Former minister warn of rising materialsm<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Religions will now have to contend with the
\ngrowing impacts of materialism being brought on by globalization,
\nan expert said over the weekend.<\/p>\n
Emil Salim, a former state minister for population and
\nenvironment, said that the challenge is not conflict between
\nreligious groups but the dangers of materialism.<\/p>\n
"Even Pope John Paul and Moslem leaders are worried about
\nmaterialism dominating society," he said.<\/p>\n
Material urges need to be balanced by spirituality, Emil said.<\/p>\n
"We should develop our religions as a balancing factor," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Speaking after Open University's 11th anniversary ceremony at
\nPondok Cabe in Ciputat, 20 km south of here, Emil said that the
\nvision of religion depends on public morality.<\/p>\n
"So far religious propagation has emphasized the importance of
\npositive individual deeds," he said.<\/p>\n
Religious leaders should find a way to pursue a moral standard
\nfor the public, he added.<\/p>\n
Emil also said that rapid development has pushed the people
\ntoward corruption and bribery to boost their business activities.<\/p>\n
"The funny thing here is that many people believe it is a
\nnormal thing to do," he said.<\/p>\n
Civil servants also think they deserve such rewards, he added.<\/p>\n
"This is a bad trend in our society. Good moral values have
\nbeen left behind," Emil said.<\/p>\n
Emil presented an oration on the challenges facing Open
\nUniversity, saying that the role of the press is rapidly
\nchanging.<\/p>\n
"Now the role is no longer to reflect public opinion but to
\ncreate one," he said.<\/p>\n
The press needs to be controlled by its owners and not the
\ngovernment so that publishing licenses can't be revoked.<\/p>\n
In the face of globalization, the government needs to
\nanticipate the rapid developments in technology, a
\ndecentralization of bureaucracy, economic deregulation, a
\ndecentralization of politics and the balance between spiritualism
\nand materialism, Emil said.<\/p>\n
The persons who should be prepared to face the future are
\nscientists, he said.<\/p>\n
Open University is different from both state and private
\nuniversities. It is democratic in nature and is open to anyone
\nwanting to further his or her education. No entrance exam is
\nrequired and there is an emphasis on independent learning
\nmethods.<\/p>\n
The university has the ability to reach areas around the
\ncountry and to create an intellectual atmosphere, he added.<\/p>\n
Open University, which celebrates its 11th anniversary today,
\nhas 388,300 students spread out all over the country.<\/p>\n
Its target is to accommodate students who have failed to get
\ninto state or private schools and working people with tight
\nschedules.<\/p>\n
The university also has a teacher training college with
\n300,000 students, a school of economics (35,000 students), a
\nschool of political and social sciences (50,000 students) and a
\nschool of mathematics and natural sciences (3,300 students). (05)<\/p>",
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