Trust Togetherness through Tolerance

by Taufik Hidayah

―If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for
diversity‖ - John F. Kennedy

RELIGIOUS GROUPS in Indonesia have been victims of violent attacks in recent

years. Religious minorities in Indonesia, such as Buddhists, Christians, Confucianism have
been targeted by Muslim vigilante groups. However, Muslims also have become victims
of intolerant acts in provinces when they are not in the majority, for instance, in Tolikara,
Papua where Christian mobs attacked a number of mosques in July 2015.

Religious intolerance in Indonesia endangers the country‘s pluralist and inclusive

foundation as enshrined in the Pancasila. It is perpetuated as consequences of rapid
economic globalization, increased religious radicalism, and the failure of national and
local governments to protect religious minorities. The state should commit to protecting all
religious groups equally when facing persecution from another group. It needs to assure
that all religious groups receive the same protection accorded to them as Indonesian
citizens.

Looking up all these facts, did we still believe that religious tolerance is something
possible to be happened in Indonesia? Can we still hang on to religious tolerance for
solving these problems? Before going to answer these questions. It's better for us to take
look at the word tolerance.

Let us start with an obvious point – that tolerance requires difference. We can only
tolerate practices, or values, or beliefs of other people when these differ from our own. It
doesn‘t make sense to talk of ‗tolerating‘ what we agree with. Michael Lacewing in his
article ―what is tolerance ?‖ mentioned that tolerance is about ―live and let live‖. we say
someone is tolerant if they are happy to let other people live as they choose. But we can
respond to what is different in a variety of ways.
 Besides, religioustolerance.org ―Ontario consultants on Religious Tolerance‖ define
religious tolerance means to allow followers of other religions to follow their spiritual
beliefs and practices without being oppresssed or discriminated against. Religious
tolerance is a fundamental right in a democracy. Most people believe that religious
tolerance, using this definition, is a noble goal, and is vitally necessary for world peace.

Of course, no right is absolute. Tolerance may not necessarily extend beyond

religious beliefs to include some religious actions -- particularly those that harm, harass,
denigrate, or discriminate against others. Since religions teach different beliefs, this
definition of tolerance implies that absolute truth doesn't exist but it doesn‘t mean that
religous tolerance is something impossible to be found in Indonesia.

as reported by BBC Indonesia News at a religious ceremony in Cirebon.

Pelita (Pemuda Lintas Agama) working together to help each other preparing the
ceremonial celebration of Christmas and the Birth of the prophet who coincidentally falls
on the same date ie on 24-25 December1. The other example is when Muslims community
celebrating Ied Prayer in Malang city and a place for prayers is not qualified yet then the
church building which is not far from the mosque gave permission to use the churchyard
as a place of prayer2 and many more examples showed that through togetherness tolerance
is still and really possible.

―There will be no world peace without peace among religions, there will be no
peace among religions without dialogue among religions and there will be no dialogue
among religions without investigation into common thelogical and philosophical
foundations—Prof. Hans Küng‖. There are two points maybe could be the solution. First,
attitude of openness and transparency among religions Second, aware of the difference.

However, I personally believe that tolerance is a new hope for a better world, for
better Indonesia. We have seen considerable incidents in recent history where, because of
lack of tolerance, people have attacked people of other faiths, their places of worship, their

1
Taken from BBC Indonesia News.
http://www.bbc.com/indonesia/berita_indonesia/2015/12/151224_indonesia_toleransi_agama
2
BBC Indonesia News. http://www.bbc.com/indonesia/berita_indonesia/2015/07/150717_indonesia_salat_ied
communities. How nice it would be if everyone tries to express himself in a decent and
respectful way with tolerance. Without tolerance and harmony the lasting peace of
societies cannot be maintained, and loyalty for each other cannot be established.