- Authors: Agustinus Pat Madyana
- From: Inter-Religious Studies Graduate School Universitas Gadjah Mada
Abstract:
The community of Indonesia constituted the multi cultural society, in terms of religion, ethnic, and culture. Historically Indonesia society was able to maintain inter-religious harmony. The associative social interaction seemed to be potential to support the harmony in the society. Based on the paradigm of functional-structural, society was assumed as an organic system having inter-relatedness between one organ and another in order to maintain the existence of the society. Social interaction within Indonesia society was developed by the interaction in the circle of family, neighborhood, economical activities, religious leaders, public leaders and the relation within culture and tradition. In spite of this the relation between the elements of society is still cosmopolitan, on which the society members are less active in developing community harmony in the framework of religious freedom. However, the disparity or diverse condition of Indonesian soiciety in terms of religions or faiths tend to manifest into social tension or even conflict among the believers. Horizontal conflict between religious communities will only be completed if each religion did not consider that teaching them that are most true religion. That’s the ultimate goal of interfaith dialog to eliminate the belief in religious truth claims. Associated with pluralism, the various religious views including Islam since its inception have introduced the principles of pluralism, or rather the recognition of the plurality of human life. Religions? recognition of the existence of the plurality can be elaborated into two perspectives; first is theological and second is sociological. This paper is an attempt to figure out the models of interfaith dialog appropriate for peace building and conflict resolution process in Indonesia.
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