TheJakartaPost
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Your letters: Religious intolerance
The article âReligious intolerance in Indonesia officially goes up a notchâ, (The Jakarta Post, Dec
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he article 'Religious intolerance in Indonesia officially goes up a notch', (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 2) upsets me.
As I understand it, the Constitution guarantees 'freedom of religion'. However, in the 1950s a law (Article 64) was 'created' (enacted) requiring everyone to carry an ID card stating their religious choice: Islam, Christianity, Roman Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism or Confucianism, as well as 'other'. This law, carrying an ID card, was 'formally re-endorsed' but deleted the choice of 'other'.
As far as I know, the Koran is also the sacred book of Shiites and Ahmadis (persona non grata in Pakistan). Christianity and Roman Catholicism are considered different religions or different choices? As far as I know, both 'religions' read from the same book: the Bible. Buddhism and Confucianism are accepted as religions practiced by 'ethnic Chinese'. Could it be that racism is not
tolerated in Indonesia?
I am confused. Please explain.
Olga Pitcairn
Pennsylvania, the US
