T

olerance and pluralism are like two sides of the same coin, one complements the other. However, in reality, neither functions as well as might be hoped.

It is for these universal principles that many countries in the world have incorporated the two interrelated ideals into their national mottos. Be it the European Union’s United in diversity; Djibouti’s Unity, Equality, Peace; the United States’ E pluribus unum (Out of many, one) or Indonesia’s Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), all in agreement that both concepts are main ingredients in achieving global harmony and peace.

The commemoration of the International Day of Tolerance Wednesday is therefore the perfect moment for all nations, including Indonesia, to refresh and at the same time enforce the spirit outlined in the 1995 Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and the 2005 World Summit Outcome, which sought the commitment of heads of state and governments to advance human welfare, freedom and progress everywhere, as well as to encourage tolerance, respect, dialogue and cooperation among different cultures, civilizations and peoples.

It is true that talk is cheap and it is implementation that is key. There will always be deviations from, if not violations of, the spirit and principles enshrined in the two international treaties above. Global history and news reports have revealed such anomalies here and there – Indonesia is no exception.

Being the world’s largest Muslim majority nation and also a home to many religions and ethnic groups, Indonesia has been praised worldwide as a champion of cultural and religious pluralism. However, several incidents against minority groups have provided proof that implementing ideals is more difficult than formulating treaties, laws and regulations.

One case in point is the mob attack on the Ahmadiyah community compound in Cikeusik, Banten, last February, which cost the lives of three Ahmadis. Another is the much criticized government licensing process for houses of worship, which has triggered a prolonged legal conflict that has prevented a Christian congregation from holding Sunday services in their own church in the West Java city of Bogor.

The latest example is the controversy surrounding the House of Representatives-initiated draft of the so-called religious tolerance bill, which observers claim could actually threaten the very essence of pluralism and tolerance.

The draft bill, which aims to regulate religious sermons and segregate graves within public cemeteries according to religion, is seen by many as a potential trigger for religious intolerance. The bill does not propose an alternative system to the current problematic licensing of houses of worship that majority groups have used to make it difficult for members of minority religions to congregate for prayers and religious ceremonies in several regions.

Cases of violence have frequently occurred in the absence of true and proper implementation of laws and regulations, but in the case of the religious tolerance bill, it is the draft law itself, and the loopholes within it, that needs revision so as to prevent, or at least reduce, the potential for future problems.