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撮要

本文旨在研究中國大陸政府的「宗教工具論」的理論和實踐。作為一個無神論政權，中共否認宗教有任何本然價值，其最大的現實意義是被世俗政權利用為政治的工具。在過去很長的一段時間裡，宗教曾被封建主義與資本主義政權所利用，這是中共視之為反動的最大原因。

共產政權統治中國大陸已超過半個世紀，但其對宗教的看法基本未變，宗教仍被視為政治的工具，具有潛在的政治影響力。它可以協助政府動員群眾，推行政策，但也可以成為社會不穩定的力量，因而必須受政府長期監控。在上世紀九十年代，江澤民提出「三句話」作為中共在新時期的宗教政策的總綱，其中第三句：「積極引導宗教與社會主義社會相適應」，正好意味著政府將會公開地利用宗教作為其統治工具。宗教乃為政治而存在。

筆者相信，一個極權政府亟欲控制社會每個環節，故宗教在其中的從屬地位不易有所改變。但對在自由地區的宗教徒而言，必須致力防止任何使宗教從屬於政治 – 無論是執政黨抑或反對黨、無論是保守力量抑或所謂革命力量 – 的做法。宗教政治化意味著宗教的自取滅亡。

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the theory and practice of “Religion as Political Tool” promulgated by the CCP of China. The atheist regime denies all intrinsic values of religion and regards it as solely subordinate to political powers. In the past, religion was exploited by the feudalists as well as the capitalists for the subjugation of the ruled. Thus religion was viewed as anti-revolutionary and a roadblock to the liberation movement.

After CCP took over China for more than half a century, its view upon religion basically remains unchanged. Religion is pragmatically regarded as a political tool with implicit political influence. It can be mobilized for national development, but can also be a destabilizing force in society. Thus religion must be constantly controlled. In the last decade, the former CCP president Jiang Zemin concluded the religious policies of China as the following “three phrases”: “Completely and correctly implement the Party’s policy of religious freedom，strengthen supervision over religious affairs in accordance with the law, and positively guide religion to adapt to socialist society.”The last phrase implies that religion is used as a tool by the communist state to benefit the state/society. Religion exists as to serve the interest of the ruling party.

According to the writer, it is unrealistic to expect a big change in the subordinate status of religion in a society where a totalitarian political authority controls all the sectors. However, as religious people living in free countries, we should remind ourselves that subordinating religion to political power and ideology of any kind is but suicidal. Religion can never be reduced to political ideal or practice.

原載於《建道學刊》22期（2004年7月），頁1-26。