The Religious Life Harmony and the Nation's Integrity in History View
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HISTORIA: International Journal of History Education, Vol. XIII, No. 2 (December 2012) THE RELIGIOUS LIFE HARMONY AND THE NATION’S INTEGRITY IN HISTORY VIEW Neti Budiwati1 ABSTRACT In addition to a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, Indonesian people’s life is also multi- religion/beliefs. This plural living conditions is prone to conflict. Most conflict happened is often ridden by religious issues and sentiments. Such circumstances should not be avoided to maintain the national integration. Plural life should be maintained in order to realize the the harmony of life in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-religious society.Therefore, the government issued UU Kerukunan Hidup Beragama (the Law on Religious Life Harmony) to achieve harmony in the society’s life. In addition, one alternative to consider is to develop a civil society that is the embodiment of the nation as the realization of developing a nation that is advanced in every sector of development. The establishment of civil society must be understood as an aspiration to realize the democratic and infependent modern nation among the hustle and bustle of the differences. An ideal civilization will be able to build a nation with significant progress. The perspective of civil society in Indonesia is simple, to build a fair, open, and democratic society upon the foundation of the Almighty God. Therefore, to be developed in this kind of life is the constructive pluralism, which can be developed through multicultural education. Key words: plural, harmony, civil, intimacy, multicultural 1Neti Budiwati lecturer of Indonesia University of Education (UPI). For academic interest, the author can be contacted at office address: Setibudhi street 229, Bandung, West Java. 275 NETI BUDIWATI, The Religious Life Harmony and The Nation’s Integrity in History View Introduction the practice of their religion in the social, state, and nation life. The understanding Indonesia is a unitary state which is multi- of religious harmony does not mean to mix ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious, and some beliefs into one belief, but each belief other diversity that is shown by the motto of do their own practice without harassing “Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity)”. A another belief, peacufully and friendly in slogan that has deep philosophical meaning, diveristy. Given that the religious beliefs which become the adhesive of Indonesian of one another is different, then the of society in a unity territory of Indonesia, one inter-religious beliefs is not to be argued homeland, one nation and one language, or synchronized. The appreciation and which is born by the event of Sumpah understanding for each other’s faith is Pemuda (the Oath of the youth). defined as tolerance, because tolerance One conflict-sensitive diversity is should be built on the awareness and the diversity of religions and beliefs. The understanding of the needs and beliefs of various religions and beliefs express the others, not personal needs and beliefs. heterogeneity as well as the picture of the However, the fact that we see in recognition of every citizen’s right about Indonesia today is conflict often happen the belief in god. According to the number which is caused by religious background, of its adherents, of course there are the in addition to the decline of tolerance, majority and the minority, therefore this mutual help, and solidarity in social life. religious rights of the majority and the The religious people of Indonesia must live minority should be maintained because side by side in order to create harmonious both sides have rights. This is guaranteed society arrangements for a harmonious life by the constitution, so there is no principle to and interact toward a common goal, the of marginalization, particularly the spiritually and physically wealthy society. alienation, to occur as opposed to the Therefore, the importance of religion as concept of human rights set out in the the guide to improve the attitude of mutual legislation. These conditions imply that the respect requires its followers to carry the harmony in implementing the religion and consistent responsibilities and mandate to belief in Indonesia, and perhaps in another create harmony between in a society with multi religion country, is an important various religions. issue. It is government’s duty to ensure The issue of the fading religious the life comfort and safety of the religious tolerance is reported by the Center of believers. Strategic and International Studies / CSIS The religious harmony is important (2012). CSIS’s study result in February because it is one of the factors that 2012 in 23 provinces, involving 2,213 supporting the harmony of the nation. The respondents, showed that the Indonesian basic concept of harmony does not lie in the religious tolerance is low. This is because religion, but the people of their respective even though the public is willing to accept religions. The religious harmony shows the fact that they live in diversity, but most the relationship of all the people that is of them are actually hesitant to tolerate based on tolerance, mutual understanding, the diversity. Besides, other indication is mutual respect, respect on equality and that during the UN Human Rights Council 276 HISTORIA: International Journal of History Education, Vol. XIII, No. 2 (December 2012) evaluating the progress of the Human between religions and beliefs that occur in Rights implementation in Indonesia Indonesia?; 3) what factors are driving and and 13 other countries in the world in inhibiting the nation’s integration?, and 4) the 13th session on 21st May to 4th June what is the proper solution to maintain the 2012, it indicate that religious tolerance in nation’s integration realted to the religious Indonesia is decreasing. This condition is harmony? unfortunate, the friendly Indonesia is now just a story. (Harian Pikiran Rakyat, 11 Juni Religion and Beliefs in Indonesia 2012). The independence day of Indonesian Given the pretty high number of cases/ was declared on August 17, 1945, but the events which generally occured in urban process to get to the independence day areas, as shown in Table 1, it is a concern that is long. Indonesian nationalism could should be immediately handle to minimal. be tracked through process of national A survey conducted by CSIS explained organizations establsihment of Budi this condition is apparently at odds with Utomo, on May 20, 1908, followed by the the people who claim to be democratic. Youth Pledge of 1928. The process was They claim to be democratic, but can not crucial towards achieving the independence embody the values of democracy and of Indonesia. From this national history respect for diversity. This is a stumbling events, could be understood that Indonesia block for Indonesia, who are maintaining was not born or appear out of nowhere, its diversity. but through a process of dealing with The handling if this problem requires the various differences if ethnicity, race, the participation of all segments of society, religion, and inter-group conflict. especially the government. On April 3, Pluralism that gave rise to the 2012 the House of Representatives has differences is a special color for the lives approved a draft bill of Social Conflict of Indonesian people, and should be an Management Act to be a law, and the assets that could develop Indonesia into current government has also filed a bill the a great country. One of the differences is Religious Life Harmony. The question is, is the religious life and beliefs in Indonesia. the social and religious conflicts could be Regarding the religion, Nasution in Syihab resolved by the law of Conflict Handling (2010: 54) make a list of some religion and the Law of Religious Life Harmony, definitions: while the presence of the Act and the bill 1. Recognition of the human relationship still contains problems and polemics? with the supernatural forces that must It is interesting to study, and this paper be met. will try to analyze the problem by focusing on 2. Recognition of the existence of the issue of religious harmony in Indonesia supernatural forces that dominate related to the integration of the nation, by human. bringing up issues that are formulated 3. Committed itself to a form of life, which as follows: 1) How is the picture of the contains a confession to a source that is religious harmony in Indonesia society?; 2 outside human self and the influence of ) How is the picture of problems/conflicts human actions. 277 NETI BUDIWATI, The Religious Life Harmony and The Nation’s Integrity in History View 4. The belief of a supernatural power that distinguish religion/belief and the resulted in a certain way of life. behavior to be considered a religion or 5. A code of conduct that originated from not: a supernatural power. 1. The purification in religion is 6. Recognition of the obligations which are purification on aDhat that have special believed to stem from a supernatural properties, such as; unseen, and can force. not be felt by the senses. 7. Worship of supernatural forces that 2. The supernatural dhat in religion, is arise from feelings of weakness and not part of this universe, but it has a fear of the mysterious power exist in positive power, influence, and powerful human’s surrounding. according to the will and iradah. 8. The teachings of God revealed to man 3. Such force, although not part of this through the Apostle nature, it has a meaningful relationship with nature and man. It hears all Meanwhile Darraz (Shihab, 2010: 55- prayers and human complaints, it 56), also mentions the religious definition noticed the human grief and hope, and of some western scholars, which include: in accordance to it will, it can provide 1. Immanuel Kant (1724-184), religion is and answer the prayer and hope of a sentiment feelings towards our duty, human .