Tay Ninh Provincial Party Committee and the work of mobilizing the masses of Cao Dai religion: For the great cause of "Glory to the country, Bright Religion" Last article: Freedom of belief of Cao Dai followers in the province

Cao Dai religious voters expressed their opinions at the conference to meet voters with National Assembly delegates.

At a meeting with voters before the mid-2023 National Assembly session in Tay Ninh city, a Cao Dai dignitary asked a National Assembly delegate: "Currently, there are a number of children who have the spirit of serving the Fatherland in the armed forces, but when making a profile, if the profile includes religion, it will be put aside, is this true or not?"

After responding that this information was incorrect, Mr. Pham Hung Thai - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Tay Ninh province affirmed: "The current policy of the Party and State is that those who are participating in religion, practicing religion and find that the goals, ideals, platforms, and regulations of the Communist Party of Vietnam are consistent with their thoughts, feelings, and aspirations, and wish to become Communist Party members will also be nurtured to be admitted into the Party."

The statement of the leader of the Tay Ninh Provincial Party Committee is an affirmation of the consistent viewpoint on religion in the process of leading the Party's renovation in our country, officially answering the long-standing concern of Cao Dai followers in particular and people with religious beliefs in general: "Can religious people be admitted into the Party?".

In fact, from the first day of liberation on April 30, 1975, even before that during the resistance war, in Tay Ninh there were many patriots, striving for the goals and ideals of the Party, joining the ranks of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Provincial leaders took souvenir photos with Cao Dai religious dignitaries at the 2022 religious and ethnic meeting.

As for Cao Dai followers, the number of people participating in the religion, practicing religion and joining the Party has increased dramatically since the Cao Dai Tay Ninh religion was "granted legal status" by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, recognized by the Charter of the Third Universal Salvation of the Cao Dai Tay Ninh Holy See and especially since the transfer of the Dharma Protector Pham Cong Tac from the Kingdom of Cambodia to the Holy See.

This is specifically demonstrated through the “speaking numbers”: in the period 2006-2010, in the Cao Dai religion there were 1,248 elite followers, accounting for 8.53% of the elite masses recognized for their Party sympathy, 816 party members were admitted, accounting for 10.89% of the total number of newly admitted party members in the whole province in 5 years, more than double the number of party members with Cao Dai religion before 2006 (816/1,675 party members).

By the end of 2021, the province had 3,400 party members in religions, accounting for a significant proportion of the total number of party members in the provincial Party Committee. Of which, party members who follow Cao Dai religion are 2,767 people (including 1,605 women), accounting for 81.38% of the total number of party members with religion; many party members participate in working in Cao Dai religion.

Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Pham Hung Thai commented: In general, after 30 years of implementing the Party Central Committee's policy on work with the Cao Dai religion, the awareness of Party committees, Party organizations, authorities, agencies and units towards the Cao Dai religion has been raised; the role and tasks of the entire political system in solving the spiritual needs of the people have been promoted, making Cao Dai organizations and individuals increasingly trust the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws on religion in general and Cao Dai in particular.

All levels and sectors must well implement the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws on the activities of Cao Dai, guide and create favorable conditions for Cao Dai to operate in accordance with the set programs and plans.

Cao Dai religion in the province operates basically stably; constantly develops in many aspects, with an increase in the number of dignitaries, officials and followers; focuses on training, consolidates the organizational apparatus; builds and repairs more and more spacious places of worship; eliminates superstition, complies with the provisions of the law; focuses on charity and social security activities; actively participates in local patriotic emulation movements, making an important contribution with the Party Committee and government to successfully implement the goals of socio-economic development, national defense and security of the province.

Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Pham Hung Thai and Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Commission Truong Nhat Quang presented New Year gifts to Master Thuong Tam Thanh.

To achieve these good results, the Party Committee and the government from the provincial to the grassroots levels have correctly recognized the meaning and importance of religious work in the new situation; promptly led and directed effective implementation. In particular, the dignitaries, officials and followers of Cao Dai religion are excited and confident in the leadership of the Party and the State, from which religious activities have gradually stabilized, contributing to maintaining political security, order and social safety.

Continuing to carry out religious work well in the province in the coming time, Mr. Pham Hung Thai - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee said that Tay Ninh province needs to continue to promote the role and responsibility of the entire political system; Party committees, authorities, sectors and levels must closely follow and well implement the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws on religion in general and Cao Dai in particular; must unify the core viewpoint of religious work is mass mobilization work, which is the responsibility of the entire political system.

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Manh Hung received the Cao Dai Tay Ninh Church who visited and wished the Provincial Party Committee leaders a Happy New Year.

In addition, we always pay attention to the propaganda of policies and laws on religion, raising awareness of Cao Dai dignitaries, officials and followers about religious work. At the same time, we build a close and close relationship between the leaders of the Party Committee, the government and Cao Dai dignitaries; relevant sectors need to strengthen coordination and unity in solving issues related to religious work; and carry out mass mobilization work well.

At the same time, promote the role of dignitaries and officials in Cao Dai religion. These are typical, exemplary people who understand religion and the religious policies of the Party and State; have prestige, positive influence in religion and the ability to mobilize Cao Dai followers to comply with the law and actively participate in revolutionary movements in the locality.

According to the Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, in the work of mobilizing the masses with religious beliefs in the coming time, the province must improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state management; promote administrative reform in handling administrative procedures related to religion; promote the role and responsibility of all levels and sectors in coordinating to thoroughly resolve complicated cases related to religion.

The Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations at all levels continue to effectively carry out the movement "All people unite to build a cultural life" associated with "Building civilized religious and belief facilities", campaigns to build new rural areas and civilized urban areas; build religious areas free of social evils, protect the environment; religious activities in the fourth industrial revolution; safe religious activities in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic not yet completely ending in the world.

Nguyen Tan Hung - Dang To Tuan

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