Identifying and combating cults disguised as religions today.

Beware of cults disguised as religions.

The documents of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam affirm: "Promoting the good cultural and moral values and resources of religions for the development of the country." According to the White Paper "Religion and Religious Policy in Vietnam" by the Government's Religious Affairs Committee, currently, in our country, there are more than 26.5 million religious followers (accounting for 27% of the country's population), more than 54,000 religious dignitaries, 135,000 religious officials, and 29,658 places of worship; there are thousands of concentrated religious groups (including concentrated religious groups of foreigners legally residing in Vietnam). This is the reality of freedom of belief and religion in Vietnam that all organizations and countries in the world cannot deny.

In recent times, the religious situation, religious organizations, and the vast majority of religious leaders have generally operated in accordance with the law, remaining stable and making positive contributions to the building and protection of the Fatherland. However, due to the negative aspects of globalization and the market mechanism, the " politicization of religion" plot by hostile forces has negatively impacted religious life, posing many potential risks; among which, prominent issues include: exploiting religion to engage in activities against the Party and the State; violating the law, causing division and disunity among the people, undermining political security, order, and social safety; establishing associations and groups under the guise of religion or unconventional sects; organizing superstitious and profit-seeking religious activities that distort cultural and moral standards of society...

Members of the Church of God are illegally proselytizing. (Photo: VNA)

In particular, the emergence of cults disguised as religions such as: the Church of God the Mother, the Dien Goddess cult, the Coconut cult, Thanh Hai Supreme Master cult, Ha Mon cult, Ba Co Do cult, De Ga Protestantism, the illegal organization Duong Van Minh, the Ty cult, the Tien Rong cult, the mystical Buddhist doctrine of non-action... are established with the aim of infringing upon national security, social order and safety, and disrupting the religious and spiritual lives of a segment of the population. These cults are propagated and disseminated through various media forms such as the internet, websites, Facebook, Zalo, vlogs, Twitter, YouTube... even forming "spiritual markets". The activities of these cults disguised as religions are constantly increasing, with many distorted forms such as: online fortune telling, livestreaming (live broadcasting on social media), spiritual services, spiritual tourism... In particular, some cults exploit and seize personal property, companies, and businesses; They lure intellectuals, students, and young people into participating through various tactics that influence the thoughts and psychology of all segments of the population (including cadres and Party members). Therefore, identifying and combating cults disguised as religions is essential on an objective, scientific, and revolutionary basis.

Comparing current regulations on religion and religious policies in Vietnam reveals that the aforementioned cults disguised as religions lack their own doctrines, religious laws, and organizational structure. Their primary purpose is profit-seeking and illegal activities, thus they do not meet the requirements for registration as a centralized religious organization or for religious activities. A prime example is the activities of the Mother God Church in several localities recently, such as Hanoi, Thanh Hoa, Vinh Phuc, Quang Nam, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City, which have seriously violated the prohibitions and regulations in Article 5 of the 2016 Law on Beliefs and Religions, including: coercing or bribing others; infringing on security, order, social safety, and the environment; harming social morality; infringing on the physical integrity, health, life, and property of others; insulting the honor and dignity of others; and obstructing the exercise of citizens' rights and obligations. Exploiting religious activities for personal gain... What the Church of God the Mother propagates is completely contrary to Vietnamese customs and moral and cultural values; it is not permitted by Vietnamese law; it operates with abnormal variations disguised under many names (especially charity, opening classes for moral improvement); its leaders are mostly abnormal individuals with a troubled past (gambling, theft, drug addiction, etc.); its main purpose is profit.

For example, in 2017, hundreds of ethnic minority people in Dien Bien province were misled, deceived, and lured by the cult of Ba Co Do, who claimed that simply reciting prayers would lead to a better life, a fairer world, and that they would have food without working, even though they themselves were in difficult economic circumstances. They were instructed not to accept help from the Party, the State, or local authorities, and to refuse government assistance for housing for the poor. Even more dangerously, this cult incited people to create conflicts within their own families and clans, attacked other religions, and spread the idea of establishing a so-called "Mong State."

From the two cults, the Mother God Church and the Ba Co Do cult, information was gathered and dozens of other cults were identified operating in three strategically important areas for national defense and security: the Northwest, Central Highlands, and Southwest regions. Many negative factors were observed, seriously impacting the economic, political, cultural, and social life of the people; infringing upon their freedom of belief, religion, and non-belief. Simultaneously, there were manifestations of reactionary political conspiracies and schemes, and acts that violated Vietnam's national security. Specifically:

Politically, cults attract followers through activities that oppose the Party's views, policies, and guidelines, as well as the State's and local government's laws and regulations; they slander the regime and officials, and obstruct the government's efforts to develop cultural life in residential areas and build new rural areas. Economically, these cults encourage people to diligently pray and offer large sacrifices, believing that the larger the offerings, the more devout they appear, leading to wasteful spending, neglect of labor and production, and treatment of illness through magic, water, and incense ashes instead of seeking medical care, resulting in many tragic deaths. Culturally and socially, these cults sow discord within the national unity, causing disunity within families and villages, between followers and non-followers, and between different "strange cults." They frequently organize large gatherings, hold collective ceremonies at night, dance, sing, and light fires for collective chanting, causing rural insecurity and violating regulations on maintaining security and order in residential areas. The activities of some cults in strategic and key areas have been exploited by hostile forces in their plot to undermine the revolution in our country.

We must resolutely fight against cults disguised as religions.

Clearly, stabilizing the religious situation is one of the important factors contributing to the success of the country's reform process, socio-economic development, national unity, and national defense and security. Accordingly, state management of religion and belief, and ensuring security in the religious field, are crucial tasks, both guaranteeing freedom of religion and belief, improving the spiritual life of the people, and limiting subversive activities by hostile forces, contributing to the stability and sustainable development of the country.

We need to continue strengthening information and communication efforts regarding the Party's viewpoints and policies, and the State's laws and regulations on freedom of belief and religion in Vietnam; and the achievements made in ensuring human rights in Vietnam. In particular, we need to raise public awareness, helping people understand the difference between true and false doctrines, and the harmful effects of false doctrines on the material and spiritual lives of individuals and society as a whole. From there, we can mobilize cadres, Party members, and the people to voluntarily participate in preventing and combating the activities of false doctrines.

Regarding cults disguised as religions, we must resolutely deal with and eliminate them. Article 5, "Prohibited Acts," of the 2016 Law on Beliefs and Religions will serve as the basis for resolution. News agencies, the press, relevant sectors, and localities should widely disseminate information and effectively carry out propaganda and mobilization efforts to raise public awareness and vigilance. People should not listen to, believe, or follow these cults, and should actively participate in the fight against the propaganda, distortions, and incitements of cult leaders who exploit beliefs and religions for superstitious practices, illicit gain, and social instability. For the masterminds and leaders of these cults, relevant authorities must resolutely, promptly, and thoroughly handle them according to the law. Exposing the nature and illegal activities of these individuals that destabilize politics and society, sow discord among ethnic groups and religions, and exploit religion for superstitious and heretical practices before the people. Timely guiding public opinion on "pressing" issues, especially those related to religion, attracting the deep attention of religious leaders and followers. Strengthening the struggle against distorted narratives about the religious situation in Vietnam that aim to divide national unity. Highlighting exemplary individuals and religious organizations that uphold the principle of "living a good life and practicing virtuous conduct"; actively participating in patriotic emulation movements in localities.

We also need to proactively monitor the situation and promptly predict any plots and activities aimed at attracting and recruiting people into new cult groups, in order to implement preventive and countermeasures. At the same time, we must closely monitor and manage all movements of individuals following these new cults, especially those who have been arrested and released and are currently living in the locality, to prevent their reactivation. We must closely manage the leaders of these stubborn groups who have the ability and means to gather forces to prevent extremist actions that complicate security and order. We must proactively detect early activities related to cults, especially those connecting with opportunistic political dissidents and reactionary organizations inside and outside the country, to prevent and resolve any emerging problems at the grassroots level. We must resolutely fight against and severely punish those who follow these cults and engage in activities that undermine the government. Simultaneously, we must continue to promote economic, cultural, and social development, eradicate hunger and reduce poverty... combined with achieving social justice, constantly raising the intellectual level of the people, especially for ethnic minorities, remote areas, border regions, and islands; strengthening national defense and security, ensuring political stability, social order, and safety. We must strengthen the building of a rich and healthy cultural and spiritual life for all citizens to create strong "resistance" and "immunity" against the activities of cults.

Source