The Scientific Positioning, Rich Connotation, and Worldview and Methodology of Xi Jinping’s Important Discourse on Religious Work

I. Deeply Grasp the Historical Positioning, Epochal Positioning, and Scientific Positioning of Xi Jinping’s Important Discourse on Religious Work

一､深刻把握习近平关于宗教工作的重要论述的历史定位､时代定位､科学定位

The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC [1]1 The “Six Musts” (六个必须坚持) refers to the six principles of worldview and methodology for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as elaborated at the 20th National Congress of the CPC: upholding people-centeredness, upholding confidence in the theory and self-reliance, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, upholding a problem-oriented approach, upholding a systems perspective, and upholding a global vision. clarified that the Party, in the four historical stages of its century-long struggle, created three major theoretical achievements in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context [2]2 The Two Integrations (两个结合) refers to the principle of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture, a key theoretical formulation in Xi Jinping Thought.. The Party’s religious work is an important component and part of the overall work of the Party and the state; the Party’s theories, principles, and policies on religious work are also an important component and part of these three major theoretical achievements.

十九届六中全会阐明党在百年奋斗四个历史阶段中创立了马克思主义中国化的三大理论成果｡党的宗教工作是党和国家全局工作的重要内容和组成部分,党关于宗教工作的理论方针政策也是三大理论成果的重要内容和组成部分｡

The first major theoretical achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context is Mao Zedong Thought. Mao Zedong’s important discourse on religious issues and religious work, along with the religious work principles and policies formulated and implemented by the Party during the periods of the New Democratic Revolution and socialist revolution and construction, constitute the Party’s important theoretical achievements in religious work in different historical periods. In the early days after the founding of New China, the main tasks of the Party’s religious work were to oppose imperialism and love the country and to implement democratic reforms in the religious system, establishing in policy and law the principle and provisions of freedom of religious belief, and building and developing the patriotic united front [3]3 Ren Jiyu (任继愈, 1916–2009) was a prominent Chinese philosopher and historian of religion, known for founding the study of Marxist religious studies with Chinese characteristics and for his work on the history of Chinese Buddhism and philosophy. between the Party and religious circles. Mao Zedong’s “Report on an Investigation of the Peasant Movement in Hunan,” his “Conversation with Comrade Ren Jiyu,” his instruction on “Strengthening Research on Religious Issues,” and the relevant content of the 1954 “Constitution of the People’s Republic of China,” which he personally presided over the formulation of, are important documents of the Party’s religious work during the periods of the New Democratic Revolution and socialist revolution and construction.

马克思主义中国化的第一大理论成果是毛泽东思想｡毛泽东关于宗教问题和宗教工作的重要论述和党在新民主主义革命､社会主义革命和建设时期制定和实行的宗教工作方针政策,是党在不同历史时期宗教工作的重要理论成果｡新中国成立初期,党的宗教工作的主要任务是反帝爱国和实行宗教制度民主改革,在政策和法律上确立了宗教信仰自由的原则和规定,建立和发展了党和宗教界的爱国统一战线｡毛泽东的《湖南农民运动考察报告》《毛主席与任继愈先生的谈话》《加强宗教问题的研究》批示和他亲自主持制定的1954年《中华人民共和国宪法》的相关内容是新民主主义革命时期､社会主义革命和建设时期党的宗教工作的重要文献｡

The second major theoretical achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context is the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics. During the period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, the main tasks of the Party’s religious work were to bring order out of chaos, end the destruction caused by the “Cultural Revolution” [4]4 Cultural Revolution: A decade-long period of political and social upheaval in China from 1966 to 1976, initiated by Mao Zedong, which involved widespread persecution, destruction of cultural heritage, and severe disruption of state and Party institutions., and gradually form the principles, systems, and legal framework for religious policy. In 1982, the Central Committee issued “The Basic Viewpoints and Basic Policies on the Religious Question during the Socialist Period of Our Country,” the famous Document No. 19 of 1982. Facing new situations and new problems emerging in the field of religious work, the 1991 National Conference on Religious Work proposed that the government manage religious affairs according to law; the 1993 National Conference on United Front Work proposed actively guiding religion to adapt to the socialist society, forming the prototype of the Party’s basic policy on religious work. The 2001 National Conference on Religious Work added the content of “adhering to the principle of independence and self-management” to the Party’s basic policy on religious work. The 17th National Congress of the CPC [5]5 17th National Congress of the CPC: A major Party congress held in 2007, which enshrined the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the scientific outlook on development into the Party Constitution. held in 2007 wrote the Party’s basic policy on religious work into the Party Constitution. The 2016 National Conference on Religious Work proposed upholding and developing the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics on religion, and continuously advancing the Sinicization of Marxist religious theory.

马克思主义中国化的第二大理论成果是中国特色社会主义理论｡在改革开放和社会主义现代化建设时期,党的宗教工作的主要任务是拨乱反正,结束“文化大革命”造成的破坏,逐步形成宗教政策的原则､制度和法律框架｡1982年中央印发《关于我国社会主义时期宗教问题的基本观点和基本政策》,即著名的1982年19号文件｡面对宗教工作领域出现的新情况､新问题,1991年全国宗教工作会议提出政府依法对宗教事务进行管理;1993年全国统战工作会议提出积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应,形成了党的宗教工作基本方针的雏形｡2001年全国宗教工作会议,在党的宗教工作基本方针中,增加了“坚持独立自主自办原则”的内容｡2007年召开的十七大把党的宗教工作基本方针写入党章｡2016年全国宗教工作会议提出坚持和发展中国特色社会主义宗教理论,不断把马克思主义宗教理论中国化推向前进｡

The third major theoretical achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context is Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC [6]6 18th National Congress of the CPC: A pivotal Party congress held in 2012, which marked the beginning of the New Era under Xi Jinping’s leadership and the formal establishment of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era., the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has put forward a series of new concepts and new measures regarding religious work, proposing the “theory on the Party’s religious work for the New Era” with the “Nine Musts” as its main content. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches at the 2016 and 2021 National Conferences on Religious Work, his important speeches at conferences such as the Central Conference on United Front Work and the Central Conference on Ethnic Work, and his important discourse on doing a good job of religious work in the New Era during inspections in various localities are important documents on Xi Jinping’s religious work and also important documents on the Party’s religious work theory for the New Era.

马克思主义中国化的第三大理论成果是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想｡党的十八大以来,以习近平同志为核心的党中央提出一系列关于宗教工作的新理念新举措,提出了以“九个必须”为主要内容的“新时代党的宗教工作理论”｡习近平总书记在2016年和2021年全国宗教工作会议上的重要讲话,在中央统战工作､民族工作等会议上的重要讲话和在各地视察时关于做好新时代宗教工作的重要论述是习近平关于宗教工作的重要文献,也是新时代党的宗教工作理论的重要文献｡

The spiritual essence, core essence, rich connotation, and practical requirements of “Xi Jinping’s important discourse on religious work” and “the Party’s religious work theory for the New Era” are consistent, and they are also theoretical expressions made on different occasions and from different perspectives. “Xi Jinping’s important discourse on religious work” is a theoretical expression made from the height of the “entire scientific system” of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and General Secretary Xi Jinping as the “principal founder of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” “The Party’s religious work theory for the New Era” is a theoretical summary and expression based on the practice of the Party’s religious work in the New Era, and is the “chapter on religious work theory” of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Compared with some previous theoretical summaries and expressions, the summary and expression of the Party’s religious work theory for the New Era are clearer, more precise, and more accurate, reflecting the epochal nature of the New Era, the leading role of the Party, the practicality of religious work, and the guiding nature of theoretical achievements, and reflecting the characteristics, connotation, and driving force of the New Era.

“习近平总书记关于宗教工作的重要论述”和“新时代党的宗教工作理论”的精神实质､核心要义､丰富内涵和实践要求是一致的,同时也是在不同场合､从不同角度做出的理论表述｡“习近平总书记关于宗教工作的重要论述”是从习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的“整个科学体系”和习近平总书记作为“新时代中国特色社会主义思想的主要创立者”的高度做出的理论表述｡“新时代党的宗教工作理论”是以新时代党的宗教工作实践为基础进行的理论概括和表述,是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的“宗教工作理论篇”｡与以往的一些理论概括和表述相比,新时代党的宗教工作理论的概括和表述,更加明确清晰､更加精准到位,体现了新时代的时代性,党的领导的主导性,宗教工作的实践性,理论成果的指导性,反映了新时代的特征､内涵和动力｡

II. Comprehensively Grasp the Rich Connotation of Xi Jinping’s Important Discourse on Religious Work at the “Three Levels” of Standpoints and Views, Principles and Policies, and Methods and Measures

二､全面把握习近平关于宗教工作的重要论述在立场观点､方针原则､方法举措“三个层次”的丰富内涵

Xi Jinping’s important discourse on religious work covers “three levels”: the first level is the Party’s basic standpoints and basic views on understanding religious issues; the second level is the Party’s basic principles and basic policies for handling religious issues; the third level is the Party’s basic methods and basic measures for doing religious work well. At the “three levels” of standpoints and views, principles and policies, and methods and measures, it profoundly answers major theoretical and practical questions such as how to understand religion in the New Era, how to handle religious issues, and how to do the Party’s religious work well.

习近平关于宗教工作的重要论述,涵盖了“三个层次”:第一个层次是党认识宗教问题的基本立场､基本观点;第二个层次是党处理宗教问题的基本方针､基本原则;第三个层次是党做好宗教工作的基本方法､基本举措｡在立场观点､方针原则､方法举措“三个层次”,深刻回答了新时代怎样认识宗教､怎样处理宗教问题､怎样做好党的宗教工作等重大理论和实践问题｡

The main content of Xi Jinping’s important discourse on religious work is centrally embodied in the “Nine Musts” summarized in General Secretary Xi Jinping’s speech at the 2021 National Conference on Religious Work:

习近平关于宗教工作重要论述的主要内容,集中体现为习近平总书记在2021年全国宗教工作会议上的讲话中概括的“九个必须”:

The first “must” is “Significance” – we must deeply understand the importance of doing religious work well in the overall work of the Party and the state; the second “must” is “Fundamental Guarantee” – we must establish and improve a strong leadership mechanism; the third “must” is “Theory and Concept” – we must uphold and develop the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics on religion; the fourth “must” is “Basic Policy” – we must adhere to the Party’s basic policy on religious work; the fifth “must” is “Direction of Effort” – we must adhere to the direction of Sinicization of religions in China; the sixth “must” is “Essential Requirement” – we must unite the broad masses of religious believers around the Party and the government; the seventh “must” is “Goal Orientation” – we must build positive and healthy religious relations; the eighth “must” is “Important Measure” – we must support religious groups in strengthening their own construction; the ninth “must” is “Key Task” – we must raise the level of law-based governance of religious work.

第一个必须是“重大意义”——必须深刻认识做好宗教工作在党和国家工作全局中的重要性;第二个必须是“根本保证”——必须建立健全强有力的领导机制;第三个必须是“理论理念”——必须坚持和发展中国特色社会主义宗教理论;第四个必须是“基本方针”——必须坚持党的宗教工作基本方针;第五个必须是“努力方向”——必须坚持我国宗教中国化方向;第六个必须是“本质要求”——必须坚持把广大信教群众团结在党和政府周围;第七个必须是“目标导向”必须构建积极健康的宗教关系;第八个必须是“重要举措”必须支持宗教团体加强自身建设;第九个必须是“重点任务”——必须提高宗教工作法治化水平｡

The “Nine Musts” are a logically rigorous, internally unified organic whole, constructing the general outline for guiding the Party’s religious work in the New Era. Among them, the first, second, and third “musts,” namely Significance, Fundamental Guarantee, and Theory and Concept, belong to the first level – the Party’s basic standpoints and basic views on understanding religious issues, answering the question of how to understand religion in the New Era; the fourth, fifth, and sixth “musts,” namely Basic Policy, Direction of Effort, and Essential Requirement, belong to the second level – the Party’s basic principles and basic policies for handling religious issues, answering the question of how to handle religious issues in the New Era; the seventh, eighth, and ninth “musts,” namely Goal Orientation, Important Measure, and Key Task, belong to the third level – the Party’s basic methods and basic measures for doing religious work well, answering the question of how to do the Party’s religious work well in the New Era.

“九个必须”是逻辑严密､内在统一的有机整体,建构了指导新时代党的宗教工作的总纲要｡其中,第一､第二､第三个“必须”,即重大意义､根本保证､理论理念,属于第一个层次——党认识宗教问题的基本立场､基本观点,回答了新时代怎样认识宗教的问题;第四､第五､第六个“必须”,即基本方针､努力方向､本质要求,属于第二个层次——党处理宗教问题的基本方针､基本原则,回答了新时代怎样处理宗教问题;第七､第八､第九个“必须”,即目标导向､重要举措､重点任务,属于第三个层次——党做好宗教工作的基本方法､基本举措,回答了新时代怎样做好党的宗教工作的问题｡

Xi Jinping’s important discourse on religious work, with the “Nine Musts” as its main content, covers the “three levels” of standpoints and views, principles and policies, and methods and measures, pointing out the direction forward and providing the fundamental guidance for doing the Party’s religious work well in the New Era.

习近平总书记关于宗教工作的重要论述以“九个必须”为主要内容,涵盖了立场观点､方针原则､方法举措“三个层次”,为做好新时代党的宗教工作指明了前进方向､提供了根本遵循｡

III. Study and Apply the Worldview and Methodology of Xi Jinping’s Important Discourse on Religious Work, the “Six Upholds Musts”

三､学习和运用习近平关于宗教工作的重要论述“六个必须坚持”的世界观､方法论

The Party Central Committee has put forward a general requirement and the requirement of the “Six Upholds Musts” for studying and implementing Xi Jinping’s important discourse on religious work.

党中央对学习贯彻习近平总书记关于宗教工作的重要论述,提出了一个总要求和“六个必须坚持”的要求｡

One general requirement is that the study and implementation of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourse on religious work must be understood and grasped within the entire scientific system of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This general requirement embodies the relationship between the part and the whole, and the relationship between General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourse on religious work and the overall scientific system of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The whole determines the part and leads the part; the part submits to the whole and serves the whole. This reflects not only the historical law that religious work is an important component of the overall process and overall structure of the work of the Party and the state, that society determines religion, and that religion adapts to society, but also the practical process and law that religious work, including the self-construction of religious circles, serves social development and progress.

一个总要求是,学习贯彻习近平总书记关于宗教工作的重要论述要放到习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的整个科学体系中来认识和把握｡这一总要求体现了局部与整体的关系,体现了习近平总书记关于宗教工作的重要论述与习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想整体科学体系的关系｡整体决定局部､引领局部,局部服从整体､服务整体｡这既反映了宗教工作是党和国家工作大局的总进程､总格局的重要组成部分,社会决定宗教,宗教适应于社会的历史规律,也反映了宗教工作,包括宗教界的自身建设,服务于社会发展进步的实践进程和规律｡

The requirement of the “Six Musts” [1]1 The “Six Musts” (六个必须坚持) refers to the six principles of worldview and methodology for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as elaborated at the 20th National Congress of the CPC: upholding people-centeredness, upholding confidence in the theory and self-reliance, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, upholding a problem-oriented approach, upholding a systems perspective, and upholding a global vision.: The first is to deeply grasp the need to uphold people-centeredness, better unite religious believers, and consolidate the social foundation of the Party’s governance. The second is to deeply grasp the need to uphold confidence in the theory and self-reliance, and continuously promote new progress in the Sinicization of China’s religions. The third is to deeply grasp the need to uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, and continuously promote the development of religious work theory and practice. The fourth is to deeply grasp the need to uphold a problem-oriented approach, and effectively prevent and defuse risks and hidden dangers in the religious field. The fifth is to deeply grasp the need to uphold a systems perspective, and always do religious work well with the concept of guidance. The sixth is to deeply grasp the need to uphold a global vision, and tell China’s religious stories well internationally.

“六个必须坚持”的要求:第一个是要深刻把握坚持人民至上,更好团结信教群众､夯实党执政的社会基础｡第二个是要深刻把握坚持自信自立,推动我国宗教中国化工作不断取得新进展｡第三个是要深刻把握坚持守正创新,推动宗教工作理论和实践不断发展｡第四个是要深刻把握坚持问题导向,有效防范化解宗教领域风险隐患｡第五个是要深刻把握坚持系统观念,始终以导的理念做好宗教工作｡第六个是要深刻把握坚持胸怀天下,在国际上讲好中国宗教故事｡

The “Six Musts” are consistent with the worldview and methodology of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era proposed at the 20th National Congress of the CPC, and are the application and embodiment of this worldview and methodology in the field of the Party’s religious work in the New Era. Only by implementing and practicing the Marxist worldview and methodology of the “Six Musts,” and achieving the Two Integrations [2]2 The Two Integrations (两个结合) refers to the principle of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture, a key theoretical formulation in Xi Jinping Thought. in the practice of the Party’s religious work in the New Era, can we correctly answer the important questions raised by the times and practice, arrive at scientific understandings that conform to objective laws, form and develop the theoretical achievements of the Party’s religious work that keep pace with the times, and better guide the practice of the Party’s religious work in the New Era.

“六个必须坚持”与党的二十大提出的新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界观和方法论是一致的,是这一世界观和方法论在新时代党的宗教工作领域的运用和体现｡贯彻和实行“六个坚持”的马克思主义世界观和方法论,在新时代党的宗教工作实践中,做到“两个结合”,才能正确回答时代和实践提出的重要问题,得出符合客观规律的科学认识,形成和发展与时俱进的党的宗教工作理论成果,更好地指导新时代党的宗教工作实践｡

IV. Guided by General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Important Discourse on Religious Work, Promote the Systematization and Theorization of the Disciplinary Construction of Marxist Religious Studies

四､以习近平总书记关于宗教工作的重要论述为指导,推进马克思主义宗教学学科建设的体系化､学理化

General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the construction of Marxist religious theory. In his speech at the 2016 National Conference on Religious Work, he proposed to “develop the socialist theory of religion with Chinese characteristics and comprehensively raise the level of religious work under the new circumstances”; on May 17, 2016, at the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Sciences, he proposed to “accelerate the improvement of disciplines that have a supporting role for philosophy and social sciences,” listing religious studies as one of the 11 supporting disciplines, and requiring “building a disciplinary system with Chinese characteristics and universal significance”; at the 2021 National Conference on Religious Work, he explicitly proposed for the first time “strengthening the disciplinary construction of Marxist religious studies.” On June 30, 2023, when General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over the sixth collective study session of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, he emphasized that promoting the systematization and theorization of theory is the inherent requirement and important pathway for theoretical innovation. This has extremely important guiding significance and a driving role in promoting the systematization and theorization of the construction of Marxist religious studies, and in promoting the Sinicization and modernization of the construction of Marxist religious studies.

习近平总书记高度重视马克思主义宗教理论建设｡在2016年全国宗教工作会议上的讲话中,提出要“发展中国特色社会主义宗教理论,全面提高新形势下宗教工作水平”;2016年5月17日在哲学社会科学座谈会上又提出“加快完善对哲学社会科学具有支撑作用的学科”,并把宗教学列为11个具有支撑作用的学科之一,要求“打造具有中国特色和普遍意义的学科体系”;在2021年全国宗教工作会议上,第一次明确提出“加强马克思主义宗教学学科建设”｡2023年6月30日,习近平总书记在中央政治局第六次集体学习时强调,推进理论的体系化､学理化,是理论创新的内在要求和重要途径｡这对于推进马克思主义宗教学建设的体系化､学理化,推进马克思主义宗教学建设的中国化､时代化,具有极为重要的指导意义和推动作用｡

The core of the disciplinary construction of Marxist religious studies is theoretical construction. In the process of implementing the spirit of the National Conference on Religious Work, the academic community should seize the historical opportunity, leverage multidisciplinary advantages, and support Marxist religious studies and Marxist atheism as key disciplines. Comprehensively study and implement, accurately interpret the theoretical connotations and policy principles of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourse on religious work, closely integrate with the theory and practice of the Party’s religious work in the New Era, adhere to the combination of goal orientation and problem orientation, achieve the Two Integrations, focus on researching and interpreting the principled theoretical achievements among the new concepts and new judgments proposed by our Party, grasp their mutual internal connections, realize integrated innovation and comprehensive innovation, and promote the systematization and theorization of the disciplinary construction of Marxist religious studies. Inherit and carry forward the tradition and academic style of Marxist religious studies with Chinese characteristics pioneered by Comrade Ren Jiyu [3]3 Ren Jiyu (任继愈, 1916–2009) was a prominent Chinese philosopher and historian of religion, known for founding the study of Marxist religious studies with Chinese characteristics and for his work on the history of Chinese Buddhism and philosophy., and write a new chapter of Sinicized and modernized Marxist religious studies in the New Era!

马克思主义宗教学学科建设的核心是理论建设｡在贯彻落实全国宗教工作会议精神的过程中,学术界要抓住历史机遇,发挥多学科优势,把马克思主义宗教学､马克思主义无神论作为作为重点学科予以支持｡全面学习贯彻､准确阐释习近平总书记关于宗教工作的重要论述的理论内涵和政策原则,紧密结合新时代党的宗教工作理论和实践,坚持目标导向和问题导向相结合,做到“两个结合”,重点研究阐释我们党提出的新理念新论断中原理性理论成果,把握其相互的内在联系,实现集成创新､综合创新,推进马克思主义宗教学学科建设的体系化､学理化｡继承和发扬任继愈先生开创的中国特色马克思主义宗教学的传统和学风,书写新时代中国化时代化的马克思主义宗教学新篇章!

(Author’s bio: Zhu Xiaoming, Honorary Chairman of the Chinese Society for the Study of Atheism)

（作者简介：朱晓明，中国无神论学会荣誉理事长）

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心