Religion by Adhi Appukutty

By: Adhi Appukutty, Ashwin Kumar, Anang Modi, Eugene Oh

adhigap97 — 2014-03-18 17:48:04 UTC

IB1 History A4

March 18, 2014

"Smash the Four Olds"

ashwinkumar97 — 2014-03-18 18:01:05 UTC

During the Cultural Revolution, this was Mao's slogan to encourage everyone to get rid of old ideas, culture, customs, and habits. Everything with the old religion had to be eradicated in order for China to develop. He really wanted this, so that he could consolidate and keep strong control of his position as leader of China.

The Four Greats, 1967: Great teacher. Great leader, Great commander, Great helmsman

amilkool — 2014-03-18 18:09:45 UTC

Mao was regarded without opposition as he instituted his policies to claim greater power. Chen Boda portrayed Mao as the great and supreme commander. This signifies the pervasiveness of Mao's policies. Religion exemplifies one of these policies altering the cultural aspect of Chinese society under his power.

Slogan During Cultural Revolution

adhigap97 — 2014-03-18 18:15:45 UTC

" Down with all the ox ghosts and snake spirits" Temples and churches were pulled down or converted into secular or military uses, monks were de-robed, ministers imprisoned, with the number of religious professional dwindling at a fast speed

Criticize the old world and build a new world with Mao Zedong thought as a weapon, 1966

amilkool — 2014-03-18 18:21:13 UTC

Mao desired to alter the past culture of China and enforce his own vision to assert his own control over a new nation. This was achieved as he instituted his policies of religious oppression. This propaganda poster portrays the use of the Little Red Book which is a tool Mao used to attain extensive control over the population, featuring guidelines of lifestyle such as the abolition of religion which allowed Mao to

Deepen the criticism of Lin Biao and Confucius

adhigap97 — 2014-03-18 18:24:08 UTC

Mao (February 27, 1957):

adhigap97 — 2014-03-18 18:28:21 UTC

"The unification of our country, the unity of our people and the unity of our various nationalities - these are the basic guarantees of the sure triumph of our cause." - Mao wanted to unite all the varying beliefs, so that there was no misconceptions. This would help him consolidate his power in the CPC.

Scatter the old world, build a new world

amilkool — 2014-03-18 18:28:34 UTC

Mao transformed all of Chinese society as the supreme Commander of communist China. He wanted to extinguish all other loyalties to consolidate all power under himself. He sought to change the past and build a new world with himself as the great leader.

"Religion is poison

adhigap97 — 2014-03-18 20:48:38 UTC

In 1959, Mao said this to the Dalai Lama as he said that Mongolia and Tibet have been poisoned by it. It suggests that he completely opposed religion at this time and believed that only without it could the country achieve success and develop.

Mao (1964):

adhigap97 — 2014-03-18 21:05:02 UTC

“Religious people would oppose us… believing in a certain religion doesn't mean people don’t oppose imperialism, feudalism and bureaucratic capitalism.”

- After receiving delegation from Peru in 1964, he said this. This shows that he strongly opposes religion because he believes these people would not be in conjunction with the views held by China.

Mao's Writing (January 1956)

adhigap97 — 2014-03-18 21:13:17 UTC

"Atheism must take the place of belief in a God."

- This once again suggests his opposition towards religion. It also emphasizes his secular attitude.

Mao published some 40 poems written in classical tradition with political message

adhigap97 — 2014-03-18 21:19:31 UTC

Mao had over a million followers when he was Chairman of China. All these people considered this writing like a religion and felt that they should follow everything in the books. Mao really presented his secular views and used this as propaganda to gain a strong and substantial support basis.

Over 10 Million Killed

adhigap97 — 2014-03-18 21:24:47 UTC

Mao had over 10 million people executed for various reasons. Some people who opposed his government were murdered. Those were well-educated were also percieved as a threat; thus, he ordered the killing of many intellectuals. In addition, many individuals who were RELIGIOUS believers were executed during this time.

Have Faith in Mao

ashwinkumar97 — 2014-03-20 11:34:32 UTC

"During the Cultural Revolution the religious policy of the CCP, then controlled by the radical Maoists, was to eradicate religion and replace it with Mao Tse Tung Thought, centering on the cult of Mao himself." (Morrison 244).

Rather than allowing the peoples' faith to rest in theist beliefs, Mao aimed to center their beliefs in himself and his power.

Document #19 - The CCP's policy

ashwinkumar97 — 2014-03-20 11:38:02 UTC

"Religion is a historical phenomenon of a certain stage in the development of human society. It has its stages of growth, development and disappearance."

The CCP's formal stance towards religion depicts the Marxist view of the eventual necessary downfall of religion.

"the class factor that has given rise to the existence of religion has already been basically eliminated."

The CCP felt that as communism grew in the nation, the reasons that religion existed would dissipate and remove it from existence.