Religious Diversity

Looking For The Meeting Point

RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY
LOOKING THE MEETING POINT
6.1 : INTRODUCTION
6.2 : DEFINITION OF RELIGION
6.3 : WHY WOULD ANYONE WORSHIP??
6.4 : RELIGIONS IN MALAYSIA
6.5 : RELIGIOUS CONFLICT
6.6 : LOOKING FOR THE MEETING POINT

INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS
RELIGION??

DOES ANYONE KNOW

WHAT THE TERM
RELIGION MEAN??

INTRODUCTION
Religion is the main part in human life.
Helps us to know their God, in order to live
harmony.
Religion and ethnics become related to each
other
Eg : Malay = Islam, Indian = Hindhu,
Chinese = Buddha.

Definition of Religion
Tie or Bind back
Horizontal
Relationship

Vertical
Relationship

Bind us together in a community with other people

Bind us to something bigger than ourselves, to our origins, the ultimate reality
behind our existence (God)

Ultimate
Reality

Other

SELF

Environmen
t

Other

DEFINITION
Relation between human with extraordinary
power which makes them believes that it might
provide protection.
A set of rules that guide the relationship
between human and their God.
Trusted system that created by cluster of people
in society to interpret anything happen in their
life.

WHY WE NEED RELIGION?

Basic requirement
Human who lives in past already affected by
religion, prove by the archeology found.
Religion is inherited from ancestors to fulfill
their family heritage.
Factor of safety, which they believe their religion
will protect their safety.
Element that strengthen brotherhood.

FUNCTIONS OF RELIGION
IN GENERAL,
Makes people feel brave when they in terrified,
difficulties.
Lighten the burden for them who facing
problems.
Basic of morality, arts, culture, and civilization
for a race and society.

 IN SPECIFIC VIEW,
1) Source of Moral Values
- ethics code and moral rules that become as a guidance for the believers.
- ethics code of WEBER ( 1930 )
2) Unite
- build social bond and unite people to form a society.
3) Encourage & Verified Program development
- Development of program can be done immediately when religious people
approve it & when information of development is using religion language.
4) 4) Encourage National spirit
- Mehden ( 1968 ) : States that religion differentiate between colonizer and
local society.
- Before 20th century, "PERANG JAWA" occured in Indonesia due to the
variety of national organisation which exist to defeat foreign domination.

5) National Intergration
- Geertz (1973) claims that honoured country formed due to sentimental of primordial which
put religion and ethnic as the priority.
6) Formation of civilization
- Religion helps human to form civilization.
-eg : *Western Civilization; Christian
*Middle East Civilization; Islam
* East Asean Civilization; Hindu-Buddha
7) Government
- Religion plays role in government
- Mesir, leader of the country becomes a leader for religion too.
8) Spread the Culture & Arts
-Religion having a close relationship with arts
-A kind of esthetic orientation such as drawing, and architecture.

DIVISION OF RELIGION:
RELIGION CREATED BY HUMAN
SAMAWI
- Comes from ALLAH S.W.T to fulfill
human needs and requirements
towards HIM.

-Comes from culturization, summarize

by society thinking.
-Having a fixed basic and rules that
form by a cluster of group.

- His prophets spread it to people.

-It IS NOT comes from human thinking
or human experience.
- To be as a guidance / lesson.
- eg : ISLAM, CHRISTIAN,
YAHUDI

- Not based on revelation, but in the form

of lesson and general practiced.
- Comes from the combination of
experiences and opinions that
being inherited from the past.
- Their holy scripture is made by their
founder thinking.

ELEMENTS OF RELIGION
INTELECTUAL

EMOTIONAL

ACTIVE/PERFORMATIVE

Religion asa way of

thinking, as a
philosophical system,
addresses basic
questions regarding
personal and communal
origin, purpose and
destiny
Who is God?
Who are we?
Why are we here?
Where did we come
from?
Is there someone
watching out for us or
are we on our own?

Religion asa way of

feeling, addresses how
we relate with the
divine
internal feelings such
as: faith, hope,
gratitude, appreciation
These feelings cause us
to respond in certain
ways both
intellectually and
actively

Religion asa way of

acting, as a social
system, addresses how
we relate with each
other
Spiritual practices:
meditation, prayer,
ritual
Physical forms:
buildings/architecture,
ritual objects, statues
and other art forms
Communal
celebrations: rites of
passage/life cycle
celebrations, holiday
celebrations
Social laws: morals &
ethics

Religions in
Malaysia

STATISTICS RELIGIONS IN MALAYSIA?

(March 2013)
Religion

Hindu; 6% Others; 3%
Christian; 9%
Buddha; 20%

Islam

Buddha

Islam; 61%

Christian

Hindu

Others

ISLAM

ISLAM IN MALAYSIA
Islam was brought to Malaysia by Indian Muslim
traders in the 12th century .
It is commonly held that Islam first arrived in
Malay peninsular since Sultan Muzaffar Shah I
(12 century)of Kedah, the first ruler to be known
to convert to Islam after being introduced to it by
Indian traders.
In 13th century, the Terengganu stone monument
was found at Kuala Berang,Terengganu.

 The first Malay state to receive Islam is

in 1303.
Sultan Megat Iskandar,known as
Parameswara is the first Sultan of
Melaka was converted into Islam after
marrying a princess from Pasai
Soon Malacca became the center of
Islam study and maritime trade, other
rulers followed suit.

MEANING OF ISLAM
Islam is derived from Arabic root
Salima:peace, purity, submission
and obedient.
In the religious sense, Islam means
submission to the will of God and
obedience to His law.
Salam may also mean greeting one
another with peace.

 It also mean submission to the One God

,and to live in peace with the Creator
,within ones self, with other people and
with the environment.
Islam is a total system of living.
A Muslim is supposed to live in peace
and harmony with all these segments.

SOURCE OF ISLAM
Quran
The Quran is exact word of God ,is authenticity,
originality and totality are intact. The god has
promised to protect this book till the dooms day.
Hadith
The hadith is the report of the sayings, deed and
approvals of the Prophet Muhammad. The
Prophets saying and deeds are called Sunnah

CHARACTERISTICS OF ISLAM
RUKUN IMAN
Believe in Allah
Believe in Malaikat
Believe in Rasul
Believe in kitab-kitab Allah
Believe in Judgement day (Kiamat)
Believe in Qada and Qadar

RUKUN ISLAM
Reciting the Syahadah "I bear witness that there is no
god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the
Messenger of Allah
Prayer five times a day and night
Fasting in Ramadan
Practice regular charity (zakat)
Perform the pilgrimage (for those who are able in
terms of financial and health)

FESTIVALS IN ISLAM
Eid ul Fitr (1 Shawwal)
-Muslims are not only celebrating the end of fasting, but
thanking Allah for the help and strength that he gave them
throughout the previous month to help them practice selfcontrol.
Eid ul Adha (10 Dhul-Hijja)
-The festival remembers the prophet Ibrahims willingness to
sacrifice his son when God ordered him to. God appeared in a
dream to Ibrahim and told him to sacrifice his son Ismail.
-During the festival Muslims who can afford to, sacrifice
domestic animals, usually sheep, as a symbol of Ibraham's
sacrifice.

What is Buddhism?
Buddhism is a religion to about 300 million people
around the world. The word comes from 'budhi', 'to
awaken'. It has its origins about 2,500 years ago when
Siddhartha Gotama, known as the Buddha, was
himself awakened (enlightened) at the age of 35.

Is Buddhism a Religion?
To many, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more
of a philosophy or 'way of life'. It is a philosophy
because philosophy 'means love of wisdom' and the
Buddhist path can be summed up as:
(1) to lead a moral life,
(2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions,
and
(3) to develop wisdom and understanding.

What are the 5 Precepts?

The moral code within Buddhism is the precepts,
of which the main five are: not to take the life of
anything living, not to take anything not freely
given, to abstain from sexual misconduct and
sensual overindulgence, to refrain from untrue
speech, and to avoid intoxication, that is, losing
mindfulness.

Ascetic Gautama with his five

companions, who later comprised
the first Sangha. (Painting in Laotian
temple)

The Buddha teaching the Four Noble

Truths. Sanskrit manuscript. Nland,
Bihar, India.

Noble Eightfold Path

Noble 8-fold Path is

being moral (through
what we say, do and
our livelihood),
focussing the mind on
being fully aware of
our thoughts and
actions, and
developing wisdom by
understanding the Four

 Buddhist teachings can be understood and tested by

anyone. Buddhism teaches that the solutions to our
problems are within ourselves not outside. The
Buddha asked all his followers not to take his word as
true, but rather to test the teachings for themselves.
ln this way, each person decides for themselves and
takes responsibility for their own actions and
understanding. This makes Buddhism less of a fixed
package of beliefs which is to be accepted in its
entirety, and more of a teaching which each person
learns and uses in their own way.

 Buddhist teachings can be understood and tested by

anyone. Buddhism teaches that the solutions to our
problems are within ourselves not outside. The
Buddha asked all his followers not to take his word as
true, but rather to test the teachings for themselves.
ln this way, each person decides for themselves and
takes responsibility for their own actions and
understanding. This makes Buddhism less of a fixed
package of beliefs which is to be accepted in its
entirety, and more of a teaching which each person
learns and uses in their own way.

HINDUISM

HINDUISM

Hinduism is.

is a diverse system of thought with varying concepts of god,

But unified through common beliefs such as the cycle of birth,
And rebirth the universality of Brahman.
Hinduism is derived from the Persian word Hind for inhabitant of
India.
It is different than Christianity and other religions because it does not
have a single founder like Abraham or Jesus Christ.
It grew over a period of 4,000 years.
Hinduism is composed of many different groups and has no well-defined
organization.
Its two most general features are the caste system and acceptance of the
Vedas as the sacred scriptures.

FOUR GOALS OF LIFE

Kama (pleasure)
Artha (wealth, power)
Dharma (moral harmony)
Moksha (liberation)
STAGE OF LIFE
Bramacharya (learning): begins at youth.
Grihasthya (earning): begins upon marriage.
Vanaprastha (serving): begins with the first grandchild.
Sanyasa (seeking): begins by leaving home.

Vedas Teachings

SECTS OF HINDUISM
Gods
Brahma
Siva

Sect
(Mazhab)
Saivism

Vishnu

Vaisnavism

Sakti
Muruga
Ganesha

Sakta
Kaumaram
Ganapatiya
m
Sauram

Surya

Roles of God
God of Creation
God of
Destruction
God of
Protection

Christianity

Christianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings

of Jesus Christ as presented in the Ne Testament.
Christianity is the world's largest religion, with approximately 2.2 billion
adherents, known as Christians.
Most Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine and fully
human, and the saviour of humanity prophesied in the Old Testament.
Consequentially, Christians refer to Jesus as Christ or Messiah.
Christianity has played a prominent role in the shaping of Western civilization.

Creeds are concise doctrinal statements or confessions, usually of religious

beliefs.
Its main points:
belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Holy Spirit
the death, descent into hell, resurrection, and ascension of Christ
the holiness of the Church and the communion of saints
Christ's second coming, the Day of Judgement and salvation of the faithful.

Christianity is often displayed as three

streams that have been especially
designed for two thousand years ago:
-Roman Catholic
-Orthodox
-Protestant

Sikhism

Sikhism

A way of life and philosophy well ahead of its time when it was founded
over 500 years ago.
The Sikh religion today has a following of over 20 million people
worldwide.
Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all
times, truthful living, equality of mankind, social justice and denounces
superstitions and blind rituals.
Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in
the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Philosophy and Beliefs

There is only One God. He is the same God for all people of all religions.
The soul goes through cycles of births and deaths before it reaches the
human form. The goal of our life is to lead an exemplary existence so
that one may merge with God. Sikhs should remember God at all times
and practice living a virtuous and truthful life while maintaining a
balance between their spiritual obligations and temporal obligations.
The true path to achieving salvation and merging with God does not
require renunciation of the world or celibacy, but living the life of a
householder, earning a honest living and avoiding worldly temptations
and sins.
Sikhism condemns blind rituals such as fasting, visiting places of
pilgrimage, superstitions, worship of the dead, idol worship etc.
Sikhism preaches that people of different races, religions, or sex are all
equal in the eyes of God. It teaches the full equality of men and women.
Women can participate in any religious function or perform any Sikh
ceremony or lead the congregation in prayer.

CONFUCIUS and LAOZI

CONFUCIUS
Born in a poor family in the year 551 B.C., and he
was born in the state of Lu.
He was Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and
philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of
Chinese history.
Original name was Kong Qiu.
Made many wise phrases and theories about the law,
life, and the government.
Philosophy is a kind of a system of ideas and thoughts
that talk about the human's behavior.

Confucianism
Confucianism is an ethical and philosophical system developed from the
teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius.
Started during warring states (403-221BC) Zhou dynasty, means of
transforming the violence and conflict into stability.
Founded by KungFu Tzu
Teacher not a religious leader
Educated in political life and was a scholar and adviser of feudal lords
Concerned civil morality - how people should live, behave towards
each other and good government
As a state person hope to put his ideas for reforming the state into
practice
Left the job after his effort failed and founded the 1 st private school in
China

Humanism and Relationships

Humanism is at the core of Confucianism.
Five constant or Wuchang:
Rn (Humaneness)
Y (Righteousness or Justice)
L (Propriety or Etiquette)
Zh (Knowledge)
Xn (Integrity).
These are accompanied by the classical Sz that singles out four virtues,
one of which is included among the Five Constants:
Zhng (Loyalty)
Xio (Filial piety)
Ji (Continency)
Y (Righteousness).

Social harmony is the great goal of Confucianism.

Relationships are the central to Confucianism.
Particular duties arise from ones particular situation in relation to others.
Five bonds:
Ruler and subjects
Father and son
Husband and wife
Older and younger brothers
Members of a community
People should respect ones social superiors-elders and ancestors
Purpose of government & rulers - Care for people
State be governed by aristocracy of the talent and not birth
Knowledge was the key to happiness and successful conduct
As a pacifists, declared that a true gentleman is a man of wisdom &
virtue whatever his social origin.

Taoism
Lao, Keeper of archives in the state of Zhou
Dao-means way (way of virtue and nature)
Individual is important:
Individual seeks harmony with the universe renouncing all
artificial connections
Government
Out of harmony with nature and the ultimate
Believed that government interference & source of iniquity and
that if people were left to live by intuition they would live in
harmony
Purpose of the government was to promote human happiness

 Emphasized virtues:
Do nothing (humble, meditate) but get in line with nature,
universe and the ultimate (Dao)
Avoid pursuit of wealth, political power & learning
Best society is the simple preliterate society life
synchronized with rhythms and nature
Fishing than work
Confucius and Legalist worked to change things never
worked

Nature made of Yin and Yan

Yin- female
Yan- Male
Complement each other

ANIMISM
Animism is the religious worldview that natural physical entities,
including animals, plants, and often even inanimate objects or
phenomena which possess a spiritual essence.
Animism" is said to describe the most common, foundational thread of
indigenous peoples "spiritual" or "supernatural" perspectives.
Animism encompasses the belief that there is no separation between
the spiritual and physical world, and souls or spirits exist, not only in
humans, but also in some other animals, plants, rocks, geographic
features such as mountains or rivers, or other entities of the natural
environment, including thunder, wind, and shadows.
Animism thus rejects Cartesian dualism.
Examples of animism can be found in forms
of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Paganism, and Neopaganism.
Some members of the non-tribal world also consider themselves animists
and not all peoples who describe themselves as tribal would describe
themselves as animistic.

Conflict of Religions
Example of confliction among religions, such as in Tibet,
Afghanistan, Mesir, Azerbaijan, Ireland North, Filipina, Algeria and
others.
The reasons why the conflict of religions will occur:
- Do not pay their respect to other religions.
- Lack of communication among each others.
- Lack of understanding to each others.
- Lack of strong bonded with their own religions.
Ways to overcome, is recognize the reasons why the conflict of
religions will occur.

CONFLICT OF RELIGION
There are many conflicts of religion in different countries.
Example :I. Conflict between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia in April 1992
II.Conflict Hindu-Islam in India in December 1992
III.Conflict Christians-Islam in Indonesia
These conflicts occur cause by some reasons :I. Different understanding and interpretion about other religions.
II.Using religion for the their own benefits in politic an economy.
III.There are no respects between other beliefs and religion.

RELIGION CONFLICT : ROHINGYA

1. Since 3 June 2012 hb recently, 10 Muslim in Taunggote,
Tongu district was killed in a bus going home from the
Tabligh to return to Rangoon, by a group of terrorists and
Rakhine ethnic group of racists.
2. They were attacked after a Rakhine woman allegedly
raped and murdered by the Rohingya. Further, terrorists
have attacked all the Buddhist Rakhine Muslims in Akyap,
the capital of Arakan.

3. While Sara Prang and Tarang village in the district Shong Rathidong
have burned everything until there is none left. Consequently tension was
sparked when Rohingya Muslims continue to be targeted by the Buddhist
Rakhine included in other villages throughout the province Arakan.
4. So far, the battle between the occupation of Muslim Rohingya and
security has spread to other villages. Reports received, the police shot at
people and until yesterday some people were killed while many were
injured.
5. Based on the information directly from Maungdaw, in fact many
Rohingya Muslims have been killed in the last few days. From news
Kaladan Press Network, reported 100 Rohingya people were shot dead
and more than 500 others were injured in Maungdaw.

6. However, the bodies of those killed were transported by military and police, and
until now not be handed over to the family concerned. Hence there is no accurate
information number killed so far.
7. Rohingya refugees in Malaysia reported that they were in direct contact with
the family in Arakan and found that many of the injured but not allowed to get
treatment at the hospital. As a result many have died in the state does not get the
required medication and treatment.
8. More surprising, the security forces, the police and the military, is now reported
to have collaborated with the ethnic Rakhine to launch attacks on the Muslim
Rohingya. Although the state of emergency declared in Maungdaw and now
throughout Arakan, Rakhine terrorist police and reported directly attacked
Rohingya population without mercy.
9. The authorities have to enforce Act 144 which limits the movement of the
population, but ethnic Rakhine are left free to roam under police surveillance for
burning homes and seizing goods Rohingya population.
10. So far, the news received, four villages were attacked and burned. Home
residents in a village Samamia The Myothu Gitelah were burned, including a
mosque vandalized.

11. Rohingya people home guarded by the security forces, but not to protect them, but to
shoot them if they leave home. Thus, the suffering of Muslims in the past few days Rohinga
increasingly serious when they do not get out of the house to buy daily food needs.
12. 9 June 2012, a village which was also Hazmia The attacked and burned. 10th June 2012,
two of the biggest village and Saki Warlispara The (two villages most populous Muslim
Rohingya) with Madrasah and thousands of students have been attacked by the Rakhine.
13. Many reported killed, mosque and madrasa in the village was also burnt. From the
latest information, all communication was lost from Arakan including not allow any
recording of what is happening in Arakan. Only through the telecommunications network
from the border town of Maungdaw only Bangaladesh berfunsgsi phones to get
information.
14. Harsh condemnation heaped on the Myanmar authorities since 1982 have been
launched against the Rohingya ethnic cleansing. Rohingya Muslims never be treated
unjustly by Myanmar's military regime in 1982 that killed Rahingya resulting in 100,000
people.
15. Now over 400,000 Rohingya refugees in refugee camps in Bangladesh, 60,000 in
Thailand, 150,000 in Pakistan, 40,000 in Malaysia. Dozens of refugees in the camps in
Kutupalong and COAX Bazar in Bangladesh is in very da'eef because Bangladesh
authorities do not provide any help.

16. The fate of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar are in a very bad and very
serious. Law and security operations since 1982 has Nasaka cause severe suffering
on Rohingya Muslims who are still in Arakan province, Myanmar.
17. Among the suffering is foreclosure homes, land, livestock, destruction of
mosques, the instructions are not allowed to repair any mosque, hundreds Mosque
destroyed and replaced with Buddhist Pagoda, marriage and limited movement
only with the consent of the army, arrest, without trial, torture, rape women and
forced out of Islam and forced mengganut Buddha.
18. Abused Rohingya population is not allowed to have even a knife or machete
for home use except by permission of the military. In fact they can not even own a
cell phone. Some are arrested and jailed for up to seven years just for possessing
mobile phones

Conclusion
Looking For The Meeting Point
It must be recognized that Malaysia has devotees from four major world
religions, which are Islam, Buddhist, Christian and Hindu coupled with
other religions that also shape the colourful of religious life. Freedom
provided by the constitutional giving ample room for all religions enjoy
practicing their religion and at the same time create a harmonious social
atmosphere of respecting the beliefs of others.
Diversity affiliations, religious beliefs and practices in Malaysia is a model
that difficult compared with other countries. Relations between religion and
growth must be nurtured so that social harmony be fresher . The question of
the contribution of religion in the lives of deprived multi-ethnic tough with
regard to religion as an important element to the country's ethnic
identification. Potential to strengthen inter-ethnic relations in the
construction of harmonious relations between the great religions. Malaysian
society shall have the wide and open spaces to celebrate ethnic relations by
strengthening the relationship between the different faiths .

 Malaysia is a country that have various of race,

religions and beliefs.

So, there are some conflict that occur in our community
:1.Conflict between religions occur when a couple with
different religion and belief want to get married. Then
they having problem after the marriage.
2.Spread false statements and ideologies of other
religions for political interests.
These conflicts may cause the relationship between
other religion become worst.

 So, there are many ways to increase a good relationship

between followers of any religions and beliefs especially in

Malaysia.
They build strong interaction between people in community.
For example : Buddhist society help the Muslim by giving them foods when
flood occurs to them.
Malaysian people celebrating the celebration all religion(in
term of tradition) together such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese
New Year, Deepavali and others
So, with this interaction, our world can be peace and we can
live happily among of others.

 Religion is important to us to undergo a perfect and better life.

This because most of religions promoted good way of life to

human.
In Malaysia, there are many religions an beliefs in our
community such as Islam, Buddhist, Hinduisme, Christian and
others.
As a good Malaysian, we have to know and understand well
about other religion to avoid misunderstanding and conflict.
We also have to respect others beliefs to ensure a good
interaction among community
So that, we can share a good moments and maintain peaceful
moment in Malaysia for a thousand years more.

 All religions have the universality which have the

potential to build community living with harmony,
stability and progress.
Drastic changes in modern life almost causing nonexistent of single religion community, but making
the nature of society is consist of multiple
religion.
The society is in a social environment that causes
them to meet each others, communicating, work,
and live together with people of different faiths.

 The interaction between the

community was able to build a strong
social bonds with different religious
affiliations.
Key element in religious diversity is
tolerant and consideration.

THATS ALL, THANK YOU

BY DR. HASMADI