Religious exclusivity should be avoided<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The advancement of the quality of religiosity and morality
\namong the Indonesian people should not be carried out in the
\nspirit of religious exclusivity because it can foment intolerance
\namong followers of different religions.<\/p>\n
This message was conveyed by Indonesian Conference on Religion
\nand Peace (ICRP) Chairman Djohan Effendi in a text read out by
\nAbdul Muhaimin, an ICRP member.<\/p>\n
\"In this perspective, I think lessons on ethics are relevant
\nas an instrument for moral education to boost an all-inclusive
\napproach,\" read the statement in the opening of a discussion here
\non Thursday.<\/p>\n
He emphasized that behind the different practices, all
\nreligions inspired their own followers to become good and moral
\nhuman beings.<\/p>\n
Djohan was commenting on the calls for the need to revive budi
\npekerti (character building) lessons due to eroding morality
\nwithin society in the form of brutal and bloody conflicts across
\nthe country.<\/p>\n
He suggested that all community and religious leaders
\ncontemplate on their sins and past wrongdoings.<\/p>\n
Clashes, in particular religious conflicts across the country
\nhave claimed thousands of innocent lives. Most of these conflicts
\nwere driven by exclusivity that led to a belief within each group
\nthat they possessed the absolute truth.<\/p>\n
A lack of tolerance among followers of different religions has
\nbeen blamed for the incessant bloody conflicts occurring across
\nthe country.<\/p>\n
Scholars taking part in the discussion blamed the conflicts on
\nreligious exclusivity, particularly due to the establishment of
\nreligious schools.<\/p>\n
Taking a rather different approach, Witdarmono, from Kompas
\ndaily suggested that education system be upgraded through
\nintensive dialog to get a broader view on religion.<\/p>\n
\"Classification of people according to ethnicity, religion and
\nrace must be avoided. Religion can only be understood by adult
\npeople,\" he said.<\/p>\n
According to Witdarmono such a classification could prompt
\nextremism.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Masdar F. Mas'udi emphasized that the practice of
\nones religion should be a private part of a person's daily life
\nand the state, therefore, must not interfere in it. \"When anyone
\ncomes into social interaction, they will bring common values,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Masdar, from the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Islamic organization,
\nsaid that state interference within a community, such as the
\nappointment of an imam (leader), would also spark conflict. He
\nsuggested that the state allow the community to determine their
\nown leader.<\/p>\n
Alois A. Nugroho from Atmajaya University said it would be
\nbetter for parents to educate their children through stories than
\nreligious dogma.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/religious-exclusivity-should-be-avoided-1447893297",
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