Social inequality still worrisome, observer says<\/p>\n
SOLO, Central Java (JP): Disparities in wealth between various
\nsocial groups remain a matter of concern 50 years after Indonesia
\nachieved independence, according to a leading intellectual.<\/p>\n
Franz von Magnis-Suseno says greed on the part of government
\nofficials and their families causes social gaps to widen and is a
\nserious problem.<\/p>\n
\"Their (the officials') greed could threaten national
\nstability,\" the German-born philosopher and social-political
\nobserver told a discussion held to mark Indonesia's 50th
\nanniversary of independence here on Monday. Magnis-Suseno did not
\nsay what he meant by \"greed.\"<\/p>\n
He said that half a century after the proclamation of
\nindependence, Indonesians are still grappling with social
\ninjustices.<\/p>\n
\"Social justice is still far from being realized, while the
\nfruits of development are distributed unevenly,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Another problem hampering development is \"social violence\"
\nwhich stems from conflicts between those who are wealthy and
\npowerful and those who are poor, such as farmers, workers, and
\nstreet traders, he said.<\/p>\n
Magnis-Suseno said the existing political system should not be
\nallowed to become a mere theory: it should be carried out, and
\nits instruments, such as the legislative bodies, should be
\nallowed to play their proper roles.<\/p>\n
\"A democratic state must uphold laws to guarantee people's
\nrights...This should be realized,\" Magnis-Suseno said. \"Without
\ndemocracy, we won't be able to achieve the goals of our national
\ndevelopment.\"<\/p>\n
Organized by the Regina Pacis High School, the discussion also
\nfeatured Broto Semedi, who teaches theology at Satya Wacana
\nChristian University in Salatiga, Central Java; and Luqman
\nSuryani, an activist with a local non-government organization.<\/p>\n
The speakers discussed the roles that religion can play in
\nthe face of such social and political challenges.<\/p>\n
Magnis-Suseno said that religions do not always play a
\npositive role. Religious conflicts, for example, have often hurt
\nthe development of various nations, he warned.<\/p>\n
\"In this context, religions play a negative role,\" he said.
\n\"In many parts of the world, there are religions or groups which
\nuse religions so as to cause nations to fall apart.\"<\/p>\n
Also in the name of religions, groups of people have been
\ninvolved in terrorism and civil wars, he said. \"These (religious)
\ngroups have caused people to suffer injustices,\" Magnis-Suseno
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Magnis advised followers of whatever religion that, if they
\nwished to play a positive role, they should discard the tendency
\nto focus on their individual concerns.<\/p>\n
\"Religious groups should act as pioneers in the campaign for
\nuniversal human rights and respect the dignity of any member of
\nsociety,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Religions should fight for the protection of human rights and
\nsocial justice,\" he said. \"The followers of Catholicism,
\nespecially, should not insulate themselves and be preoccupied
\nwith their own lives...Instead, they should fully participate in
\nevery dimension of the nation's life and in development,\" he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
Magnis-Suseno, who is also a Catholic priest, said the
\nfollowers of Catholicism should befriend and cooperate with
\nmembers of other religions in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Indonesia recognizes five religions: Islam, Protestantism,
\nCatholicism, Hinduism and Buddhism. Moslems make up almost 88
\npercent of Indonesia's population of 195 million people.
\n(har\/swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/social-inequality-still-worrisome-observer-says-1447893297",
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