Reform justification for blasphemy?

Reform justification for blasphemy?

President B.J. Habibie said reforms do not intend to destroy what the country has achieved these past decades. Reforms should not serve as a reason for people to blaspheme one another or force their own will on others.

At present however, certain people have justified their crooked and depraved behavior in the name of reforms. Sadism and crimes have lately become a daily menu. Social values which have been observed by the Indonesian people since independence have faded away.

Religion -- which teaches us to love one another and condemn violence -- seems to have been forgotten. Ethics and morality which people should uphold are considered unimportant.

President Habibie's statement that people should return to their moral principles thus needs to be meditated on.

Reform is not a justification to disregard ethics and moral principles taught by religion.

-- Republika, Jakarta