Asia/Indonesia – State and Religion in Indonesia: The Role of Faith in Public Life
Agency Fides
JAKARTA (Fides) – Indonesia is not a theocratic state, but it is also a secular state. As Indonesians often say, Indonesia is a “moderate” country that recognizes that religion has a vital role in public life and considers it an important element in the life of civil society. This does not mean that the state should have religious power or that it should interfere, interfere or obsessively control the life of religious communities. It does mean that the state stands and acts as a guarantor of “religious moderation” and interfaith harmony.
In building the state, the possibility of adopting a form of Islamic theocracy or choosing a single “state religion” was considered, but was rejected in 1945, on the eve of the declaration of Indonesian independence, which led to the establishment of a constitution along with liberation from Dutch colonial rule.
The working group that discussed the Charter of Five Principles (Pancasila), and later the limited Committee of Nine Representatives formed by representatives of ethnic and Islamic movements, pointed out that “creating an Islamic state in Indonesia means not creating a unitary state…Therefore, the problem of minorities, of small religious groups that do not feel involved in the state, will definitely arise. Therefore, the ideal of an Islamic state is not consistent with the ideal of a unitary state that we have all been eagerly waiting for.” On the other hand, it was pointed out that “a unitary state does not mean a state with a secular character,” and it was thought that a “unitary state with a high moral foundation” should be designed.
This resulted in the consensus expressed in the Jakarta Charter, which formulated the Pancasila compromise, which included religious elements among the five principles underlying the coexistence of the state and its citizens: belief in one God, humanity, unity, wisdom-guided democracy, and social justice.
Since independence in 1947, the archipelago has come to recognize that religion, a fundamental element of social and cultural life, must be dealt with by the state. For this reason, since the first post-independence government, a Ministry of Religious Affairs has been established, with departments (now bureaus) dedicated to the six officially recognized religions: Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. As stipulated in Article 29, paragraph 2, of the Constitution, these religions “shall also receive assistance and protection.” This does not mean that other religions (Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Shintoism, Taoism) are banned in the country. These religions receive guarantees and can develop freely, provided they do not violate existing laws and regulations.
The six directorates of the Ministry of Religious Affairs are intended to support all religious communities as a government service to the people. Each directorate is also responsible for religious education, organizing and directly supervising educational institutions that appear as “national religious institutions”. This is a consistent formula in Indonesia's vision. In fact, this effort is considered essential to guarantee the vision of interreligious moderation and harmony. In this context, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has a basic strategic program to ensure and promote “religious moderation” in Indonesia, an approach that is considered fundamental as an attitude and behavior practiced in Indonesian society.
Specifically, for Indonesia’s Catholic community, the state has recognized the Catholic Church and its entities as “religious legal persons” through various decrees, and such status is a guarantee for all activities.
(PA) (Fidesz News Agency, August 24, 2024)
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