宗教事务条例

宗教事务条例2004年由国务院通过并颁布，自2005年3月1日起施行，目的是保障公民宗教信仰自由，维护宗教和睦与社会和谐，规范宗教事务管理，根据宪法和有关法律而制定。《条例》坚持保护合法、制止非法和打击违法犯罪的原则，包括总则，宗教团体，宗教活动场所，宗教教职人员，宗教财产，法律责任，附则七个方面的内容。《条例》是我国第一部宗教方面的综合性行政法规，它的颁布和实施，标志着我国宗教事务管理方面的法制建设取得了重要进展。

Regulations on Religious Affairs

Formulated in conformity with the Constitution and relevant laws, the Regulations on Religious Affairs was promulgated by the State Council in 2004, and came into force on March 1, 2005. It aims to protect citizens’ freedom of religion or belief, safeguard religious and social harmony, and ensure proper regulation of religious affairs, or in other words to protect lawful activities and punish illegal or criminal acts. It contains seven sections: General Rules, Religious Groups, Religious Sites, Religious Workers, Religious Property, Legal Responsibilities, and Supplementary Rules.

The promulgation and implementation of this document as China’s first comprehensive administrative statute on religion represent an important step forward in its effort to promote rule of law in religious affairs.