'Should we consult our neighbors?'<\/p>\n
Muslim hard-line groups have recently forced the closure of
\nchurches and other Christian places of worship in Jakarta,
\nBekasi, Bandung and Surakarta because they did not have the
\nnecessary permits to operate. These acts, which have received
\nstrong criticism from moderate religious groups, have once again
\nput religious tolerance under the spotlight. The Jakarta Post
\ninterviewed two residents about the issue.<\/p>\n
Fitri Widhianto, 30, works as a designer with a private
\ncompany in Kamal, West Jakarta. He lives with his family in
\nPondok Labu, Depok.<\/p>\n
It's hard for me to understand why such narrow-minded acts
\nstill take place in our pluralistic society. Having a house of
\nworship where congregation members can pray is a basic human
\nright. Why should people of certain religions have to secure
\npermission from locals to build a place of worship? It's like
\nhaving to ask your neighbors before you are allowed to embrace a
\nreligion.<\/p>\n
I think this is actually a problem of power. There is a group
\nof people which wants greater power over other groups. The use of
\nthe 1969 joint ministerial decree to crush other groups is merely
\na legal justification of the group's desire for power. That
\nsimply shows how intolerant the group is.<\/p>\n
Violence will only destroy the religious tolerance built up in
\nour society. Should people feel disturbed by the activities of
\nother religions, they can talk or even remonstrate with them, but
\nnot take the law into their own hands.<\/p>\n
Constan Hartoto, 35, a resident of Kedoya, West Jakarta. He
\nworks at a private company in Mauk, Tangerang, Banten.<\/p>\n
Halting the construction of places of worship simply reflects
\nhow infantile the group is. We live in a pluralistic society and
\nno one should deny it. But we can't force people to become mature
\nif they don't want to.<\/p>\n
For me, it would be better if Christians didn't fight for the
\nright to establish new churches. I don't think it is necessary
\nfor these minority Christians to push to get more permits to
\nbuild more churches in this country, when the majority here are
\nMuslims. They should use their existing churches, not build new
\nones if the majority doesn't want them.<\/p>\n
--The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/should-we-consult-our-neighbors-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }