Communist Party attempts to preserve remnants of atheism

Hong Kong (AsiaNews/Ucan) –  Even if China's Constitution defends atheism, atheists have all but disappeared from the Communist Party, said a Chinese bishop, who asked not to be named when commenting on the new Communist Party of China (CPC) regulations.

"Their souls are empty. Religion is what people are looking for. Now you can hardly find one in a million in the country who is a real atheist," the prelate said. 

Since the beginning of the year, new CPC government leaders have been briskly working on eliminating corruption and religious belonging from among their ranks.

Hence, the "Regulations of Internal Supervision of the Communist Party of China" and "CPC Disciplinary Penalty Regulations" were circulated within the Party. Article 49 of the disciplinary penalty regulations states that party members who organize, lead or act as central figures in any cult or "semi-feudal superstitious" organization will be expelled from the Party.

According to Article 56 party members who organize or utilize religious activities to oppose the Party, to spark upheaval or damage the unity of the country also face expulsion. Less serious participation can be penalized via warnings or "education".

In order to slow down the bleeding of strict Marxist orthodoxy, last October the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television set forth a series of directives urging all public broadcasting companies to produce programs promoting atheism and to denounce "deviant beliefs." The directives also required Communist Party officials to ensure "they believe in 'orthodox' Marxism" and do "not give in to superstition".

Notwithstanding, many CPC members convert to various religions and even practice meditation or subject themselves to Falun Gong dietary regimes. The Party views the latter as a threat to its very stability, given the widespread popularity of the sect.

According to the bishop, the government  directives on atheism are not particularly directed at religions themselves, but at members of the Party who are devout believers in one religion or another.

"Many Communists do not (really) refuse to believe in religion. But they are the ones who are in charge. They enter the Party for promotion and for the rice bowl. They just dare not reveal their (real) needs," the bishop said.

The prelate added that "many Communist members told us they respect us but cannot do much explicitly."

Nowadays many CPC members represent the "underground trend in religious membership. There are top CPC members who secretly make retreats in Buddhist monasteries every year, while others periodically go to temples to receive "spiritual guidance". Still others say they have been baptized and are ready to leave the Party should they be found out.  

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