Pastor Claims JK's Statement Does Not Align with Christian Teachings

Jakarta, VIVA – The controversy surrounding a video of a lecture by Indonesia’s 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has been addressed by Harsanto Adi, Chairman of the Indonesian Pastors Association (API). According to Harsanto, this issue falls into a sensitive realm as it directly relates to religious teachings and has the potential to stir unrest in society. He also emphasised the importance of understanding the definition of blasphemy in a religious context, namely actions that insult or demean symbols, holy scriptures, holy figures, or beliefs of a religion. “What Mr JK (Jusuf Kalla) has said is untrue and does not align with the teachings of Jesus as contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Gospel,” he told reporters, as quoted on Tuesday, 21 April 2026. Furthermore, Harsanto stressed that the teachings of Jesus Christ never justify acts of violence, including killing those of differing faiths. “Jesus never taught his followers that killing non-believers leads to heaven, and even if one must die, it means dying as a martyr,” he stated. He assessed that the statement has caused anxiety among the Christian community. Therefore, the reporting action was motivated by concern over the impact it has generated. “The reporting occurred because we feel that this statement is untrue, does not align with the teachings of Jesus Christ, and certainly hurts the Christian faithful,” he said. Despite the strong criticism, API remains open to reconciliation in this controversy. “We are ready to forgive on the condition that what was said is acknowledged as untrue,” he added.