International scientific seminar with the theme "Modernity and current religious life in Vietnam" organized by the Center for Contemporary Religious Studies on December 2 and 3, 2011.The seminar was attended by scientists from research centers, research institutes, universities, and academies at home and abroad. The report introducing the seminar with the theme "Religion and modernity: some theoretical and practical issues" by Prof. Dr. Do Quang Hung (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) focused on exchanging theories of religion and modernity, modernity in relation to religion. Through many experiences and theoretical debates, people gradually determined its main content, which can include systems of meaning: modernity as secularization, modernity from the perspective of science and technology, modernity from the perspective of the rule of law state. According to Prof. Dr. Do Quang Hung, modernity and its relationship with religious life are expressed in three dimensions: disintegrating the form of political power on the basis of religion; decisively separating state power from the church; establishing a rational, democratic, rule of law state. Modernity and religion also lead to the following conclusion from the perspective of religious life itself: religions adapt to the environment of the secular state; modernize religion; restructure within each religion; reconfiguration of the religious system. After the plenary session, the discussion was divided into 4 sub-committees to discuss issues of modernity and current religious life in Vietnam: - Sub-committee 1: "Modernity and religious life: general issues" - Sub-committee 2: "Modernity and Buddhism" - Sub-committee 3: "Modernity and Christianity" - Sub-committee 4: "Modernity and other specific religions: Issues raised"
Religion is a part of social life, has been playing a major role in the cultural and moral life and some other areas of the country. Vietnam is a country with 13 religions with more than 20 million followers and many other traditional beliefs that exist and develop. This discussion contributes to clarifying the issues of religious life today, especially in Vietnam. At the same time, the discussion contributes to improving the effectiveness of research and teaching in the field of religious studies and many other fields of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
