Religious violence concerns Soeharto

Religious violence concerns Soeharto

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto is worried about the use of
violence in resolving conflicts, especially religious ones.

"The use of violence in resolving conflicts in the community,
religious conflicts in particular, is a real cause for concern
for all of us," he said in an address at the opening of the
eight-day leadership meeting of the Indonesian Communion of
Churches (PGI) here on Saturday.

"This is why religious leaders need to remind their
congregations constantly that religious teachings must never be
forced upon any other parties," he told the gathering of 250
clerical leaders from around the country. Also present at the
ceremony were PGI chairman Soelarso Sopater and Minister of
Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher.

"People of faiths need to realize that faith is an awareness
of the soul that could only be emerge... by the grace of God,"
Soeharto was quoted by Antara as saying.

He commended the recent establishment of the communication
forum for religious leaders, and expressed hopes that the forum
could help solve various problems.

"If the communication forum functions well, I believe that
many problems could be resolved well... religious groups would
not...use violence," he said. "Honest dialogs among religious
leaders are needed."

Peaceful coexistence can not materialize if everyone "shuns
honest dialogs, much less if they are filled with suspicion of
one another," he told religious leaders.

Followers of all religions should realize that "diversity is
here to stay."

"We should all accept this diversity sincerely and with an
open heart. We need to continue our efforts to maintain and
solidify our national unity," he said.

Soeharto's remarks came on the heels of religious tension that
engulfed several small cities in East Jakarta. Early last month,
a mob of thousands of people attacked 24 churches, Christian
orphanages and other public facilities. The mob was rabid after
unidentified people shouted that a defendant in a blasphemy case
against Islam was hiding inside a church.

The National Commission on Human Rights studied the incident
and found evidence of human rights violations, and maintains that
certain parties instigated the riot. Following the tragedy,
religious leaders agreed to work together to improve
communication by creating a discussion forum.

The violence in East Java, however, was only one of many
flare-ups of religious tension in Indonesia over the past year.
Earlier this year, Christian communities in East Timor and Irian
Jaya attacked Moslem newcomers to the two provinces.

Regarding the attack on the East Java churches, PGI chair
Soelarso said: "The Christians, concerned as we are, still
believe that the government will deal with the problem in
accordance with the law and the truth, and will strive to
maintain national unity."

In another part of his speech, President Soeharto said that
although the state has the responsibility to protect and serve
religious communities, it cannot interfere in their teachings.

"Nobody, not even the state, has the authority to interfere
with religious teachings and beliefs which live and develop in
the community," Soeharto said. (swe)