Implement well the religious policies of the Party and State

(Baonghean) - Vietnam is a country with many religions and ethnic groups distributed in many regions. In the process of fighting against foreign invaders, most religions and ethnic groups have made great contributions to the cause of national liberation and unification. Our Party and State always identify religious and ethnic work as a strategic issue of special importance. Respecting the right to freedom of religious belief and implementing the policy of great national unity is a consistent and continuous viewpoint of the Party and State, concretized by law and guaranteed in practice.

Immediately after the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, on September 3, 1945, at a Government meeting, President Ho Chi Minh paid attention to the issue of religion. He said: “I propose that the Government declare freedom of belief and unity of religions”. On June 14, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh signed Decree No. 234/SL announcing: “Freedom of belief and freedom of worship are the rights of the people. The Government always respects and helps the people to realize it, the government does not interfere in the internal affairs of religions. Religious organizations must comply with state laws like any other organization. Protecting freedom of belief requires punishing those who disguise themselves as religions and cause disorder”.

President Ho Chi Minh called on religions to eliminate grudges and unite with the whole people to care for the independence of the country because "whether Catholic or not, Buddhist or not, we must strive to fight for the independence of the country. Our mission is to maintain national independence, all of our compatriots, regardless of religion, must unite closely, determined to fight to protect the country, the Fatherland and also to preserve freedom of belief". Throughout history, especially through the two resistance wars of the Vietnamese people, the vast majority of religious compatriots have been patriotic, have made many contributions to the cause of fighting for national independence and unification of the country; many have achieved great feats, setting shining examples for future generations to follow; religious compatriots have always been an inseparable part of the Vietnamese ethnic community.

In recent years, the Party and the State have issued many guidelines, policies and laws on religious affairs such as Resolution No. 24/NQ-TU dated October 16, 1990 of the Politburo; Resolution No. 25-NQ/T.Ư dated March 13, 2003 of the Party Central Committee (9th tenure); The 11th National Assembly issued the Ordinance on Religious Beliefs (No. 21/2004/PL-UBTVQH11) regulating religious activities. The Government issued Decree No. 22/2005/ND-CP dated March 1, 2005 guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Ordinance on Religious Beliefs. Then, Decree No. 92/2012/ND-CP dated November 6, 2012 continued to issue detailing and measures to implement the Ordinance on Religious Beliefs replacing Decree No. 22 of 2005, clearly affirming that "citizens have the right to freedom of belief and religion, to follow or not to follow any religion".

The policies and laws have demonstrated the deep concern of the Party and State for the religious needs of believers and religious dignitaries, making the masses of believers and religious dignitaries feel secure and excited to carry out well "religious and worldly affairs", believe in the Party and State's policy of freedom of belief and religion; actively participate in patriotic emulation movements, labor production, socio-economic development, fight to prevent acts of taking advantage of religion, contributing to ensuring political security and social order and safety. It can be said that religions are operating vibrantly today, with an increasing number of followers, and are free to practice their rituals whether at home or at legal places of worship. It has proven that the Party and State's viewpoints, guidelines, and religious work have created changes, directing religions towards the goal of building the country and homeland "Rich people, strong country, fair, democratic, and civilized society".

In Nghe An province alone, up to now, there are two main religions, Catholicism and Buddhism, with 275,000 followers, 125 dignitaries, and a school for training religious dignitaries (Vinh Thanh Catholic Seminary). Party committees and authorities at all levels always pay attention to solving the legitimate religious needs of followers, dignitaries, and religious organizations; many religious works are licensed to be upgraded, repaired, and newly built...

Major religious holidays such as Christmas, Closing of the Holy Year, Episcopal ordination of Catholics; Buddha's Birthday, Vu Lan Festival of Buddhism... are all facilitated by authorities at all levels and receive the attention of Party, government and front leaders to congratulate. Religious followers and dignitaries in the province are united, assured, excited and confident in the country's renewal. In addition, Party committees and authorities also organize and implement many programs and strategic goals for economic and social development, ensuring security and defense in religious areas, improving the material and spiritual life of religious people.

The results in the consistent implementation of the religious policy of our Party and State in general and of our province in particular are vivid realities affirming that the country's and the Party's renewal policy has come to life; affirming the strength of the great national unity bloc under the leadership of the Party, striving for the cause of building a strong and prosperous country and homeland.

Orange growing model of parishioner Nguyen Huu Binh in Dong Trung hamlet - Dong Thanh commune - Yen Thanh. Photo: Thanh Le

In the current revolutionary period, religious people are one of the forces that actively respond to patriotic emulation movements. Religious organizations and individuals have actively participated in charity and social activities, supporting people affected by natural disasters and floods. Especially in the historic floods that caused great damage in the province and the Central region, religious organizations have supported people in flood-affected areas with billions of dong. This noble gesture demonstrates profound humanitarian meaning and promotes the cultural beauty of the Vietnamese people that has existed for thousands of years.

In the process of national renewal, we advocate closing the past, looking towards the future, eliminating inferiority complex, prejudice and discrimination based on class, ethnicity and religion, respecting different opinions but not contrary to the interests of the country and the people; upholding the tradition of humanity and tolerance for socio-political stability. Implementing the policy of national solidarity, the activities of Catholic compatriots have made certain contributions to mobilizing and gathering compatriots with religious beliefs to comply with the Party's policies and the State's laws, building a prosperous and happy life. This is a catalyst and stimulant between the people and the Party and the State, an important factor constituting the great national unity bloc, participating in the cause of building and defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.

In addition to the achievements, there are still limitations and shortcomings in the awareness of the Party and State's viewpoints and religious policies; the implementation of religious policies in some localities and establishments is sometimes not really serious and thorough, creating loopholes and shortcomings for hostile forces to take advantage of and distort the Party and State's policy on freedom of belief and religion. Some religious followers and dignitaries do not fully understand the Party and State's viewpoints, guidelines and religious policies, and do not clearly recognize the rights, obligations and responsibilities of a follower and a citizen, so they listen to distorted arguments, incite and incite acts of causing disturbances, write petitions and complaints that affect social security and order.

What is more important is that all of us, all the masses, whether religious or not, need to clearly realize that we are all Vietnamese citizens, brothers and sisters, so “Brothers are like arms and legs/ When torn, we cover each other, when bad, we help each other”. In the face of right and wrong, good and bad things, even the ultimate loss and pain at a certain moment, in this place or that, we need to know how to let go, stop and erase. Let's work together to heal and soothe the wounds, to create beautiful days, filled with love and affection.

The handling of individuals who violate the law has been carried out by competent authorities in accordance with the provisions of Vietnamese law. Each person must be responsible for his or her own actions when he or she is an adult; and responsible for the actions of an immature person when he or she is a guardian. Perhaps what we should do for our poor brothers who have violated the law is to help and encourage their relatives to overcome difficulties, hardships, and material and spiritual deprivation. Explain and advise those brothers who are momentarily impulsive, gullible, misguided, and lost to "turn back to shore". Only when we recognize and take responsibility for our own wrongdoings and mistakes will each person be aware to voluntarily reform and become a useful citizen and devoted follower...

More than ever, every citizen, believer, religious dignitary, especially the leaders of religious organizations, need to clearly understand and be unified in thought that religious activities must follow the direction of "good life, good religion", "living the gospel in the heart of the nation". The State does not discriminate against any religion, all religions must be equal before the law. State agencies and authorities at all levels must care for and ensure the democratic rights of the people, including believers and religious dignitaries. At the same time, detect, prevent and strictly handle manifestations of taking advantage of freedom of religious belief as well as manifestations of taking advantage of democracy to violate the law, inciting people, believers and religious dignitaries to cause disorder, affecting social stability; strengthen and promote the strength of the great national unity bloc, religious unity to contribute to the successful implementation of the cause of innovation of the homeland and country.

Khanh Thanh