12/10/2020, 12.46
CHINA
Send to a friend

In Wenzhou, Party forces teachers to spread atheism and ‘not believe in any faith’

Teachers must sign a pledge, even if it violates the Chinese constitution. The atheism campaign in Zhejiang schools has been going on for years.

Wenzhou (AsiaNews/ChinaAid) – Some pictures posted on social media indicate that the Chinese Communist Party is demanding teachers in Wenzhou (Zhejiang) sign a pledge not to profess any religion and promise instead to promote atheism among their students.

The pledge that teachers must sign includes personal data, such as name, surname, gender, age, hours of work, position, and school (picture 2). Teachers are asked to commit to four directives:

- firmly affirm the Marxist perspective on religions and strengthen atheist education and study;

- not believe in any religion, nor participate in any religious activity, or publicise and disseminate religion anywhere;

- actively promote the new socialist civilisation and the new tendency;

- not publicise feudal superstitions, nor engage in any activity related to feudal superstitions.

For many Christians and lawyers, the directive is unconstitutional. China’s constitution clearly states that every Chinese citizen enjoys freedom of religion, and has the right to practise the faith of their choice without having to indicate work or age.

In reality, the pledge is just another element in a forceful campaign implemented by the United Front to weaken faith among young people.

This includes not only a ban on minors going to Mass, but also entails controls and disciplinary measures on teachers and students if any of them say they are believers.

Teachers who are Party members have been promoting atheism among children for quite some time. They not only try to teach not to believe in God with speeches, but also use humiliating punishments.

In Zhejiang the anti-religious campaign has been going on for years. In addition to boosting atheism in schools, the Party has closed down and destroyed of churches, wiped out religious signs and removed crosses.

For experts, the reason is that at least 10 per cent of the population in this province is Christian.

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Hong Kong, Christians protest against demolition of crosses
25/04/2016 09:19
Mgr Paul Su Yongda, new bishop of Zhanjiang
15/11/2004
For the first time court backs farmers’ case against police
08/01/2007
Xi Jinping's ally Wang Qishan 'prays' at Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall
29/10/2018 13:03
New regulations for controlling religions
20/12/2004


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”