Same difference<\/p>\n
There are probably four positive faculties that distinguish
\nman from other mammals. The first is the fortitude to persevere
\nand overcome the greatest of challenges. The second is a
\nproclivity to acts of immeasurable compassion. The third is the
\ncreative wonders which produce art and science. And the fourth,
\nis the social penchant to live within a community irrespective of
\nthe racial or religious differences between individuals.<\/p>\n
After last months' Idul Fitri, some among us will be
\ncelebrating Christmas in less than a fortnight. Several weeks
\nafter that comes Imlek, the Chinese New Year, and then the Hindu
\ncommemoration of Nyepi. Year after year, the cycle of our life is
\nmarked by events that anchor our faith and bring sanity in a
\nworld of perpetual confusion. Events which remind us of the
\nsignificance of our existence. No requisites are required to
\nappreciate the meaning of these observances. In spite of the
\ndiversities, deities and different ethnicities, the spirit of the
\ncelebrations invoke a common theme: Goodness toward one another.<\/p>\n
These commemorations may be peculiar to one particular
\ndenomination but the richness of its theme transcends any human
\nbarriers. From the pious to the atheist, all can benefit from the
\nblissfulness these occasions often radiate.<\/p>\n
This is a fact incontrovertible to anyone with an open mind.
\nThe Indonesian state has prided itself in the diversity if its
\npeople, the richness of its culture and multiplicity of faiths
\nthriving harmoniously across the archipelago. In a way, we are
\nfortunate in not having endured significant wars of faith. From
\nthe age of kingdoms and sultanates, most battles have been rooted
\nin "prosaic" issues of greed, power and empire. The archipelago
\nhas not been a battlefield for bloody religious propagation.<\/p>\n
But the harmony emanating from our rich diversity has
\nincreasingly been tested. Since 1998 we have seen too much blood
\nspilt based on erroneous religious convictions. Communities have
\nbeen partitioned based on ignorance of faith. Terrorism has
\nspread by abusing differences in religion and using God as a
\nplacard to justify any means to an end. Bigotry and ignorance are
\nforever busy. They are perpetuated by obtuse fanatics who either
\nhave a hole in their head, or have their head in a hole.<\/p>\n
In some ways we should feel sorry for these individuals for
\ntheir inability to look beyond the worm's eye view of the world.
\nThey are lost souls because they looked for God too high up and
\ntoo far away. But our sympathy for their ignorance quickly turns
\nto revulsion when their methods utilize terror and murder.<\/p>\n
Ironically, it is the most spiritual, not the pious, who are
\nlikely to promote tolerance and celebrate the splendor of our
\ndiversity.<\/p>\n
Similarly, only those who truly value the depth of their
\nethnic culture can appreciate the uniqueness of the 300-something
\nethnic groups in Indonesia. The bridge across the cultural divide
\nis the very thing that makes this country so great.<\/p>\n
Such pluralism, thus, is something that we should celebrate
\nand be proud of. It is, in fact, something worth fighting for.<\/p>\n
They often label those who ascribe to tolerance as
\n"moderates". Well, we believe that it is time for moderates like
\nus to be more "fanatic" in upholding the belief of a multiethnic
\nsociety. To fight against those religious and ethnic chauvinists
\nwho wish to disrupt tension in our country.<\/p>\n
This means actually speaking out against those who propagate
\nhate. It is about standing firm to stop acts of prejudice. And it
\ninvolves all of us making a contribution to enlighten people
\nwhose heart has been poisoned by ignorance.<\/p>\n
We must prove together that this idea of unity in diversity is
\na greater monument than any cathedral ever erected.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/same-difference-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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