'Religion will continue to influence politics'

'Religion will continue to influence politics'

JAKARTA (JP): Religion has always had an influence over
politics, two experts say, and it will continue to do so.

Daniel Dhakidae, a political scholar, and Frans Seda, a
political analyst, concur that even if religion and politics do
not necessarily mix, they do influence one another.

"Politics has the power to change a nation. Behind politics
are ideals and philosophies. Through these means, religion enters
into politics," said Seda, a former cabinet minister and now a
successful businessman.

Daniel, a staff researcher at Kompas daily, was more forceful
in his view about the influence of religion over politics. "Life
is only determined by two factors: religion and politics.
Everything else goes with these factors afterwards."

The two men were speaking on Tuesday at a seminar on "Religion
and social changes in the context of Jakarta towards the 21st
century" held in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the
activities of Societas Verbi Divini, a Roman Catholic order.

Daniel underlined that firing up people's religious sentiments
has been used effectively in the past to achieve certain goals, a
practice that will likely be repeated.

Sarekat Islam, the political party which existed in the early
1900s, is one example of how religion played a major role and
took the first step toward building nationalism in Indonesia.

Daniel said religion plays a focal point in society as it
determines major changes towards some of the most essential
aspects of a country such as power, social, economic and cultural
structures.

He added that religion could also drive people to go to the
"extremes".

"People are only loyal to religion. I don't think someone
would die for their country," he said. "But they would die for
their family, their friends and their religion."

For this reason religious passion is often manipulated not for
the well-being of a religion or its adherents, but for other
purposes.

"Religious people usually only become aware that they have
been used as an instrument 20 years later, when it is too late,"
he said.

While the powers of religion and politics hold sway over human
behavior, Seda said the objectives of the two are totally
different.

Commenting on the rising tension between various competing
religions in the political arena, he said this could be countered
by educating politicians and state officials in the state
ideology Pancasila.

He emphasized that Pancasila's first principle -- "Belief in
One God" -- should not be interpreted according to each
religion's understanding, but should be based on the second
principle of "Humanitarianism".

"Struggling to ensure that the country continues to be one
which is based on law and sound moral values is one of the tasks
that religious leaders must strive for," he said.

Societas Verbi Divini was first brought by German missionaries
to East Nusa Tenggara more than a century ago, though it has only
been conducting its activities in Jakarta for the past 40 years.
(pwn)