Understanding Religious Pluralism in Indonesia

IL News 012/2016

Leimena Institute Public Lecture at Ciputra University Surabaya

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Public Lecture on “Citizens and Religious Pluralism in Indonesia” has been given by Matius Ho and Budi Setiamarga of Leimena Institute on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Ciputra University Surabaya. The event was attended by approximately 400 students from Civic Education class.

In “Indonesia and Religious Pluralism”, students were invited to stroll through the history of Indonesia in order to show that Indonesian people has been a pluralistic society, tolerance and respecting diversity. History shows that for thousands of years, the Indonesian people have learned to live in diversity and cooperation across the boundaries of race, ethnicity, religion, and language. It is then expressed in the motto Unity in Diversity (Bhinneka Tunggal Ika). The motto is not just a good idea, but it does describe the identity of Indonesia.

In this public lecture, the students also learned about the “Religious Pluralism in the World”. The survey shows that religious freedom in various parts of the world has been getting worse with the increasing violations of human rights in the issue of religious freedom. This also happens in Indonesia. Therefore, Indonesia must increasingly strive to enforce the law, raise awareness, foster friendship and educate citizens on nationhood issues for a better Indonesia.

“Religious Freedom in the Constitution and International Law” was presented as an effort to help students to understand the issue of religious freedom that is guaranteed in the 1945 Constitution and in international law. This understanding is expected to encourage students to participate in building Indonesia for a better future.