Freedom of Religion or Belief

Freedom of Religion or Belief

Respect for and protection of freedom of religion or belief have been part of China’s basic policy. The CPC first advocated freedom of religion or belief in 1923, two years after its founding, and this position has remained unchanged ever since, other than during the excesses of leftist radicalism. In accordance with Chinese laws and policies on religion, citizens of the People’s Republic of China have the freedom to believe or not to believe in any particular religion, or to affiliate with any particular denomination of a religion; non-believers may choose to become believers and believers may cease to be believers at any time. No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or reject, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion. Freedom of religion or belief is to be enjoyed under the premise that religion is practiced within the scope of the rights and obligations prescribed by the Constitution and laws, and that religious activities do not disrupt social stability, people’s work or their daily life.

宗教信仰自由

尊重和保护宗教信仰自由是中国对宗教问题的基本政策。中国共产党从成立不久的1923年，就提出了宗教信仰自由政策。虽然后来在“左”的条件下这项政策也遭到破坏，但党始终没有改变这项政策。按照中华人民共和国法律和宗教政策，中华人民共和国公民有信仰宗教的自由，也有不信仰宗教的自由；有信仰这种宗教的自由，也有信仰那种宗教的自由；在同一宗教里面，有信仰这个教派的自由，也有信仰那个教派的自由；有过去不信教现在信教的自由，也有过去信教现在不信教的自由。任何国家机关、社会团体和个人不得强制公民信仰或者不信仰宗教，不得歧视信仰宗教的公民和不信仰宗教的公民。坚持宗教信仰自由，前提是宗教必须在宪法和法律规定的权利和义务范围内活动，宗教活动不得妨碍社会秩序、工作秩序和生活秩序。