Religion in a Democratic and Pluralistic Society (The Experience of Indonesia)

Abstract

Abstract In order that religions in a multicultural modern democratic society like Indonesia do not become a source of conflict, the adherents of religions must develop a certain rationality of faith. That rationality is related to the attitude towards other religions and beliefs, to the autonomy of science, and to the procedures inherent in the democratic system. Hopefully, religious communities can develop a positive attitude towards those three things, without denying their religious identity. The learning process associated with them cannot be imposed from outside, but must be born of the dynamics within the community of the faith/ religious community itself. If the learning process is successfully pursued, the adherents of the religions can give an important contribution to the development of democracy in Indonesia.