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Separating religion, politics: Voters beware
The more politics is kept away from religious teachings, the larger its potential for friction.
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and running mate Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman Ma'ruf Amin register their ticket for the 2019 presidential election on Friday at the General Elections Commission (KPU). (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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ast year, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo warned people about mixing religion and politics to minimize friction in local elections, which could increase ahead of 2019.
But the Jokowi government does not need to really separate religion from politics or politics from religion. Indeed friction is only smoke and its fire is not in the relation between religion and politics.
The flames of this problem are massive cheating, intimidation, black campaigns, hoaxes, non-neutrality and various violations of the law on general election rules and local elections.
Politics often leads to friction while religion also teaches peace and coolness. The more politics is kept away from religious teachings, the larger its potential for friction. Jokowi has urged citizens not to defame religion and to follow their teachings, whatever their faith.
