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an 9, p. 6

The repeated violence in the name of religion, including the recent torching of a Shiite boarding school in Sampang, Madura, prompts the question of when violence in the name of religion can be snuffed out once and for all.

When will the world be able to witness religion as a giver of blessing and peace? Swiss theologian and philosopher Hans Küng was likely right when he proclaimed: “There will be no peace among nations without peace among religions and there will be no peace among religions without dialogue among religions.”

I want to add to this statement by saying that: “There will be no dialogue among religions without the readiness of each party to respect the ethics of dialogue.” (By Nurrohman, Bandung)

Your comments:

First of all, I cannot believe the author actually works as a lecturer. He actually states that the first requirement is that “there should be no insult to the belief system adhered by each follower of a religious sect”.

Then he goes onto patronize a belief system by pointing out that this includes the Sunda Wiwitan.

After that he talks about a “false Jewish belief”. The fact of the matter is that there will never ever be peace between religions or within religion because of what religion stands for.

There is no black or white in religious belief. It is based on the implicit understanding that one’s faith is absolutely correct.   
Kevin

Thank you for a well-written article. I would like to add one more significant cause of violence in the name of religion.

That is the manipulation of religion as a vehicle to further political ambitions and increase material wealth and power.

In this way, power groups and mass organizations are identified by religious labels, and the followers of the faith in question easily fall under their control by virtue of their religious affiliation, and not necessarily because of any ideological allegiance.
Sidney

Thanks to the Post. The more I read all comments as regards to religious discussion, the more I understand how different we are. Everyone has a right here to express his or her own opinion.

Many brothers and sisters in many parts of the world still do not know what they will eat tomorrow. In the Middle East, people are fighting and killing each other.

The US and its allied powers tell the world that the freedom to think and speak is the right way to improve better living.

Previously, China viewed the US as its number one enemy. But today China has won the global battle without even pointing a rifle. Chinese brains have brought Chinese economy to the level of
superpower.

Europe has been involved in Chinese markets for years, while here in Indonesia we are fighting each other as to what religion is best.

One day, when people in the Middle East stop killing each other, China will be very happy. It will mean more markets to do business with.
Widya Utama

It is important that interaction among religions takes place, since religion is the means to reach God.

Such interactions facilitate the identification of religion in its purest form. A religion that has already been tampered with by men will only cause misery.
Ibrahim