Minister Mai Tien Dung: Strictly handle the Church of God
Minister Mai Tien Dung stated that the authorities will resolutely handle acts of taking advantage of religion and violating the law that go against Vietnamese customs and lifestyle.
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| Minister and Head of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung answers reporters' questions. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA) |
On the afternoon of May 3, at the regular Government Press Conference in April 2018, in response to a question about the actual activities of a number of groups called "Church of God" (or Church of God the Mother), Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Duy Thang said that recently, the mass media has reflected a lot on the methods of proselytizing and the ways of attracting people by the leaders of Church of God groups.
The competent authorities have intervened, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (Ministry of Home Affairs) has reported to the Prime Minister and has issued four guiding documents on this issue.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Duy Thang said that the Law on Beliefs and Religions has stipulated prohibited acts that violate the nation's fine customs and traditions, social ethics, and conduct that is not in accordance with the tradition of ancestor worship of the Vietnamese people. According to the Law on Beliefs and Religions, these are acts that are not in accordance with the law and are strictly prohibited.
Recently, the Ministry of Public Security has directed local police to investigate the cases in Thanh Hoa, Hai Phong, and Thai Nguyen. The Government Committee for Religious Affairs has actively coordinated with the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Information and Communications to propagate so that people can clearly understand the true nature of the activities of these groups, avoiding people being lured, affecting their normal lives, and turning their backs on their families.
"The general spirit is to be determined to ensure respect for people's beliefs and religious freedom, but we must also clearly point out violations and propagate them so that people understand clearly," said Deputy Minister Nguyen Duy Thang.
No water is holy water
Regarding the question of whether "red water" or "holy water" contains psychoactive substances, Deputy Minister Nguyen Duy Thang requested that local police get involved and health agencies conduct inspections, from which an official conclusion can be made.
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| Group of people participating in the Church of God at Golden City 3 Apartment located in Nghi Phu Commune, Vinh City. Photo courtesy |
Minister Mai Tien Dung affirmed: “The Party and State always show respect and ensure freedom of belief and non-belief for our compatriots. We have the Law on Belief and Religion, creating favorable conditions for religions to operate... Whether our compatriots follow a religion or not, they are protected by law and their freedom is guaranteed.”
An organization that is operating against traditional customs and ethics, is rude to beliefs, and goes against the tradition of ancestor worship must be dealt with resolutely.
Minister Mai Tien Dung also affirmed that calling "red water" "holy water" is just exploitation, because in reality there is no such thing as holy water. It is necessary to propagate so that people and students understand that there are people who take advantage of religion to do wrong things.
The Prime Minister's directive is to request competent authorities and localities to review, evaluate, and rectify illegal activities of the Church of God organization, and strictly handle them according to the provisions of the law./.
