An unofficial overseas organization has uncovered a “secret document” addressed to all departments of the Communist Party Committee from the Chinese government. The document urges the Department of Propaganda and the Department of Education of all provinces, autonomous regions and metropolises to strengthen propaganda and education about atheism within Marxism.

An American Christian organization called China Aid Association said that the Chinese government issued the document “Notice on Further Strengthening Marxist Atheism Research, Propaganda and Education” on May 27. It was jointly issued by the Department of Propaganda of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Office of the Central Steering Committee on Spiritual Civilization Construction, the Communist Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC, the Ministry of Education and the China Academy of Social Science.

The Rev. Bob Fu, head of the CAA, analyzes the act as being released due to political insecurity, and perceived threats to Communist rule.

Fu says, “The head of Time Magazine in Beijing predicted in his book Jesus in China, published last year, ‘China will become a Christian country in 20 years when the Christian population could go above 20 to 30 percent.’ I think the communist rule may sense the threat. They have pointed out in the document that religions have influenced the political stability of the communist rule [in the past].”

One point of view on this secret document comes from Lu Jie, Hong Kong’s spokeswoman for the World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong. She says: “The persecution of Falun Gong has been going on for five years. The Jiang regime suppressed Falun Gong through lies, slanders and deceit. In fact, the persecution has been coming to an end. Their lies are becoming more and more exaggerated. The Chinese people no longer believe them.”

The CAA has a long-running record of observing freedom of religion in China and said that the secret document was obtained from a high ranking Communist Party official who is disconcerted with the repressive party policies toward religious groups in China.

Rev. Fu said that China’s atheistic propaganda actually started two years ago. “The Chinese government has formally promoted the propaganda and education of “anti-evil teachings” and atheism nationwide since May 2004. It asks students in elementary schools and high schools to sign the vows of ‘anti-evil’ teachings.”

In Rev. Fu’s opinion, China’s propaganda of atheism may actually have the opposite effect. “The viewpoint of the Communist government is that anyone who does not fall under its control is its enemy. Chinese government has not been able to control “house churches” for many years. These congregations show their patriotism by enduring the pains of oppression. They also continuously pray for people who persecute them. So I am shocked that the government is still arresting them.”