(United States) A recent report from the Pew Research Center outlined the ten most severe instances of the Chinese government’s stringent restrictions on religion. China stands as the world’s most stringent country in terms of religious restrictions.
“Freedom of religious belief”
China’s constitution stipulates the right of citizens to enjoy “freedom of religious belief,” officially recognizing five religions: Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism, and Taoism. However, the Chinese government does not regard the constitution as the ultimate authority on the rule of law. Various measures enacted by the Chinese government aim to increase restrictions on religion, tightly regulating religious activities and closely monitoring places of worship, the appointment of clergy, and financial matters related to these religions.
New research
Research data from the Pew Research Center indicates that since 2007, China has consistently ranked among the world’s governments with the strictest restrictions on religion. The recent report outlines the methods employed by the Chinese government to regulate religion.
Sinicization
China has initiated a comprehensive policy known as “Sinicization.” This compels religious communities to align their doctrines, customs, and morality with Chinese culture. Sinicization notably impacts so-called “foreign” religions such as Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism. Believers of these faiths are required to prioritize Chinese traditions and demonstrate unwavering loyalty to the state.
Complying with Chinese culture
Sinicization takes on diverse forms in China’s religious landscape, such as removing crosses from churches and demolishing the domes and minarets from mosques. These measures are part of an effort to integrate religious sites into the local culture. Moreover, clergy members and leaders of religious groups are mandated to emphasize teachings that align with socialist values. The government also plans to release a newly annotated version of the Quran to help keep Islamic teachings in line with “Chinese culture in the new era.”
Uyghur Genocide
The Pew Research Center reports that China’s restrictive policies toward Muslims, particularly the Uyghurs of Xinjiang, have been widely documented over the past decade. Human rights organizations have condemned China for its large-scale detention, surveillance, and alleged torture of the Uyghur people. The U.S. State Department has described the events in Xinjiang as a genocide, claiming that Chinese authorities have detained over a million Uyghur Muslims in specially constructed camps. The Chinese government vehemently denies these accusations, asserting that the relocations, camps, and other coercive measures are aimed at improving the lives of Uyghurs. Chinese officials contend that the camps in Xinjiang provide vocational training and are part of efforts to combat religious extremism.
Persecution of house churches
According to the report, Christianity in China is governed by “several sets of rules”. Christians may worship in “official churches” registered with the government regulatory agency responsible for Christianity and Catholicism. However, many Christians reject this oversight and worship in unregistered churches. This led to severe persecution of house church congregations, like Early Rain Covenant Church and Golden Lampstand Church. In many cases, religious activities that do not belong to the five officially recognized religions are usually classified as “superstitions” or “evil cults.”
Religion prohibited
The ruling Communist Party promotes atheism and discourages its citizens from practicing religion. Chinese people who are members of the Communist Party or its affiliated Communist Youth League of China are officially prohibited from engaging in a wide range of spiritual activities.
In fact, all children under the age of 18 are not allowed to have any formal religious affiliation. Religious education, including Sunday schools, religious summer camps, and other forms of youth religious organizations, is strictly prohibited. Schools emphasize the promotion of non-religious and atheistic beliefs. Many children are encouraged to join youth groups affiliated with the Communist Party of China, where they are required to pledge allegiance to atheism. These measures underscore the stringent regulations governing religious practices among minors in China.
Background
Recent surveys by the Pew Research Center have found that the Chinese government is restricting religious freedom by regulating religion through the means described above.
The Pew Research Center is a non-partisan think tank committed to informing the public about issues, attitudes, and trends shaping the world. Through methods such as opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis, and other empirical social science studies, the Pew Research Center provides valuable insights into global phenomena. Importantly, the Center refrains from taking political positions and is known for its objective analysis. It operates as a subsidiary of the Pew Charitable Trusts.
~Gao Zhensai, Special Correspondent of ChinaAid
