Consistently respect freedom of belief and unite the entire nation to build and defend the Fatherland.

(Baonghean) - In the democratic revolution, the policy of "freedom of belief and solidarity of religions" proposed by President Ho Chi Minh has greatly contributed to the cause of national solidarity in the victorious resistance war, gaining independence and unifying the country. In the cause of the whole country moving forward to build socialism under the leadership of the Party following Ho Chi Minh's thought, the Party consistently holds the view: "Belief and religion are the spiritual needs of a part of the people, and are and will exist with the nation in the process of building socialism in our country. Religious people are a part of the national solidarity bloc".

Weaving profession in Da Lam Catholic hamlet (Da Son - Do Luong). Photo: Thanh Le

In each historical period, our Party has a new Resolution to promote the people's patriotism in competing to unite to build and defend the Fatherland.

To clarify some of the content in the article, I would like to quote some provisions in the Ordinance on Belief and Religion passed by the Standing Committee of the 11th National Assembly on June 18, 2004. Article 1. "Citizens have the right to freedom of belief and religion, to follow or not to follow any religion. The State guarantees citizens' freedom of belief and religion. No one is allowed to violate that freedom. All religions are equal before the law. Citizens with or without belief or religion, as well as citizens with other religious beliefs, must respect each other."

Article 2. "Dignitaries and religious practitioners have the responsibility to regularly educate believers about patriotism, the exercise of citizens' rights and obligations, and the awareness of law compliance." Article 5. "Religious activities in accordance with the provisions of law; respecting cultural values ​​and religious ethics." Religious activities in accordance with national culture and within the scope of the law are aimed at ensuring the freedom of others and the needs of religious believers.

Article 8: "No discrimination on the basis of belief or religion; violation of citizens' freedom of belief and religion", and at the same time stipulates the scope of that right: "No abuse of freedom of belief and religion to sabotage peace, independence and unity of the country, incite violence or propagate war, propagate against the law and policies of the State; divide religions; disturb public order, infringe upon the life, health, dignity, honor and property of others, obstruct the exercise of citizens' rights and obligations; engage in superstitious activities and commit other acts that violate the law".

Article 9: "In religious activities, believers and followers have the responsibility to respect the freedom of belief and religion and the freedom of non-belief and religion of others; exercising the freedom of belief and religion does not hinder the exercise of citizens' rights and obligations, and religious activities in accordance with the provisions of law".

Religion is a social entity that has natural, social, cognitive, psychological, and emotional origins... Authorities at all levels, on the one hand, ensure the people's freedom of belief and religion, and on the other hand, have the duty to manage religious activities according to current laws. Because every parishioner and every monk is both a citizen and a believer in a religion.

Among those common points, there are two issues that need to be clearly distinguished: As citizens, it is necessary to obey the law, comply with the Party's guidelines and policies, and operate within the legal framework prescribed by the State. As dignitaries and followers, it is the duty to fulfill the duties of people with beliefs and religions, and to participate in social activities. For religious organizations, it is equal to other social organizations; all religious activities and other fields must comply with the law and local regulations. All must be equal, respect and obey the law, that is a civilized lifestyle, a cultured behavior.

Religious activities that benefit the country and the people, in accordance with the legitimate and legal aspirations and interests of believers, are guaranteed. State management of the field of belief and religion in our country is a combination of laws, implemented by agencies and levels of government in conjunction with the Fatherland Front, organizations that propagate, mobilize, persuade, and reconcile so that everyone and every organization can have the right perception. In other words, such management is a close combination of law and morality that individuals or organizations involved can perceive themselves to act correctly, or through propaganda and mobilization officials, dialogue to perceive correctly, do the right thing, and recognize wrongs that need to be corrected. Therefore, only when and where mobilization, persuasion, and conversion do not bring results, then the government will use administrative and legal measures.

In reality, it must be said frankly that: in some places and at some times, when performing State management tasks, some officials, due to their lack of thorough understanding of related issues, lack of tact in communication, and inadequate responsibility in performing tasks in some tasks, including issues related to beliefs and religions, have created inadequacies in perception and work. On the other hand, the parties involved lack calmness and perseverance to consider objectively and comprehensively, and have not sought the common interest to dialogue and resolve the problem; have not requested opinions from competent authorities; haste has led to unnecessary conflicts, creating loopholes for bad guys to exploit and divide, leading to deviation. That is also an opportunity for extremist and reactionary elements to take advantage of propaganda, attack and defame the Party and the State, incite the masses who are still ignorant and confused in their behavior, leading to acts of sabotage against the Party and the government, and disturbing security and order. Bad guys take advantage of these things to film, take pictures, write articles distorting the truth, imposing and accusing the government and the State of violating human rights and religious freedom.

Meanwhile, some dignitaries, officials and parishioners, although having committed wrongdoings and being handled by the government according to the law, do not recognize their responsibilities, obligations and rights as citizens before the law. They mistakenly believe that the government and the State discriminate against religious people, and even accuse the government of disrespecting religious freedom and human rights. They also have illusions, or deliberately "sow" hope to some parishioners that there will be a country or organization in the world to defend them. They do not see for themselves that, in general, national affairs are almost like domestic affairs, all issues must have respect, order, superiors and subordinates, must ensure order and discipline; going beyond the standards is a violation of both ethics and law. Our national tradition clearly shows: Recognizing the right and clearly seeing responsibility is a moral and intelligent person.

It is necessary to see and correctly perceive that, to have freedom, one must first respect and obey the law and follow the moral principles that have become habits with cultural elements and customs of the village, hamlet, locality... In all countries in the world, religious freedom must be associated with strict compliance with the law. It cannot be assumed that people with beliefs, religions, and religious organizations can do whatever they want related to beliefs and religions. Everything is related to the common interests of the community, the nation, and the people; it must be managed by law, which is a manifestation of the will and aspirations of the people in the process of participating in building a socialist rule-of-law state. The people authorize the State to strictly manage society.

Religious freedom does not mean freedom to illegally proselytize; it does not mean freedom to donate land, encroach on, build, and expand churches and pagodas; it does not mean freedom to establish self-defense forces, freedom to collude with, and assist bad guys and hostile forces in causing disturbances to security and order... to oppose the Party and the government, to destroy village and neighborhood relationships, to divide solidarity in the community, and to affect the peaceful life and production and business of the people.

In general, the relationship between rights and obligations are two closely related issues, and neither field can be overlooked, so that citizens have beliefs, religions, and practice according to the Dharma; for monks and nuns, Buddhists must practice well the spirit of the four groups of Buddhists in the house of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. As a Catholic, we must both fulfill "religious work and beautify worldly work", "respect God and love the country". All of this contributes to: "beautiful religion and life in both ways" in the life of each monk, nun, believer, and dignitary. Only then can we truly be true citizens attached to our homeland and country, and unite with the whole people to build a prosperous and happy life for the people for the goal: a rich people, a strong country, democracy, fairness, and civilization.

To conclude this article, I would like to quote the last part of the sermon of Bishop Bartholomew Nguyen Son Lam - Bishop of Thanh Hoa Diocese at the solemn concelebration ceremony held at the Cathedral of Tam Tong, Thanh Hoa on the occasion of the 3rd anniversary of the death of the late Priest Phaolo Nguyen Thai Ba on November 17, 1997: "Father Phaolo Nguyen Thai Ba deeply imbued with the teachings of Christ on life and vividly demonstrated it through his own life. The spirit of Father Phaolo is the spirit of self-sacrifice to build a better church and society. By living harmoniously in the nation and in the Church, Father Phaolo helps us to have a more enthusiastic spirit of solidarity in social life to build our country better and more glorious.

Our country has changed a lot and is changing every day. We priests need to think and learn the spirit of change of our father Paul to contribute to bringing happiness to the nation. We must change our mindset, abandon what is old and stagnant. We must change our thinking, change our perception, change our way of living, working... and must teach the laity to change with us. Only then will we have a place in the nation, in society... Promulgate the parishes and religious orders to change their own lives and families to build a new life in the homeland. We think that when a dignitary is a person with a position in the community of laity, fulfills his civic duties and is a virtuous "shepherd", he will be honored by society, respected by the community, and the faith will live forever in the hearts of the people.

Ha Minh Duc