Mysticism in religious propagation counterproductive

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.