。历史唯物主义是马克思、恩格斯将辩证唯物主义应用于人类社会历史领域而形成的科学理论即唯物史观，深刻揭示了社会存在与社会意识辩证关系、生产力与生产关系辩证关系、经济基础与上层建筑辩证关系、社会和自然辩证关系、人的发展和社会发展辩证关系、价值和真理辩证关系等基本规律，科学阐述了社会基本结构、社会发展规律、人的自由全面发展等基本原理，强调指出了宗教等有神论是人类社会发展一定阶段的产物，有一个消亡的长期过程。认为历史是由神创造和主宰的唯心主义历史观是错误的，必须教育和引导大学生自觉运用辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的基本观点和方法去认识自然和人类社会，懂得人民群众才是历史的创造者，才是推动社会历史发展的决定性力量，逐渐树立群众观点。

Adhere to the ideological line of seeking truth from facts, and resolutely oppose theism. “Dialectical materialism and historical materialism are thoroughgoing atheism” [1]1 This is a quotation from Lenin’s work “On the Significance of Militant Materialism” (1922), where he argues that dialectical materialism is inherently atheistic. is the ideological principle that Communists must uphold. Educating university students in dialectical materialism and historical materialism is a long-term strategic task for the Party and the state. The Communist Party of China is a Marxist political party. “Using Marxist philosophy to criticize idealism (including theism), conducting education in the scientific worldview of dialectical materialism and historical materialism (including atheism) among the masses, especially young people and adolescents, along with the dissemination of scientific and cultural knowledge concerning natural phenomena, social evolution, and human birth, aging, illness, death, good fortune, and misfortune, is one of the important tasks of the Party on the propaganda front.” [2]2 This is a quotation from a 1982 Central Committee of the CPC document, “Document No. 19,” which outlines the Party’s basic policy on religion. Article 24 of China’s Constitution also clearly stipulates that the state shall conduct “education in dialectical materialism and historical materialism” [3]3 Article 24 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China (1982) mandates the state’s promotion of education in dialectical materialism and historical materialism. among the people. The key to carrying out education in dialectical materialism and historical materialism for university students is to guide them to earnestly study and master the Marxist ideological line of seeking truth from facts. “Seeking truth from facts” is the fundamental requirement of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, the essence of Marxism, and the essence of Mao Zedong Thought and the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It requires university students to proceed from reality in everything, integrate theory with practice, align the subjective with the objective, use Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods to analyze problems, strive to establish Marxist scientific atheist thought, and not proceed from their own subjective imagination, resolutely discarding theist thought.

坚持实事求是的思想路线，坚决反对有神论。“辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义就是彻底的无神论”①是共产党人必须坚持的思想原则。对大学生进行辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的教育，是党和国家的长期战略任务。中国共产党是马克思主义政党，“用马克思主义哲学批判唯心论（包括有神论），向人民群众特别是广大青少年进行辩证唯物论和历史唯物论的科学世界观（包括无神论）的教育，加上有关自然现象、社会进化以及人的生老病死、吉凶祸福的科学文化知识的宣传，是党在宣传战线上的重要任务之一。”② 我国宪法第二十四条也明确规定，国家对人民“进行辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的教育”③。而开展大学生辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的教育，关键要引导他们认真学习和掌握马克思主义的实事求是的思想路线。“实事求是”是辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的根本要求，是马克思主义的精髓，是毛泽东思想和中国特色社会主义理论体系的精髓，要求大学生坚持一切从实际出发，理论联系实际，主观与客观相符，用马克思主义的立场、观点和方法去分析问题，努力树立马克思主义的科学无神论思想，而不能从自己的主观想象出发，坚决摒弃有神论思想。

II. Education in Advocating Science and Opposing Superstition Is the Key Point of Scientific Atheism Education

二、崇尚科学与反对迷信的教育是科学无神论教育的关键点

Advocating Science and Opposing Ignorance

崇尚科学与反对愚昧

Taking pride in advocating science and being ashamed of ignorance and backwardness is an important part of the socialist concept of honor and disgrace and an inevitable requirement of Marxist scientific atheism education. What is called science generally includes the natural sciences and the social sciences. The natural sciences are sciences that take natural phenomena as their research object and aim to explore the laws of nature. The social sciences are sciences that take human activities and social phenomena as their research object and aim to explore the laws of the emergence and development of human society. Science is the cornerstone for promoting social progress. It is “a knowledge system concerning nature, society, and thought” [4]4 This is a definition of science commonly cited in Chinese Marxist textbooks, derived from the Soviet philosophical tradition., reflecting the objective laws of the development of nature, society, and human thought. For a period of time, social dregs such as pseudoscience, anti-science, and feudal superstition have resurfaced, seriously harming the physical and mental health of university students and campus culture, and seriously endangering the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field of higher education institutions. If science cannot overcome ignorance and atheism cannot overcome theism, problems will arise. It is necessary to vigorously “promote the scientific spirit, popularize scientific knowledge, advocate changing outdated customs and resisting feudal superstition” [5]5 This is a quotation from the report of the 19th National Congress of the CPC (2017), which emphasizes the need to promote science and resist superstition., educate and guide university students to firmly establish the Marxist scientific worldview, outlook on life, values, and concept of honor and disgrace, enhance their scientific and cultural literacy, keenly identify feudal superstition and various forms of pseudoscience and anti-science, dare to expose all kinds of anti-science and anti-Marxist deception and propaganda, truly overcome ignorance and superstition, and consciously liberate themselves from the shackles of ignorance and backwardness.

以崇尚科学为荣，以愚昧无知为耻，是社会主义荣辱观的重要内容，是马克思主义科学无神论教育的必然要求。所谓科学，一般包括自然科学和社会科学，自然科学是以自然界现象为研究对象、以探究自然规律为目的的科学，社会科学是以人的活动和社会现象为研究对象、以探究人类社会产生和发展规律为目的的科学。科学是推动社会进步的基石，“是关于自然、社会和思维的知识体系”④，反映了自然、社会和人的思维发展的客观规律。一段时期里，伪科学、反科学、封建迷信等社会沉渣泛起，严重危害了大学生的身心健康和校园文化，严重危害了马克思主义在高校思想领域的指导地位。科学敌不过愚昧、无神论敌不过有神论，就会出问题。要大力“弘扬科学精神，普及科学知识，倡导移风易俗、抵制封建迷信”⑤，教育和引导大学生牢固树立马克思主义的科学世界观、人生观、价值观和荣辱观，增强科学文化素养，敏锐识别封建迷信和形形色色的伪科学、反科学，敢于揭穿各种反科学、反马克思主义的欺骗和宣传，真正战胜愚昧迷信，自觉地从愚昧无知的桎梏中解放出来。

Opposing Superstition and Respecting Customs

反对迷信与尊重风俗

To advocate science, it is necessary to oppose and eradicate superstition. Science emphasizes practice, champions rationality, and seeks truth from facts, whereas superstition rejects rationality, blindly believes, and prostrates itself in worship. Generally speaking, superstition is the erroneous belief that supernatural things such as spirits, ghosts, and demons exist; it is a cognitive misconception that emerges when humanity evolves to a certain stage. The university period is precisely an important time for young students to learn scientific and cultural knowledge and establish a correct worldview. Some people propagate feudal superstition and pseudoscience in institutions of higher learning, causing great harm to the physical and mental health of university students and exerting an extremely negative influence on normal religious belief. In response to this, it is necessary to educate and guide university students to take a clear-cut stand against feudal superstition, daring to expose it and resolutely opposing it. While the Party and the state respect and protect citizens’ freedom of religious belief, they have consistently emphasized that “this not only does not hinder but should strengthen efforts to popularize science education and intensify anti-superstition propaganda”[6]6 From the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China’s “Directive on the Propagation of Atheism in the Masses and the Question of Communist Party Members’ Belief in Religion” (1956)., using science to overcome superstition. While opposing superstition, attention must also be paid to respecting customs. Customs are traditional habits formed over history, including ethnic customs, festival traditions, and conventional rituals; they are an important foundation for social morality and law and are fundamentally different from feudal superstition. It is also necessary to educate university students to recognize that customs and habits are important markers of ethnic characteristics and differences, and that respecting the customs and habits of ethnic minorities means respecting ethnic sentiments. “The preservation or reform of customs and habits should be decided by the members of the ethnic group themselves; other ethnic groups and individuals must not interfere, let alone enforce reform through administrative orders.”[7]7 From the State Council’s “Regulations on Ethnic Autonomy” (1984, revised 2005).

崇尚科学，就要反对和破除迷信。科学注重实践、推崇理性、实事求是，迷信却排斥理性、盲目信奉、顶礼膜拜。一般而言，迷信是人们相信有神灵、鬼怪、妖魔等超自然东西存在的错误认识，是人类进化到一定时期而产生的认识误区。大学时期正是青年学生学习科学文化知识、树立正确世界观的重要时期，一些人在高校宣传封建迷信和伪科学，给大学生的身心健康带来了极大危害，对正常的宗教信仰产生了极坏的影响。对此，要教育和引导大学生对待封建迷信必须旗帜鲜明，敢于揭穿、坚决反对。党和国家在尊重和保护公民宗教信仰自由的同时，也一贯强调“不但不妨碍而且应当加强普及科学教育的努力，加强反迷信的宣传”⑥，用科学战胜迷信。在反迷信的同时还要注意尊重风俗。风俗是历史形成的传统习惯，包括民族风俗、节日习俗、传统礼仪等，是社会道德与法律的重要基础，是与封建迷信有根本区别的。还要教育大学生认识到，风俗习惯是构成民族特点和民族差异的重要标志，尊重少数民族风俗习惯就是尊重民族感情，“风俗习惯的保持或改革，都应该由本民族成员自己去决定，别的民族和个人不得干预，更不能以行政命令强迫改革。”⑦

Correctly Distinguishing Religion from Cults

正确区分宗教与邪教

Religion is a social and cultural phenomenon at a certain stage of the development of human society. In essence, it is an idealist worldview of theism, but at the same time, religion is a social entity composed of factors such as religious belief, religious sentiment, religious organizations, and religious behavior. It is often interconnected with politics, economics, culture, and ethnicity, and possesses long-term, mass, and complex characteristics. Therefore, the Party and the state respect and protect freedom of religious belief, as long as there is no “use of religion to engage in activities that disrupt social order, harm citizens’ physical health, impede the state education system, or otherwise damage state interests, social public interests, or citizens’ lawful rights and interests”[8]8 From Article 36 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China (1982).; the state will not interfere with freedom of religious belief. While respecting and protecting freedom of religious belief, it is necessary to educate university students to learn to identify cults and resolutely oppose them. Cults are not religions; they are illegal organizations that usurp the name of religion, qigong, or other forms, deify their leaders, use the creation and dissemination of superstitious doctrines and other means to deceive and delude others, develop and control members, and harm society. They are prohibited by Chinese law and must be resolutely opposed. There are fundamental and significant differences between religion and cults: religion is about belief in gods, while cults are typical worship of leaders; religion involves freedom of belief, while cults involve spiritual control; religion has systematic doctrines, while cults have fallacious theories; religion has lawful organizations, while cults illegally accumulate wealth and harm lives.

宗教是人类社会发展一定阶段的社会文化现象，本质上是有神论的唯心主义世界观，但同时宗教又是一种由宗教信仰、宗教情感、宗教组织、宗教行为等因素构成的社会实体，经常与政治、经济、文化、民族等相互联系，具有长期性、群众性和复杂性。所以党和国家对于宗教信仰自由是尊重和保护的，只要不“利用宗教进行破坏社会秩序、损害公民身体健康、妨碍国家教育制度，以及其他损害国家利益、社会公共利益和公民合法权益的活动”⑧，国家就不会干涉宗教信仰自由。在尊重和保护宗教信仰自由的同时，要教育大学生学会识别邪教、坚决反对邪教。邪教不是宗教，而是冒用宗教、气功或者其他名义建立，神化首要分子，利用制造、散布迷信邪说等手段蛊惑、蒙骗他人，发展、控制成员，危害社会的非法组织，是我国法律禁止的，也是我们必须坚决反对的。宗教与邪教有着根本的显著区别，宗教是关于神的信仰，邪教是典型的教主崇拜；宗教是信仰自由，邪教是精神控制；宗教有系统学说，邪教是歪理邪说；宗教拥有合法组织，邪教非法敛财害命。

III. Education on the Marxist View of Religion Is the Core Point of Scientific Atheism Education

三、马克思主义宗教观的教育是科学无神论教育的核心点

Education on the Marxist Theory of Basic Religious Issues

马克思主义关于宗教基本问题理论的教育

The Marxist view of religion is the overall perspective and fundamental viewpoint on correctly understanding and dealing with religion and religious issues, founded by Marx and Engels. “Proceeding from dialectical materialism and historical materialism, it truly revealed for the first time in human history the universal laws of the development of world religions.”[9]9 From the textbook “Introduction to the Marxist View of Religion” (2008). The Marxist theory on basic religious issues encompasses ideas and viewpoints on the origin, essential characteristics, developmental laws, and social role of religion. It mainly includes: religion is a historical product of human society developing to a certain stage, a special way for humans to understand and transform the world, and “a fantastic reflection in people’s minds of those external forces that dominate their daily lives”[10]10 From Friedrich Engels, “Anti-Dühring” (1878).; in essence, it belongs to the theistic belief culture and a complex social entity; the emergence and existence of religion have important cognitive, social, and psychological roots; religion did not arise out of nothing and will not exist forever, but has a process and law of emergence, development, and extinction; religion has both positive and negative dual social roles. The view that religion can be attacked or even abolished by administrative force and that it will soon disappear is erroneous. It is necessary to adhere to the viewpoints and methods of dialectical materialism and historical materialism to educate and guide university students, correctly understanding the important reasons why religion will still exist for a long time in socialist society. While fully recognizing that religious belief is a matter of the spiritual realm, a “thought problem among the people,” a “problem of the spiritual world”[11]11 From Mao Zedong, “On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People” (1957)., it is also necessary to educate university students to firmly establish a scientific worldview, outlook on life, and value system, thereby correctly understanding and dealing with religious issues.

马克思主义宗教观，是由马克思恩格斯创立的关于正确认识和对待宗教及宗教问题的总的看法和根本观点，“从辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义出发，在人类历史上第一次真正揭示了世界宗教发展的普遍规律”⑨。马克思主义关于宗教基本问题的理论，是关于宗教起源、本质特征、发展规律和社会作用的思想观点，主要包括：宗教是人类社会发展到一定阶段的历史产物，是人类认识世界和改造世界的一种特殊方式，“是支配着人们日常生活的外部力量在人们头脑中的幻想的反映”⑩，本质上是属于有神论的信仰文化和复杂的社会实体；宗教的产生和存在，有着重要的认识根源、社会根源和心理根源，宗教不是凭空产生的，也不会永久存在下去，有一个产生、发展和消亡的过程和规律；宗教具有积极和消极的双重社会作用。那种认为可以用行政力量打击甚至取消宗教、宗教很快就会消亡的观点是错误的，必须坚持用辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的观点和方法教育和引导大学生，正确认识宗教在社会主义社会仍将长期存在的重要原因，既要充分认识宗教信仰是人们精神领域的问题，是“人民内部的思想问题”、“精神世界的问题”{11}，又要教育大学生牢固树立科学的世界观、人生观和价值观，从而正确认识和对待宗教问题。

Education on the Party’s and State’s Religious Policies

党和国家宗教政策的教育

The Party’s and state’s religious policies are the application and development of the Marxist view of religion. These policies mainly include: comprehensively and correctly implementing the policy of freedom of religious belief, where citizens have the freedom to believe or not believe in religion, the freedom to believe in one sect or another, the freedom to have believed in the past and now not believe, or to have not believed in the past and now believe; no organization or individual may compel citizens to believe or not believe in religion, nor discriminate against believers or non-believers; the policy of managing religious affairs according to law, where “the government carries out administrative management and supervision over the implementation of relevant religious laws, regulations, and policies”[12]12 From the State Council’s “Regulations on Religious Affairs” (2004).; religion must not interfere with state politics, education, or the judiciary; religious figures and believers must not preach in public places, nor use religion to harm state stability, social order, or citizens’ physical and mental health; the principle and policy of independence and self-management, where “China’s religious affairs are managed independently by Chinese religious believers, and Chinese religious groups and religious affairs are not subject to the domination of foreign forces”[13]13 From the State Council’s “Regulations on Religious Affairs” (2004).; while actively engaging in international friendly exchanges on religion, it is necessary to resolutely resist religious infiltration and safeguard national security; the policy of actively guiding religion to adapt to socialist society, leveraging the positive role of religious figures and believers in building socialism with Chinese characteristics, and constructing harmonious religious relations; the policy of expanding the Party’s united front with religious circles in the new era, adhering to mutual respect in belief and political unity and cooperation, jointly committed to the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics and national rejuvenation; and the policy of upholding the Party’s leadership over religious work, which is the fundamental guarantee for doing religious work well. Therefore, it is necessary to use complete and accurate religious policies to educate and guide university students. No one should engage in atheist propaganda within religious activity venues, yet they must consciously draw a line with the idealist worldview of religion and strive to establish the Marxist scientific worldview, outlook on life, and value system.

党和国家的宗教政策，是对马克思主义宗教观的运用和发展。这些政策主要包括：全面正确地贯彻宗教信仰自由的政策，公民有信仰宗教或不信仰宗教的自由，有信仰这个派别或那个派别的自由，有过去信教现在不信教或过去不信教现在信教的自由，任何组织或个人不得强制公民信教或不信教，不得歧视信教公民或不信教公民；依法管理宗教事务的政策，“政府对有关宗教的法律、法规和政策的贯彻实施进行行政管理和监督”{12}，宗教不得干涉国家政治、教育和司法，宗教人士和信教徒不得在公共场所传教，不得利用宗教危害国家稳定、社会秩序和公民身心健康；坚持独立自主自办的原则和政策，“中国的宗教事业由中国的宗教信徒自主办理，中国的宗教团体和宗教事务不受外国势力的支配”{13}，既要积极开展宗教方面的国际友好往来，又要坚决抵制宗教渗透、维护国家安全；积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应的方针政策，发挥宗教界人士和信教群众在建设中国特色社会主义中的积极作用，构建和谐宗教关系；扩大新时期党同宗教界的统一战线政策，坚持信仰上相互尊重、政治上团结合作，共同致力于中国特色社会主义建设和民族复兴；坚持党对宗教工作领导的政策，这是做好宗教工作的根本保证。因此，要用完整的准确的宗教政策教育和引导大学生，任何人既不得到宗教活动场所进行无神论的宣传，又要自觉与宗教的唯心主义世界观划清界限，努力树立马克思主义的科学世界观、人生观和价值观。

Student Party Members Must Not Believe in Religion

学生党员不得信仰宗教

The Party Central Committee has repeatedly pointed out that religious figures and believers are a positive force in building socialism with Chinese characteristics and share fundamental interests with other people. Differences in belief must not be elevated to an inappropriate position, nor should believers be discriminated against; citizens’ freedom of religious belief must be respected, as this is a fundamental right granted by the Constitution. At the same time, it is necessary to educate university students to deeply recognize that religion is essentially an idealist worldview, a theistic ideological system; whereas the ideological foundation of our Party is Marxism, a scientific ideological system built on dialectical materialism and historical materialism, which is thoroughly atheistic and a scientific worldview. Therefore, communist belief and religious belief are irreconcilable in worldview and fundamentally opposed. Communist Party members must not believe in religion; “not believing in religion is a minimum condition for being a qualified Communist Party member”[14]14 From the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China’s “Document No. 19” (1982), “The Basic Viewpoint and Policy on the Religious Question During the Socialist Period.”. The view that Party members can also believe in religion is erroneous and harmful. It is necessary to use scientific atheism to educate university students, and to use the socialist core value system to educate and arm university students.

党中央多次指出，宗教界人士和信教群众是建设中国特色社会主义的积极力量，与其他人民群众在根本利益上是一致的，决不能把信仰差异问题抬高到不应该有的位置，也不能歧视信教者，必须尊重公民的宗教信仰自由，这是宪法赋予公民的基本权利。同时也要教育大学生深刻地认识到，宗教在本质上是一种唯心主义的世界观，是有神论的思想体系；而我们党的思想基础是马克思主义，是建立在辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义之上的科学思想体系，是彻底的无神论，是科学的世界观。因此，共产主义信仰和宗教信仰在世界观上是不可调和的，是根本对立的，共产党员不得信仰宗教，“不信仰宗教是做一名合格共产党员的起码条件”{14}，认为党员也可以信仰宗教的观点是错误的和有害的，必须用科学无神论来教育大学生，用社会主义核心价值体系教育和武装大学生。

IV. Education on the Socialist Core Value System Is the Focal Point of Scientific Atheism Education

四、社会主义核心价值体系的教育是科学无神论教育的着力点

The Socialist Core Value System Is an Important Platform for Scientific Atheism Education

社会主义核心价值体系是科学无神论教育的重要平台

The system of core socialist values is the essential embodiment of socialist ideology, the common ideological foundation for the unity and struggle of the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups across the country, and a scientific proposition first explicitly put forward at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 16th Central Committee of the CPC. The system of core socialist values, composed of Marxist guiding ideology, the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the national spirit with patriotism at its core and the spirit of the times with reform and innovation at its core, and the socialist outlook on honor and disgrace with the "Eight Honors and Eight Disgraces" as its main content, "clearly answers the major question of what kind of spiritual banner our Party uses to unite and lead the entire people to forge ahead and what kind of spiritual outlook the Chinese nation stands among the nations of the world under the new historical conditions."{15} Therefore, building the system of core socialist values is an important foundational project, political project, and soul project. It is necessary to educate university students to recognize that the four components of the system of core socialist values complement each other, interpenetrate, and promote each other, jointly forming a dialectically unified organic whole, and that "in the system of core socialist values, the atheistic materialist worldview and outlook on life occupy an important position,"{16} so that they can establish the thought of scientific atheism in their studies.

社会主义核心价值体系是社会主义意识形态的本质体现，是全党全国各族人民团结奋斗的共同思想基础，是党的十六届六中全会首次明确提出的一个科学命题。马克思主义指导思想、中国特色社会主义共同理想、以爱国主义为核心的民族精神和以改革创新为核心的时代精神、以“八荣八耻”为主要内容社会主义荣辱观构成的社会主义核心价值体系，“鲜明地回答了在新的历史条件下，我们党用什么样的精神旗帜团结带领全体人民开拓前进、中华民族以什么样的精神风貌屹立于世界民族之林的重大问题”{15}，所以建设社会主义核心价值体系是一项重要的基础工程、政治工程、灵魂工程，必须教育大学生认识到社会主义核心价值体系四个组成部分相辅相成、相互贯通、相互促进，共同构成辩证统一的有机整体，并且“在社会主义核心价值体系中，无神论的唯物世界观和人生观，占有重要地位”{16}，要在学习中树立科学无神论的思想。

Marxist guiding ideology is the soul of the system of core socialist values

马克思主义指导思想是社会主义核心价值体系的灵魂

Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology for our Party and country to establish themselves and govern the country, the soul and banner of socialist ideology, and a scientific worldview and methodology. Only by using Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods to understand various forms of theism, including religion, and all kinds of superstitions and pseudosciences, can university students see through the essence and discern the direction amidst complex social phenomena, and can they grasp the powerful ideological weapon for understanding and transforming the world, without being misled by idealism and feudal superstition. Therefore, Marxism is a science, a sharp weapon for upholding scientific atheism and criticizing theism, and should become the firm conviction of all university students, especially student Party members.

马克思主义是我们立党立国的根本指导思想，是社会主义意识形态的灵魂和旗帜，是科学的世界观和方法论，只有用马克思主义的立场、观点和方法来认识包括宗教在内的各种有神论和形形色色的迷信、伪科学，大学生才能在错综复杂的社会现象中看清本质、认清方向，才能掌握认识世界和改造世界的强大思想武器，不为唯心主义和封建迷信所迷惑。因此，马克思主义是科学，是坚持科学无神论、批判有神论的锐利武器，应该成为全体大学生特别是学生党员的坚定信念。

The common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the theme of the system of core socialist values

中国特色社会主义共同理想是社会主义核心价值体系的主题

Under the strong and capable leadership of the Party, holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, firmly adhering to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, upholding the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and consolidating the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, thereby realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, is the common ideal of the people of all ethnic groups in our country at the present stage, and also the common ideal of contemporary university students. The common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics "concentrates the aspirations of all the people for a bright future of the country and the nation, represents the fundamental interests of all the people, and reveals the only way to national prosperity, national rejuvenation, people's happiness, and social harmony."{17} It is necessary to educate and guide university students to firmly uphold this common ideal, to well integrate the realization of life value with the firm common ideal, and to practically base life value on the soil of realistic arduous struggle and the common ideal, firmly establishing scientific atheism, and not placing life pursuits in the illusory world of theism.

在党的坚强有力领导下，高举中国特色社会主义伟大旗帜，坚定中国特色社会主义道路，坚持中国特色社会主义理论体系，巩固中国特色社会主义制度，从而实现中华民族伟大复兴，是现阶段我国各族人民的共同理想，也是当代大学生的共同理想。中国特色社会主义共同理想，“集中反映了全体人民对国家和民族未来发展美好前景的向往，代表了全体人民的根本利益，揭示了国家富强、民族振兴、人民幸福、社会和谐的必由之路。”{17}要教育和引导大学生坚定这一共同理想，把实现人生价值与坚定共同理想很好地结合起来，切实把人生价值建立在现实的艰苦奋斗和共同理想的土壤中，牢固树立科学无神论，不应把人生追求置于有神论的虚幻世界里。

The national spirit and the spirit of the times are the essence of the system of core socialist values

民族精神和时代精神是社会主义核心价值体系的精髓

The national spirit with patriotism at its core—unity, love of peace, diligence and courage, and unremitting self-improvement—and the spirit of the times with reform and innovation at its core—keeping pace with the times, pioneering and enterprising, seeking truth from facts, and striving to be the first—are the essence of the system of core socialist values, the powerful spiritual pillar of the Chinese nation, the spiritual driving force for advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and also important content for carrying out education on the socialist outlook on honor and disgrace. It is necessary to educate and guide university students to uphold and promote the national spirit and the spirit of the times, to inspire their fighting spirit with the spiritual state and spiritual outlook of patriotism and reform and innovation, to consciously devote themselves to their studies, and to make their own contributions to the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

以爱国主义为核心的团结统一、爱好和平、勤劳勇敢、自强不息的民族精神，和以改革创新为核心的与时俱进、开拓进取、求真务实、奋勇争先的时代精神，是社会主义核心价值体系的精髓，是中华民族的强大精神支柱，是推进中国特色社会主义事业的精神动力，也是开展社会主义荣辱观教育的重要内容。要教育和引导大学生坚持和弘扬民族精神和时代精神，以爱国主义和改革创新的精神状态和精神风貌鼓舞斗志，自觉投入到学习中去，为中国特色社会主义事业做出自己的贡献。

The socialist outlook on honor and disgrace is the foundation of the system of core socialist values

社会主义荣辱观是社会主义核心价值体系的基础

The socialist outlook on honor and disgrace, with the "Eight Honors and Eight Disgraces" as its main content, clearly points out what should be upheld and promoted and what should be opposed and resisted under the conditions of the socialist market economy, providing university students with basic value criteria and behavioral norms for judging the right and wrong of conduct, making moral choices, and determining value orientations. It is necessary to educate university students to consciously use the socialist outlook on honor and disgrace to guide social customs, criticize unhealthy social trends, strive to practice the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation, excellent revolutionary morality, and the spirit of the times, distinguish right from wrong, honor from disgrace, and stay away from feudal superstition.

以“八荣八耻”为主要内容的社会主义荣辱观，旗帜鲜明地指出了在社会主义市场经济条件下，应当坚持和提倡什么、反对和抵制什么，为大学生判断行为得失、作出道德选择、确定价值取向，提供了基本的价值准则和行为规范。要教育大学生自觉以社会主义荣辱观引领社会风尚，批判社会歪风邪气，努力践行中华民族传统美德、优秀革命道德与时代精神，分清是非荣辱，远离封建迷信。

V. Education for the free and comprehensive development of the individual is the ultimate goal of scientific atheism education

五、实现人的自由全面发展的教育是科学无神论教育的落脚点

The free and comprehensive development of the individual is the core value of socialism and the highest value pursuit of Marxism

人的自由全面发展是社会主义的核心价值和马克思主义的最高价值追求

On the basis of criticizing capitalist values and establishing historical materialism and the theory of surplus value, Marx put forward the idea of the free and comprehensive development of the individual and regarded it as the value goal and lofty ideal of the future new society, containing the theory that the free and comprehensive development of the individual is the core value of socialism. In order to get rid of all relations that enslave people, such as "religious enslavement, despotic political enslavement, enslavement by private ownership, enslavement by the old division of labor, and enslavement by old-style labor,"{18} Marxism advocates replacing the old capitalist society with class and class antagonism with a new society of a "free association of individuals" on the basis of eliminating the old division of labor and private ownership, realizing that "man finally becomes the master of his own social combination, and thus the master of nature, the master of himself—a free man."{19} The "free association of individuals" is communist society, whose purpose is to realize the free and comprehensive development of the individual. Therefore, the free and comprehensive development of the individual is the highest value criterion of Marxism, and also the lofty ideal for which Chinese Communists have striven in revolution, construction, and reform, embodying the essential requirements of socialism and reflecting the inevitable trend of human development itself.

马克思在批判资本主义价值、创立历史唯物主义和剩余价值学说的基础上，提出了人的自由全面发展并视之为未来新社会价值目标和崇高理想的思想观点，蕴含了人的自由全面发展就是社会主义核心价值的理论。为摆脱“宗教奴役、专制政治奴役、私有制奴役、旧式分工奴役以及旧式劳动的奴役”{18} 等一切奴役人的关系，马克思主义主张在消灭旧式分工和私有制的基础上，以“自由人的联合体”的新社会取代存在着阶级和阶级对立的资本主义的旧社会，实现“人终于成为自己的社会结合的主人，从而也就成为自然界的主人，成为自身的主人——自由的人。”{19}“自由人的联合体”就是共产主义社会，目的是实现人的自由全面发展。因此，人的自由全面发展是马克思主义的最高价值准则，也是中国共产党人在革命、建设和改革中为之奋斗的崇高理想，体现了社会主义的本质要求，反映了人类自身发展的必然趋势。

The issue of human development is also the starting point and destination of Marxist scientific atheism

人的发展问题也是马克思主义科学无神论的出发点和归宿

Marxist scientific atheism began with the critical absorption of Feuerbach's humanist view of religion. "'The essence of religion is the alienation of human essence' and 'the dualization of the world'—the entry point for Marxist scientific atheism to criticize the old society."{20} Marxism holds that "the essence of man is not an abstraction inherent in each single individual. In its actuality, it is the ensemble of social relations."{21} Religion is "the self-consciousness and self-feeling of man who has either not yet found himself or has already lost himself again," and "contains the eternal determination of human essence."{22} "Religious suffering is at the same time the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people."{23} It can be seen that Marx and Engels' view of religion is filled with Marxist humanitarian concern, "revealing the illusory nature of religious belief, advocating the realization of 'ultimate concern' in 'worldly concern' and 'human concern,' which is a major difference between it and religious belief."{24} Therefore, only by getting rid of the ideological enslavement of people by religion and other forms of theism, greatly improving people's scientific and cultural quality and spiritual realm, and vigorously developing the productive forces, can we continuously promote and realize the free and comprehensive development of the individual. This is the starting point and destination of the Marxist view of religion and scientific atheism, and also the ultimate purpose of Marxism's criticism of religion and theism.

马克思主义科学无神论是从批判吸收费尔巴哈人本主义宗教观开始的，“‘宗教的本质是人的本质的异化’和‘世界的二重化’——马克思主义科学无神论批判旧社会的入口”{20}。马克思主义认为，“人的本质不是单个人所固有的抽象物，在其现实性上，它是一切社会关系的总和”{21}，而宗教是“还没有获得自身或已经再度丧失了自身的人的自我意识和自我感觉”，“包含有人类本质的永恒规定性”{22}，“宗教里的苦难既是现实的苦难的表现，又是对这种现实的苦难的抗议。宗教是被压迫生灵的叹息，是无情世界的心境，正像它是无精神活力的制度的精神一样。宗教是人民的鸦片。”{23} 可以看出，马克思、恩格斯的宗教观充满了马克思主义的人道主义关怀，“揭示了宗教信仰的虚幻性，主张在‘现世关怀’和‘人间关怀’中实现‘终极关怀’，这是它同宗教信仰的一大区别。”{24} 因此，摆脱宗教等有神论对人的思想奴役，极大地提高人的科学文化素质和精神境界，大力发展生产力，才能不断地促进和实现人的自由全面发展。这是马克思主义宗教观和科学无神论的出发点和落脚点，也是马克思主义批判宗教和有神论的终极目的。

To sum up, Marxist scientific atheism education is extremely important, and the “five points” of content are interconnected and inseparable. Dialectical materialism and historical materialism are the foundation of scientific atheism education, requiring university students to emancipate their minds, seek truth from facts, proceed from reality in everything, and firmly establish a scientific worldview, outlook on life, and value system. Advocating science and opposing superstition are the key to scientific atheism education, requiring university students to strengthen their study of scientific knowledge, vigorously promote the scientific spirit, and oppose all pseudoscience and feudal superstition. The Marxist view on religion is the core of scientific atheism education, requiring university students to both respect the freedom of religious belief—while student Party members must not believe in religion—and resolutely draw a clear line with religious theism, correctly understanding and handling religious issues. The core socialist value system is an important platform for scientific atheism education, requiring university students to arm themselves with Marxist scientific theory and firmly uphold the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Promoting and realizing the free and comprehensive development of the human person is the ultimate goal of scientific atheism, requiring university students to strive to improve their scientific and cultural quality, strive to improve their ideological and moral quality, and become qualified builders and reliable successors of socialism.

综上所述，马克思主义科学无神论教育十分重要，“五点”内容相互联系、不可分割。辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义是科学无神论教育的基础，要求大学生解放思想、实事求是，一切从实际出发，牢固树立科学的世界观、人生观和价值观；崇尚科学和反对迷信是科学无神论教育的关键，要求大学生加强学习科学知识，大力弘扬科学精神，反对一切伪科学和封建迷信；马克思主义宗教观是科学无神论教育的核心，要求大学生既要尊重宗教信仰自由，学生党员不得信仰宗教，又要坚决与宗教有神论划清界限，正确认识和对待宗教问题；社会主义核心价值体系是科学无神论教育的重要平台，要求大学生运用马克思主义的科学理论武装自己，坚定中国特色社会主义共同理想；促进和实现人的自由全面发展是科学无神论的归宿，要求大学生努力提高科学文化素质，努力提高思想道德素质，做一名社会主义的合格建设者和可靠接班人。

Notes:

注释：

① Gong Xuezeng, Li Shen, eds., *Marxist Atheism Cadre Reader* (People’s Publishing House, 2004), p. 32.

① 龚学增、李申编：《马克思主义无神论干部读本》，人民出版社，2004年，第32页。

② *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period* (Religious Culture Publishing House, 1995), p. 72.

②《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社，1995年，第72页。

③ *Constitution of the People’s Republic of China* (China Legal Publishing House, 2011), p. 49.

③《中华人民共和国宪法》，中围法制出版社，2011年，第49页。

④ *Ren Jiyu’s Collected Works on Religion* (China Social Sciences Press, 2010), p. 201.

④《任继愈宗教论集》，中国社会科学出版社，2010年，第201页。

⑤ *Compilation of Documents from the Sixth Plenary Session of the Seventeenth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China* (People’s Publishing House, 2011), p. 25.

⑤《中国共产党第十七届中央委员会第六次全体会议文件汇编》，人民出版社，2011年，第25页。

⑥ *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period* (Religious Culture Publishing House, 1995), p. 103.

⑥《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社，1995年，第103页。

⑦ *Outline for Propaganda and Education on the Party and State’s Ethnic Policies* (Ethnic Publishing House, 2009), p. 11.

⑦《党和国家民族政策宣传教育提纲》，民族出版社，2009年，第11页。

⑧ *Regulations on Religious Affairs* (Religious Culture Publishing House, 2010), p. 3.

⑧《宗教事务条例》，宗教文化出版社，2010年，第3页。

⑨ He Husheng, *A Study of the Sinicized Marxist View on Religion* (Sino-Culture Press, 2007), p. 8.

⑨ 何虎生：《中国化马克思主义宗教观研究》，华文出版社，2007年，第8页。

⑩ *Selected Works of Marx and Engels*, Vol. 3 (People’s Publishing House, 1995), p. 666.

⑩《马克思恩格斯选集》，第三卷，人民出版社，1995年，第666页。

{11} *Collected Works of Mao Zedong*, Vol. 7 (People’s Publishing House, 1999), p. 232.

{11}《毛泽东文集》，第七卷，人民出版社，1999年，第232页。

{12} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period* (Religious Culture Publishing House, 1995), p. 216.

{12}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社，1995年，第216页。

{13} *Reader on Religious Policy and Laws* (Religious Culture Publishing House, 2012), p. 15.

{13}《宗教政策法规读本》，宗教文化出版社，2012年，第15页。

{14} *Selected Works of Jiang Zemin*, Vol. 3 (People’s Publishing House, 2006), p. 395.

{14}《江泽民文选》，第三卷，人民出版社，2006年，第395页。

{15} *Study Reader on the Core Socialist Value System* (Xuexi Publishing House, 2009), p. 1.

{15}《社会主义核心价值体系学习读本》，学习出版社，2009年，第1页。

{16} Xi Wuyi, *Scientific Atheism and Religious Studies* (China Social Sciences Press, 2012), p. 9.

{16} 习五一：《科学无神论与宗教研究》，中国社会科学出版社，2012年，第9页。

{17} *Study Reader on the Core Socialist Value System* (Xuexi Publishing House, 2009), p. 13.

{17}《社会主义核心价值体系学习读本》，学习出版社，2009年，第13页。

{18} Lin Yongmin, “‘Human Emancipation’ and Communism,” *Fudan Journal* (Social Sciences Edition), 1983, no. 2.

{18} 林永民：《“人的解放”与共产主义》，《复旦学报》（社会科学版），1983年，第2期。

{19} Same as ⑩, 1995, p. 760.

{19} 同⑩，1995年，第760页。

{20} Li Shiju, *Contemporary Interpretations of Marxist Scientific Atheism* (People’s Publishing House, 2006), p. 2.

{20} 李士菊：《马克思主义科学无神论的当代阐释》，人民出版社，2006年，第2页。

{21} *Selected Works of Marx and Engels*, Vol. 1 (People’s Publishing House, 1995), p. 56.

{21}《马克思恩格斯选集》第一卷，人民出版社，1995年，第56页。

{22} Same as ⑩, 2002, p. 520.

{22} 同⑩，2002年，第520页。

{23} Same as {21}, 1995, p. 2.

{23} 同{21}，1995年，第2页。

{24} He Husheng, *A Study of the Sinicized Marxist View on Religion* (Sino-Culture Press, 2007), p. 48.

{24} 何虎生：《中国化马克思主义宗教观研究》，华文出版社，2007年，第48页。

Online editor: Jia Fei

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