Preserving religious harmony

Preserving religious harmony

In his address at the opening of the twelfth meeting of the
Confederation of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), in Jayapura on
Friday, Vice President Try Sutrisno asked citizens to avoid
negative preconceptions and mistrust, because of the harm they
could do to the sense of unity and cohesion among us,
particularly fellow religious believers.

One of the reasons for the rise of narrow fanaticism is the
growth of uncertainties and dissatisfactions over issues that are
infused with contradictions, inconsistencies and injustices in
religious and social life.

The feeling of incompetence in trying to overcome such
obstacles brings about reactions that lead to a hardening of
stance, extremism and an uncompromising attitude.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of religious leaders to
try to eliminate, or at least ease, such contradictions and
injustices in order to prevent such feelings of narrow fanaticism
from emerging.

In addition, we should guard against people or parties who,
for whatever purpose, try to manipulate such differences among
the believers of the various religions to undermine the spirit of
goodwill and harmony.

-- Suara Pembaruan, Jakarta