Soon there will be a form of handling those who illegally propagate heretical religions.

(Baonghean) -In November 2013, Vinh City People's Committee directed the People's Committees of wards and communes to inspect and review the activities of individuals and groups related to heretical and strange religions. Through information gathering, the activities of individuals and heretical groups in the wards and communes of Vinh City are quite complicated and these localities are expecting specific instructions and guidance on how to handle them...

Strange cults flourish in many places

In Hung Chinh commune, since September 2012, the activities of the Hoang Thien Long cult have emerged at the family of Mr. Phan Duc Han and his wife, Duong Thi Tu. By March 2013, this family had attracted over 50 people from the same area to participate (not counting about 20-30 people from outside the area). According to Hung Chinh commune police, followers of this cult often gather at Mr. Han's house, when they arrive they bring a bottle of water to place on the altar. The homeowner reads prayers, then writes healing poems. A day later, the followers of this cult return to place offerings and get water, and at the same time buy coconut oil from the homeowner for 50,000-80,000 VND to treat their illnesses.

In addition, Mr. Han and Mrs. Tu also printed and photocopied various Buddhist books such as: Heart Letter; Law of the State; Dai Viet Works - Revolutionary Direction; Stories of the Underworld... to propagate and sell parallel sentences, incense bowls... with each set priced from 500,000 - 600,000 VND. Hung Chinh Commune coordinated with the City Police to plan a fight, focusing on propaganda and mobilization against Mr. Phan Duc Han, Mrs. Duong Thi Tu and those who follow the heretical religion. By May 2013, the organization of ceremonies at Mr. Han and Mrs. Tu's house had been disbanded. Currently, the number of heretical followers in Hung Chinh has decreased to 17 people.

Hung Chinh Commune Police Chief - Nguyen Quoc Ai and the bottle of coconut oil that Mr. Han and Mrs. Tu sold to cult followers to cure diseases.

Cua Nam Ward is home to a number of individuals practicing illegal Protestantism, among whom Vo Trong Hai, residing in block 6A, has mobilized people who went to work in Malaysia to form a "Malai" family group and call himself "Priest", while Hai's wife, Ho Thi Cam Van, calls herself "Deputy Preacher". The departments, branches, and organizations of Cua Nam Ward have propagated and mobilized Vo Trong Hai to give up preaching and practicing illegal religion. Currently, Hai and his wife have moved to Cua Lo Town to live.

Also in Cua Nam ward, there are a number of people who follow the Falun Gong organization. This group includes Tran Ngoc Hoan (born in 1957, residing in block 6B), Nguyen Nam Phuong (born in 1978, residing in block 11), Vu Van Tinh (born in 1983, residing in block 11). These are people who organize Falun Gong practice, but the main purpose is to gather to speak ill of the government. The gathering time of this group is usually from 4:30 - 6:00 am; 19:45 - 20:45 at Cua Nam Flower Garden with about 50 participants. Each participant is given a book introducing Falun Dafa and a VCD. Any individual who is interested will be introduced and sold various books on Falun Dafa, Perfection of Great Law, and Falun Gong teachings. The People's Committee of Cua Nam Ward has directed the Ward Police to summon related subjects for questioning, confiscate video discs and religious books, and work with mass organizations to propagate and mobilize, but this group has not yet given up its activities.

In Hong Son Ward, Mr. Dang Ba Nham (born in 1962, residing in Lane 1, Nguyen Xien Street, Block 3) organized a preaching session at home. Mr. Nham organized it in a 70m2 room with a cross, speakers, projectors... each time there were about 15-35 people participating. Hong Son Ward People's Committee has drawn up an administrative record and requested to stop the illegal preaching. In Ben Thuy Ward, Mr. Phan Van Trung and his wife, Ms. Luong Thi Le, residing in Block 2, set up a Buddha altar in the main house, organized chanting, and wooden fish beating on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings with about 20 participants. Ben Thuy Ward People's Committee has coordinated with relevant forces to inspect and remind people not to cause disorder and affect residential areas...

Le Loi Ward does not have any illegal proselytizing activities, but there are some people participating in the Hoang Thien Long cult and the Luu Van Ti cult. These include Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Le Thi Lieu, Tran Thi Kim, Nguyen Thi Than, Nguyen Thi Luyen (participating in the Hoang Thien Long cult); Ms. Le Thi Thinh, Tran Thi Tu (participating in the Luu Van Ti cult).

Specific treatment is required

We met Mr. Phan Duc Han (who, together with his wife, Mrs. Duong Thi Tu, organized the propagation of the Hoang Thien Long cult in Hung Chinh commune). Mr. Han confirmed that he had abandoned the cult. Mr. Han suffered from laryngitis and had to undergo surgery at Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi) and because "when sick, one prays to all directions". During this period, Mrs. Tu heard that the Hoang Thien Long shrine of Nguyen Thi Dien in Ung Hoa district (Hanoi) could cure diseases, so from then on, the couple followed the cult and then spread it to relatives and people in the same area. As a member of the Party Committee and also holding the position of Chairman of the Agricultural Cooperative, Mr. Han was disciplined by the Party with a reprimand for violating the 19 prohibitions of Party members (Article 18).

However, according to Hung Chinh Commune Police, Mr. Han and Mrs. Tu have not yet abandoned the Hoang Thien Long cult but have changed their method of operation. Mr. Han and Mrs. Tu do not organize mass ceremonies or preaching, but often turn on the lights to pray at 4-5 am. The activities of the cult in Hung Chinh have not yet ended, causing confusion among the people, creating resentment among cadres, party members and the people, so in Report No. 94/BC-UBND dated November 14, 2013, Chairman of Hung Chinh Commune People's Committee, Mr. Trinh Ba Duong, proposed: To end the activities of the Hoang Thien Long cult, the city government and relevant agencies are requested to have specific and resolute instructions to end the activities of the cult.

Similar to Hung Chinh commune, Chairman of Le Mao ward People's Committee, Mr. Chu Van Mai proposed: The City People's Committee and the City Police need to strengthen the inspection and management of religious activities of organizations operating in illegal and strange religions, in order to promptly prevent negative activities, sabotage the State, affecting the psychology and ideology of the people, and security and order; There should be specific instructions and guidance on state management of religious activities so that the grassroots level can implement them to achieve better results...

Decree 92/2012/ND-CP dated November 8, 2012 clearly stipulates the details and measures for implementing the Ordinance on Religion and Belief. Accordingly, individuals and organizations that conduct religious activities without being recognized by competent authorities, without registering their activities, registering their activities... are all violating the law. And for these subjects, competent authorities need to promptly propose specific measures and forms of handling violations so that local authorities have sufficient grounds for implementation.

Article and photos: Nhat Lan