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Global interfaith harmony

Anand Krishna , Jakarta | Sun, 09/06/2009 12:35 PM | Opinion

About 60 years ago, then president Sukarno scoffed at Indian shopkeepers in India who took pride in displaying
their religion on their signboards, "Hindu Tea Stall", "Muslim Restaurant", and so on and so forth.

Around the same time, then president Radhakrishnan of India was amazed at how we on the archipelago had
preserved our culture and traditions, deeply rooted in the ancient Indus Valley civilization, irrespective of our
religious affiliations.

That was a reality then, but a myth now.

Now, the hard reality is that a notorious cleric, totally ignorant of our age-old traditions and culture, can publicly
make the threat that suicide bombings will continue if we do not adopt a sharia-based government system.

The intensified police efforts to curb terrorism are not blessed by this purported man of God. Instead, he blesses
the suicide bombers and calls them martyrs. In his own words, "I don't absolutely blame bombers in Indonesia,
because their goal is good, namely to defend Islam."

Such view is in clear contrast with what Mahatma Gandhi believed in: "Terrorism and deception are weapons not of
the strong but of the weak. A religious act cannot be performed with aid of the bayonet or the bomb."

Another hard fact is that our government feels helpless in dealing with this one single man's notoriety, which has
already tarnished our country's image. Or perhaps he is not a single man after all. Perhaps there are others behind What's On
him. Or a number of political parties, some influential people up there, forces outside the country - who are they? Feed the World Exhibition & Conference
10/22/2009 10/22/2009 Jakarta Convention
A former high officio tells me that is not the case. So what is the case? "It's the political will. There is no political will Center
to put an end to all this." Perhaps. more
Please config the tab title here.
Our learned analysts and scholars argue that fanaticism, radicalism and terrorism are not the same. "Not all
radicals," they argue, "are terrorists." “ArtTack” By Ristiyanto Cahyo Wibowo
10/02/2009 10/02/2009 Tembi Rumah Budaya
As mentioned by Prof. Greg Barton, in his well-researched book, Jamaah Islamiyah: Radical Islamism in Indonesia,
Jakarta Jl. Gandaria I/47B Kebayoran Baru,
our notorious cleric is also reported to have said, "I make many knives, I sell many knives, but I am not responsible
South Jakarta
for how they are used."
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The moderate clerics maintain that terrorism and violence have nothing to do with religion. They carefully avoid 10/08/2009 10/08/2009 Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R.
discussing the issue of growing fanaticism. They would not echo with Gandhi, "A fanaticism that refuses to Rasuna Said Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta
discriminate is the negation of all ideals." (Tel. 5241069)
Speaking in international forums, the leaders of our religious institutions are reluctant to admit that growing more
fanaticism and radicalism have divided our society, where interfaith harmony had never been an issue to discuss,
but a way of life to practice.

We did not have interfaith groups earlier, but we had interfaith harmony. This was a reality back then, and a myth
now. Now, the reality is that we have several interfaith groups, but no interfaith harmony.

Like it or not, religion has been used to justify acts of terror. Religion has been presented in such a way, and by its
own followers, that it has lost both its meaning and its utility as a uniting force.

It is against this backdrop that, in December this year, the Parliament of the World's Religions will meet in
Melbourne, Australia.

We may recall that back in 1893, the parliament met for the first time in Chicago. Vivekananda (1863-1902), one of
the speakers who was to become the star then, firmly believed that, "sectarianism, bigotry and its horrible
descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful Earth. They have filled the Earth with violence,
drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not
been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now."

He hoped the convention might toll the "death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the
pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal".

More than a century later, his hope remains a hope and a dream to realize. The conference in Melbourne later this
year, therefore, is not only timely, but also urgent and imperative. However, more important is the meeting of our
minds and hearts. More urgent is our willingness to be honest and truthful in what we say and what we do. More
imperative is the change of the paradigm of a mere tolerance. We have to learn to appreciate the differences
between us.

We have to work on our individual belief systems and mental complexes. Can we change our slogans from "my
religion is the best" or "my religion is the only solution" to "my religion is not better than yours"? This will bring an
end to all our religious and religion-based conflicts, competitions and acts of conversion.

To my friends who still endorse fanaticism toward one's religion, I must use harsher words this time: your
endorsement is not only unhealthy, but also dangerous.

Consider the fanatics who have been, and still are, hiding the terrorists in the name of religion. They are not
terrorists. They are only fanatics, and perhaps not even radicals. Yet they pose a danger to society and the nation.

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Global interfaith harmony | The Jakarta Post http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/09/06/global-interfaith-har...

As long as fanaticism and radicalism are not eradicated, terrorism will continue. And interfaith harmony shall remain
a dream.

I look forward to the meeting in Melbourne, as I also look forward to its outcome. The options are limited - either we
continue having dialogues, or really come together, work for world peace and serve the world community as one
unit: One Earth, One Sky and One Humankind.

The writer is a spiritual activist, writer of more than 130 books in Indonesian and English. He is scheduled to
speak at the 2009 conference in Melbourne and has been nominated as an ambassador based on his interfaith
involvement and significant contributions to the interfaith movement.

Comments (11) | Post comment A | A | A | | | | | | |

David K. — Sun, 09/13/2009 - 11:47pm

No religion is better then any other. That is the idea that should be placed in everyones head. Fanatics are
terrorists in my head, individuals that promote radical ideas are terrorists in my head. They deserve the same
treatment as terrorists. What makes them better? The sad fact is that these Radicals, Fanatics who are
terrorists have to much freedom to express thier hatred and idiocy. They should be restricted, they are like
children throwing a tantrum because the parent doesn't care about them anymore or they think that the parent
doesn't care. Harsh treatment should be made against clerics that speak about radicalism or fanaticsm. All
clerics should be required to recieve liscences to talk in public, and each public engagement requires written
approval from a panel comprised of all the acknowledged religious groups. To be fair all clerics from any
religious group should be required to do the same (although we all know it's the islamic radicals and fanatics
who are the ones talking about terrorism is cool and okay with God right now). Those clerics that do not follow
the rules should be jailed, and publicly denounced as a kafir or non believer by the muslim groups. Fanatics
and Radicals should have thier assets siezed and all known associates investigated for possible terrorist links,
and if found guilty they should hav ethe same thing done to them. Don't even keep the money utilize those
funds to help orphans, build free hospitals, roads to inaccessable villages, education program for poor,
agriculture programs (you get the idea). I have no sympathy for radicals or Fanatics as to me they are terrorists.

Made mulia (not verified), Denpasar - Bali — Thu, 09/10/2009 - 1:26pm

This article make me increasingly understand about harmony. The clerics have importan role to make realize
their followers that in-harmony will separate this nation. Thank to The Jakarta Post for publishing this article
and i am looking forward to read another "gorgeous" article from Anand Krishna.

Wayan Sri (not verified), Bogor — Thu, 09/10/2009 - 11:25am

We have to spread your writing in Local newspaper as well pak Anand...this is another perspective for
Indonesian people by start change our slogans from "my religion is the best" or "my religion is the only solution"
to "my religion is not better than yours" ! since we have so many religion ..this country needed to be lighten up!
Thanks for posting ..keep on writing pak Anand!

Gede Agus (not verified), Bali — Thu, 09/10/2009 - 10:58am

Salam Guru. Sujudku pada Mu. terima kasih atas bimbingannya. Itulah yg terjadi pada negeri ini dan saya
setuju bahwa belum ada keinginan politik yg berlandaskan kebersatuan dalam keragaman. Yang terbaik kita
dapat lakukan adalah menanggalkan semua atribut fanatisme dan ke-Akuan yg sempit serta mencintai
keragaman yg indah ini. Pertanyaanku guru bgm melestarikan budaya dan tradisi ini ditengah segala gesekan
dan pelepasan ke-akuan yg harus kita lakukan. salam guru.

David, Jakarta (not verified), Jakarta — Tue, 09/08/2009 - 12:36pm

The reason there was inter-faith harmony in years gone by and not now is that today we have sectarian
political parties, such as the PKS, running the show.

Marilyn Salas (not verified), Ojai — Mon, 09/07/2009 - 12:32pm

Bravo Krishna for your article on terrorism and radicalism!! Who owns the corner on the "God Market"
anyway?? The new is...no one does!! Spirit is multi-faceted, expressing itself through a multitude of beliefs and
practices....not one is "better than another"!! We only dim the light and the clarity of this creative Spirit, referred
to as God, Ala, or "whatever", with the cloudiness of our own prejudices, our own contempt for anything outside
of our personal beliefs, and our own lack of understanding. It is only the practice of Love, Compassion, and
Mutual Honoring of each others personal beliefs that brings us all to a truly Universal concept of, dare I say,
"religion"!

Usman (not verified), Bogor — Mon, 09/07/2009 - 11:52am

The root of losing the interfaith harmony in Indonesia has always been a disease called superiority complex
syndrome which has led us to the slogan of "my religion is better than yours." The disease should be taken
from our young generation, and no religion leaders, whose religion they are, can spread this lethal disease. I
had a small chat with one of our private tv-station producer who had not felt guilty at all in airing a superiority
complex disease patient who earlier in national tv had said that his religion and holly book were the real thing
while others were not. A wise, but courages leader should steps up and cures the people of Indonesia of this
horrible disease.

Haryadi (not verified), Bandung — Mon, 09/07/2009 - 9:14am

Your words are explaining our problems. Clearly and bluntly, You tell us the truth that many people, even those
"moderate clerics" hesitate to speak about. Many years ago, Indonesia was the synonym for harmony and
plurality, but nowadays those so-called ulema council of Indonesia prefer to issue fatwa to ban pluralism rather
than to ban terrorism. Bapak Anand Krishna, humbly i ask You to keep telling the truth! Wake us up and i'll
support You always!

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Global interfaith harmony | The Jakarta Post http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/09/06/global-interfaith-har...

Sholiha (not verified), Jakarta — Mon, 09/07/2009 - 9:05am

yes agree with Bapak Anand krishna the problem is our slogan my religion is the best, my religion is better than
your's so let's change bicoz we're life in one earth, one sky, one humankind..

xaliber (not verified), jakarta — Mon, 09/07/2009 - 1:30am

It is sad that most fanatics will repel any interfaith harmony attempt with "It is conspiracy!". When will they learn.
I can't wait until the hell freezes over.

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