Agenda item 12 (Religion)
Madame Chairperson,
The problems associated with religion and belief in Indonesia are inextricably bound to the segregation policy, which was part of Suharto's New Order Regime political system. Religion has been used by the State as a tool to suppress the people's awareness, hindering them from being critical of the State. Religion has even been used as an entry point for mental and physical terror for those who dare to revolt.
The role of the State in religious education and teaching so far has created thick walls of prejudice between religious groups, which can be readily ignited whenever needed. As a result, the society readily faces one another in warfare. Differences are unacceptable, and always turn into resentment. Social problems are faced similarly: all those of the same religion can see the mistake of one person as misconduct.
State intervention in religious affairs still effective today takes the following forms: State only officially recognizes five religions: Islam, Protestant, Catholic, Hinduism and Buddhism. As a consequence, civil services such as marriage registrations, birth or religious identification on identification cards are unavailable to those who do not hold one of the five officially recognized religions.
The building of houses of worship must follow a complicated bureaucratic procedure with no specified time frame within which the permit may be granted. Until today there are countless churches and temples which cannot be built or renovated despite having requested for a building permit years a go.
Although conditions have significantly improved under the new government, what remains of the old powers still attempt to use religion as a political tool.
Religious teaching is often laden with the interests of political elite. The call for Jihad all over the country had the potential to trigger warfare between the masses. Some churches, on the other hand, teach their followers to refrain from being involved in politics or to blindly accept State policies.
Madame Chairperson, Racial politics in all forms of regulations, which prohibit the use of Chinese characters, have the effect of preventing Buddhists and those of other beliefs or religions from studying their holy books in its original form. This poses a big problem for them since they feel they cannot practice their religion fully.
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