Seeing Our Achievements, Seeing Our Bright Prospects, and Enhancing Our Confidence and Courage

First of all, please allow me, on behalf of the academic advisors of the society and the chairmen and secretaries-general, to express our heartfelt welcome and gratitude to all the council members and scholars, especially those from outside Beijing, for actively participating in the 2015 Annual Academic Conference of the China Atheism Society. This conference is jointly organized by the China Atheism Society, the Research Center for Science and Atheism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the University of Science and Technology Beijing. The leadership of the university, the leadership of the university’s Institute of Marxist Studies, and the team of the “Zuo Peng Studio,”[1]1 The “Zuo Peng Studio” is a Beijing municipal-level master teacher studio for ideological and political theory courses in universities, named after its lead professor, Zuo Peng. a Beijing university ideological and political theory course master teacher studio, have done a great deal of meticulous preparatory work for the convening of the conference. We express our heartfelt thanks to them.

首先，请允许我代表学会学术顾问和各位理事长、秘书长，对各位理事和学者，特别是外地的学者，踊跃参加中国无神论学会2015年学术年会，表示衷心的欢迎和感谢！这次会议由中国无神论学会、中国社会科学院科学与无神论研究中心和北京科技大学共同举办，科技大学的领导、科技大学马研院的领导和科技大学北京高校思想政治理论课名师工作室“左鹏工作室” 团队，为会议的召开作了大量认真细致的准备工作，向他们表示衷心的感谢！

This annual conference is convened against the backdrop of the active preparations for the National Conference on Religious Work. In his speech at the Central United Front Work Conference[2]2 The Central United Front Work Conference is a high-level meeting convened by the CPC Central Committee to discuss and guide work related to the united front, which includes relations with non-Communist parties, intellectuals, ethnic minorities, religious groups, and other social sectors. held in May 2015, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed: to actively guide religions to adapt to the socialist society, we must adhere to the direction of Sinicization, we must raise the level of law-based governance of religious work, we must dialectically view the social role of religion, and we must attach importance to leveraging the role of religious figures, guiding religions to strive to serve the promotion of economic development, social harmony, cultural prosperity, national unity, and the reunification of the motherland; this has pointed the direction for doing religious work well under the new circumstances. Therefore, this conference is both a routine annual academic exchange and a meeting to earnestly study and comprehend the Central Committee’s important expositions on religious issues and religious work, and to advance the research and disciplinary construction of scientific atheism.

这次年会是在全国宗教工作会议正在积极筹备的背景下召开的。在2015年5月召开的中央统战工作会议的讲话中，习近平总书记提出：积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应，必须坚持中国化方向，必须提高宗教工作法治化水平，必须辩证看待宗教的社会作用，必须重视发挥宗教界人士作用，引导宗教努力为促进经济发展、社会和谐、文化繁荣、民族团结、祖国统一服务；为做好新形势下的宗教工作指明了方向。因此，这次会议既是一次例行的年度学术交流，又是一次认真学习领会中央关于宗教问题和宗教工作的重要论述，推进科学无神论研究和学科建设的会议。

According to the usual practice of academic societies, the annual conference is mainly for academic exchange. Since council members and experts and scholars can only gather once a year, everyone is very concerned about the situation of the society as the home of Marxist atheism researchers; because the pace of work and life in society today has accelerated, the value of information communication lies in timeliness; because some fresh experiences and ideas need to be exchanged in a timely manner, and future plans also require listening to everyone’s opinions and suggestions. Therefore, I take this opportunity to briefly report here on the work of the society over the past year, hoping to continue to attract everyone’s attention, participation, and support.

按照一般学会的惯例，年会主要是进行学术交流，由于理事和专家学者们一年才能一聚，大家都很关心学会作为马克思主义无神论研究者之家的情况；由于现在社会的工作、生活节奏加快，信息的沟通，贵在时效；由于一些新鲜的体会、想法，需要及时交流，未来的设想也需要多听取各位的意见、建议。因此，我借此机会，在这里简要报告一年来学会的工作，希望继续引起各位的关注、参与和支持。

Since most council members of the society have their own primary duties, the work and academic activities of the society are often carried out on Saturdays and Sundays, and communication is mainly through email and WeChat on weekdays. It is difficult to achieve a comprehensive and complete grasp of the situation.

由于学会大多数理事都有各自的本职工作，学会工作和学术活动往往都是利用周六、周日的时间，平时主要通过电邮、微信沟通。掌握的情况难以做到全面、完整。

The main work and progress of the society in 2015 are as follows:

学会2015年的主要工作和进展有：

1. On March 18, presided over by Comrade Zhao Shengxuan, Vice President and Deputy Party Secretary of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Academy’s Information and Intelligence Institute invited experts and scholars from the Atheism Society to hold a symposium on the situation and policy of religious work.

1.3月18日，由中国社会科学院副院长、党组副书记赵胜轩同志主持，社科院信息情报院邀请了无神论学会的专家学者就宗教工作形势和政策问题进行座谈。

Analysis of the situation of religious work and research on theory and policy have always been a focus of attention for the Atheism Society. On October 20 and November 12, 2013, the society held two consecutive seminars on the situation and theory and policy of religious work, resulting in four summaries, which were synthesized by the Academy’s Information and Intelligence Institute into a *Briefing Report* (“We Must Vigorously Strengthen the Propaganda and Education of Atheism from the Overall Strategic Height,” December 2, 2013, *Briefing Report*, Issue 224).

宗教工作形势分析和理论政策研究，一直是无神论学会关注的重点。2013年10月20日、11月12日，学会曾连续举行了两次宗教工作形势和理论政策研讨会，形成了四份综述，并由社科院信息情报院综合为一份《要报》(《应从战略全局高度大力加强无神论的宣传教育工作》2013年12月2日，《要报》第224期)。

The background of the March 18 symposium. At that time, the Central Committee was preparing to convene the National Conference on Religious Work and the Sixth Symposium on Work in Tibet.[3]3 The Sixth Symposium on Work in Tibet was a high-level CPC meeting held in 2015 to discuss and set policy for the Tibet Autonomous Region. A religious work conference at the Central Committee level had not been held for 14 years. This is a deployment of overall and strategic significance in the field of ethnic and religious work by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as General Secretary, following the convening of the Central Ethnic Work Conference and the Second Xinjiang Work Conference in 2014. The 2014 Central Ethnic Work Conference and the Second Xinjiang Work Conference clearly and forcefully answered major questions of concern to the people. The upcoming National Conference on Religious Work will inevitably play an important role in the field of religious work in building consensus, unifying thought, clarifying right and wrong, and defining the direction, creating a stable social situation and political environment for implementing the “Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy.”[4]4 The “Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy” (四个全面) is a set of major strategic goals for China’s development, comprising: comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society, comprehensively deepening reform, comprehensively governing the country according to law, and comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. The key to a successful conference lies in its preparation. Council members of the society are also thinking seriously and actively offering suggestions. The council members who attended the March 18 symposium prepared earnestly and spoke enthusiastically. After the meeting, the Information and Intelligence Institute compiled 7 materials and submitted them. Although we have not received feedback on whether the leading comrades gave instructions, from the fact that the Sixth Symposium on Work in Tibet placed greater emphasis on work in the ideological sphere and more clearly and forcefully stressed the need to persistently, extensively, and deeply carry out propaganda and education on Marxist atheism, we feel that the Central Committee has heard our voices and absorbed the opinions of the experts and scholars of the Atheism Society. This greatly encourages us and brings us great comfort.

3月18日座谈会的背景。当时，中央正在筹备召开宗教工作会议和第六次西藏工作座谈会，中央层面的宗教工作会议，已经14年没有开了。这是继2014年召开中央民族工作会议和第二次新疆工作会议之后，以习近平同志为总书记的党中央，在民族、宗教工作领域带有全局性、战略性意义的重要部署。2014年的中央民族工作会议、二次新疆会，旗帜鲜明、准确有力地回答了人们关心的重大问题。即将召开的全国宗教工作会议，必将在宗教工作领域起到凝聚共识，统一思想，澄清是非，明确方向的重要作用，为贯彻“四个全面”的战略布局，创造团结稳定的社会局面和政治环境。开好会议，重在筹备。学会理事也在认真思考，积极建言。出席3月18日座谈会的学会理事们认真准备、踊跃发言。会后由信息情报院整理了7份材料上报。尽管没有得到领导同志是否有批示的反馈，但是从第六次西藏工作座谈会更加重视意识形态领域的工作，更加鲜明有力地强调要坚持不懈、广泛、深入地开展马克思主义无神论宣传教育等内容来看，我们感到中央已经听到了我们的声音，吸收了无神论学会专家学者的意见。这使我们倍受鼓舞、倍感欣慰。

2. On April 15, Comrade Zhu Xiaoming, on behalf of the society, delivered a speech titled “Understanding the Contemporary Value of Marxist Atheism” at the symposium on the publication of the *Collected Works of Ren Jiyu* (ten volumes) held by the Ren Jiyu Research Association and the National Library of China Publishing House. The speech mentioned that Messrs. Du Jiwen, Li Shen, Xi Wuyi, and Zhang Xinying of the China Atheism Society also actively participated in the editorial work of the *Collected Works*, investing considerable effort. The publication of the *Collected Works* is also a grand event eagerly anticipated by the council members and scholars of the China Atheism Society. It emphasized inheriting and carrying forward the spirit of advocating science that Mr. Ren Jiyu[5]5 Ren Jiyu (1916-2009) was a prominent Chinese philosopher, historian of religion, and a leading figure in the study of atheism and the history of Chinese philosophy. personally practiced under the new historical conditions: first, adhere to Marxism and advance the study of religious studies and scientific atheism; second, adhere to using the methods and achievements of academic research to expand the influence of atheism; third, combine scientific atheism research and propaganda education with solving practical problems and advancing practical work; fourth, unswervingly implement religious policy in propaganda and education. It stated: scientific atheism shares the fate of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and shares the fate of the responsibility and future of Marxism. Although scientific atheism is temporarily at a low ebb and faces difficulties, the spark remains. The persistence of truth and scientific research is not about following trends. In the future struggle against all kinds of mysticism, scientific atheism will play an important role, and may even shine brilliantly at critical moments.

2.4月15日，朱晓明同志代表学会在任继愈研究会、国家图书馆出版社举办的《任继愈文集》（十卷本）出版座谈会上，作了“认识马克思主义无神论的当代价值”的发言。发言讲到中国无神论学会的杜继文、李申、习五一、张新鹰先生等也积极投入了《文集》的编辑工作，花费了不少心血，《文集》的出版，也是中国无神论学会的理事和学者们翘首以盼的一件盛事；强调在新的历史条件下继承和发扬任继愈先生身体力行的崇尚科学的精神：第一，坚持马克思主义，推进宗教学和科学无神论研究；第二，坚持以学术研究的方式和成果，扩大无神论的影响；第三，把科学无神论研究和宣传教育与解决实际问题、推进实际工作相结合；第四，在宣传教育中，始终不渝地执行宗教政策；表示：科学无神论与中国特色社会主义事业共命运，与马克思主义的担当和未来共命运，尽管科学无神论暂时处于低潮，比较困难，但火种仍在。真理的坚持和科学的研究不是赶风潮。在未来与形形色色的神秘主义的斗争中，科学无神论将会发挥重要作用，甚至在关键时刻大放异彩。

3. On May 24, some experts and scholars from the China Atheism Society and the Ren Jiyu Research Association held a seminar with the theme “Atheists and Traditional Chinese Culture.” Mr. Du Jiwen, academic advisor of the society, gave a keynote speech, and the attending experts and scholars engaged in a lively discussion on the conference theme. A summary of the discussion was compiled by Deputy Secretary-General Wang Zhen and published in Issue 5, 2015, of the journal *Science and Atheism*.

3.5月24日，中国无神论学会、任继愈研究会的部分专家学者，以“无神论者与中国传统文化”为主题进行了研讨。由学会学术顾问杜继文先生作主题发言,与会专家学者就会议主题进行了热烈讨论。讨论综述由王珍副秘书长整理，刊发于2015年第5期《科学与无神论》杂志。

This method of concentrated discussion on a single topic of common concern was an innovation in the work of the society in 2015. Originally, we planned to hold several more such seminars, but due to time constraints, we did not hold that many. For a seminar to be effective, it requires repeated communication, determination of the topic, careful preparation, and active participation. Some scholars suggested that the seminars should firmly grasp the main, prominent, and major issues facing atheism research and propaganda education. How to grasp the key points, promote exchange, and enliven the academic atmosphere still needs to be continuously innovated, enriched, and improved in practice.

这种就一个大家共同关心的主题进行集中研讨的方式，是2015年学会工作的一个创新。原来打算多搞几次这样的研讨，后来由于时间的关系，没有开那么多。研讨要有成效，需要反复沟通，确定主题，认真准备，踊跃参与。有学者建议，研讨要紧紧抓住无神论研究和宣传教育面临的主要问题、突出问题、重大问题。如何抓住重点、促进交流，活跃学术氛围，还需要在实践中不断地创新、丰富、完善。

4. On June 28, through the contact of Vice Chairman Zhang Xinying, Comrade Zhu Xiaoming, at the invitation of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee’s Office for Prevention and Transformation[6]6 The “Office for Prevention and Transformation” (防范办) refers to local government offices responsible for work related to preventing and handling issues involving cults and illegal religious activities. and the Provincial Federation of Social Sciences, gave a public lecture titled “What Spirit Does China Need Today? – On the Contemporary Value of Scientific Atheism” at the 100th session of the *Qilu Grand Forum*,[7]7 The *Qilu Grand Forum* (齐鲁大讲坛) is a public lecture series held in Shandong Province, named after the ancient states of Qi and Lu located in the region. with over 300 listeners from all walks of life actively participating. This was also a beneficial attempt to propagate atheism to the public. The outline of the lecture was published in Issue 5, 2015, of the journal *Science and Atheism*.

4.6月28日，由张新鹰副理事长联系，朱晓明同志应山东省委防范办、省社科联等单位邀请，在第100期《齐鲁大讲坛》上，向公众作了题为《今天的中国需要什么精神——谈谈科学无神论的当代价值》的讲座，社会各界300多名听众踊跃参加。这也是一次向社会公众宣讲无神论的有益尝试。讲座提纲刊载于《科学与无神论》杂志2015年第5期。

5. On the afternoon of August 7, a meeting of the society’s chairmen’s office was held. Chen Yongge, Director of the Institute of Philosophy of the Zhejiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, was invited to attend the meeting as a non-voting participant.

5.8月7日下午，召开学会理事长办公会议。浙江省社会科学院哲学研究所所长陈永革应邀列席会议。

The meeting studied and discussed Comrade Xi Jinping’s speech at the Central Conference on United Front Work and the content related to religious issues and religious work in the *Regulations of the Chinese Communist Party on United Front Work (Trial)*. Comrades present unanimously agreed that in the study of scientific atheism, we must earnestly study, comprehend, and implement these strategic thoughts and important principles that are directly relevant to us and have significant guiding importance. Comrade Chen Yongge, Director of the Institute, was invited to introduce the progress of Zhejiang’s “Three Reforms and One Demolition” [8]8 “Three Reforms and One Demolition” (三改一拆) refers to a policy campaign in Zhejiang Province involving the renovation of old residential areas, old factories, and old urban villages, combined with the demolition of illegal buildings. and the prominent problems facing the religious field, along with their observations and reflections. Comrades present believed that the direction of “Three Reforms and One Demolition” is correct, the measures of law-based governance are necessary, and should attract our high attention. We should study typical cases and practical experiences, improve methods and strategies, explore adherence to the “Four Musts” [9]9 The “Four Musts” (四个必须) likely refers to principles for guiding religion to adapt to the socialist society, though the specific content is not provided in the text., and actively explore the pathways and feasible methods for guiding religion to adapt to the socialist society. The meeting discussed and confirmed the theme for the 2015 annual conference. Comrades present unanimously agreed to seize the important opportunities presented by the Central Committee convening the Central Conference on United Front Work and issuing the *Regulations on United Front Work*, as well as the upcoming National Conference on Religious Work within the year. Linking this to the actual work on religion and targeting the prominent problems facing the religious field, we will carry out academic research on atheism. It was decided to hold the 2015 academic annual conference in Beijing in early December, with the theme: “Scientific Atheism and Religious Issues under the New Situation.”

会议学习讨论习近平同志在中央统战工作会议上的讲话和《中国共产党统一战线工作条例（试行）》中有关宗教问题和宗教工作的内容，与会同志一致认为要在科学无神论研究中认真学习领会和贯彻执行这些与我们直接相关、有着重要指导意义的战略思想和重要原则；请陈永革所长介绍了浙江“三改一拆”进展情况和宗教领域面临的突出问题，以及他们的观察和思考，与会同志认为“三改一拆”的方向是正确的，依法管理的举措是必要的，应引起我们的高度重视，研究典型案例和实践经验，完善方法策略，探索坚持“四个必须”，积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应的实现途径和可行办法；会议讨论确定2015年年会主题，与会同志一致认为要抓住中央召开统战工作会议、出台《统战工作条例》，年内还要召开全国宗教工作会议的重要机遇，联系宗教工作实际，针对宗教领域面临的突出问题，开展无神论学术研究，决定于12月上旬在北京召开2015年学术年会，主题是：“科学无神论与新形势下的宗教问题”。

6. From September 25 to 29, experts and scholars from the society gave lectures at the Beijing University Marxist View on Religion Special Training Course. This training course was hosted by the “Zuo Peng Studio,” a renowned studio for ideological and political theory courses in Beijing universities. It was organized and invited by Professor Zuo Peng. Comrades Du Jiwen, Zhu Xiaoming, Li Shen, Xi Wuyi, Jia Runguo, Dai Jicheng, and others from the society delivered special reports at the training course on topics including the Marxist view on religion and scientific atheism, the Party’s religious policies and national religious laws and regulations, and opposition to “Tibet independence,” “Xinjiang independence,” and religious extremism. A total of 84 ideological and political theory teachers and students, as well as propaganda and united front work cadres from over 40 universities in Beijing received the training. This was the first time experts from the society collectively participated on such a scale in related education and training projects.

6.9月25日至29日，学会专家学者为北京高校马克思主义宗教观专题培训班授课。这次培训班由北京高校思想政治理论课名师工作室“左鹏工作室”承办，由左鹏教授组织和邀请，学会杜继文、朱晓明、李申、习五一、加润国、戴继诚等同志在培训班上分别作马克思主义宗教观和科学无神论、党的宗教政策和国家宗教法规、反对“藏独”“疆独”和宗教极端主义等专题报告，来自北京40多所高校的84名思想政治理论课教师和学生、宣传、统战工作干部接受了培训。这是学会专家第一次集体出阵，成规模地参与相关的教育培训项目。

7. On November 1, the Research Center for Science and Atheism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Atheism Society jointly hosted the Third Forum on Scientific Atheism, themed “The Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy [10]10 The Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy (四个全面) refers to comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society, comprehensively deepening reform, comprehensively governing the country according to law, and comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. and Scientific Atheism.” The innovative highlight of this year’s forum was its formal inclusion by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences into the “Eight Major Forums” of the Marxist Theoretical Engineering Project, gaining sustainable support within the system and taking an important step towards forming a series and building a brand.

7.11月1日，中国社科院科学与无神论研究中心和无神论学会共同承办了主题为《“四个全面”战略布局与科学无神论》的第三届科学无神论论坛。今年论坛的创新亮点在于正式被中国社科院纳入马克思主义理论建设工程“八大论坛”，有了体制内可持续的支持，向形成系列、形成品牌的方向迈出了重要的一步。

8. The commissioned project “Research on Basic Theoretical Issues of Scientific Atheism” progressed smoothly. At the 2014 Zhuhai annual conference, participating experts and scholars held focused discussions on the manuscript of the monograph *Principles of Scientific Atheism* undertaken by Professor Li Shen. After the conference, Professor Li Shen made careful revisions, and Director Jia Runguo completed the writing of the relevant chapters on Marxist atheism. Now, the monograph and the collection of papers have respectively signed publication contracts with the People’s Publishing House and have entered the processes of project closing review, editing, and publication.

8.委托课题《科学无神论基本理论问题研究》进展顺利。在2014年珠海年会上，与会专家学者对李申教授承担的专著《科学无神论原理》书稿进行了集中研讨。会后，李申教授作了认真修改，加润国主任完成了马克思主义无神论相关章节的撰写。现在，专著和论文集已分别与人民出版社签订了出版合同，进入结项审核和编辑出版程序。

9. On November 20, the “China Science Exploration Center,” jointly established by the China Research Institute for Science Popularization, the China Care Association, and the China Atheism Society, held a 2015 expert symposium. The meeting discussed and approved the center’s organizational structure, working mechanism, and work plan. Du Jiwen, Shen Zhenyu, and Zhu Xiaoming from the society were invited to serve as center advisors, with Xi Wuyi and Wang Huimei as vice chairs of the center. This provides an important platform for promoting the integration of natural sciences and social sciences, the combination of addressing symptoms and root causes, the combination of popularization and research, and the combination of domestic and international efforts in the research, education, and propaganda of scientific atheism.

9.11月20日，由中国科普研究所、中国关爱协会和中国无神论学会共建的“中国科学探索中心”召开2015 专家座谈会，讨论通过了中心组织架构、工作机制和工作计划。学会的杜继文、申振钰、朱晓明应邀出任中心顾问，习五一、王慧梅为中心副主席。这对在科学无神论研究和宣传教育中，推进自然科学与社会科学的结合、治标和治本的结合、普及和研究的结合、对内和对外的结合，提供了一个重要的平台。

10. The work of the “Southern Research Center” of the China Atheism Society made new progress. The society affirmed and encouraged their work and enthusiasm, and suggested they link with reality, leverage their strengths and avoid weaknesses, focus on conducting in-depth research on atheism education for high school students, carry out pilot projects, and gain first-hand experience.

10.中国无神论学会“南方研究中心”的工作取得新的进展，学会肯定和鼓励他们的工作和热情，并建议他们联系实际，扬长避短，重点在对高中生开展无神论教育方面深入调研，进行试点，取得第一手的经验。

Experts and scholars from the Atheism Society also undertook multiple scientific research and teaching tasks in their respective regular work, achieving gratifying results. For example: Academic Advisor Du Jiwen is a banner in atheism research. Over eighty years old but still vigorous, he was appointed as a doctoral supervisor for the Marxist Religious Studies major at the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Vice Chair Xi Wuyi edited the first volume of *Scientific Atheism*, published by the China Social Sciences Press. The second volume of *Scientific Atheism* and the fourth volume of *Marxist Atheism* have also been submitted to the Marxist Theoretical Engineering Office of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Xi Wuyi’s paper, “Be Vigilant Against Cults Operating Under the Banner of Christianity: Also on the Trends and Characteristics of the Development of Cults in Contemporary China,” won the special prize in the “Law-Based Governance of Cults” essay competition. Deputy Secretary-General Wang Zhen’s article, “Chinese Traditional Culture from the Perspective of Marxism,” was excerpted into two materials by relevant departments, both receiving important instructions from top central leaders.

无神论学会的专家学者还承担了各自本职工作的多项科研教学任务，取得了可喜的成果。例如：杜继文学术顾问是无神论研究的一面旗帜，年逾八旬，老当益壮，受聘为中国社会科学院研究生院马克思主义宗教学专业博士生导师；习五一副理事长主编的《科学无神论》第一辑，由中国社科出版社出版，《科学无神论》第二辑和《马克思主义无神论》第四辑，也已送交中国社科院马工程办公室，习五一撰写的《警惕打着基督教旗帜的邪教组织——兼论当代中国邪教发展的趋势与特征》的论文在“依法治理邪教”征文中获得特等奖；王珍副秘书长撰写的《马克思主义视域中的中国传统文化》一文，被有关部门摘编为两份材料，中央主要领导均有重要批示。

In addition, the society also carried out other work, studying and addressing prominent existing problems. For example: In February, the society’s chairpersons jointly submitted a “Proposal on Establishing Comrade Ren Jiyu [11]11 Ren Jiyu (任继愈, 1916–2009) was a prominent Chinese philosopher, historian of religion, and a leading figure in the study of atheism in China. as a Model for Intellectuals” to relevant departments. On April 10, the Institute of Marxism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the society jointly submitted a “Request for Comprehensive Rectification Regarding the 2013 Annual Inspection Results of the China Atheism Society” to the Academy’s Scientific Research Bureau. On July 5, Comrade Du Jiwen convened relevant comrades for a special study on the issue of manuscript sources for the journal *Science and Atheism*, and proposed improvement measures.

此外，学会还作了其他一些工作，研究和处理了存在的突出问题。例如：2月，学会理事长联名向有关部门提出“关于树立任继愈先生为知识分子榜样的建议”。4月10日，中国社科院马研院和学会联名向院科研局提交了“关于针对中国无神论学会2013年年检结果进行综合整改的请示”。7月5日，杜继文先生召集有关同志专题研究《科学与无神论》杂志的稿源问题，并提出了改进的措施。

And so on.

等等。

In addition to the innovations mentioned above, there were many new measures and highlights in the work of 2015. For example: (1) At the symposium on March 18, leaders from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences indicated the inclusion of the Atheism Society’s research into the newly established “Ideology Think Tank.” Vice Chair Zhang Xinying actively liaised to secure special research projects. Vice Chair Jia Runguo and Director Gong Yun completed the drafting of the document “Scientific Atheism is an Important Cornerstone of Socialist Ideology,” which has now been submitted. (2) The WeChat group “Jiyu Academy,” initiated by Deputy Secretary-General Wang Zhen, was established. It has already attracted over 70 atheism researchers and enthusiasts to actively participate, creating a communication platform full of positive energy. (3) Vice Chair Zuo Peng and Professor Xu Lin attended the “2015 Shanghai Atheism Forum” for the first time. Some organizers of this civil forum hold biases, including against Marxist atheism and the discipline of traditional Chinese medicine. Participants are mostly young people with backgrounds in natural sciences. The society must continue to pay attention to the development of the “New Atheism Movement” in China, guide it according to circumstances, and welcome its members to submit articles to the journal *Science and Atheism* under their own names, with the best being selected for publication. (4) The project “Compilation and Research of Ren Jiyu’s Philosophical Writings,” led by Professor Li Shen with participation from Professors Lü Jianfu and Xi Wuyi, was approved as a key project of the 2015 National Social Science Fund.

除了上面提到的创新之处外，2015年工作中还有许多新举措、新亮点。例如：（1）3月18日座谈会上，社科院领导表示了将无神论学会的研究纳入新成立的“意识形态智库”，张新鹰副理事长积极联系，争取专题研究项目，并由加润国副理事长和龚云主任完成《科学无神论是社会主义意识形态的重要基石》的文稿起草，现已提交。（2）创办了由王珍副秘书长为群主的微信群“继愈学社”，目前已吸引了70多名无神论研究者、爱好者积极参与，建立了一个充满正能量的交流平台。（3）左鹏副理事长和徐麟教授第一次出席了“2015年上海无神论论坛”。该民间论坛组织者中有些人存在对马克思主义无神论及中医学科的偏见等问题，参与者多为自然科学背景的年青人，学会仍要继续关注“新无神论运动”在中国的发展，因势利导，并欢迎其成员以个人名义向《科学与无神论》杂志投稿，择优刊用。（4）李申教授领衔，吕建福、习五一教授参加的《任继愈哲学文献整理与研究》获得2015年国家社科基金重点课题立项。

Dear council members, dear friends: “What is past is prologue.” [12]12 “What is past is prologue” is a translation of the Chinese phrase “凡是过去，皆为序章,” which is a modern rendering of a line from Shakespeare’s *The Tempest*. The *Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Formulating the 13th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development*, adopted at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee, emphasizes promoting the coordinated development of material civilization and cultural-ethical progress, adhering to the direction of advanced socialist culture, strengthening the building of socialist cultural-ethical progress, advocating the scientific spirit, and promoting traditional Chinese virtues. In his speech at the Central Sixth Forum on Work in Tibet, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: We must persistently carry out propaganda and education activities on the Marxist view of the motherland, view of nationality, view of religion, view of culture, materialism, and atheism, as well as on the concepts that “unity and stability are blessings, division and turmoil are calamities” and the “Three Inseparables” [13]13 The “Three Inseparables” (三个离不开) is a Chinese government slogan emphasizing that the Han nationality cannot be separated from the minority nationalities, minority nationalities cannot be separated from the Han nationality, and minority nationalities cannot be separated from each other., so that the masses can master the ideological weapons for the struggle against separatism. Two documents issued after the forum require extensive and in-depth propaganda of Marxist materialism and atheism, vigorous popularization of scientific knowledge and advanced culture, guiding the masses to pursue a healthy and civilized lifestyle, and forming a social trend that pursues civilization and progress.

各位理事、各位朋友：“凡是过去，皆为序章”。十八届五中全会通过的《中共中央关于十三五规划的建议》强调，推动物质文明和精神文明协调发展，坚持社会主义先进文化前进方向，加强社会主义精神文明建设，倡导科学精神，弘扬中华传统美德。习近平总书记在中央第六次西藏工作座谈会上的讲话中强调：要坚持不懈开展马克思主义祖国观、民族观、宗教观、文化观和唯物论、无神论，“团结稳定是福，分裂动乱是祸”、“三个离不开”等宣传教育活动，让人民群众掌握反分裂斗争的思想武器。会后下发的两份文件，要求广泛、深入宣传马克思主义唯物论、无神论，大力普及科学知识和先进文化，引导群众追求健康文明生活方式，形成追求文明进步的社会风尚。

The "Regulations on the Work of the United Front of the Communist Party of China (Trial)", implemented on May 18, 2015, reaffirms in Article 23: "Communist Party members shall unite with religious believers, but shall not believe in religion." [14]14 The United Front Work Regulations are internal Party rules governing the Party's work with non-Party groups and individuals. Article 23 reiterates the long-standing prohibition on Party members holding religious beliefs, while allowing them to work with religious believers. The "Regulations on Disciplinary Sanctions of the Communist Party of China", published on October 21, 2015, contains clear and specific disciplinary provisions in Article 55 for organizing or using religious activities to oppose the Party's line, principles, policies, and resolutions, and to undermine ethnic unity, and in Article 58 for organizing or participating in superstitious activities. [15]15 The Disciplinary Sanctions Regulations are the CPC's internal disciplinary code. Articles 55 and 58 specify punishments for Party members who use religion to oppose Party policy or engage in superstitious activities, reflecting the Party's strict separation from religion.

2015年5月18日施行的《中国共产党统一战线工作条例（试行）》，第二十三条重申：“共产党员应当团结信教群众，但不得信仰宗教。”2015年10月21日公布的《中国共产党纪律处分条例》第五十五条对组织、利用宗教活动反对党的路线、方针、政策和决议,破坏民族团结的,第五十八条对组织、参加迷信活动的，都有明确、具体的处分规定。

The Party Central Committee's important directives on supporting and promoting the propaganda and education of Marxist atheism, along with the provisions that Communist Party members must not believe in religion and the disciplinary sanctions for Party members on religious issues, have created favorable conditions and opportunities for us to open up new horizons in the study of Marxist atheism in contemporary China. The China Atheism Society faces both important opportunities for development and severe challenges, such as religion interfering in social life and national education, promoting a "religious fever" in the name of "culture", and the rampant spread of cults and religious extremism. I hope that all council members, experts, and scholars will seize the opportunity, rise to the challenge, and actively offer suggestions and proposals on how to further promote the study, propaganda, and education of Marxist atheism under the new circumstances. Through this annual conference, we aim to further expand connections with experts and scholars engaged in atheism research, and to discover and identify young and middle-aged talent. At the Third Scientific Atheism Forum on November 1, nearly half of the participants were newcomers. After the forum, many new friends joined the "Jiyu Study Society" WeChat group, with some group members praising that day as the group's "development day". [16]16 The "Jiyu Study Society" (继愈学社) is a WeChat group named after Ren Jiyu (1916–2009), a prominent Chinese philosopher and historian of religion who was a leading advocate of Marxist atheism in China.

中央重视和支持开展马克思主义无神论宣传教育的这些重要指示和关于共产党员不得信教和党员在宗教问题上违纪处分的规定，为我们开拓当代中国马克思主义无神论研究的新境界，创造了有利条件和时机。中国无神论学会既面临发展的重要机遇，也面临宗教干预社会生活和国民教育，以“文化”的名义推动“宗教热”，邪教和宗教极端主义猖獗等严峻挑战。希望各位理事和专家学者，抓住机遇，迎难而上，对在新的形势下如何进一步推动马克思主义无神论研究和宣传教育，积极建言献策。我们要通过年会，进一步扩大与从事无神论研究的专家学者的联系，发现和物色中青年人才。11月1日的第三届科学无神论论坛，有近一半新人参与，会后，有不少新朋友加入了“继愈学社”微信群，有群友点赞，称这天是群的“发展日”。

On April 15, 2016, which marks the centenary of the birth of Mr. Ren Jiyu, the Society plans to jointly hold a commemorative event with the Ren Jiyu Research Association to honor Mr. Ren's character and scholarship. [17]17 Ren Jiyu (1916–2009) was a Chinese philosopher, historian of religion, and longtime director of the National Library of China. He was a key figure in promoting Marxist atheism and critical study of religion in China.

2016年4月15日，是任继愈先生百年诞辰，学会拟同任继愈研究会联合举办纪念活动，纪念任先生的为人为学。

Researcher Gong Yun from the Institute of Marxism at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences was appointed this year as Director of the Atheism Research Office. He holds a doctorate in history and has long engaged in research on Party history and Party building. He has a broad vision, sharp thinking, and a rich body of work. He has just returned to his post after completing a one-year temporary assignment in Jiuquan, Gansu Province. [18]18 Jiuquan is a prefecture-level city in Gansu Province, northwest China. Temporary assignments (挂职) to local posts are a common practice in the CPC for cadre training and grassroots experience. After consultation among the Society's academic advisors, chairpersons, and secretary-general, it was unanimously agreed that Director Gong Yun would concurrently serve as Deputy Secretary-General of the Society. As the director of the only substantive scientific atheism research entity in China—the Atheism Research Office of the Department on Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context, Institute of Marxism, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences—this appointment is intended to facilitate communication and coordination within and outside the Academy of Social Sciences and to leverage the central role of this academic base.

中国社会科学院马克思主义研究院龚云研究员，今年被任命为无神论研究室主任，他是历史学博士，从事党史党建研究，视野宽阔，思想敏锐，著作颇丰，刚刚完成了在甘肃酒泉一年挂职的锻炼，回到工作岗位。经过学会学术顾问和各位理事长、秘书长商议，一致同意龚云主任兼任学会副秘书长，作为我国唯一的科学无神论研究实体——中国社会科学院马研院中国化部无神论研究室的主任，以利与社科院内外的沟通协调，发挥学术阵地的中枢作用。

I hope that all council members, experts, and scholars will actively offer suggestions and proposals on how to further improve the work of the Society. Let us take this annual conference as a new starting point, pool our wisdom and efforts, work together with vigor and determination, continue to advance, and make efforts and contributions worthy of our era and society!

希望各位理事和专家学者对如何进一步做好学会工作，积极建言献策。我们要以本次年会为新的起点，集思广益，群策群力，奋发有为，继续前进，做出无愧于时代、无愧于社会的努力和奉献！

(Author: Chairman of the China Atheism Society)

（作者：中国无神论学会理事长）

Online Editor: Rainbow

网络编辑：彩虹