The Current Situation and Countermeasures of Atheist Propaganda and Education in Rural Areas of the Southwest Border Region

The 2018 Central Document No. 1, the "Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Implementing the Rural Revitalization Strategy," clearly states: "Strengthen atheist propaganda and education, enrich the cultural and spiritual life of the peasant masses, and resist superstitious activities." In July 2021, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council issued the "Opinions on Strengthening and Improving Ideological and Political Work in the New Era," which clearly states: "Promote the normalization and institutionalization of ideal and belief education, extensively carry out propaganda and education on socialism with Chinese characteristics and the Chinese Dream, promote the national spirit and the spirit of the times, strengthen education on patriotism, collectivism, and socialism, and strengthen education on Marxist materialism and atheism." Strengthening propaganda and education on Marxist atheism concerns the guiding position of Marxism in China's ideological domain, concerns ideological security, and concerns the implementation of the Party's religious work policy. As a weak point in the ideological domain, rural areas of the southwest border region are a site where various forms of foreign religious infiltration activities and illegal religious activities intertwine. Coupled with the serious "hollowing out" phenomenon in some border villages, theism has a tendency to expand and spread. The research team selected the relatively typical China-Myanmar border rural area in the southwest border region as a field site and conducted a large-scale survey. The China-Myanmar border area is the first line from the southwest frontier to the Indian Ocean, with an important strategic location and a unique geopolitical environment. Researching atheist propaganda and education in this region is of typical significance for the whole country.

2018年的中央1号文件《中共中央国务院关于实施乡村振兴战略的意见》中明确提出：“加强无神论宣传教育，丰富农民群众精神文化生活，抵制封建迷信活动。”2021年7月，中共中央、国务院印发了《关于新时代加强和改进思想政治工作的意见》,明确指出：“推动理想信念教育常态化、制度化，广泛开展中国特色社会主义和中国梦宣传教育，弘扬民族精神和时代精神，加强爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育，加强马克思主义唯物论和无神论教育。”加强马克思主义无神论的宣传教育，关乎马克思主义在我国意识形态领域的指导地位，关乎意识形态的安全，关乎党的宗教工作方针的贯彻落实。西南边境农村地区作为意识形态领域的薄弱点，各种境外宗教渗透活动和非法宗教活动在此交织进行，再加上一些抵边村寨的“空心化”现象严重，使有神论有扩展蔓延之势。调查组选取西南边境地区较为典型的中缅边境农村地区作为田野点，进行了大规模的调查活动，中缅边境地区是西南边陲通往印度洋的第一线，战略区位重要，地缘环境独特，在本地区调研无神论宣传教育对全国都具有典型意义。

I. Current Situation of Atheist Propaganda and Education in Rural Areas of the Southwest Border Region

一、西南边境农村地区无神论宣传教育现状

To ascertain the current situation of atheist propaganda and education in rural areas of the southwest border region, team members conducted three large-scale surveys over nine months in the China-Myanmar border rural area: from December 2019 to January 2020, from April 2023 to July 2023, and from September 2023 to November 2023. The survey was interrupted midway due to border closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in northern Myanmar. However, the team members overcame various difficulties to go deep into the rural grassroots and understand the current situation of atheist propaganda and education, ensuring the successful completion of the survey and the acquisition of first-hand data. This study primarily used questionnaire surveys, supplemented by in-depth interviews for data collection. The questionnaire content was designed in three dimensions. The first part collected respondent information for quantitative analysis, such as gender, ethnicity, occupation, income, and age. The second part surveyed respondents' atheist beliefs and other belief statuses, as well as their attitudes and views on theistic beliefs. The third part inquired about illegal religious activities and foreign religious infiltration for qualitative analysis. Survey subjects were selected using random principles, covering rural villages in six border prefectures and cities: Nujiang Prefecture, Dehong Prefecture, Baoshan City, Lincang City, Pu'er City, and Xishuangbanna Prefecture, some of which are border villages. A total of 1,000 questionnaires were distributed, 920 were returned (a recovery rate of 92%), of which 812 were valid (an effective recovery rate of 81.2%), meaning the sample size for this survey was 812. Semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted with 68 people. In the questionnaire survey, there were 347 males and 465 females, a male-to-female ratio of 42.7% to 57.3%. In terms of ethnic composition, there were 520 Han Chinese and 292 ethnic minorities, accounting for 64% and 36% respectively. The ethnic minorities mainly included 17 groups: Wa, Dai, Yi, Bai, Naxi, Achang, Blang, Tibetan, Hani, Hui, Jino, Jingpo, Lahu, Lisu, Zhuang, Miao, and Yao.

为摸清当前西南边境农村地区无神论宣传教育的现状，课题组成员于2019年12月一2020年1月、2023年4月—2023年7月和2023年9月—2023年11月分三次对中缅边境农村地区进行了9个月的大规模调研活动，中间因新冠疫情及缅北战乱等原因导致边境封锁，调研活动一度中断。但课题组成员克服种种困难深入农村基层了解无神论宣传教育的现状，使得调研活动圆满成功，拿到了第一手数据。本研究以问卷调查为主，并结合深度访谈开展资料收集工作，问卷内容设计分成三个维度，第一部分为被调查者的信息资料，以便定量分析，如性别、民族、职业、收入、年龄等；第二部分为被调查者的无神论信仰和其他信仰状况、对有神论信仰的态度看法等；第三部分为非法宗教活动情况和境外宗教渗透情况的问询，以便于定性分析。调查对象的选定通过随机原则确定，涵盖怒江州、德宏州、保山市、临沧市、普洱市及西双版纳州等六个边境州市农村村寨，其中有些村寨为抵边村寨。共计发放问卷1000份，回收问卷920份，回收率92%,其中，有效问卷812份，有效问卷回收率81.2%,即本调查的样本容量为812,半结构化访谈与深度访谈68人。在问卷调查中，男性347人，女性465人，男女比例为42.7%和57.3%;从民族构成上看，汉族为520人，少数民族为292人，分别占64%和36%,少数民族主要为佤族、傣族、彝族、白族、纳西族、阿昌族、布朗族、藏族、哈尼族、回族、基诺族、景颇族、拉祜族、傈僳族、壮族、苗族、瑶族等17个民族。

(I) Overview of Religious Beliefs among the Population in Rural Areas of the Southwest Border Region

(一)西南边境农村地区群众宗教信仰概况

Analysis of the data on the belief status of respondents shows that the number of people with communist beliefs totaled 510, accounting for 62.8%. This indicates that the masses in rural areas of the southwest border region have a high degree of recognition of the Communist Party of China and its governance capabilities, which in turn has led to widespread recognition and common belief in communism among the broad masses beyond Party members and Youth League members in these areas. Communist belief still occupies a dominant position and is the mainstream belief. 112 people had no clear belief or believed only in themselves. 8 people believed in the traditional Confucian ideological system. 111 people believed in Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Taoism, accounting for 13.7%, making this the most followed religion among religious beliefs. 60 people believed in Western religions such as Christianity, accounting for 7.4%. 11 people believed in Islam, accounting for 1.4%. Overall, the number of atheists (i.e., those with communist beliefs) was 510, accounting for 62.8% of the total surveyed population. The number of theists (religious believers) was 182, accounting for 22.4% of the total. This data indicates that atheist belief is dominant in rural areas of the southwest border region, with atheists holding the leading position. However, the proportion of religious believers is still much higher than in the interior. The custom of religious belief is prevalent, religious activities are frequent, and there is a broad base of adherents.

通过对被调查者的信仰状况构成数据分析显示，被调查者中共产主义信仰人数共计510人，占62.8%,说明西南边境农村地区群众对中国共产党及其治国理政能力认可度高，进而使共产主义在西南边境农村地区得到除党员和团员之外广大人民群众的广泛认同和普遍信仰，共产主义信仰依然占据主导地位，属于主流信仰；没有明确的信仰或只信仰自己的112人；信仰传统儒家思想体系的8人；信奉佛教、道教等东方宗教的为111人，占比13.7%,属于宗教信仰中信仰最多的宗教；信奉基督教等西方宗教的有60人，占比7.4%,信奉伊斯兰教的为11人，占比1.4%。总的来说，无神论者信仰人数(即共产主义信仰人数)为510人，占被调查总人数的62.8%,有神论者(信教人数)为182人，占总数的22.4%。这一数据说明西南边境农村地区以无神论信仰为主，无神论者占主导地位，但宗教信仰人数比例仍远高于内地，宗教信仰之风盛行，宗教活动频繁，有广泛的信徒存在。

In response to the survey question "What modes of information dissemination mainly influence your belief status?", 176 people (21.7%) were influenced by reading books and newspapers, 315 people (38.8%) were influenced by the internet, 210 people (25.9%) were influenced by television and radio, and 289 people (35.6%) were influenced by communication with elders and friends. The data shows that new media such as the internet have become the most important mode influencing belief status. Compared with traditional modes of religious belief dissemination, such as newspapers and communication with elders and friends, online new media may become the most important means of communication influencing atheist belief in rural areas of the southwest border region.

在“你的信仰状态主要受到哪些信息传播方式影响?”的调查中，受阅读书籍报刊影响的为176人，占比21.7%,受网络影响的为315人，占比38.8%,受电视广播影响的为210人，占比25.9%,受与长辈朋友交流影响的为289人，占比35.6%。从数据中可以看到网络等新媒体成为影响信仰状态最主要的方式，相对报刊和长辈朋友交流等宗教信仰传播的传统方式，网络新媒体可能会成为影响西南边境农村地区无神论信仰的最重要传播手段。

When asked "Do you think there is a conflict between religious belief and communist belief?", 231 respondents (28.4% of the total) believed there was a conflict between religion and communist belief, while 581 respondents (71.6% of the total) believed there was no conflict. The statistical data indicates that the majority of respondents hold a tolerant attitude towards religious belief, and also shows that theistic beliefs such as religion and communist belief are intricately intertwined and complex in rural areas of the southwest border region.

在被问及“您认为宗教信仰与共产主义信仰有冲突吗?”时，被调查者中认为宗教与共产主义信仰有冲突的为231人，占总数的28.4%;认为没有冲突的为581人，占总数的71.6%。统计数据说明多数被调查者对宗教信仰持包容态度，也说明在西南边境农村地区宗教等有神论信仰与共产主义信仰错综交汇，较为复杂。

(II) The Overall Situation of Atheist Propaganda and Education in Rural Areas of the Southwest Border Region Is Currently Favorable

(二)当前西南边境农村地区无神论宣传教育状况总体态势良好

First, atheism as the mainstream ideology occupies a dominant position in the thinking of the masses. Marxist atheism is an important component of Marxism, China's mainstream ideology. Propagating atheist thought is an important task of our Party's propaganda work. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Since its founding one hundred years ago, the Communist Party of China has always been a party with lofty ideals and firm convictions. This ideal and conviction is the Marxist faith, the lofty ideal of communism, and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics." [1]1 Xi Jinping, speech at the opening ceremony of the training course for young and middle-aged cadres at the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance), September 1, 2021. Analysis of the survey data shows that the beliefs of the masses in rural areas of the southwest border region exhibit characteristics of diversity and ethnicity. Atheists still constitute the vast majority. Theists, influenced by factors such as history and natural environment, are mainly distributed in ethnic areas, showing distinct ethnic characteristics, such as Dai and Tibetan people believing in Buddhism, Jingpo and Blang people believing in Christianity, etc. Among the respondents, 62.8% believed in atheism and 22.4% were theists. This indicates that although religious belief is prevalent in rural areas of the southwest border region due to ethnic traditions and historical-geographical factors, Marxist atheism still occupies a dominant position in the thinking of the masses. Data analysis shows that 632 respondents (78%) had never participated in religious activities; 75 (9.2%) had participated due to an invitation from a missionary; and 105 (12.9%) had participated by accompanying others. This indicates that the vast majority of the masses in rural areas of the southwest border region do not have religious beliefs, do not participate or do not actively participate in religious activities, and also demonstrates that Marxist atheism occupies a dominant position in the thinking of the masses.

一是无神论作为主流意识形态在人民群众思想中占主导地位。马克思主义无神论是我国主流意识形态马克思主义的重要组成部分，宣传无神论思想是我们党宣传工作的一项重要任务。习近平总书记指出：“中国共产党成立一百年来，始终是有崇高理想和坚定信念的党。这个理想信念，就是马克思主义信仰、共产主义远大理想、中国特色社会主义共同理想。”通过对调查数据分析结果显示，西南边境农村地区人民群众信仰呈多元化和民族性特征，无神论者仍占据绝大多数，有神论者受历史和自然环境等因素影响主要分布于民族地区，呈现鲜明的民族特征，如傣族和藏族群众信仰佛教、景颇族和布朗族群众信仰基督教等。被调查者中信仰无神论的占62.8%,有神论者占22.4%,说明西南边境农村地区虽然基于民族传统和历史地理因素的影响，宗教信仰盛行，但马克思主义无神论仍在人民群众思想中占主导地位。数据分析显示，被调查者中没有参加过宗教活动的为632人，占78%;因传教人员邀请参加过的为75人，占9.2%;陪伴别人参加过的为105人，占12.9%。说明绝大多数西南边境农村地区的群众没有宗教信仰，不参与或不主动参与宗教活动，也说明马克思主义无神论在人民群众思想中占主导地位。

From the information gathered through in-depth interviews and semi-structured interviews, young people, who are currently the hope of the nation and the future of the people, generally accept Marxist atheist thought and do not believe in the existence of superstitious claims about ghosts and gods. Even among those young people who are theists with religious beliefs, their theistic faith is generally not very firm and exhibits a utilitarian phenomenon. For example, some theists believe in religion because “the gods can bless me to get into a good university” or “believing in the Lord can help me find a girlfriend.” In contrast, the more resolute theists are mostly elderly people, predominantly female, and have a relatively low level of education.

通过深度访谈和半结构化访谈所了解的情况看，目前作为国家希望和民族未来的青年人普遍接受马克思主义无神论思想，不相信鬼神说法的存在，即使有部分信仰宗教的青年有神论者，其有神论信仰也普遍不太坚定，存在功利化现象，如部分有神论者信仰宗教的原因是：“神能够保佑自己考上好的大学”“信主能够找到女朋友”等等。而意志比较坚定的有神论者多为老年人，以女性居多，且受教育文化程度较低。

Second, feudal superstitious thought is gradually declining. Rural areas are often hard-hit by feudal superstitious thought, and the closed natural environment and ethnic traditions of the southwest border region once made feudal superstition prevalent. With the comprehensive building of a moderately prosperous society and the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, driven by the policy of revitalizing border areas and enriching the people, economic and cultural undertakings in the rural areas of the southwest border region have developed rapidly, people’s living standards have greatly improved, and education has flourished. People have gradually come to believe in science and uphold science. Under the care of the Party and the government, the work of eradicating feudal superstitious activities has progressed smoothly and achieved remarkable results. Feudal superstitious activities are gradually declining. Although they still exist within a certain scope, their influence has become negligible and they struggle to function. Analysis of survey data shows that 7 people engaged in divination by drawing lots, accounting for about 0.9%; 25 people practiced geomancy (feng shui), accounting for 3.1%; 12 people burned incense and worshipped Buddha, accounting for 1.5%; 3 people read palms, accounting for 0.4%; 1 person performed shamanistic rituals (跳大神), accounting for only 0.1%; and 94% had none of the above superstitious behaviors. From this, it can be seen that feudal superstition in the rural areas of the southwest border region has tended to decline.

二是封建迷信思想日渐式微。农村地区往往是封建迷信思想的重灾区，西南边境地区封闭的自然环境和民族传统使得封建迷信一度盛行。随着全面建成小康社会和乡村振兴战略的实施，西南边境农村地区在兴边富民政策的带动下，经济文化等事业得到飞速发展，人民生活水平大幅提高，教育事业蓬勃发展，人民逐渐相信科学、崇尚科学。在党和政府的关怀下，破除封建迷信活动进展顺利、成绩斐然，封建迷信活动日渐式微，虽在一定范围内存在，但影响已经微乎其微，难以发挥作用。通过调查数据分析结果显示，求签问卜的为7人，只占约0.9%;看风水的为25人，占3.1%;烧香拜佛的12人，占1.5%;看手相的3人，占0.4%;跳大神的1人，仅占0.1%;而没有以上迷信行为的占94%,由此可知封建迷信在西南边境农村地区已趋于式微。

From in-depth interviews, it is known that traditional feudal superstitious behaviors, such as praying to gods for divination or seeking medical treatment from ghosts and gods, have almost disappeared. The 24 villagers interviewed from several villages in Gengma County and Zhenkang County, Lincang City, all stated, “Ten or twenty years ago, when we were children and got sick, the elderly would still go to temples to pray for health or drive away evil spirits to cure illness, but now everyone goes to the hospital for treatment, and no one believes in the idea of ghosts and gods curing illness.” The in-depth interviews also revealed that certain backward traditional customs related to theism among some ethnic minorities are also disappearing. For example, the Dulong people in Nujiang once had the custom of burying the bones of deceased relatives under the house, believing that doing so would allow the souls of their loved ones to continue living with them. However, with the promotion of science and atheism, this backward custom has now basically disappeared.

通过深度访谈得知，传统封建迷信，如求神问卜、向鬼神求医问药等迷信行为几乎绝迹，临沧市耿马县和镇康县的几个村寨被访谈的24名村民均表示，“十几二十年前也就是小时候生病，老人家还去寺庙祈求健康或者通过驱邪治病，但现在都是去医院诊治，已经没有人相信鬼神治病的说法”。通过深度访谈还发现，某些少数民族与有神论相关的落后传统习俗也在消逝，如怒江的独龙族曾有把已故亲人的尸骨埋在房子下面的习俗，认为这样做，亲人的灵魂会依然生活在自己身边，但随着科学和无神论的推广，现在这一落后习俗已经基本绝迹。

In addition, the practice of using qigong to treat illnesses, which was once prevalent in western Yunnan, has also nearly disappeared. Qigong, as an idealist ideology, is a method of physical exercise and mental cultivation that achieves psychological satisfaction through psychological suggestion, aided by external movements. The effects of qigong are a kind of self-perception, and its mechanisms and effects are uncertain and therefore not empirically verifiable. In the past, many rural people believed in the effects of qigong, thinking that qigong could treat diseases or maintain health through mysterious powers. This phenomenon has now disappeared in the rural areas of western Yunnan. Thirty-five rural residents clearly stated in interviews that they do not believe in the effects of qigong and have not heard of anyone in the village practicing qigong.

此外，滇西地区曾经流传的气功治病也近乎绝迹。气功作为一种唯心主义意识形态，通过心理暗示在外在动作的辅助下达到心理满足的健身修心方法，气功的效果是一种自我感觉，气功的机理和效果具有不确定性因而不可实证。以前很多农村群众相信气功的作用，认为气功通过神秘力量可以治疗疾病或者维系健康，目前这一现象在滇西农村地区已经绝迹，35名农村群众在访谈中明确表示不相信气功的作用，也没有听说村里有人练习气功。

Third, illegal religious activities have been effectively managed. Illegal religious activities refer to all religious activities that violate the Constitution, laws, regulations, policies, and relevant local regulations, ordinances, and policies. In 2018, the “Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Increasing the Intensity of Reform and Innovation to Accelerate Agricultural Modernization” proposed legally increasing the intensity of cracking down on illegal religious activities and overseas infiltration activities in rural areas, legally stopping the use of religion to interfere in rural public affairs, and continuing to rectify the unauthorized construction of temples and indiscriminate casting of religious statues in rural areas. To govern the country, one must govern the border; opposing ethnic separatism and safeguarding national unity are the highest interests of the state. Religious extremist ideologies and terrorism are our common enemies. The special natural and human environment of the southwest border region provides fertile ground for illegal religious activities. Illegal religious activities in rural areas deny Chinese civilization, reject traditional rural beliefs, dismember the subjectivity of rural traditional culture and values, and even compete with the Party and the government for leadership in rural areas. They attempt to use illegal religion to stage an ideological “rural包围城市” [n] (encirclement of the cities from the countryside), shake the dominant position of the national mainstream ideology, and thereby endanger national security. The survey for this project shows that when asked, “Have any new temples, statues, or other religious buildings been built in your village in recent years?”, 145 people, or 17.9% of the total, answered “yes,” while 667 people, or 82.1% of the total, answered “no.” When asked, “Has anyone encouraged you to proselytize or go on a pilgrimage abroad?”, 42 people, or 5.2% of the total, answered “yes,” while 770 people, or 94.8% of the total, answered “no.” When asked, “Has anyone used the epidemic to spread religion to you?”, 87 people, or 10.7% of the total, answered “yes,” while 725 people, or 89.3% of the total, answered “no.” These three sets of data indicate that illegal religious activities in the rural areas of the southwest border region have been effectively managed. In an interview with a judge from a certain county court in the southwest border region, it was learned that a certain religious organization promoted its religious ideas to villagers by distributing leaflets and encouraged rural women to hold illegal assemblies. The organization was prosecuted, and the two ringleaders were sentenced to three years in prison. From an interview with a township cadre in Linxiang District, Lincang City, it was learned that between 2020 and 2022, the town demolished more than 10 illegally built rural temples. This shows that the legal governance of illegal religious activities in the rural areas of the southwest border region has achieved remarkable results, and illegal religious activities have been effectively managed.

三是非法宗教活动得到较好治理。非法宗教活动是指一切违背宪法、法律、法规、政策及地方有关法规、条例和政策的种种宗教活动。2018年，《中共中央国务院关于加大改革创新力度加快农业现代化建设的若干意见》提出，依法加大对农村非法宗教活动和境外渗透活动打击力度，依法制止利用宗教干预农村公共事务，继续整治农村乱建庙宇、滥塑宗教造像。治国必治边，反对民族分裂，维护祖国统一，是国家最高利益所在，宗教极端思想和恐怖主义等是我们共同的敌人。西南边境地区特殊的自然人文环境，为非法宗教活动提供了滋生的土壤。农村非法宗教活动否认中华文明、排斥农村传统信仰，肢解了农村传统文化和价值的主体性，甚至与党和政府争夺在农村的领导权。妄图利用非法宗教上演意识形态领域的“农村包围城市”,动摇国家主流意识形态的主体地位，进而危害国家安全。本课题调查显示，在问及是否“你们村寨最近几年有新建的寺庙、塑像或者其他宗教建筑?”时，表示“有”的为145人，占总数的17.9%,表示“没有”的为667,占总数的82.1%;在问及是否“有人鼓动你去传教或者国外朝拜”时，表示“有”的为42人，占总数的5.2%,表示“没有”的为770人，占总数的94.8%;问及是否“有人利用疫情向你传播宗教”时，表示“有”的为87人，占总数的10.7%,表示“没有”的为725人，占总数的89.3%。三组数据说明西南边境农村地区非法宗教活动得到了较好的治理。在对西南边境某县法院某法官的访谈中得知，某宗教组织通过发放传单的形式向村民宣传其宗教思想，并鼓动农村妇女非法集会，被提起公诉，为首的两人被判处三年有期徒刑。通过对临沧市临翔区某乡镇干部的访谈得知，该镇在2020年至2022年间共计拆毁农村乱建庙宇10余处。这说明西南边境农村地区依法治理非法宗教活动成效显著,非法宗教活动得到较好治理。

(3) The masses have a high evaluation of grassroots governments’ work in carrying out atheist propaganda and education

(三)群众对基层政府开展无神论宣传教育工作评价高

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The mass line is the lifeline and fundamental working line of our Party, and an important heirloom for our Party to maintain youthful vitality and combat effectiveness,” and “The rise of a government lies in conforming to the will of the people; the fall of a government lies in going against the will of the people.” [n] To evaluate effectiveness, one must use facts to speak, open up the evaluation to the public, let the masses evaluate, and ensure the evaluation is objective and truthful. The level of evaluation by rural masses of grassroots governments’ atheist propaganda and education is the most direct and effective indicator for verifying the effectiveness of atheist propaganda and education. Survey data shows that 513 people, or 63.2%, were satisfied with the grassroots governments’ work on atheist propaganda and education; 227 people, or 28%, were basically satisfied; 26 people, or 3.2%, were somewhat dissatisfied; and 46 people, or 5.7%, were dissatisfied. This indicates that the masses in the rural areas of the southwest border region have a very high overall satisfaction with the grassroots governments’ atheist propaganda and education. A survey on the channels through which rural masses receive atheist propaganda and education shows that 330 people, or 40.6%, received it through government propaganda; 394 people, or 48.5%, through school curricula; 29 people, or 3.6%, through news media propaganda; and 59 people, or 7.3%, through family influence. This indicates that government propaganda work is relatively thorough and plays a crucial role in shaping the atheist thought of the rural masses. Regarding the survey on the current atmosphere of grassroots governments’ atheist propaganda and education, 304 people, or 37.4%, believed the atmosphere was strong; 417 people, or 51.4%, believed it was acceptable; 35 people, or 4.3%, believed it was not strong enough; and 56 people, or 6.9%, believed it was weak. From this, it can be seen that the masses in the rural areas of the southwest border region generally believe that grassroots governments have performed well overall in their work on atheist propaganda and education and are able to create a good atmosphere for propaganda and education.

习近平总书记指出：“群众路线是我们党的生命线和根本工作路线，是我们党永葆青春活力和战斗力的重要传家宝”、“政之所兴在顺民心，政之所废在逆民心”。评估成效要用事实说话，开门抓评估，让群众评价，确保评估客观真实。农村群众对基层政府开展无神论宣传教育的评价高低，是验证无神论宣传教育成效最直观和最有效的指标。调查数据显示，对基层政府无神论宣传教育工作满意的为513人，占63.2%;基本满意的为227人，占28%;不太满意的26人，占3.2%;不满意的为46人，占5.7%。这说明西南边境农村地区群众对基层政府无神论宣传教育总体满意度非常高。通过对农村群众接受无神论宣传教育的途径调查显示，政府宣传的330人，占40.6%;学校课程的为394人，占48.5%;新闻媒体宣传的为29人，占3.6%;家庭影响的为59人，占7.3%。这说明政府宣传工作比较到位，对农村群众的无神论思想的形成起到至关重要的影响。对于当前基层政府无神论宣传教育氛围如何的调查，认为氛围浓烈的为304人，占37.4%;认为还可以的为417人，占51.4%;认为不够浓烈的为35人，占4.3%;认为淡薄的为56人，占6.9%。由此可知，当前西南边境农村地区群众普遍认为基层政府在无神论宣传教育工作中总体上表现出色，能够营造出很好的宣传教育氛围。

II. Several Issues Worthy of Attention in Atheist Propaganda and Education in Rural Areas of the Southwest Border Region in the New Era

二、新时代西南边境农村地区无神论宣传教育中几个值得关注的问题

(1) The influence of the inertial force of ethnic religion and the multifaceted interweaving of regional factors

(一)民族宗教惯性力的影响及地区各因素多元交织

Rural areas of the southwest border region integrate complex elements such as border areas, ethnic groups, religion, mountainous terrain, and poverty and backwardness. Influenced by their unique geopolitical and historical environmental factors, they exhibit the characteristics of the ethnic nature of religion and the religious nature of ethnicity. The inertial force of ethnic religion has a profound impact, traditional customs are deeply entrenched, and beliefs display a pluralistic character, which also brings great resistance and challenges to the work of atheist propaganda and education. Survey data show that in response to the question “Are your beliefs fanatical?”, 60 people chose “fanatical,” accounting for 33% of those who believe in religion; 138 religious believers considered their belief to be “inheriting family tradition,” accounting for 75.8%; in response to the question “What prompted you to formally convert to religion?”, 106 religious believers cited “persuasion by parents and family members,” accounting for 58.2%.

西南边境农村地区集边疆、民族、宗教、山区、贫困落后等各复杂要素于一体，受其独特的地缘政治和历史环境因素的影响，展现出宗教的民族性和民族的宗教性的特征，民族宗教惯性力的影响深远，传统习惯根深蒂固，信仰呈多元化的特征，这也为无神论宣传教育工作带来很大的阻力和挑战。调查数据显示，在“你的信仰是否狂热?”的调查中，有60人选择狂热，占信仰宗教人数的33%;有138名宗教信仰者认为其信仰是“传承家庭传统”,占75.8%;在“促使你正式皈依宗教的原因”调查中，有106名宗教信仰者认为是“父母和家庭成员的劝说”,占58.2%。

Many respondents stated that because a family member believes in a religion, they themselves have been repeatedly urged to convert. For example, Ms. Yang from a village in Weishan County, Dali City, frankly stated that because her mother-in-law believes in a certain religion, she repeatedly urged her and her husband to convert to that religion together and to observe the dietary habits of the faith they follow. This persuasion spanned several years, and the mother-in-law repeatedly mobilized relatives and friends to join in the persuasion, causing the couple great annoyance. Finally, they had to refuse on the grounds that they had already joined the Party, and only then were they able to extricate themselves.

很多受访者表示：因家庭成员中有人信仰宗教，其家人会遭到多次邀约皈依宗教的劝说。如大理市巍山县某村的杨女士坦言，因其婆婆信仰某宗教，就多次劝说她和老公共同皈依该宗教，并遵守所信奉宗教的饮食习惯，劝说跨度长达几年，并多次发动亲戚朋友一起劝说，使她们夫妇不胜其烦，最后不得不以已经入党为由拒绝，才得以摆脱。

(2) The coexistence of overseas religious infiltration and illegal religious activities

(二)境外宗教渗透和非法宗教活动共存

Border areas are the first line of defense for national security and the forward position for safeguarding territorial integrity and ideological security. The southwest border region is located on the front line leading to the Indian Ocean, with an important strategic position and a unique geopolitical environment. Among these, the China-Myanmar border area has no natural barriers, numerous ports and passages, and even many border villages face neighboring countries across the boundary. In the rural areas of the China-Myanmar border, multiple ethnic minorities live and practice various religions. Due to its special geographical location and historical origins, the rural areas of the southwest border region (especially the rural areas along the China-Myanmar border) have become the preferred target for overseas religious infiltration, which also provides fertile ground for illegal religious activities. Under the influence of factors such as cross-border ethnic groups, historical origins, and prominent locational characteristics, issues such as overseas religious infiltration and illegal religious activities in rural areas of the southwest border region are typical and representative nationwide, displaying characteristics different from other regions. The strong infiltration of Western religious forces and the increasingly rampant illegal religious activities in rural areas pose enormous challenges to advancing atheist propaganda and education in the rural areas of the southwest border region. Survey data show that 42 people, or 5.2%, had been encouraged to go abroad for missionary work. When asked whether “anyone has preached or spread religion to you, or mailed or distributed religious propaganda materials to you?”, 123 people reported such situations, accounting for 15.1%. Moreover, 90 respondents indicated that they had come into contact with or heard of people around them coming into contact with South Korean Christian missionaries, accounting for 11.1% of the total surveyed.

边境地区是国家安全屏障的第一道防线，是捍卫领土完整和意识形态安全的前沿阵地。西南边境地区地处通往印度洋的第一线，战略区位重要，地缘环境独特，其中，中缅边境地区无天然屏障，口岸和通道众多，甚至有许多抵边村寨同邻国交汇相望。在中缅边境农村地区生活居住着多个少数民族，并信奉多种宗教。由于其特殊的地理位置和历史渊源，西南边境农村地区(特别是其中的中缅边境农村地区)成为境外宗教渗透的首选之地，这也为非法宗教活动提供了滋生的土壤。西南边境农村地区在跨境民族、历史渊源、区位特点突出等因素的影响下，境外宗教渗透和农村非法宗教活动等问题在全国都具有典型性和代表性，展现出与其他地区不同的特点。西方宗教势力的强势渗透和愈发猖獗的农村非法宗教活动为在西南边境农村地区推进无神论宣传教育工作带来巨大挑战。调研数据显示，有被人鼓动去国外传教的为42人，占5.2%。被问及是否“有人向你宣扬、传播宗教或邮寄、散发宗教宣传品?”时，有123人表示有这种情况，占15.1%。且有90名被调查者表示接触或者听说身边有人接触韩国基督教传教人员，占被调查总数的11.1%。

The trend of new Christian believers in the rural areas of the China-Myanmar border is evident. Currently, Christian churches from Taiwan, China, and South Korean Christian churches have established multiple Christian theological seminaries on the Myanmar side of the China-Myanmar line, and use inducements such as funding Chinese students to study abroad to attract young students from the border areas to go abroad for study. At the same time, these Christian churches send personnel into China in various forms to preach. Teacher Yu, who returned from teaching in Northern Wa State in Myanmar organized by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Yunnan Province, recounted in an interview that in many villages in Northern Myanmar, there are Chinese-language teachers and missionary personnel stationed by Christian churches from Taiwan, China. Many primary schools’ computers, desks, and other teaching supplies are donated by Christian churches from Taiwan, China, which also give clothes and food to villagers and even fund the construction of Christian churches in the villages. From this, it can be seen that overseas religious forces, using the Myanmar side of the China-Myanmar border as a base, infiltrate China through the border, attempting to harm China’s ideological security through means such as “Westernization” and “splittism,” and to overthrow the Party’s leadership and subvert the socialist regime in the form of a “color revolution.” [4]4 “Color revolution” refers to a series of political movements and uprisings that emerged in post-Soviet states and other regions in the early 21st century, often characterized by nonviolent resistance and demands for democratic reforms, and viewed by the CPC as attempts by Western powers to subvert sovereign governments. All of this has adverse effects on atheist propaganda and education in the rural areas of the southwest border region and deserves the attention of relevant departments.

中缅边境农村地区基督教信仰新增趋势明显。目前，中国台湾基督教会和韩国基督教会在中缅一线缅甸一方设立了多所基督神学院校，并以资助我国学生出国留学等为诱饵，吸引边境地区青年学生出境学习，同时，这些基督教会以各种形式派遣人员入境传教。由云南省侨办组织的赴缅北佤邦支教归来的余老师在访谈中讲述，缅北很多村庄中都有中国台湾的基督教会派驻的华文教师和传教人员，很多小学的电脑、课桌等教学用品都是由中国台湾的基督教会捐赠，并向村民赠送衣服和米面，甚至出资在村里修建基督教堂。以此可以看出，境外宗教势力以中缅边境缅甸一侧为根据地，通过边境向我国进行宗教渗透，妄图通过“西化”“分化”等手段危害我国意识形态的安全，以“颜色革命”的形式推翻党的领导，颠覆社会主义政权。这都给西南边境农村地区无神论宣传教育工作带来不利影响，值得有关部门的重视。

(3) The coexistence of inaction by some grassroots governments and belief in ghosts and gods among rural grassroots cadres

(三)部分基层政府不作为与农村基层干部信鬼神并现

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “The vast number of cadres, especially young cadres, must strengthen theoretical cultivation through constant learning and new understanding, and firm up their ideals and convictions through genuine learning and genuine belief.” [5]5 This is a quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the opening ceremony of the training course for young and middle-aged cadres at the Central Party School in 2019. In the process of carrying out atheist propaganda and education, some grassroots governments exhibit phenomena of inaction or insufficient action. Some grassroots cadres have insufficient understanding of Marxist atheism and a weak foundation of atheist knowledge themselves. Some village cadres turn a blind eye to superstitious activities such as fortune-telling and feng shui, even considering them customs and not intervening. Grassroots cadres pay insufficient attention to atheist propaganda and education in their work and have basically not received relevant systematic training. In interviews, we learned that a village cadre in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, listened to feng shui advice when building a new house and demolished the newly built house to rebuild it, believing the previous new house was detrimental to feng shui. In the rural areas of the southwest border region, influenced by traditional customs and the inertial force of religion, religious activities and superstitious activities often become part of people’s lives. For example, in Dai ethnic areas, the Dai people have the custom of revering and worshipping Buddha, and some even send their children to temples to be monks for a few years. Some Dai people invite monks to chant sutras and pray for peace when buying new cars or building new houses. Grassroots cadres rarely intervene in these religious customs and superstitious activities, nor do they propagate Marxist atheism to them. Some Party members and cadres are even obsessed with religion and superstition, giving rise to a trend of “asking ghosts and gods instead of the people.” [6]6 “Asking ghosts and gods instead of the people” is a classical Chinese allusion, originally from the Tang dynasty poet Li He, criticizing officials who neglect the people’s welfare and turn to superstition. The investigation team found that among 41 Party members who believed in religion, 29 believed in religion before joining the Party, and surprisingly, 12 believed in religion after joining the Party. While this is certainly caused by factors such as some Party members’ lack of firm ideals and convictions, weak knowledge of Marxist atheism, long-term detachment from the masses in practice, and absence of responsibility in Party organizational life, the influence of the inertial force of ethnic religion in the rural areas of the southwest border region is also important.

习近平总书记强调：“广大干部特别是年轻干部要在常学常新中加强理论修养，在真学真信中坚定理想信念。”在开展无神论宣传教育的过程中，某些基层政府存在不作为或者少作为的现象，还有某些基层干部对马克思主义无神论认识不足且自身无神论知识基础薄弱，有些村干部对算命、看风水等封建迷信活动听之任之，甚至认为是一种风俗习惯而不加干涉。基层干部在工作中对无神论宣传教育重视程度不足且基本上没受过相关的系统培训。在访谈中我们得知，西双版纳州勐海县某村干部在建新楼房时听信风水之言，把刚刚盖好的新房推倒重建，认为之前的新房有碍风水。在西南边境农村地区，因受传统习俗和宗教惯性力的影响，宗教活动和迷信活动往往成为人们生活的一部分，如在傣族聚居区傣族人民有崇佛和礼佛的习俗，有的甚至会把孩童送进寺庙做几年和尚，有些傣族群众在购买新车和盖新房时会请僧人来诵经祈福保平安，对于这些宗教习俗和迷信活动，基层干部几乎很少干预，也不向其宣传马克思主义无神论。甚至一些党员干部痴迷宗教和迷信，出现了“不问苍生问鬼神的”求神拜佛之风。调查组在对41名信仰宗教的党员调查发现，其中29人是入党前信仰宗教，竟有12人是入党后信仰宗教。这固然是由于部分党员理想信念不坚定、马克思主义无神论知识淡薄、实践中长期脱离群众、党的组织生活责任缺位等原因所造成的，但是西南边境农村地区民族宗教惯性力的影响也很重要。

(4) The coexistence of spiritual emptiness in rural life and the hollowing out of border villages

(四)农村精神生活空虚与抵边村寨空心化现象同在

The relatively backward economic base in rural areas, the spiritual and cultural emptiness caused by a lack of rural entertainment, and the prevalence of feudal superstition are important reasons for the rise of the rural religious fervor. The rural areas of the southwest border region have a weak economic base, a closed natural geographical environment, a lack of entertainment facilities, and few forms of entertainment for the people. Access to information mainly relies on television and mobile phones, and in many mountainous areas, mobile phone signals are poor. In recent years, with the development of urbanization, marketization, and the acceleration of resource exploitation, young laborers in the rural areas of the southwest border region have gone out to work or moved to cities, leading to a sharp decline in the rural population and a “hollowing out” phenomenon. This is even more severe in some “border villages,” which not only affects the responsibility and mission of guarding the border and consolidating the territory but also provides opportunities for superstitious activities. The emptiness of spiritual life and the “hollowing out” of rural areas allow religion and feudal superstition to take advantage. In many places, middle-aged and elderly women seek spiritual sustenance by believing in religions such as Christianity, forming so-called “church friend social circles,” thereby fueling the rural religious fervor. Some religious organizations in rural areas even interfere with grassroots democratic elections at the village level. For example, the investigation learned that some religious villagers were told by religious organizations during grassroots democratic elections that they could only vote for candidates from their own religious organization. The emptiness of rural spiritual life provides opportunities for illegal religious activities. Their interference in villagers’ grassroots democratic elections shows that they attempt to control grassroots political power in border rural areas, compete with the Party and government for leadership over rural areas, gradually infiltrate the interior, and then control the vast rural areas, staging an ideological “encircling the cities from the countryside.” [7]7 “Encircling the cities from the countryside” is a strategic concept from Mao Zedong’s revolutionary theory, referring to the Communist Party’s base-building in rural areas before taking urban centers during the Chinese Civil War. Here it is used analogously to describe ideological infiltration. These issues are worthy of our deep reflection and attention.

农村地区经济基础相对落后，农村娱乐匮乏导致的精神文化生活空虚，封建迷信之风盛行，这是农村宗教热兴起的重要原因。西南边境农村地区经济基础薄弱，自然地理环境封闭，娱乐设施匮乏，人民娱乐方式较少，接受信息主要是依靠电视和手机，而很多山区手机信号并不好。近年来，随着城镇化、市场化的发展以及资源开发的进程加快，西南边境农村年轻劳动力出外务工或迁入城市，农村人口锐减，出现了“空心化”现象，一些“抵边村寨”更为严重，这不但影响守土固边的责任使命，而且使迷信活动有了可乘之机。精神生活的空虚和农村“空心化”现象导致宗教和封建迷信趁虚而入，很多地方的中老年妇女以信仰基督教等宗教来寻找精神寄托，为此还组成了所谓“教友交际圈”,从而兴起了农村宗教热。部分农村地区的宗教组织甚至干预农村基层民主选举，如在调查中了解到，一些信教的村民在基层民主选举时被宗教组织告知只能选举所在宗教组织的候选人。农村精神生活的空虚给了非法宗教活动以可乘之机，对村民基层民主选举的干预说明其妄图控制边境农村基层政权，与党和政府争夺对农村地区的领导权，逐渐向内地渗透，进而控制广大农村地区，上演意识形态领域的“农村包围城市”,这些问题都值得引起我们深思和关注。

3. Countermeasures for comprehensively improving atheist propaganda and education in rural areas of the southwest border region

三、全面提升西南边境农村地区无神论宣传教育的对策

(1) Implement policies to revitalize border areas and enrich the people, promote farmers’ income increase and production growth

(一)实施兴边富民政策，促进农民增产增收

Marx held: “The suffering of religion is at once 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.” [1]1 Xi Jinping, speech at the opening ceremony of the training course for young and middle-aged cadres at the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance), September 1, 2021. Therefore, poverty and backwardness are the breeding ground for theism such as religion and feudal superstition. Because the rural areas of the southwest border region are remote and backward, with inconvenient transportation, although targeted poverty alleviation has lifted the concentrated contiguous deeply impoverished counties in the mountainous areas of western Yunnan out of poverty, economic and cultural development still lags far behind the interior, providing conditions for the breeding of various forms of theism. Implementing the policy of revitalizing the border and enriching the people, developing plateau-specific agriculture, solidly advancing agricultural modernization in the border areas, and substantially raising the living standards of border farmers will help lay the material foundation for atheist propaganda and education, thereby eradicating the soil in which theism breeds.

马克思认为：“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，是无情世界的情感，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。”所以，贫困落后是宗教和封建迷信等有神论滋生的温床。西南边境农村地区因偏远落后，交通不便，虽然通过精准扶贫使得滇西山区集中连片深度贫困县摘帽脱贫，但是经济文化发展还是远远落后于内地，这为各种有神论的滋生提供了条件。实施兴边富民政策，发展高原特色农业，扎实推进边疆农业现代化，大幅度提高边疆农民生活水平，有助于奠定无神论宣传教育的物质基础，从而铲除有神论滋生的土壤。

First, leveraging the location advantages of the southwest border, vigorously develop plateau-specific agriculture to promote increased production and income for farmers. According to the geographical characteristics of the plateau and mountainous terrain in the southwest border region, develop plateau-specific agriculture tailored to local conditions, especially highlighting green organic agriculture and the cultivation of plateau-specific fruit trees, medicinal herbs, and tea. On the one hand, develop plateau-specific advantageous agriculture based on the resource endowments of each area in the southwest border region, such as Pu’er tea, Lincang Xigui tea and Bingdao tea, Baoshan macadamia nuts, Nujiang tsao-ko and Dulong beef, and Shangri-La matsutake mushrooms, highlighting brand advantages and plateau-mountain characteristics. On the other hand, focus on developing ecological agriculture, adopting organic and green agricultural cultivation methods to reduce pollution of soil and water resources and maintain ecological balance, such as green vegetable cultivation in Dali and Baoshan, and green rice cultivation in Lincang and Xishuangbanna, effectively ensuring increased production and income for farmers.

一是结合西南边境区位优势，大力发展高原特色农业，促进农民增产增收。根据西南边境地区高原山地的地理特点，因地制宜的发展高原特色农业，尤其是突出绿色有机农业和高原特色果树、药材、茶叶种植业。一方面根据西南边境各地区的资源禀赋发展高原特色优势农业，如普洱茶、临沧昔归茶和冰岛茶、保山的澳洲坚果、怒江草果和独龙牛肉、香格里拉的松茸等特色农业，突出品牌优势和高原山地特色。另一方面着力发展生态农业，采用有机农业和绿色农业的种植方式，减少对土壤和水资源的污染，保持生态平衡，如大理和保山的绿色蔬菜种植、临沧和西双版纳的绿色水稻种植等，切实保障农民增产增收。

Second, develop agricultural science and technology, raise the level of agricultural modernization, and promote rural economic development. A strong agricultural country is the foundation of a strong socialist modernized country, and advancing agricultural modernization is an inevitable requirement for achieving high-quality development. In view of the agricultural location characteristics of the southwest border rural areas, which are mainly plateau and mountainous, with rugged terrain, variable climate, poor soil prone to soil erosion, agricultural machinery and equipment suitable for terraced field operations on mountain slopes should be developed and promoted; the BeiDou system should be used to achieve precision in agricultural production, thereby overcoming the adverse effects of climate change and other drawbacks; at the same time, the abundant water resources of the southwest region should be utilized to empower agricultural modernization in the southwest border areas, promoting the process of agricultural modernization in the southwest border region and raising the living standards of the people there.

二是发展农业科技，提升农业现代化水平，促进农村经济发展。农业强国是社会主义现代化强国的根基，推进农业现代化是实现高质量发展的必然要求。针对西南边境农村地区以高原山地为主，地形崎岖、气候多变、土壤贫瘠且易于水土流失等农业区位特点，应开发推广适合山地梯田作业的农业机械设备；运用北斗系统使农业生产实现精准化从而克服气候变化等弊端带来的不良影响；同时利用西南地区丰富的水利资源赋能西南边境地区农业现代化等措施，促进西南边境地区农业现代化的进程，提高西南边境人民的生活水平。

(II) Adhere to the strategy of invigorating the country through science and education, and vigorously develop culture and education

(二)坚持科教兴国战略，大力发展文化和教育事业

Adhering to the strategy of invigorating the country through science and education, vigorously developing culture and education, and raising the cultural quality and educational level of the border people are important measures to enhance the level of atheist propaganda and education in rural areas of the southwest border region.

坚持科教兴国战略，大力发展文化和教育事业，提高边疆人民的文化素质和受教育程度是提升西南边境农村地区无神论宣传教育水平的重要措施。

First, vigorously develop culture and education. Ensure financial investment in culture and education in the southwest border region, while comprehensively improving the quality and capability of the teaching force in the border areas, constructing a new integrated system for pre-service and in-service training of basic education teachers in border ethnic areas, and building a basic education teaching force in border ethnic areas that is capable, high-quality, and willing to endure hardship; dispatch teachers through the “Three Supports and One Assistance” program [2]2 “Rural包围城市” (rural encirclement of the cities) is a reference to Mao Zedong’s revolutionary strategy of surrounding the cities from the countryside, here applied by the author to describe an ideological threat. and special-post teachers to teach in remote rural areas, regularly organize university students from the interior to carry out teaching support activities in the border areas, imparting cultural and scientific knowledge, and effectively raising the scientific and cultural quality of the border people.

一是大力发展文化和教育事业。确保对西南边境地区文化和教育事业的资金投入，同时全面提升边疆地区的教师队伍素质与能力，构建边疆民族地区基础教育教师队伍职前职后一体化培养新体系，打造一支能力强、素质高、肯吃苦的边疆民族地区基础教育师资队伍；派遣三支一扶、特岗教师去边远农村地区任教，定期开展内地高校大学生赴边疆支教活动，传授文化知识和科学知识，切实提高边疆人民的科学文化素质。

Second, create a social atmosphere that respects knowledge and advocates science, eradicating the soil of ignorant thought and culture. Mobilize forces from all sides to help the masses popularize scientific and cultural knowledge related to their production and daily life, helping the masses rely on the power of science and technology to develop production and improve their lives; propagate new cultural ideas and strengthen efforts to promote the transformation of social customs, discard outdated habits and bad practices, strengthen guidance work on weddings, funerals, and traditional ethnic bad customs, and resist ignorance and feudal superstition; actively advocate civilized concepts of the New Era and core socialist values, forming a social atmosphere that believes in science, respects science, and advocates science. This will create a clean and upright excellent environment for atheist propaganda and education work.

二是营造尊重知识，崇尚科学的社会风气，铲除愚昧的思想文化土壤。动员各方面的力量帮助群众普及与群众生产生活相关的科学文化知识，帮助群众依靠科技的力量发展生产和改善生活；宣传新文化思想和加强推动移风易俗，抛弃陈规陋习，加强对婚丧嫁娶和传统民族陋俗的引导工作，抵制愚昧和封建迷信；积极倡导新时代文明观念和社会主义核心价值观等，形成相信科学、尊重科学、崇尚科学的社会风气。从而给无神论宣传教育工作打造一个风清气正的优良环境。

(III) Resolutely crack down on overseas religious infiltration activities and illegal religious activities, optimizing the environment for atheist propaganda and education

(三)坚决打击境外宗教渗透活动和非法宗教活动，优化无神论宣传教育环境

Overseas religious infiltration activities and illegal religious activities are extremely harmful, especially prominent and typical in the southwest border region, and are two “tigers in the road” [3]3 “The rise of a government lies in conforming to the will of the people; the fall of a government lies in going against the will of the people” is a classical Chinese saying from the Guanzi, attributed to the ancient philosopher Guan Zhong. affecting the effectiveness of atheist propaganda and education; they should be resolutely cracked down on and banned according to law.

境外宗教渗透活动和非法宗教活动危害甚巨，在西南边境地区尤为突出和典型，是影响无神论宣传教育成效的两只“拦路虎”,应依法予以坚决打击和取缔。

First, establish a joint early warning mechanism for overseas religious infiltration activities and illegal religious activities in rural areas of the southwest border region. Mass supervision and reporting are the most effective ways to provide early warning of religious infiltration activities and illegal religious activities; channels for mass supervision and reporting should be kept open, a joint early warning mechanism among the masses, Party members and cadres, and grassroots governments should be established, and atheist propaganda and education should be carried out among the masses to make them understand the harm of overseas religious infiltration activities and illegal religious activities; reward the masses for reporting Party members and cadres who participate in feudal superstitious activities and illegal religious activities, forming a good atmosphere where everyone supervises and everyone has responsibility, so that overseas religious infiltration activities and illegal religious activities are nipped in the bud at an early stage.

一是建立西南边境农村地区境外宗教渗透活动和非法宗教活动的联合预警机制。群众监督和举报是预警宗教渗透活动和非法宗教活动最有效的方式，应畅通群众监督与举报的渠道，建立群众、党员干部和基层政府三者的联合预警机制，对群众开展无神论宣传教育使其明白境外宗教渗透活动和非法宗教活动的危害性；奖励群众对党员干部参加封建迷信活动和非法宗教活动进行举报，形成人人监督、人人有责的良好氛围，使境外宗教渗透活动和非法宗教活动在初期就被扼杀在萌芽之中。

Second, establish and strengthen an effective management mechanism for overseas religious infiltration activities and illegal religious activities in rural areas of the southwest border region. Carry out regular governance activities, conduct special rectification of overseas religious infiltration activities and illegal religious activities, deepen grid-based management in rural areas, establish a specialized governance database for overseas religious infiltration activities and illegal religious activities, and conduct regular inspections of personnel who have engaged in overseas religious infiltration activities and illegal religious activities. In view of the current situation where religious belief is prevalent in rural areas of the southwest border region, conduct a dragnet investigation of religious activity venues and clergy, and deal with some illegal religious activities through criticism, education, and banning as the case may be.

二是建立和加强对西南边境农村地区境外宗教渗透活动和非法宗教活动的有效管理机制。开展定期的治理活动，专项整治境外宗教渗透活动和非法宗教活动，深化农村网格化管理，建立境外宗教渗透活动和非法宗教活动专门治理数据库，对从事过境外宗教渗透活动和非法宗教活动的人员定期检查。针对西南边境农村地区宗教信仰盛行的现状，对宗教活动场所和教职人员进行拉网式排查，对一些非法宗教活动视情况进行批评教育和取缔。

Third, cut off the transmission channels of overseas religious infiltration activities and crack down on illegal missionary activities in rural areas. Strengthen management of the border areas, register and manage people crossing the border, and once illegal missionary activities are discovered, they must be resolutely cracked down on according to law; carry out special online governance of religious infiltration activities on new media networks, cut off online sources of infection, and create a clean and upright cyberspace; eradicate all kinds of feudal superstitious activities. For feudal superstitious activities prevalent in the western Yunnan region, such as soul-calling, spirit possession, and chanting spells to cure illness, propaganda efforts should be increased to jointly resist them, and through correct guidance methods, encourage villagers to believe in science and atheism.

三是切断境外宗教渗透活动传播途径，打击农村非法传教活动。加强边境地区的管理，对边境来往人员进行登记管理，一旦发现有非法传教活动必须依法予以坚决打击；对网络新媒体宗教渗透活动进行网络专项治理，切断网络传染源，营造风清气正的网络空间；铲除各类封建迷信活动，对于滇西地区流行的封建迷信活动，如叫魂、鬼神附体、生病念咒语祛病等迷信活动，应加大宣传力度，共同抵制，通过正确的引导方式促使村民相信科学和无神论。

(IV) Ensure the Party’s leadership over atheist propaganda and education, and build a contingent of rural grassroots Party members with firm Marxist atheist convictions

(四)确保党对无神论宣传教育的领导，打造一支马克思主义无神论信仰坚定的农村基层党员队伍

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The Party leads everything: Party, government, military

习近平总书记指出：“党政军民学，东西南北中，党是领导一切的。”无神论宣传教育同样离不开党的领导，坚持党对无神论宣传教育的领导是西南边境农村地区确保无神论宣传教育成功的关键所在。习近平总书记又指出：“要培养一支精通马克思主义宗教观、熟悉宗教工作、善于做信教群众工作的党政干部队伍，让他们深入学习马克思主义宗教观、党的宗教工作理论和方针政策、宗教常识，不断提升能力。”依靠党的领导，打造一支党务知识熟练、业务知识扎实以及马克思主义无神论信仰坚定的农村基层党员干部。切实把党的政治优势和组织优势转化为思想优势，把边境地区党组织建设成坚强战斗堡垒，以高质量党建工作促进边境地区的稳固。

First, establish a serious mechanism for accountability and punishment for the failure to implement responsibilities in atheist propaganda and education. For Party members and cadres who only make statements without taking action, or who fail to assume responsibility, fail to act, or act arbitrarily in atheist propaganda and education, precise accountability shall be pursued and they shall be held accountable and punished in a timely manner in accordance with Party discipline. Conduct regular assessments of Party members’ Marxist atheist beliefs, and in line with the principle of “learning from past mistakes to avoid future ones and curing the sickness to save the patient,”[n] promptly rescue those Party members and cadres whose Marxist beliefs are not firm. For Party members who “do not believe in Marxism-Leninism but believe in ghosts and gods,”[n] they should be promptly purged in accordance with Party discipline to ensure the purity of the Party membership and cadre ranks.

一是构建对无神论宣传教育责任落实不力的严肃追责问责机制。对在无神论宣传教育中只表态不落实和不担当不作为或乱作为的党员干部，以精准追责按照党纪及时追责问责。定期对党员马克思主义无神论信仰作出考核，本着“惩前毖后、治病救人”的原则，及时挽救一部分马克思主义信仰不坚定的党员干部，对于一些“不信马列信鬼神”的党员，应按照党纪及时进行清理以确保党员干部队伍的纯洁性。

Second, strictly manage the screening of applicants for Party membership, effectively improve the quality of Party members, and make Marxist atheist belief an important indicator in the assessment of Party membership. Standardize the Party admission process and assess Party activists around their motivation for joining the Party and their political awareness, and ensure that applicants who hold theist beliefs do not enter the Party ranks.

二是在入党人员的把关上严格管理，切实提升党员队伍的质量，把马克思主义无神论信仰作为入党考核的重要指标。规范入党流程及围绕入党动机和政治觉悟考察入党积极分子，切勿使持有神论信仰的入党申请者进入党员队伍。

Third, ensure that the basic principles of dialectical materialism and historical materialism take root in the thinking of Party cadres and members. Strengthen Marxist atheist education and training for rural grassroots Party members, enhance their political awareness and loyalty to their beliefs, regularly conduct atheist training for Party members and Party activists, and continuously consolidate the Marxist atheist belief of Party cadres and members.

三是确保辩证唯物主义与历史唯物主义的基本原理在党员干部思想中落地生根。加强对农村基层党员的马克思主义无神论教育培训，提升党员的政治觉悟和信仰忠诚度，定期对党员及入党积极分子进行无神论培训，不断坚定党员干部的马克思主义无神论信仰。

(5) Strengthen ideological development in rural areas of the southwest border region, and prosper and develop border rural culture

(五)强化西南边境农村地区的思想建设，繁荣发展边疆农村文化

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The work of propaganda and ideology is to consolidate the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological domain, and to consolidate the common ideal foundation for the united struggle of the entire Party and the entire people.” [10]10 “Left-behind women and children” (留守妇女和儿童) refers to women and children whose husbands or parents have migrated to cities for work, a widespread phenomenon in rural China. Atheist propaganda and education cannot be separated from ideological development in rural areas; Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era should be advanced into the vast border rural areas.

习近平总书记指出：“宣传思想工作就是要巩固马克思主义在意识形态领域的指导地位，巩固全党全国人民团结奋斗的共同理想基础。”无神论宣传教育离不开农村地区的思想建设，应该把习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想向广大边疆农村地区推进。

First, continuously strengthen ideological development in rural areas of the southwest border region. Ideological development is a foundational form of ideological construction in border rural areas. Ideological development helps rural areas form a unified ideology, can strengthen the foundation of atheist propaganda and education, create a favorable environmental atmosphere for atheist propaganda and education, and is a necessary measure to ensure the stability of ideology in border rural areas, playing a role in consolidating the border through ideology.

一是不断加强西南边境农村地区的思想建设，思想建设是边境农村地区一项基础的意识形态建设，思想建设有助于农村地区形成统一的思想，能够强化无神论宣传教育的根基，为无神论宣传教育营造良好的环境氛围，是确保边境农村地区意识形态稳固的必要措施，起到思想固边的作用。

Second, advance Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era deep into the rural grassroots of the southwest border region, ensuring that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era enters the countryside, enters the folk, and enters the hearts of the people. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on religious work and atheism are the latest achievements in the Sinicization of Marxist atheism and are also an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Regularly dispatch propaganda teams to the fields and villages of the countryside to publicize and explain Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially the important expositions on religious work and atheism. Utilize the “Three Supports and One Assistance” program [11], university student village officials, and stationed village cadres to use plain language and an approachable manner to preach to villagers in rural areas of the southwest border region, so that it becomes deeply rooted in the hearts of the people in the southwest border region, achieving the goal of bringing Marxist atheism to the border areas, to the countryside, and into people’s minds, playing a role in strengthening and stabilizing the border through ideology.

二是推动习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想深入西南边境农村基层，做到习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想进乡间、进民间、进心间。习近平总书记关于宗教工作和无神论的重要论述是马克思主义无神论中国化的最新成果，也是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的重要内容。定期派遣宣讲团深入农村田间地头宣传讲解习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想尤其是关于宗教工作和无神论的重要论述，利用“三支一扶”、大学生村官、驻村干部等用通俗易懂的话语和平易近人的方式向西南边境农村地区的村民宣讲，使之在西南边境农村地区深入人心，做到马克思主义无神论进边疆、进农村、进头脑，起到思想强边和思想稳边的作用。

Third, strengthen the construction of cultural infrastructure and build more rural cultural activity venues. Economic development in rural areas of the southwest border region lags behind, cultural infrastructure construction is backward, and there is a lack of necessary cultural activity venues. The construction of cultural infrastructure in rural areas of the southwest border region must be guided by Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought [12], building cultural activity venues, sculptures, and recreational landscapes with themes of Marxism, core socialist values, and atheist thought, so that the masses receive education in Marxist atheism while engaging in entertainment.

三是加强文化基础设施建设，增建农村文化活动场所。西南边境农村地区经济发展滞后，文化基础设施建设落后，缺少必要文化活动场所。在西南边境农村地区建设文化基础设施必须以习近平文化思想为引领，兴建蕴含马克思主义、社会主义核心价值观、无神论思想为题材的文化活动场地、雕塑和娱乐景观，使群众在娱乐中受到马克思主义无神论的教育。

Fourth, fully tap the excellent traditional cultural resources of ethnic minorities in the southwest border region. The cultural prosperity and development of border ethnic regions can well nourish the spiritual world of farmers in the southwest border region, leaving no opportunity for various theist thoughts to exploit, enriching the cultural life of rural residents, and preventing the people’s thinking from being eroded by theist thought. The southwest border region has many ethnic groups and rich excellent traditional cultural resources of ethnic minorities. It must be guided by Xi

四是充分挖掘西南边境地区少数民族优秀传统文化资源。边疆民族地区的文化繁荣和发展能够很好的滋养西南边境地区农民的精神世界，让各种有神论思想无机可乘，丰富农村居民的文化生活，防止人民群众的思想被有神论思想所侵蚀。西南边境地区民族众多，有丰富的少数民族优秀传统文化资源，必须以习近平文化思想为引领，充分挖掘这些少数民族优秀传统文化资源尤其是其中的无神论思想资源为社会主义现代化事业服务，推动少数民族优秀传统文化资源实现创造性转化和创新性发展，实现少数民族优秀传统文化的守正创新，从而展现其现代价值。

Fifth, organize cultural activities imbued with traditional ethnic customs. The southwest border region has many cultural activities imbued with traditional ethnic customs, such as dances and folk songs rich in ethnic color, the Water-Splashing Festival of the Dai people, the Torch Festival of the Yi people, the wooden drum dances of the Wa people, and so on. These traditional ethnic customs greatly enrich the spiritual life of rural residents in the southwest border region; they not only fill the spiritual world of rural residents in the southwest border region, but also to a certain extent alleviate the longing of left-behind women and children for their loved ones. [10]10 “Left-behind women and children” (留守妇女和儿童) refers to women and children whose husbands or parents have migrated to cities for work, a widespread phenomenon in rural China. Organizing cultural activities imbued with traditional ethnic customs must take Xi Jinping’s cultural thought as a guide, enhance the ideological quality of cultural activities, meet the spiritual and cultural needs of the people in the border region, and enable them to naturally accept atheist ideas through cultural entertainment.

五是组织蕴含传统民族习俗的文化活动。西南边境地区有很多蕴含传统民族习俗的文化活动，如富含民族色彩的舞蹈和山歌、傣族的泼水节、彝族的火把节、佤族的木鼓舞蹈等，这些传统民族习俗极大的丰富了西南边境农村居民的精神生活，不仅充实了西南边境农村地区居民的精神世界，而且一定程度缓解了留守妇女和儿童对亲人的思念。组织蕴含传统民族习俗的文化活动，须以习近平文化思想为指引，提升文化活动的思想品味，满足边境地区人民群众的精神文化需求，使他们在文化娱乐中自然地接受无神论思想。

(Author’s biography: Yue Zongfeng, doctoral candidate at the School of Marxism, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and associate professor at West Yunnan University of Applied Sciences)

（作者简介：岳宗凤，华中科技大学马克思主义学院博士研究生，滇西科技师范学院副教授）

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心