Readers’ Outlook: The danger of religious intolerance

The state was painstakingly shaped by the founding fathers with Pancasila as an umbrella for all Indonesian citizens and the state’s guarantee within Article 29 of the Constitution for freedom of religion. But in reality, certain groups still cannot practice their religion comfortably.

That people have been attacked or even killed (as in the case of the Ahmadiyah congregation), or that houses of worship have been forcibly sealed by other groups (a building permit for a house of worship was revoked by the Bogor mayor) reflect that freedom of religion in Indonesia does not run smoothly.

In my opinion, freedom of religion is needed for religious tolerance. Without tolerance, the people of Indonesia would be easily divided. Radicalism and terrorism are one example of the result of intolerance in daily religious life. And the threat of terror acts still scare many people.

Unfortunately, the Indonesian government has often been less responsive to religious issues. A religion seems to be only a political commodity for momentary political gain.

Therefore, the government should soon overcome all interreligious problems comprehensively so that the values of Pancasila truly emerge and people can live in harmony.

 
Bambang Utomo
Jakarta