The chronicle=news., 1913-11-01
RELIGION IS BIG
QUESTION IN
CHINA

Peking. Nov. LIN the process OF
drafting u permanent Constitution
for the Chinese Republic tn. Iues-
tIOn as TO whether there Is to be II
recognized state religion looms large
nj present In the discussions Al Pc
king. .Y
A decided Confucian revival has
been iu progress Ia recent months
and this has found its expression iH
the organization OF the Confucian
Association. which Includes many
distinguished scholars Of the tepub.
lie. One OF the central figures Of
the movement Is DIR. Chen IIuan-
chang. authpr Of tho book. The Eco
nonicul Principles IT Confue!us and
his School who has received the
highest literary honors In China and
also the degree OF Doctor Of Philos-
ophy from Columbia University. Ne4
York.
With other Chinese iitcrati. he
has bccu carrying on \ most cncrxct-
Ic campaign to influence the mem.
beers of Parliament to vote In fsvo.
Of Inserting In the Constitution some
such statement ar follows: 'C0nfI-
ciInism shall become the state re-
liEion. Will. religious liberty shall
be- accorded To the people Of China ''
4 petition u this effect has been
presented 10 the Assembly. Follow
irx Western method. Of iobLyl Ing. DIR.
Chen has interviewed practically all
member, Of Parliament In the sup.
port OF this movement.
Before the establish n,cni OF the
Republic. prejudice assins, Chris
tisnity was great. but IA the ProNts-
iouai Constitution freedom of rciiE-
Ion WAS provided for. AMI Christians
Us well rs Mohamm.ians. BudIhist..
and Taoists have had before the State
1t least prc'ump'iv" equality with
tonfucian nt.'s. President Yuan shih-
kni said In u speech bcfor. the Ma
tionai As.cnbi, On April 80. 1919.
in view of the religious liberty Of
the people. all religions Will he re-
safdcd as bctnx on the samc foot Ing.
and there will b. no discriminate lon
against any particular un.. There
should BE- mutual rcspcc, aud avoid.
uncc of mutual d.str,,st among tac
people Irrespective Of whether or not.
pr whatcv.r faith they embrace. al
that they may all share In the en-
joymcn' Of public peace AMI happ!-
hess
Naturally enough the chris'iau-
" Ia. Republic. now numbering al
mos, u million. including all branch
IS 81 the Christian Church. ar. no,
i.andirs idly by watching w.ihor.
protest tn. movement TO establish
tonfuriantsm as The state religion.
\ committee OF seven has been Mr.
!cctcd and n counier-movcmcnt l. uD-
der way. Tie duty Of the committee.
l. that of informing Christians
throughout the country concerning
the various activities OF the con!,i-
rtar propaganda and they are also
seeing to 1t thai = countcr-petltion il
presented TO the Assembly. calling
for unconditional religious liberty
md rejecting the proposal to have e
statc religion for the Republic.
Moreover. agitation against Confu-
or any other religion becom-
ing an acknowledge national reiiz-
ion l. under way IN the Chinese
press.
Thi. protest Of Chinc-e Christians
Is not agsinat Coufucianisrn a. such.
but siinpi, In favor Of the distinct
separation OF religion aud politics In
tho new Republic. All that Is asked
Tor H. freedom Of conscience for Tao.
lists. Buddhis,s. and Mohammcdans.
~ well at for Christians. II beiug
believed that 4, make Confucianism
a state religion VIII inc, itably mean
not only II rca'tionary policy invoir-
ing certain degree Of restriction U!
other religious bodies but ulso Az
added cause Of disscnsion and strife
In the Republic. The Confuclantst
4 gita,ors. on the other hand, believe
that to have u state rcfisIOn Will pro-
vide q much needed railying point
for patriots.
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