'Cloak of religion' targeted
BEIJING vowed yesterday to strike hard against illegal activities under the cloak of religion and warned local authorities not to build temples and erect Buddha statues in the name of promoting tourism.
Ye Xiaowen, Religious Affairs Bureau director, said many 'axe-grinders' were trying to incite social unrest in the name of religion and stir 'ignorant' people to act against the Government.
'While we protect religious freedom, we must take a clear-cut stand in fighting against and stopping illegal activities and help the law enforcement authorities to attack all illegal and criminal activities under the cover of religion,' he said.
In recent years, many local authorities have built temples and erected Buddha statues to promote tourism and boost the economy.
But Mr Ye said this would only promote 'religious fever' and 'chaotic activities' and could not help local economic development.
'Religious activities could not be a means to develop the economy. Sites for religious activities are also not profit-making enterprises,' he said.
Mr Ye said all religious organisations had the autonomy to manage their affairs, but he warned they should not interfere with the state administration, justice and education.
'China's religious organisations and religious affairs should not be controlled by foreign influence,' he said.
All religious activities should be conducted in line with the law and government policies. In addition, all religious organisations, like other social groups, should be registered.
'Only after being registered with the religious and social affairs authorities could a religious body become a legal organisation.' The official promised that all legal religious organisations would be protected and that followers could take part in the management of their religious bodies.
The bureau's task is to curb illegal religious activities and help local authorities to manage and supervise religious groups.
There are more than 85,000 religious sites where religious activities take place on the mainland, involving more than 300,000 staff.
Five religions - Taoism, Islam, Buddhism, Catholicism and Protestantism - have formed national organisations.
Together they control more than 3,000 local religious bodies and 74 religious institutes.
