BEIJING - China is getting religion, and its leaders
are getting nervous.
Unprecedented concern about the growing influence of religion in this country
underscored speeches given by top Communist Party leaders during a major
Religious Work Conference here Dec. 10-12, the Compass Direct agency reported.
The conference´s overwhelming emphasis was on tightening control of religious
affairs, which President Jiang Zemin stated was linked to China´s social
stability and national security.
He further warned that no one would be allowed to abuse religion in order to sabotage
the Communist Party. While exchanges between Chinese and foreign religious
societies would be encouraged, infiltration by overseas forces using the cover
of religion would be resolutely resisted, he insisted.
One major outcome of the conference is that it will reportedly become easier for
churches and other religious organizations to register directly with the state
without joining the Protestant Three Self Patriotic Movement or the state-controlled
Catholic Patriotic Association.