中国保障宗教信仰自由的政策和实践

China’s Policies and Practices on Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief

 

中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室

The State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China

 

2018年4月3日

3 April 2018

 

目录

Contents

 

前言

Preamble

 

一、保障宗教信仰自由的基本政策

I. Basic Policies in Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief

 

二、宗教信仰自由权利的法律保障

II. Legal Guarantees for Freedom of Religious Belief

 

三、宗教活动有序开展

III. Conducting Religious Activities in an Orderly Manner

 

四、宗教界的作用得到充分发挥

IV. The Role of Religious Groups Has Been Fully Developed

 

五、宗教关系积极健康

V. Active and Healthy Religious Relations

 

结束语

Conclusion

 

前言

Preamble

中国是共产党领导的社会主义国家。中国始终坚持从本国国情和宗教实际出发，实行宗教信仰自由政策，保障公民宗教信仰自由权利，构建积极健康的宗教关系，维护宗教和睦与社会和谐。中共十八大以来，在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，中国全面推进依法治国，把宗教工作纳入国家治理体系，用法律调节涉及宗教的各种社会关系，宗教工作法治化水平不断提高。信教公民和不信教公民相互尊重、和睦相处，积极投身改革开放和社会主义现代化建设，共同为实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦贡献力量。

As a socialist country under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China adopts policies on freedom of religious belief based on national and religious conditions to protect citizens’ right to freedom of religious belief, build active and healthy religious relationships, and maintain religious and social harmony. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China, under the staunch leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the core, has advanced law-based governance in all respects, integrating religious work into the national governance system, employing laws to deal with all social relationships concerning religion, and improving the management of religious work under the rule of law. Religious believers and non-believers respect each other, and live in harmony, committing themselves to reform and opening up and the socialist modernization, and contribute to the realization of the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

 

一、保障宗教信仰自由的基本政策

I. Basic Policies in Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief

 

中国实行宗教信仰自由政策，依法管理宗教事务，坚持独立自主自办原则，积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应，最大限度团结广大信教公民和不信教公民。

China adopts policies on freedom of religious belief, manages religious affairs in accordance with the law, adheres to the principle of independence and self-management, actively guides religions to adapt to the socialist society, and unites religious believers and non-believers to the greatest extent.

 

实行宗教信仰自由政策。尊重和保护宗教信仰自由是中国共产党和中国政府对待宗教的基本政策。每个公民既有信仰宗教的自由，也有不信仰宗教的自由；有信仰某一种宗教的自由，也有在同一宗教中信仰某个教派的自由；有过去不信教而现在信教的自由，也有过去信教而现在不信教的自由。信教公民同不信教公民一样，享有同等政治及经济社会文化等方面的权利，不会因信仰不同造成权利上的不平等。国家尊重公民宗教信仰自由，保护正常宗教活动；公民行使宗教信仰自由权利，不得妨碍其他公民的合法权利，不得强制他人信仰宗教，不得歧视不信教或者信仰其他宗教的公民，不得利用宗教妨害公民合法权益。行使宗教信仰自由权利必须尊重公序良俗，尊重文化传统和社会伦理道德。

Adopting policies on freedom of religious belief. Respecting and protecting freedom of religious belief is a basic policy of the CPC and the Chinese government. Every citizen enjoys the freedom to choose whether to believe in a religion; to believe in a certain religion or a denomination of the same religion; to change from a non-believer to a believer and vice versa. Believers and non-believers enjoy the same political, economic, social and cultural rights, and must not be treated differently because of a difference in belief. The state respects citizens’ freedom to religious belief and protects their normal religious activities. In exercising their right to free religious belief, believers should not interfere in the lawful rights of other people, or force others to believe in any religion. Believers should not discriminate against non-believers or believers of other religions. No one shall use religion to interfere in the lawful rights and interests of citizens. Believers should respect public order, customs, cultural traditions and social ethics in exercising their freedom of religious belief.

 

依法管理宗教事务。国家对待各宗教一律平等，一视同仁，不以行政力量发展或禁止某个宗教，任何宗教都不能超越其他宗教在法律上享有特殊地位。国家依法对涉及国家利益和社会公共利益的宗教事务进行管理，但不干涉宗教内部事务。国家依法保护公民宗教信仰自由权利，保护正常宗教活动和宗教界合法权益，制止非法宗教活动，禁止利用宗教宣传极端思想和从事极端活动，抵御境外势力利用宗教进行渗透，打击利用宗教进行的违法犯罪活动。信教公民应当遵守宪法、法律、法规和规章。宗教在国家法律范围内开展活动，不得干预行政、司法、教育等国家职能的实施。不得恢复已经被废除的宗教封建特权，不得利用宗教从事危害社会稳定、民族团结和国家安全的活动。

Managing religious affairs in accordance with the law. The state treats all religions fairly and equally, and does not exercise administrative power to encourage or ban any religion. No religion is given preferential treatment above other religions to enjoy special legal privileges. The state manages religious affairs involving national and social public interests in accordance with the law but does not interfere in the internal affairs of religions. The state protects citizens’ right to freedom of religious belief, normal religious activities and the lawful rights and interests of religious groups, bans illegal religious activities, prohibits the dissemination of extremist thought and engagement in extremist activities in the name of religion, resists the infiltration of hostile foreign forces taking advantage of religion, and fights against illegal and criminal activities under the guise of religion. Believers should abide by the Constitution, laws, rules and regulations of the country. Religious activities should be carried out within the bounds of the law. No religion should interfere in the implementation of administrative, judicial and educational functions of the state. No abolished religious and feudal privileges should be resumed. No activities which employ religion to endanger social stability, national unity and state security are allowed to be carried out.

 

坚持独立自主自办原则。宗教团体和宗教事务不受外国势力的支配，是中国宪法确定的原则。中国政府依照宪法和法律，支持各宗教坚持独立自主自办原则，各宗教团体、宗教教职人员和信教公民自主办理宗教事业。独立自主自办原则是中国人民在民族独立、社会进步的斗争中，基于天主教和基督教长期被殖民主义、帝国主义所控制和利用，被称作“洋教”的屈辱历史，由中国信教公民自主做出的历史性选择。这一原则，顺应了中国人民谋求民族独立、人民解放的历史潮流，顺应了实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦的时代要求，使中国宗教的面貌焕然一新，得到国际宗教友好人士的普遍理解、尊重和支持。坚持独立自主自办原则，不是要断绝中国宗教组织同境外宗教组织的正常联系。中国政府支持和鼓励各宗教在独立自主、平等友好、相互尊重的基础上，开展对外交流交往，建立、发展、巩固同海外宗教界的友好关系，增信释疑，展示良好形象。对境外组织和个人利用宗教从事各种违反中国宪法、法律、法规和政策的活动，控制中国宗教组织、干涉中国宗教事务，甚至企图颠覆中国政权和社会主义制度，中国政府坚决反对并将依法处置。

Adhering to the principle of independence and self-management. Religious groups and religious affairs are not subject to control by foreign countries; this principle is enshrined in the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese government supports all religions in upholding the principle of independence and self-management, allowing religious groups, clerical personnel and believers to manage religious affairs themselves in accordance with the Constitution and law. This principle is a historic choice made by Chinese religious believers in the Chinese people’s struggle for national independence and social progress, as Catholicism and Protestantism, which were known as foreign religions in China, had long been controlled and utilized by colonialists and imperialists. The establishment of this principle conforms to the historical trend of the Chinese people’s search for national independence and liberation, to the demands of the times to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, and as a result, religions in China have taken on an entirely new look, winning widespread understanding, respect and support of friendly religious believers around the world. Adhering to the principle of independence and self-management does not mean the severing of normal connections between religious organizations in China and their foreign counterparts. The Chinese government supports and encourages all its religions to conduct international exchanges, to build, develop and consolidate friendly relations with religious groups overseas, to enhance mutual trust and eliminate misgivings, and to present a positive image based on independence, equality and mutual respect. The Chinese government will resolutely oppose and deal with foreign organizations and individuals engaging in activities which violate China’s Constitution, laws, regulations and policies, their attempts to control China’s religious organizations, to interfere in China’s religious affairs and to subvert the Chinese government and socialist system under the guise of religion.

积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应。积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应，就是要引导信教公民热爱祖国、热爱人民，维护祖国统一，维护中华民族大团结，服从服务于国家最高利益和中华民族整体利益；就是要引导宗教界拥护中国共产党领导、拥护社会主义制度，坚持走中国特色社会主义道路，坚持宗教中国化方向，积极践行社会主义核心价值观，弘扬中华优秀传统文化，努力把宗教教义教规同中华优秀传统文化相融合，遵守国家法律法规，自觉接受国家依法管理。

Actively guiding religions in adapting to the socialist society. Actively guiding religions in adapting to the socialist society means guiding religious believers to love their country and compatriots, safeguard national unity, ethnic solidarity, be subordinate to and serve the overall interests of the nation and the Chinese people. It also means guiding religious groups to support the leadership of the CPC and the socialist system; uphold and follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics; develop religions in the Chinese context; embrace core socialist values; carry forward China’s fine traditions; integrate religious teachings and rules with Chinese culture; abide by state laws and regulations, and accept state administration in accordance with the law.

 

二、宗教信仰自由权利的法律保障

II. Legal Guarantees for Freedom of Religious Belief

 

中国特色社会主义法律体系不断完善，宗教信仰自由权利保障的法治化水平不断提高，政府对宗教事务的管理更加规范，对广大信教公民合法权益的保护更加全面有力。

The socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics is continuously being improved, with enhanced implementation of the rule of law in protecting freedom of religious belief and increasingly standardized governance of religious affairs, providing stronger guarantees for the lawful rights and interests of its religious believers.

 

宗教信仰自由权利受中国宪法保障。《中华人民共和国宪法》第三十六条规定：“中华人民共和国公民有宗教信仰自由。”同时规定：“国家保护正常的宗教活动。”“任何国家机关、社会团体和个人不得强制公民信仰宗教或者不信仰宗教，不得歧视信仰宗教的公民和不信仰宗教的公民。”“任何人不得利用宗教进行破坏社会秩序、损害公民身体健康、妨碍国家教育制度的活动。”“宗教团体和宗教事务不受外国势力的支配。”这些规定为国家保障宗教信仰自由权利、依法管理宗教事务、构建积极健康的宗教关系提供了宪法依据。

Freedom of religious belief is protected by the Constitution. According to Article 36 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, “Citizens of the People’s Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief. No State organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion.” Article 36 also stipulates that “No one may make use of religion to engage in activities that disrupt public order, impair the health of citizens or interfere with the educational system of the State,” and that “Religious bodies and religious affairs are not subject to any foreign control.” These stipulations serve as the constitutional basis for the State in protecting citizens’ freedom of religious belief, administering religious affairs in accordance with the law, and building positive relations with and among religions.

 

宗教信仰自由权利保障体现于基本法律之中。《中华人民共和国刑法》《中华人民共和国国家安全法》《中华人民共和国反恐怖主义法》等法律均有保护公民宗教信仰自由的相关规定。《中华人民共和国全国人民代表大会和地方各级人民代表大会选举法》《中华人民共和国人民法院组织法》《中华人民共和国人民检察院组织法》《中华人民共和国城市居民委员会组织法》《中华人民共和国村民委员会组织法》《中华人民共和国刑事诉讼法》《中华人民共和国教育法》《中华人民共和国劳动法》《中华人民共和国就业促进法》《中华人民共和国工会法》等法律贯彻平等保护原则，规定公民在各级人民代表大会和基层群众性自治组织中的选举权和被选举权、法律适用上的平等权、受教育权、平等就业权和自主择业权、依法参加和组织工会的权利等不因宗教信仰而有区别，不因宗教信仰而受歧视。《中华人民共和国民族区域自治法》规定，民族自治地方的自治机关保障各民族公民有宗教信仰自由。《中华人民共和国未成年人保护法》规定，未成年人不分宗教信仰，依法平等享有生存权、发展权、受保护权、参与权、受教育权等权利。《中华人民共和国广告法》规定，广告不得含有宗教歧视的内容。《中华人民共和国刑法》规定，国家机关工作人员非法剥夺公民的宗教信仰自由，情节严重的，追究刑事责任。《中华人民共和国民法总则》规定，依法设立的宗教活动场所，具备法人条件的，可以申请法人登记，取得捐助法人资格。

Freedom of religious belief is protected by basic laws. China’s Criminal Law, National Security Law, and Counter-Terrorism Law provide for the protection of citizens’ freedom of religious belief. The principle of equal protection for all Chinese citizens is enshrined in the Election Law of the National People’s Congress and Local People’s Congresses, Organic Law of the People’s Courts, Organic Law of the People’s Procuratorates, Organic Law of the Urban Residents Committees, Organic Law of the Villagers Committees, Criminal Procedure Law, Education Law, Labor Law, Employment Promotion Law, and Trade Union Law. These laws stipulate that all citizens enjoy equal rights to vote and stand for election to people’s congresses at all levels and to community-level self-government organizations, the right to equality before the law, the right to education, the right to work and to free choice of employment, and the right to join or organize trade unions in accordance with the law, irrespective of religious belief. The Law on Regional Ethnic Autonomy states that organs of self-government in ethnic autonomous areas shall guarantee citizens of all ethnic groups the freedom of religious belief. According to the Law on the Protection of Minors, minors enjoy equal rights to life, development, protection, participation and education in accordance with the law, irrespective of their religious belief. The Advertisement Law prohibits any advertisements that contain any information that discriminates against religions. The Criminal Law stipulates that workers of State organs involved in serious cases, which illegally deprive citizens of their right to freedom of religious belief, shall be investigated for criminal responsibility. The General Provisions of the Civil Law states that a lawfully established place of worship qualifying as a legal person may register for the status of legal person to accept donations.

 

宗教事务行政法规更加完善。2017年修订公布的《宗教事务条例》，强化了对公民宗教信仰自由和宗教界合法权益的保障，依法规范政府管理宗教事务的行为，增加了维护国家安全和社会和谐的内容。条例规定了宗教团体、宗教活动场所和信教公民在设立宗教活动场所、举行宗教活动、开办宗教院校、申请法人资格、出版发行宗教书刊、接受宗教捐献、管理宗教财产、开展公益慈善和对外交流活动等方面的权利和义务。条例明确了遏制宗教商业化，增加了关于互联网宗教信息服务的内容，同时规定，各级地方人民政府应当为宗教团体、宗教院校和宗教活动场所提供公共服务；各级地方人民政府应当将宗教活动场所建设纳入土地利用总体规划和城乡规划；任何组织或者个人不得在信教公民与不信教公民之间制造矛盾与冲突；出版物、互联网不得发布歧视信教公民或不信教公民的言论。

Administrative regulations regarding religious affairs are improving. The revised Regulations on Religious Affairs released in September 2017 strengthen the protection of Chinese citizens’ freedom of religious belief and the lawful rights and interests of religious groups, bring government’s management of religious affairs under due procedures in accordance with the law, and add provisions on safeguarding national security and maintaining social harmony. The Regulations prescribe the rights and responsibilities of religious organizations, places of worship, and religious believers when establishing places for and holding religious activities, setting up and running religious institutions, applying for legal person status, publishing and distributing religious books and periodicals, receiving donations, managing religious property, conducting charity activities, and carrying out exchanges with other countries. The Regulations prohibit the commercialization of religions, and include additions concerning religious information services on the Internet. In addition, the Regulations also require local governments to provide public services to religious organizations, religious institutions, and places of worship, and incorporate such sites into the overall local plans for land use and urban and rural planning. The Regulations forbid any organization or individual from creating disputes and conflicts between believers and non-believers and prohibit print publications and the Internet from disseminating information which discriminates against religious or non-religious citizens.

 

外国人在中国境内的宗教活动依法受到保护。《中华人民共和国境内外国人宗教活动管理规定》强调，中国政府尊重在中国境内外国人的宗教信仰自由，保护外国人在宗教方面同中国宗教界的友好交往和文化学术交流活动。境内外国人可以在寺庙、宫观、清真寺、教堂等宗教活动场所参加宗教活动，经省、自治区、直辖市以上的宗教团体邀请可以在宗教活动场所讲经、讲道，可以在县级以上人民政府宗教事务部门认可的场所举行外国人参加的宗教活动，可以邀请中国宗教教职人员为其举行洗礼、婚礼、葬礼和道场法会等宗教仪式，可以携带符合规定的宗教印刷品、宗教音像制品和其他宗教用品入境。同时规定，外国人在中国境内进行宗教活动，应当遵守中国法律、法规。外国人和外国组织不得在中国境内成立宗教组织、设立宗教办事机构和宗教活动场所、开办宗教院校、擅自招收留学生，不准在中国公民中发展教徒、委任宗教教职人员或进行其他传教活动。《中华人民共和国境外非政府组织境内活动管理法》规定，境外非政府组织在中国境内不得非法从事或者资助宗教活动。

The religious activities of foreigners in China are protected in accordance with the law. The Rules on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners in the People’s Republic of China highlights China’s respect for the freedom of religious belief of foreigners within the territory of the People’s Republic of China, and its commitment to protecting the friendly relations, and cultural and academic exchanges with regards to religion between foreigners and Chinese religious groups. Foreigners may attend religious activities at temples, mosques, churches, and other sites for religious activities. They are also permitted to preach at places of worship when invited to do so by Chinese religious bodies at or above the provincial level. Foreigners may hold religious activities attended by foreigners at sites approved by government religious affairs departments at or above the county level. They may invite Chinese clerical personnel to perform baptisms, weddings, funerals, prayers, or other religious services. They are allowed to carry religious printed text, audio-video products, and other religious articles that conform to relevant regulations when entering Chinese territory. Foreigners who conduct religious activities within China shall abide by Chinese laws and regulations. They shall not establish religious organizations, set up religious offices and sites for religious activities, run religious institutions, or recruit foreign students studying in China without authorization; nor shall they recruit followers, appoint clerical personnel from among Chinese citizens or engage in other missionary activities. The Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of Activities of Overseas Non-Governmental Organizations Within China prohibits overseas NGOs from illegally engaging in or sponsoring religious activities.

 

依法打击宗教极端势力和暴力恐怖活动。《中华人民共和国反恐怖主义法》规定，国家反对一切形式的以歪曲宗教教义或者其他方法煽动仇恨、煽动歧视、鼓吹暴力等极端主义，禁止任何基于地域、民族、宗教等理由的歧视性做法。《宗教事务条例》规定，不得宣扬、支持、资助宗教极端主义，不得利用宗教破坏民族团结、分裂国家和进行恐怖活动。国家采取措施遏制宗教极端主义传播、蔓延，同时特别注意防止把暴力恐怖活动、宗教极端主义与特定民族或特定宗教联系在一起。

Religious extremism and violent terrorist activities are dealt with in accordance with the law. The Counter-Terrorism Law of the People’s Republic of China states that China opposes all extremism that seeks to instigate hatred, incite discrimination and advocate violence by distorting religious doctrines or through other means, and forbids any discriminatory behavior on the grounds of region, ethnicity and religion. The Regulations on Religious Affairs prohibit any organization or individual from advocating, supporting or sponsoring religious extremism, or using religion to undermine ethnic unity, divide the country, or engage in terrorist activities. China takes measures against the propagation and spread of religious extremism, and at the same time, carefully avoids linking violent terrorism and religious extremism with any particular ethnic group or religion.