I

would like to comment on an article titled “Atheist’s lawyers want charges dropped,” (The Jakarta Post Online, April 6).

Alexander Aan, a civil servant, should have known that our government only recognizes four religious denominations.

The government argues that anybody who does not fit within these religions cannot be recognized.

It is argued that atheism, as a denial of God, denies the sacrosanct humanity of Indonesians and contravenes the preamble of the Indonesian Constitution.

Thus, atheism cannot be recognized; it does not exist. Pak Aan must have known that straying from this political dogma would be like playing with fire — unless that is his motive.

Of course, the political dogma is wrong and its legality should be revisited vis-a-vis human rights and freedom of religion as proclaimed in the Pancasila and the Constitution.

Pak Aan is not wrong in declaring his non-religious stance; he should not have apologized, either.

Henry Manoe
Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara