W

ith growing intolerance in society, a church in Jakarta has become a liberal enclave where people can talk about religion, sexuality and communism.

Established in 2013, the reformist Baptist church, Gereja Komunitas Anugerah (GKA), was initially aimed to accommodate people who were disillusioned with religion but still willing to stay on a spiritual path, said
the church’s pastor, Suarbudaya Rahadian.

People exchange ideas through discussions not in a church building, but in a café. The regular discussion is held every Wednesday.

“During a discussion, we accommodate anxiety and try to answer questions to ease it. Besides, people can talk not only about their anxiety, but also on subjects like the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT) movement and politics,” Suar told The Jakarta Post.

He added that the GKA tried to see a sensitive problem in another perspective, such as the LGBT community, which is rejected and condemned by society who deemed it to be a disease or a sin.

By reviewing the Bible and other Christian texts, the GKA became the first church in Indonesia to accept openly LGBT people in 2015.

It also accommodates survivors of the 1965 tragedy, which purged members of the Indonesia Communist Party (PKI), supporting those who often cannot speak about the massacre.

At present, the GKA has 40 active members and it holds Sunday services at the Indonesian Bible Society in Central Jakarta.

It is also regularly hosts discussion on theology every Tuesday, philosophy every Wednesday and gender sexuality every Friday in Setiabudi, South Jakarta.

The discussion is not only attended by the members of the GKA or Christians, but also people from other religious beliefs because it covers general issues.

GKA member Windy Liem said she became a member of the church’s congregation because it was willing to discuss social issues and politics.

“It makes me see the relevance between Christianity and life,” Windy added.

From her experience, she said, many churches would only encourage their congregations to pray when the country faced severe problems.

“I once joined a May Day rally with the GKA and it opened my eyes to what our workers demanded. It will be nice if all churches talk about the issue,” she said.

Another member, Alan Darma Saputra, said the church he previously belonged to before joining the GKA only told its congregation to live a good life.

He added that more and more church going people tended to be individualistic, which made him realize that it was not enough to be a Christian by doing good deeds and attend masses.

“In the GKA we have discussions. We ask questions, we are not apathetic,” Alan said.

Setara Institute deputy chairman Bonar Tigor Naipospos said it was good that a church was willing to understand and support the LGBT community as well as survivors of the 1965 massacre.

“Religious institutions should see them as human beings without judging them and try to understand what they face,” Bonar added.