Do not politicize religion

Do not politicize religion

From Rakyat Merdeka

Political observer Arbi Sanit has said that Habibie and his
associates will, by hook or by crook, resort to money politics
and the politicizing of religion to maintain the pro-status-quo
regime.

This money politics and the act of politicizing religion seem
to reduce the role of Islam only to that of seeking power and
money. One can see on television that there are more Muslim
teachers or leaders than scientists who have been given presents
and granted facilities. It seems as if this state would be
transformed into "a State of Praying People" or "a Slogan State"
and not "a Workers' State". The president and his ministers seem
to have visited pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) more
frequently than research institutions or universities.

Muslim clerics are often invited to the place and these events
are usually especially reported in the mass media, particularly
on television.

One recent case related to the politicizing of religion in an
attempt to block Megawati's bid for the presidency. All these
strategies have been aimed at shaping public opinion into
believing that the ruling party or the government is synonymous
with defenders of Islam or even with Islam itself.

As for me, in the case of respect for God, it is Megawati that
must be highly praised because she has hardly ever manipulated
religion to cheat the masses of her party in search of worldly
power.

Megawati highly respects God by means of honoring God's
grandeur in the world, which is none other than religion. She has
never soiled religion through money politics or the politicizing
of religion. To us, money politics and the politicizing of
religion are tantamount to acts to ridicule religion and even
destroy the good image of religion and are in no way acts that
defend religion.

In the case of presidential candidacy and the gender issue,
just remember that God has never set one's mastery of science and
university degree as a prerequisite to go to heaven. What God
requires in this respect are honesty, justice and morality.

University degrees mean nothing if they are used only to
protect corruptors, hooligans, rioters, provocateurs, kidnappers
and even murders. University degrees are worthless if they are
used to protect acts of spending people's money to pursue one's
great interest in high technology or acts to manipulate or even
siphon off state money (in the case of the social safety net
funds).

It is hoped that the presidential race will be won by one who
respects God.

HARYO MATARAM

Jakarta