Christmas in a time of crisis<\/p>\n
In Indonesia this year, Christmas is being celebrated in
\nunfavorable sociopolitical and economic conditions. On the social
\nand political plane, the people are in an euphoric mood over the
\nprospect of reform, which unfortunately has brought with it some
\nominous negative effects. On the economic plane, this nation is
\nstill in the midst of a protracted crisis.<\/p>\n
The current economic crisis in Indonesia -- and in many other
\ncountries -- is in reality built on a basis of a crisis of
\nhumanity. Blinded by accomplishment, people have lost control of
\nthemselves. Means and objectives are being confused. Material
\nwealth is considered to be a main objective of life. As a result,
\nreligious life has become shallow. This phenomenon is afflicting
\nyoung people all over the world. The gap between the rich and the
\npoor becomes wider, the poor feeling increasingly helpless while
\nthe rich become increasingly powerful.<\/p>\n
This is the actual phenomenon that underlies the current
\ncrisis of humanity of which the economic crisis is an expression.
\nFor this reason, the ongoing economic crisis lends a special
\nrelevance to Christmas this year since both have their origin in
\na crisis of humanity. The current economic crisis, therefore,
\nshould in no way dampen the Christmas mood. For those who
\nunderstand the true significance of Christmas, such a condition
\nactually makes the occasion more meaningful.<\/p>\n
-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/christmas-in-a-time-of-crisis-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }