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strong>Aug. 26, 2015, p7

For '€œFikri'€, a Muslim, religion is the measuring stick against which he evaluates everything. He complained to me about '€œFreddie'€, whom he considers a hypocrite. '€œBut that'€™s not the real problem. My problem with him is that he'€™s Catholic!'€ said Fikri.

Oh really? Why not also because he'€™s too short or too tall, non-Javanese, has a dark complexion, or whatever other attribute '€œFreddie'€ has that is a given?

One can only smile wryly at this perverted logic that, on a personal individual level, can be dismissed as being silly, narrow-minded and immature.

But if you apply that kind of categorical '€œus-versus-them'€ biased thinking on a broader community level, it could have serious societal and political implications. (By Julia Suryakusuma).

Your comments:

Julia, thank you for a thoughtful and perceptive article.

As a youngster, I was educated at a Christian boarding school.

Education opened my mind, and revealed to me the, absence of God, or gods.

I lead my life based on personal morality and ethics, emphasizing kindness toward other human beings, rather than dogmatic theist teaching.

AG

What a brilliant article, as always, Julia. However, one must bear in mind that the reason religious fanatics behave the way they do is because they feel their actions to be justified by their respective holy book.

Try it '€” walk up to any religious person of your acquaintance and ask something controversial '€” I'€™m sure they'€™ll have an answer ready for you.

Arie Riswandy

Well done '€” a carefully considered and well expressed article. As a Christian I am always wary of political leaders who claim to be Christian and to represent the voice of all true Christians (meaning if you don'€™t agree with them you are obviously not a true Christian).

Look at the character of the leaders '€” does they way they live their life match their claims of piety and faith?

I would rather vote for a leader who says nothing about his faith but leads a good life than one who shouts about being a Christian but cheats on his wife.

Maxplus

Superb article, Julia. I support any leader who can make a big impact on the community, regardless of his or her religion, race or gender. Only idiots support and vote for a corrupt leader.

Sihol