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Letter: Freedom of religion
I would like to respond to the letter of James Clapham from London, titled “Religion and local beliefs” (the Post, April 12)
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I would like to respond to the letter of James Clapham from London, titled “Religion and local beliefs” (the Post, April 12).
In Indonesia we have the freedom to implement religion but should not also be free to act or to do what is forbidden by the religion. In Islam for instance, there is clear and true guidance that adultery, homosexuality and the like are forbidden.
The “arrival” of Islam does not throw the local tradition and beliefs away unless Islamic teaching has been misguided.
I quote verses from the Koran that Muslims should obey it: (Surah Ali Imron, verse 56) “As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the hereafter, nor will they have anyone to help”.
(Ch 3 Surah Ali Imron, verse 57): “As to those who
believe and work righteously, God will pay them [in full] their reward;
But God loveth not those who
do wrong”.
John Malang
Malang, East Java
