Mysticism in religious propagation counterproductive

Hikmat Sanusi, Tangerang

One of the biggest controversies in Indonesia's infotainment industry during the holy month of Ramadhan this year was the bewildering mixture of mysticism and Islamic dakwah (propagation) in numerous sinetron, or TV soap operas.

So much so that it was often difficult to make a distinction between religious teachings and the teaching of mysticism. So much so that the resulting impression could misleadingly be that preaching religion cannot be separated from the recognition of evil powers as a means of frightening people into religious submission; as if, without using superstitions and mysticism, one cannot preach religion effectively.

In order to teach believers not to steal or befriend the devil, religion was being taught through such mystical shows as Babi Ngepet (about a supernatural pig that is the reincarnation of a thief). Another show was Monyet Ngiprit -- much like the first show, except with a monkey instead of a pig. Mention all the animals in the zoo and production houses will get some fresh ideas for making more misleading shows.

What a world! In the 21st century, the Information Age, Indonesians are being led back to the Stone Age. The astonishing irony is that this happened and gathered momentum during the holy month when Muslims were supposed to shun rather than embrace mysticism and superstitions -- as if there are no better ways to convey religious messages to the masses.

Such TV shows are always open to multiple interpretations. For instance, in the Babi Ngepet story, the thief was killed eventually but his wife lived on in luxury paid for with stolen money. Viewers might conclude that it is OK to practice Babi Ngepet magic so long as you are a woman, because it is your husband who will eventually be killed but you will survive to enjoy the stolen loot.

In the Monyet Ngiprit story, both the husband and wife are captured in the end but they repent in front of an ulema and no further punitive action is taken. But all the money and luxuries resulting from their crimes remained untouched. So the impression is that it is OK to practice this type of magic and repent later because by then you will already be rich.

Ironically, these are the kinds of TV program that draw an endless number of commercials. These are also the programs that occupy the prime-time slots. Likewise, other mystical and magical programs are top sellers on local TV networks.

Now compare such mysticism with the true propagation conducted on Metro TV in true Muslim fashion by former minister of religious affairs Quraish Shihab. Many people -- even non-Muslims -- enjoyed this program because Shihab, who presented the Al- Mishbah interpretation of the Koran, went into the semantic details of Koranic verses and provided fresh understanding of how to be a true Muslim in the true sense of the word.

For instance, in order to correct Muslims' misinterpretation of the word kafir, Shihab said "kafir" does not have to refer to Jews or infidels because etymologically, the word "kafir" means "to cover up" or "to hide". If a farmer digs a hole, puts seeds in the hole and covers them with soil, it means kafir, or hiding the seeds.

In the true Islamic context, kafir means concealing the truth of God's word, he said. So corrupters, thieves, robbers, terrorists are all kafir, regardless of their religion.

"Misleading people is also kafir. Leading people to fight, break their friendships, or to cause unrest and national disintegration are also kafir acts, as is sorcery," Shihab said.

Many Muslims here think that kafir people do not exist among Muslims. Using the truth of Shihab's lectures during Ramadhan, one may ask whether people who mix superstition with the holy teachings of Islam, as represented by the TV shows discussed above, are good Muslims or whether they are kafir.

This brings us to bigger questions: Who in this country has the authority to screen TV shows to stop the propagation of kafir acts? What are the parameters; what should be allowed and what should not be allowed on TV? Where to draw the line between black magic and white magic?

Today many dukun are advertising themselves openly in the mass media and people regard them as orang pintar (clever and smart people). And though many of them may have very little formal education, their clients might be well educated and reputable people.

Many dukun have openly claimed that many of their clients are high-ranking government officials. And some celebrities acknowledge they have used magical powers to help their careers.

In the Indonesian social environment, perhaps it is impossible to stop such evil practices. People tend to seek justification through selfish interpretations of religious teachings in order to retain their adherence to magical and evil powers. Nobody seems to realize that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Hikmat Sanusi is a social observer in Tangerang, West Java. He can be reached at hikmat@mailpanda.com.