Beijing promises more freedom for religions
Ecclesiastic sources to AsiaNews: "Just a cosmetic operation. Religious freedom is an innate right, not a government concession"
Hong Kong (AsiaNews) Has something been set in motion to give more freedom to religions in China? At a conference yesterday on "Religions and Law", a senior official said that the state is studying ways to remove tight government control on religions, curb arbitrary interference and give religious groups more autonomy. However, ecclesiastic sources in Hong Kong have told AsiaNews that government measures in this domain "are not substantial, but just a cosmetic operation aimed at sheltering China from international criticism against its harsh religious policy." Zhang Zunmou, director of the Religious Affairs Bureau's policy and legal department, announced that the days of running religious affairs through administrative orders and regulations are now over and that the time has come for government officials to abide by rules that set clear limits to their power. They could even face legal action if found to be abusing their authority. The new policy Zhang said puts the 'administrator' (government) and 'administrated' (religions) on the same footing, each with its own rights and obligations. "This is a very significant shift," he concluded: limiting state authority over religious affairs Zhang explained is a revolutionary concept for China.
Religions have always been subject, in both Imperial and Communist China, to political power. Under Mao Zedong, 5 official religions were recognized (Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism); all popular religious groups and those who refused state control were outlawed. Christian Churches, suspected of collaborating with western powers, were forced to affirm their "patriotism" by following the political principles of the "Three Autonomies" (self-administration, self-support and self-propagation). According to Zhang, these 3 criteria were a reaction more against the power of foreign Churches in China than religions themselves. Zhang concluded by saying that the government is considering "a comprehensive law on religion", but did not detail any schedule for its enactment. He also explained that it is time for religions to support themselves, without state economic assistance, specifying also that, since many religious groups are increasingly affluent, they will have to contribute to local fiscal revenues.
This how AsiaNews sources in Hong Kong commented the news: "A comprehensive law on religions is something positive but only if the government recognizes religious freedom as an innate human right, not as is the case now as something conceded by the state. To safeguard this right, the government should do away with the Patriotic Associations which are a political element in the body of religions. Alternatively, they should put the Patriotic Associations under the authority of bishops and other religious leaders, not as is currently the case over them".
Various experts stress that the state is facing increasing difficulties in its relations with the various religions. The country is experiencing an unprecedented religious renaissance: according to official data, there are 100 million believers in China, but this figure does not include groups that follow popular religions, underground communities or those not recognized by the state. According to AsiaNews, the total number of those adhering to a religious faith can be estimated at over 500 million.
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16/12/2004
