Always Maintain the Dominant Position of Marxist Atheism in the Minds of the People

The National Conference on Religious Work held in April this year [1]1 “Outsider” (外行): A term used by Mao Zedong to mean a non-believer in religion, as opposed to a believer who might lack objectivity when studying their own faith. clearly stated: Party members adhering to Marxist atheism is a major principle; Communist Party members must be firm Marxist atheists and must never seek their own values and beliefs in religion. How to always maintain Marxist atheism as the mainstream ideology occupying a dominant position in the minds of the people is a major practical issue we must confront.

今年4月召开的全国宗教工作会议旗帜鲜明地指出：党员坚持马克思主义无神论是大原则，共产党员要做坚定的马克思主义无神论者，绝不能在宗教中寻找自己的价值和信念。如何始终保持马克思主义无神论作为主流意识形态在人民群众思想中占据主导地位，是我们必须面对的重大现实课题。

I. The Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics on Religion Is Essentially Marxist Atheism

一、中国特色社会主义宗教理论本质上是马克思主义无神论

1. The Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics on Religion and Marxist atheism are consistent in essence. Marxist atheism is scientific atheism. It has three distinct characteristics: First, it is a theory of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, consistently using history to explain religion rather than using religion to explain history, clarifying the social basis for the emergence of religion, while also drawing a clear line with culturalism, which reduces religion to culture. Second, it is the practice of the scientific socialist movement, making the propagation of atheism an organic component of the scientific socialist movement. Third, it embodies a consistent scientific spirit, inheriting and developing humanity's outstanding achievements in atheist thought, especially continuously making new contributions in conjunction with scientific progress, thereby constantly enriching, substantiating, and making atheism more persuasive. The characteristics of Marxist atheism in theory, practice, and science are consistent with the Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics on Religion.

1.中国特色社会主义宗教理论与马克思主义无神论本质上是一致的。马克思主义无神论是科学的无神论。它具有三个鲜明的特点：一是辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的理论，始终坚持用历史说明宗教，而不是用宗教说明历史，阐明了宗教产生的社会基础，同时与将宗教泛文化化的文化主义划清了界限。二是科学社会主义运动的实践，把宣传无神论作为科学社会主义运动的有机组成部分。三是贯彻始终的科学精神，继承和发展人类在无神论思想方面的优秀成果，特别是结合科学进步不断作出的新贡献，促使无神论不断丰富、充实，更有说服力。马克思主义无神论在理论、实践和科学三个方面的特点，与中国特色社会主义宗教理论是一致的。

Ren Jiyu, a Chinese historian of philosophy and religion, once pointed out: Marxist religious studies is essentially a scientific atheism. It developed on the basis of critically summarizing and inheriting the outstanding achievements of atheism in history. If we do not study the theories and history of atheism, both Chinese and foreign, we cannot deeply grasp the content of Marxist religious studies and scientific atheism. The Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics on Religion is the contemporary Chinese Marxist view on religion. In terms of worldview, it is grounded in Marxist atheism and is essentially also Marxist atheism. Only by deeply understanding the foundational status and guiding role of Marxist atheism as the mainstream ideology can we achieve comprehensive mastery and deeply grasp the rich content and forward direction of the Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics on Religion.

我国哲学史家、宗教学家任继愈曾指出：马克思主义宗教学本质上是一种科学无神论。它是在批判地总结和继承历史上的无神论的优秀成果的基础上发展起来的。如果我们不研究中外无神论的理论和历史，就不能深入地把握马克思主义宗教学和科学无神论的内容。中国特色社会主义宗教理论是当代中国的马克思主义宗教观，在世界观上立足于马克思主义无神论，本质上也是马克思主义无神论。只有深刻认识马克思主义无神论作为主流意识形态的基础地位和指导作用，才能融会贯通，深入把握中国特色社会主义宗教理论的丰富内容和前进方向。

2. The Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics on Religion runs through and embodies Marxist atheism. The exposition of basic religious issues within the Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics on Religion runs through and embodies the principled stance of Marxist atheism. For example, on the essence of religion, it reaffirms that religious concepts are reflections of the fantastic images of external forces dominating people's daily lives in their minds. On the social role of religion, it emphasizes the need to dialectically view the social role of religion in our country, pointing out that religion has a dual nature of positive and negative effects, being a social phenomenon where positivity and negativity coexist; it is necessary to correctly understand and grasp this dual nature, maximizing the positive role of religion while minimizing its negative role. On the relationship between society and religion, it proposes that religion is a part of our society; society should view religion rationally, and religion must conform to society, serve society, and fulfill social responsibilities; it is necessary to actively guide religion to adapt to the socialist society, support religious circles in actively exploring ways to adapt to our socialist society, reform and adjust aspects that are incompatible with social progress, and keep pace with the times. On the relationship between the Party and government and religion, it proposes firmly grasping the foundation of upholding the Party's leadership, consolidating the Party's ruling position, and strengthening the Party's ruling base; adhering to the principle of separation of church and state; the Communist Party of China advocates atheism; the difference in worldview between Communists and religious believers does not hinder political unity and cooperation; it is necessary to use dialectical materialism and historical materialism to observe and analyze religious phenomena and issues, and to do religious work well according to the inherent laws of religion and the laws of social development, and so on.

2.中国特色社会主义宗教理论贯穿和体现了马克思主义无神论。中国特色社会主义宗教理论对宗教基本问题的阐述，贯穿和体现了马克思主义无神论的原则立场。例如，在宗教的本质问题上，重申宗教观念是支配人们日常生活的外部力量在人们头脑中幻像的反映。在宗教的社会作用问题上，强调要辩证看待我国宗教的社会作用，指出宗教具有积极作用和消极作用两重性，是一种积极性和消极性共生共存的社会现象；要正确认识和把握其两重性，最大限度发挥宗教的积极作用，最大限度抑制宗教的消极作用。在社会与宗教的关系上，提出宗教是我国社会的一部分，社会要理性看待宗教，宗教必须顺应社会、服务社会、履行社会责任；要积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应，支持宗教界积极探索适应我国社会主义社会的途径，改革和调整与社会进步不适应的地方，跟上时代发展步伐。在党和政府与宗教的关系上，提出要牢牢把握坚持党的领导、巩固党的执政地位、强化党的执政基础这个根本，坚持政教分离原则；中国共产党主张无神论，共产党人和信教群众世界观的不同，不妨碍政治上团结合作；要坚持用辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义观察、分析宗教现象和宗教问题，按照宗教自身规律和社会发展规律做好宗教工作，等等。

From the height of consolidating the guiding position of Marxism and the Party's ruling foundation, and maintaining ideological security, always upholding the Party's leadership in the united front is the Party's glorious tradition and successful experience. In the ideological sphere, it is necessary to always uphold the mainstream discourse and dominant position of Marxist atheism. This is an inevitable requirement for the Party to maintain its advanced nature and purity in the ideological and theoretical spheres. Our country is a socialist country led by the Communist Party. Neither feudalist nor capitalist ideologies and values, nor religion, can serve as the spiritual pillar of the entire society. If theism were allowed to spread in our society, it would have adverse effects on the Party's guiding ideology and ruling foundation.

从巩固马克思主义指导地位和党的执政基础、维护意识形态安全的高度，始终坚持党在统一战线中的领导权，是党的光荣传统和成功经验。在意识形态领域，必须始终坚持马克思主义无神论的主流话语和主导地位。这是党在思想领域、意识形态领域坚持党的先进性和纯洁性的必然要求。我国是共产党领导的社会主义国家，既不能用封建主义、资本主义思想意识和价值观念来作为全社会的精神支柱，也不能用宗教来作为全社会的精神支柱。如果让有神论在我国社会蔓延开来，会对我们党的指导思想、执政基础等产生不良影响。

3. Adhering to Marxist atheism is a major principle. The Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics on Religion and the Party's basic policy on religious work mainly concern the religious sphere and religious work. Marxist atheism has a broader scope, not only involving the religious sphere but also covering the entire society, touching upon many different fields and aspects. Our country's legislation, administration, judiciary, as well as economic, political, social, cultural, and ecological aspects, must all adhere to this major principle.

3.坚持马克思主义无神论是大原则。中国特色社会主义宗教理论和党的宗教工作基本方针，主要是关于宗教领域、宗教工作的。马克思主义无神论的覆盖面更大，不仅涉及宗教领域，而且覆盖全社会，涉及许多不同领域不同方面。我国立法、行政、司法，以及经济、政治、社会、文化、生态等方方面面都要坚持这个大原则。

The propaganda and education of atheism should differentiate targets. Adhering to Marxist atheism is a requirement for Communist Party members and for advanced elements. The target audience for atheist propaganda and education is the entire society, with a focus on Party member leading cadres and young people. The former concerns how ruling power and resources are used; the latter concerns the future outlook of the Chinese people's spiritual world. At the same time, the Party has always made it clear that it does not conduct atheist propaganda targeting religious figures and believers, nor does it conduct atheist propaganda in religious venues, nor does it initiate debates on theism versus atheism among believers. Simultaneously, no religious organization or believer should preach, proselytize, or propagate theism outside of religious activity venues, and certainly should not engage in propaganda opposing Marxism-Leninism or Mao Zedong Thought. Guaranteeing freedom of religious belief should not weaken, but rather strengthen, efforts to popularize science education and strengthen propaganda against superstition.

无神论宣传教育要区分对象。坚持马克思主义无神论，是对共产党员的要求，是对先进分子的要求。无神论宣传教育的对象面向全社会，重点是党员领导干部和青少年。前者关系到执政的权力和资源如何使用；后者关系到中国人精神世界的未来面貌。同时，党历来明确不向宗教界人士和信教群众进行无神论宣传，也不在宗教场所进行无神论宣传，不在信教群众中发动有神还是无神的辩论。同时，任何宗教组织和教徒也不应当在宗教活动场所以外布道、传教，宣传有神论，更不得进行反对马列主义、毛泽东思想的宣传。保障信教自由，不但不能削弱反而应当加强普及科学教育的努力，加强反对迷信的宣传。

A strict line must be drawn between religion and illegal activities that use religion to disrupt the normal order of society. The propaganda and education of atheism is by no means about creating antagonism between believers and non-believers, nor is it about making believers abandon their religious faith. Rather, it aims to enable more people to learn to correctly view religious phenomena, rationally choose their worldview, and also help believers better align their religious beliefs and activities with national law, government administration, national education, and the common interests of society. On this basis, they can work with us to safeguard their right to freedom of religious belief and jointly oppose the infiltration and separatist activities carried out by some forces at home and abroad using religion against our country, as well as various chaotic phenomena existing in the religious sphere.

要严格划清宗教与利用宗教破坏社会正常秩序的非法活动之间的界限。无神论宣传教育绝不是制造信教与不信教群众的对立，绝不是要信教群众放弃自己的宗教信仰，而是要使更多的人学会正确看待宗教现象，理性选择自己的世界观，也使信教群众更好摆正宗教信仰、宗教活动与国家法律、政府管理、国民教育、社会共同利益的关系，在此基础上与我们共同维护其宗教信仰自由权利，共同反对境内外一些势力利用宗教对我国进行的渗透分裂活动和宗教领域存在的种种乱象。

Religious work has two basic principles: first, the state must implement a policy of freedom of religious belief; second, the Party must persist in the propaganda and education of atheism. These two basic principles complement each other and are indispensable. Mao Zedong pointed out: "Communist Party members can form an anti-imperialist and anti-feudal united front with certain idealists or even religious believers on political action, but they can never endorse their idealism or religious doctrines." (Selected Works of Mao Zedong, Vol. 2, People's Publishing House, 1991 edition, p. 707) Forming a united front on political action is implementing religious policy; not endorsing idealism or theism in terms of ideological belief is adhering to atheism. The combination of the two embodies the Marxist view on religion.

宗教工作有两个基本原则：一是国家要实行宗教信仰自由政策，二是党要坚持进行无神论宣传教育。这两个基本原则相辅相成，缺一不可。毛泽东指出：“共产党员可以和某些唯心论者甚至宗教徒建立在政治行动上的反帝反封建的统一战线，但是决不能赞同他们的唯心论或宗教教义。”（《毛泽东选集》第2卷，人民出版社1991年版，第707页）政治行动上结成统一战线，是执行宗教政策；思想信仰上不赞同唯心论、有神论，是坚持无神论。二者结合，体现了马克思主义宗教观。

In contemporary China, atheists and religious believers share fundamental interests in political, economic, and social life. This is the realistic basis for their ability to form a united front on political action. Compared to this, their differences in belief are secondary. Only by adhering to Marxist atheism in worldview while uniting with religious figures and believers on political action can one have a clear stance, sober understanding, and correct attitude on religious issues from the perspective of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, and only then can one have a comprehensive and complete Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics on Religion.

在当代中国，无神论者和宗教信徒在政治、经济和社会生活中存在着根本利益的一致，这是两者在政治行动上能够结成统一战线的现实基础。与此相比，他们在信仰上的差异是次要的。只有既在世界观上坚持马克思主义无神论，又在政治行动上团结宗教界人士和信教群众，才是辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义在宗教问题上的明确立场、清醒认识和正确态度，才是全面完整的中国特色社会主义宗教理论。

II. Always Maintain the Dominant Position of Marxist Atheism as the Mainstream Ideology in the Minds of the People

二、始终保持马克思主义无神论作为主流意识形态在人民群众思想中占据主导地位

1. Not only must we uphold Marxist atheism, but we must also actively propagate Marxist atheism. As believers in Marxism, Communist Party members must of course uphold atheism; if they do not uphold atheism, they are no longer Marxists, nor are they thorough materialists. We must not only uphold Marxist atheism, but also actively propagate Marxist atheism, popularize scientific and cultural knowledge, and help and guide people to draw clear distinctions between materialism and idealism, atheism and theism, science and superstition, and civilization and ignorance, gradually eliminating the ideological and social foundations for the emergence and spread of religion.

1.不仅要坚持马克思主义无神论，而且要积极宣传马克思主义无神论。作为马克思主义的信奉者，共产党员当然要坚持无神论，不坚持无神论就不是马克思主义者了，也就不是彻底的唯物论者了。我们不仅要坚持马克思主义无神论，而且要积极宣传马克思主义无神论，普及科学文化知识，帮助和引导人们划清唯物论和唯心论、无神论和有神论、科学和迷信，文明和愚昧的界限，逐渐消除宗教产生和传播的思想基础和社会基础。

Marxist atheism, as the mainstream ideology of our country, occupies a dominant position among the people; this is said with regard to the overall situation, not only with regard to religious circles. Toward religious circles, we implement the principle of “political unity and cooperation, mutual respect in matters of belief.” In the whole society, among the broad masses of the people, we must make it unequivocally clear that atheism becomes the mainstream and dominant force.

马克思主义无神论作为我国主流意识形态，在人民群众中占据主导地位，是对全局来说的，而不是只对宗教界来说的。对宗教界，我们实行的是“政治上团结合作，信仰上互相尊重”。在全社会，在广大人民群众中，则要旗帜鲜明地使无神论成为主流、主导。

To meet such requirements, we cannot allow the Party Central Committee’s demands for upholding and propagating Marxist atheism to remain stuck in meetings or locked in drawers. We cannot mistake the policies and requirements toward religious circles and religious figures as policies and requirements for the whole society. We cannot, because we cannot propagate atheism to religious circles and religious believers, or propagate atheism in religious venues, abandon the task of carrying out reasoned, forceful, and effective propaganda and education on atheism in mass media and educational outreach aimed at society at large.

要达到这样的要求就不能把中央关于坚持马克思主义无神论，宣传马克思主义无神论的要求停留在会议上、锁在抽屉里。不能把对宗教界和对宗教人士的政策和要求误解为是对全社会的政策和要求。不能因为不能向宗教界和信教群众宣传无神论，不能在宗教场所宣传无神论，而放弃了在面向社会的大众传媒和宣传教育中开展有理有力有效的无神论宣传教育。

2. General Marxist education cannot replace atheism education. Atheism is the foundation and prerequisite of Marxism, and also an important component of Marxism. Some comrades believe that since we talk about Marxism every day, there is no need to talk about atheism. This is a misunderstanding. Lenin, in “On the Significance of Militant Materialism,” pointed out that general Marxist propaganda and education cannot replace specialized atheist propaganda and education. He said: “A Marxist who thinks that the millions of people (especially the peasants and artisans) who are plunged into ignorance and prejudice by the whole of modern society can be led out of this state of ignorance only by the straight road of purely Marxist education is making the greatest and worst mistake. They should be provided with all kinds of atheist propaganda materials and told facts from all aspects of real life.” (Lenin Collected Works on Dialectical Materialism and Historical Materialism, People’s Publishing House, 2009 edition, p. 325) In contemporary China, general propaganda and education on the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics cannot replace propaganda and education on Marxist atheism. We too should provide people with all kinds of atheist propaganda materials, especially being adept at using examples from everyday life to tell people the facts and principles from all aspects of real life, rather than confining atheist propaganda and education to dry theoretical, principled, and conceptual preaching.

2.不能以一般的马克思主义教育代替无神论教育。无神论是马克思主义的基础和前提，也是马克思主义的重要内容。有的同志认为，我们天天在讲马克思主义，没有必要再讲无神论。这是一种误解。列宁在《论战斗唯物主义的意义》中指出，一般的马克思主义宣传教育不能代替专门的无神论宣传教育。他说：“一个马克思主义者如果以为，被整个现代社会置于愚昧无知和囿于偏见这种境地的亿万人民群众（特别是农民和手工业者）只有通过纯粹马克思主义的教育这条直路，才能摆脱愚昧状态，那就是最大的而且是最坏的错误。应该向他们提供各种无神论的宣传材料，告诉他们实际生活各个方面的事实”。（《列宁专题文集·论辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义》，人民出版社2009年版，第325页）在当代中国，一般的中国特色社会主义理论的宣传教育，也不能代替马克思主义无神论宣传教育。我们也应该为人们提供各种无神论的宣传材料，特别要善于运用身边发生的事例，告诉人们实际生活各个方面的事实和道理，而不是把无神论宣传教育仅仅停留在干巴巴的理论、原则和概念的说教上。

3. Persistently and extensively carry out propaganda and education on Marxist atheism. We must persistently carry out propaganda and educational activities on the Marxist view of religion, view of culture, materialism, and atheism. We must combine atheist propaganda and education with the popularization of scientific knowledge and advanced culture, guiding and forming a healthy, civilized, and progressive lifestyle and social ethos. Atheism is essentially consistent with the spiritual connotation of scientific knowledge and advanced culture; the content and form of atheist propaganda and education should also be combined with scientific knowledge and advanced culture, thereby making atheist propaganda and education knowledgeable, cultured, lively, and appealing to people, achieving the effect of moistening things silently. Linking and integrating atheism with the popularization of scientific knowledge and advanced culture can open up new horizons and new prospects for atheist propaganda and education.

3.坚持不懈、广泛深入地开展马克思主义无神论宣传教育。要坚持不懈开展马克思主义宗教观、文化观、唯物论和无神论等宣传教育活动，要把无神论宣传教育与普及科学知识和先进文化相结合，引导、形成健康文明进步的生活方式和社会风尚。无神论在本质上与科学知识和先进文化的精神内涵是一致的，无神论宣传教育在内容和形式上也应与科学知识和先进文化相结合，从而使无神论宣传教育有知识、有文化，生动活泼，使人们喜闻乐见，达到润物无声的效果。把无神论与普及科学知识和先进文化联系起来、结合起来，就能打开无神论宣传教育的新眼界、新局面。

On October 13, 1959, Mao Zedong, in a conversation with Ren Jiyu, proposed that to study religion, one must be an “outsider” in order to take religion as an object of study. (Chronicle of Mao Zedong [1949–1976], Vol. 4, Central Party Literature Press, 2013 edition, p. 209) Because a person with faith, if they study the religion they believe in, may sometimes inevitably have limitations. The “outsider” referred to here means a person who does not believe in religion. Only by believing in and upholding atheism can one understand and treat religion with a scientific and rational attitude. Ren Jiyu believed that the fact that religion continues to exist can be scientifically explained, but this by no means proves that it is scientific. Religion itself is not science, but using the stance, viewpoint, and method of historical materialism to study religion makes such research scientific. Marxists should also have people who study religious knowledge and religious culture, but such research uses the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method to study religious phenomena, religious history, religious systems, and religious systems.

1959年10月13日，毛泽东在与任继愈的谈话中提出，研究宗教要“外行”才能把宗教作为对象来研究。（《毛泽东年谱〈1949—1976〉》第4卷，中央文献出版社2013年版，第209页）因为有信仰的人，如果研究他所信仰的宗教，有时不免有局限性。这里所说的“外行”，指的是不信教的人。相信和坚持无神论，才能以科学理性的态度认识和对待宗教。任继愈认为，宗教继续存在这个事实，可以找到科学的说明，但决不能由此证明它有科学性。宗教本身不是科学，但是用历史唯物主义的立场、观点、方法来研究宗教，这种研究就是科学。马克思主义者也要有人研究宗教知识、宗教文化，但是这种研究，是用马克思主义的立场、观点、方法对宗教现象、宗教历史、宗教制度、宗教体系的研究。

Currently, in Marxist-guided religious research, special attention must be paid to two issues: First, we must “demystify” religion, revealing the social foundations and reasons for religion’s existence and development, and revealing the laws and pathways for actively guiding religion to adapt to the socialist society. Second, we must “de-extremify” religion, revealing the manifestations and harms of religious extremism, and revealing that religious extremism not only harms society but also harms the interests, image, and future of religion itself. Religion must be studied scientifically, but mysticism cannot be promoted in religious research; preaching religion and proselytizing cannot be advocated in social science research and national education; and public resources and administrative power cannot be used to develop religion.

当前，在以马克思主义为指导的宗教研究中，要特别注意两个问题：一是要对宗教“去神秘化”，要揭示宗教赖以存在和发展的社会基础和原因，揭示积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应的规律和途径。二是要对宗教“去极端化”，揭示宗教极端主义的表现和危害，揭示宗教极端主义不仅危害社会，而且也危害宗教自身的利益、形象和前途。要科学地研究宗教，但不能在宗教研究中渲染神秘主义，不能在社会科学研究和国民教育中鼓吹信教、传教，不能用公共资源和行政力量发展宗教。

Atheism addresses issues in people’s worldview. As long as there are problems people cannot understand, supernatural fantasies may arise. Even if original problems are resolved, new problems will emerge endlessly; it is impossible to achieve success in one stroke, nor can it be done once and for all. Popularizing scientific knowledge and advanced culture, and guiding and forming a healthy, civilized, and progressive lifestyle and social ethos, also cannot be accomplished overnight. Therefore, propaganda and education on atheism must be persistent: first, we must persist and maintain consistency; second, we must not slacken or stop, and must maintain a tenacious struggle. (Author: Chairman of the Chinese Atheism Society)

无神论解决的是人们世界观上的问题，只要人们还有不能认识的问题，就可能产生超自然的幻想，即使原有的问题解决了，还会有新的问题层出不穷，不可能毕其功于一役，也不可能一劳永逸。普及科学知识和先进文化，引导、形成健康文明进步的生活方式和社会风尚也不可能一蹴而就。因此，无神论宣传教育要坚持不懈，一要坚持，一以贯之；二要不懈怠，不停步，坚持韧性的战斗。（作者：中国无神论学会理事长）

Online Editor: Lan He Shui

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