Feb. 3, p. 7
After reading several issues of The Jakarta Post these last few days, I have been feeling very disturbed. There have been reports on churches and a pastor’s home being burned allegedly by Muslim mobs. Yet the police were unable to arrest anybody on the pretext that it was done by a mob of people. The mobs had an excuse for burning the churches, on the pretext that the Christians did not have any permits to build the churches (the Jan. 25, 2010 issue).
Amazingly, we have heard nothing of this news in the local papers. It is no surprise then that Indonesia wins praise from the United States for religious tolerance. Not only that, some local institutions believe that ethnic and religious issues are no longer the main conflict (the Jan. 27, 2010 issue). They say that the main issues are now politics, natural resources and corruption.
That is why the government still thinks that there is no urgency to deal with issues of religious tolerance.
(By Maya Safira Muchtar, Jakarta)
Your comments:
Tolerance is only a romantic fantasy. To be honest, I feel uncomfortable when certain religious believers are about to build houses of worship in my neighborhood. I don’t know who has been growing and cultivating this attitude, which is totally different from what I learned during the Soeharto era.
One thing is obvious; no one ever protects people of my religion in other places, particularly in Java. The houses of worship were destroyed and even burned down during prayers. The excuse was that they hadn’t got a license, which I think is just exaggerated. Thus, it’s no point letting others build their house of worship in my area.
It’s useless to talk about tolerance. I have given up on reliance on education; it’s easy for it to be misguided and abused by fanatic religious organizations. It’s even tougher when we see the government doing nothing and get the feeling they are backing such intolerant behavior.
All of this will cause a huge social crisis, and ultimately disaster. Given that we have rules on religious tolerance, I think it’s indispensable that good and wise religious people and groups be fanatical in pursuing religious freedom. Let us unite to protest against the ignorance of the government. Without the endorsement of all religions and the government, self-awareness with regard to tolerance is just a daydream.
Ino Ngari
Jayapura
I agree there is no religious tolerance in Indonesia. Mr. President, take care of this issue and soon. I believe we no longer need a minister of religion.
M. Nugroho
Jakarta
There is a strong consensus among the contributors that we all need to play an active role to promote a peaceful coexistence and respect the rights of all to peacefully follow their chosen faith.
Better education for all is an obvious ingredient in a harmonious and peaceful Indonesia and that is something for the Indonesian government to work a lot harder at. And talking of government, there seems to be a consensus that the Indonesian government is not meeting the expectations of the wider community in enforcing the law when religious-based vandalism and mob violence breaks out.
What is currently missing is leadership promoting religious rights, harmony between followers of the various faiths, and a determination to ensure that the law is actually upheld.
And yes, there is a common concern among ordinary Indonesians that they are being stripped of their wonderful culture in the name of religion and that Indonesia is being allowed by successive governments to drift toward becoming another Pakistan or Somalia.
We can all play a role in providing leadership by setting a good example, but some leadership from within government would help us greatly in building a stable country full of love and mutual respect. Maybe it will take another Gus Dur?
Nairdah
Sydney
I think the writer does not have an in-depth knowledge about the root of the radicalism that appears in some cases. You were stereotyping, like the media who tend to bias in capturing particular issues, especially to discredit Muslim people.
In this case, we have often seen Christians force their mission to build a church among the Muslim community, without legal permission, and despite warnings and persuasive approaches which they ignore.
So, everybody has an equal right to be respected, including Muslims, so don’t blame Muslims if they react in such a way because the security authorities don’t work properly. And please, other believers must adhere to the rules too.
Religious freedom is not an absolute matter; it is limited by the rights of other religions as well. In this issue, Muslims are often discredited. It would never have happened if other religions had not initially created something that fanned the flames in the spirit of defense.
Bram
Bandung
It is very nice to see that people across the spectrum raising their voice against such issues. This is what makes Indonesia unique and liberal. On religious tolerance, as long as there is religion, there will be intolerance. History is a testimony. “My God is bigger and better than yours. And even with your smaller God, I will still make it difficult for you to reach him.”
But this is not applicable only to Indonesia, this is a global phenomenon. Worldwide, the majority tends to subdue the minority religions rights for fear of losing its own identity, culture, heritage, value system and above all the trappings associated with it. The irony is that there is only one God and there are so many religions. Until religion becomes an individual affair and not a state or community affair, the intolerance will continue.
Atul
Bandung
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