There is no such thing as religious blasphemy for believers who see religion as a set of beliefs as addressed to the Ahmadis. Beliefs are like feelings.
They are always true for people who hold them. They might be wrong or misleading, but you can’t blame people, let alone punish them, for adhering to such beliefs.
I, for example, believed that Gus Dur was morally wrong when he became president, taking over Megawati Soekarnoputri’s place in 1999. Without contesting in the general election, he wasn’t entitled to the presidency, I thought.
He, however, bowed to Amien Rais and his axis force’s scenario, taking over the PDI-P’s presidential candidate’s place, and became the first president in the reform era following the general election.
Similarly, for those who truly believe in God and perceive Him as merciful on the one hand and humbly regard themselves as a communion of sinners on the other, there is no such thing as religious blasphemy consequence or punishment. The reason for this is simple.
We sin every day, every hour, every minute. God gives us free will and judgment to do so.
This non-existence of religious blasphemy and its punishment, however, don’t apply to Indonesians who claim themselves religious, tolerant, democratic, responsible, hospitable and other good character traits.
To them, religious blasphemy exists and has to be regulated by the state. So does its consequence. Ironically, the state shares the same line of thought.
Life has taught us that the more you persecute a group of people the bigger they become. The explanation behind this is simple. Having experienced persecutions, they learn good lessons, become stronger, united, and persevere. Therefore, if the mainstream religious leaders and followers perceive the Ahmadiyah faith as heretical, leave them alone.
Time will test and tell if it is truly heretical. As for the government, scrap all the rules regulating people’s religious beliefs and lives. Mind your own business. Stop meddling in people’s religious lives and beliefs.
Matias Sinaga
Surabaya
