'Religion will continue to influence politics'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Religion has always had an influence over
\npolitics, two experts say, and it will continue to do so.<\/p>\n
Daniel Dhakidae, a political scholar, and Frans Seda, a
\npolitical analyst, concur that even if religion and politics do
\nnot necessarily mix, they do influence one another.<\/p>\n
\"Politics has the power to change a nation. Behind politics
\nare ideals and philosophies. Through these means, religion enters
\ninto politics,\" said Seda, a former cabinet minister and now a
\nsuccessful businessman.<\/p>\n
Daniel, a staff researcher at Kompas daily, was more forceful
\nin his view about the influence of religion over politics. \"Life
\nis only determined by two factors: religion and politics.
\nEverything else goes with these factors afterwards.\"<\/p>\n
The two men were speaking on Tuesday at a seminar on \"Religion
\nand social changes in the context of Jakarta towards the 21st
\ncentury\" held in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the
\nactivities of Societas Verbi Divini, a Roman Catholic order.<\/p>\n
Daniel underlined that firing up people's religious sentiments
\nhas been used effectively in the past to achieve certain goals, a
\npractice that will likely be repeated.<\/p>\n
Sarekat Islam, the political party which existed in the early
\n1900s, is one example of how religion played a major role and
\ntook the first step toward building nationalism in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Daniel said religion plays a focal point in society as it
\ndetermines major changes towards some of the most essential
\naspects of a country such as power, social, economic and cultural
\nstructures.<\/p>\n
He added that religion could also drive people to go to the
\n\"extremes\".<\/p>\n
\"People are only loyal to religion. I don't think someone
\nwould die for their country,\" he said. \"But they would die for
\ntheir family, their friends and their religion.\"<\/p>\n
For this reason religious passion is often manipulated not for
\nthe well-being of a religion or its adherents, but for other
\npurposes.<\/p>\n
\"Religious people usually only become aware that they have
\nbeen used as an instrument 20 years later, when it is too late,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
While the powers of religion and politics hold sway over human
\nbehavior, Seda said the objectives of the two are totally
\ndifferent.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the rising tension between various competing
\nreligions in the political arena, he said this could be countered
\nby educating politicians and state officials in the state
\nideology Pancasila.<\/p>\n
He emphasized that Pancasila's first principle -- \"Belief in
\nOne God\" -- should not be interpreted according to each
\nreligion's understanding, but should be based on the second
\nprinciple of \"Humanitarianism\".<\/p>\n
\"Struggling to ensure that the country continues to be one
\nwhich is based on law and sound moral values is one of the tasks
\nthat religious leaders must strive for,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Societas Verbi Divini was first brought by German missionaries
\nto East Nusa Tenggara more than a century ago, though it has only
\nbeen conducting its activities in Jakarta for the past 40 years.
\n(pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/religion-will-continue-to-influence-politics-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}