The New Chinese Measures for Religious Activity Venues Come into Force on September 1: The Full Text
ExpiredEven worse than the draft version, the Measures will convert places of worship into branches of the CCP propaganda system. “Bitter Winter” offers a full English translation.
Last April, “Bitter Winter” revealed that a draft of new “Administrative Measures for Religious Activity Venues,” intended to replace those of 2005, was being “circulated for comments.” Normally, this is a cosmetic exercise of pseudo-democracy, comments are ignored, and drafts become laws.
In this case, however, it appears that some comments came from official agencies and were taken into account. The final text of the Measures, which will come into force on September 1, is even worse than the draft. Not only it confirms that religious activity venues should actively broadcast CCP propaganda, or face liquidation. There are stricter provisions for including propaganda content in sermons, and establishing study groups of CCP documents in all places of worship. It is also specified that “It is prohibited to build large open-air religious statues outside of temples and churches,” and the prohibition also applies to private citizens or donors.
“Bitter Winter” offers a full English translation of the new Measures. For an easier understanding, consider that “religious group” refers to the government-controlled five authorized religions.
ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES FOR RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY VENUES
Chapter I. General Provisions
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