The Chinese Government Will Revise The Scriptures Of All Religions To Conform To Communism

Chinese President Xi Jinping (Photo: commons.wikimedia.org)

JAKARTA - The Government of the People's Republic of China is making new breakthroughs in order to align state policies that match the values of the Communist Party with the religious beliefs of its citizens. One of the steps that will be taken is rewriting holy books such as the Bible, the Koran and other religions that exist in China, so that they are in line with the values of the Communist Party.

The scriptures that are planned to be rewritten are not allowed to conflict with the Chinese Communist Party. Quoted from the Daily Mail, December 24, 2019, officials of the Chinese Communist Party will re-translate the scriptures.

"The comprehensive evaluation of existing classical religions aims to transform content that is incongruous with the times," Wang Yang, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said during a meeting with religious leaders in China.

Meanwhile, quoted from The Sun, which aired on December 24, 2019, the changes in the contents of the holy books were to adapt to the era of President Xi Jinping. Although China recognizes the existence of all religions, it still needs to be monitored.

That statement was reiterated last November during a meeting convened by the Committee on Ethnic and Religious Affairs of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, whose job is to oversee ethnic and religious issues in the country.

Wang added that religious authorities must follow President Xi Jinping's instructions and reinterpret different religious teachings according to the 'core values of Socialism' and 'the terms of the times', according to the French newspaper Le Figaro.

He told officials to build a religious system in accordance with China and evaluate religious teachings in order to counteract extreme thoughts and ideas in religion that would endanger the country. Wang's directive was quickly approved by local officials.

This policy is related to global criticism of China for its policies on religion, such as in Xinjiang.

Quoted from the November 17, 2019 edition of The Guardian, regarding the leak of documents on China's treatment of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, it was stated that the Chinese government indoctrinated religious teachings and also detained Uighurs in camps under the guise of job training.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in November 2019, the leaked documents proved Chinese authorities were involved in massive and systemic oppression of Muslims and other minorities.

Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) says that at least one million Uighur Muslims are being held in camps made by the Chinese government and treated inhumanely.

At first, the Chinese government denied the existence of these camps, but eventually justified the camps on the pretext of preventing extremism.

The Chinese government also released three official reports in response to worldwide criticism of the Uighur problem through China's foreign ministry.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, denied the world's accusations. He said the accusation was a way for foreign media to tarnish counter-terrorism and extremism efforts in Xinjiang. He also said "China will never soften in the fight against violent terrorists," said Geng at a press conference quoted by AFP, November 18, 2019 edition.

Geng added that acts of terrorism in Xinjiang occurred during the period 1990s to 2016. After the government implemented counter-terrorism policies, they succeeded in suppressing these acts. He also claimed that this policy had the support of Chinese officials and people.