'Fight terrorism with education!'

Members of some Muslim organizations helped provide security at churches in the capital and surrounding towns during the Christmas celebrations. The participation of these groups in guarding churches and other places used for Christmas services has raised hopes of religious tolerance in the country. The Jakarta Post listened to the opinions of some residents about religious tolerance in the country.

Dewi Yunita, 28, is an account executive at PT Niarta JasaNet in South Jakarta. She lives in East Jakarta.

It should not only be during Christmas, it would be nice if we all could do something to make other people feel safe while they perform religious services.

Indonesians have a high level of tolerance toward those of a different faith. We are, however, not smart enough to avoid being influenced by those who use the name of religion for personal purposes.

It should be noted that the people who do those acts are usually from the lower social classes, and I believe that many problems, including terrorism, can be solved with rising level of education and decreasing poverty.

I'm proud to live in a country with a high level of religious tolerance, not by wanting everybody else to do what we do, but by accepting differences and continuing to be faithful toward what we believe in.

This proves that tolerance is not the problem in Indonesia, but education. We have to raise our education level so that people are no longer so easily influenced.

Harry, 35, works in the finance division of a local shipping company in South Jakarta.

It is better if we all adhere to lakum dinu-kum wa liya dini (unto you, your religion; and unto me, my religion), according to verse 6 of Surah Al Kafirun in the Koran.

Let others pray according to their faith, and we according to ours, without either hindrance or help.

--The Jakarta Post