This document discusses the relationship between religion and state in Indonesia. It notes that while Islam is the largest religion, Indonesia is neither a secular state nor an Islamic state, but rather bases itself on Pancasila. There has long been debate between those wanting Islam as the state foundation versus those preferring Pancasila due to Indonesia's diversity. The document argues that religion should be differentiated from the state but still have a role to play in democratic society by upholding values like humanizing people and maintaining morality. It believes consensus-based rules on religion can enable faiths to positively impact both individuals and the nation while avoiding conflicts over which is most "right."

1. Religió: Jurnal Studi Agama-agama
Volume 4, Nomor 1, Maret 2014
Strengthening the Meaning of Religion
in the Democratic Society
Hatim Gazali
Universitas Siswa Bangsa Internasional (USBI), Jakarta
hatim.gazali@usbi.ac.id
Abstrak
Hubungan antara Negara dan agama di Indonesia khususnya
Islam tidak selalu dalam keadaan rukun sejak kemerdekaan
Indonesia. Hubungan tersebut bahkan lebih cenderung ke
antagonisme, berpisah dari satu kesatuan namun saling
membutuhkan. Di satu sisi, Islam adalah fondasi nasional oleh
karena kesuciannya dan dipeluk kebanyakan orang Indonesia.
Di sisi lain, Pancasila yang harus menjadi fondasi Negara
dengan melihat kemajemukan dari bangunan sosial masyarakat
Indonesia. Penelitian ini mendiskusikan tentang makna agama
dalam masyarakat demokratis, khususnya di Indonesia. Ketika
sekularisme meminta pemisahan agama dan negara, pada satu
sisi, dan teokrasi (negara Islam) menuntut adanya penyatuan
agama dan negara, pada sisi lain, Indonesia menawarkan
Pancasila untuk menjembatani jurang antara keduanya. Dalam
negara sekuler, peran agama dalam negara sejauh mungkin bisa
diminimalkan, bahkan dienyahkan. Padahal, agama yang secara
esensial mengandung prinsip-prinsip nilai dan moral memiliki
posisi sentral bagi manusia. Sebaliknya, dalam negara teokrasi
agama sangat mungkin untuk dialih fungsikan sebagai penindas
rakyat. Dalam situasi dilematik ini, Pancasila tidak mempunyai
pretensi mengenyahkan peran agama, dan juga tidak
menjadikan agama sebagai alat justifikasi suatu rezim,
melainkan memfasilitasi berjalannya peran agama dalam
negara. Dengan begini, agama memiliki peran esensial dalam
masyarakat demokratis.
Kata kunci: Pancasila, Demokrasi, Kekerasan Agama, Syariat
Islam.

2. 30|Hatim Ghazali – Strengthening the Meaning of Religion in the Democratic Society
Introduction
The relationship between the state and religion, especially Islam,
in Indonesia has not always been in harmony since Indonesian
independence. This relationship has even shown a tendency to
antagonism, apart from being integrated that is fraught with mutual
suspicion. One of the reasons for this disharmony is a fundamental
difference in understanding about Islam.
For one group, Islam is the national foundation because it is
obviously holistic and chosen by the majority of Indonesians. This group
understands the holistic nature of Islam organically, in the sense that
legally and formally, Islam must exist in every aspect of their lives. Some
of Indonesia founding fathers that belong to this group (Muslim
Nationalists) are Ki Bagus Kadikusumo, A. Kahar Muzakkir, Abikusno
Tjokrosujoso, H. Agus Salim and A. Wahid Hasjim.1
Meanwhile, to the other group, it is Pancasila—the five
principles— that must be the foundation of the state, in view of the
pluralistic nature of the Indonesian social construct. This group believes
that Islam is indeed holistic in nature but, to them, making it the national
foundation shows a lack of wisdom in viewing the pluralism of the
social, cultural and religious aspects of the Indonesian people. This
group interprets the holistic nature of Islam substantially, in the sense
that Islam cannot be built into a legal and formal system, but still, its
substance and essence must present in every aspect of life. Most of
Indonesian founding fathers that belong to this group are the scholar,
which have studied in Western and Europe, especially New Zealand
1 Their educational backgrounds are varied. Agus Salim was educated in the Western
school system, while Wahid Hasjim was educated in the Pesantren (traditional Islamic
education institution which uses classical book written by the ‘ulama’ of the medieval
period. For detailed information about Pesantren, see Zamakhsyari Dhofier, Tradisi
Pesantren: Studi tentang pandangan Hidup Kiai (Jakarta: LP3ES, 1982); Bahtiar Effedy, Islam
and The State in Indonesia (Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2003), 28;
Faisal Ismail, Islam Vis-à-vis Pancasila; Political Tensions and Accomodation in Indonesia 1954-
1995 (Jakarta: Departemen Agama, 2001), 22.

3. 31Volume 4, Nomor 1, Maret 2014|
universities such as—to name only a few—Soekarno, Hatta and
Supomo.2
The root of this debate is on the understanding of the relation
between Islam and politics—or the state. Some people put religion and
politics in a single unit while others argue that both religion and politics
should be viewed as separate elements. The focus of this debate is
whether Prophet Muhammad established a foundation for political Islam
or only established religious principles without any intention to build an
Islamic state.
This ongoing debate requires further discussion. And this paper
aims to discuss it in more specific analyses, namely the role of religion in
a democratic society, especially in Indonesian context. It is important
because of several reasons. Firstly, it is based on the fact that although
Indonesian people are religious, Indonesia is neither secular state nor
Islamic state. In secular state, the state has no right to intervene religious
belief and activity. It is different from Islamic state, or state based on
religion in which the state has an authority to control religious activity.
Secondly, Indonesia consists of plural religions and Indonesian
government divides them into two religious groups; religions3
(Islam,
Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism)
and beliefs (aliran kepercayaan), such as Kaharingan, Amatoa, Sapta Dharma,
Kejawen, etc. Briefly, the government put other six religions above into
belief. Thirdly, inter-religious conflict often happens in Indonesia. Social
conflicts which occurs in Ambon, Maluku, and Situbondo—to name
only a few—frequently are colored by religious tendency. Therefore,
Indonesian government considers that managing and controlling
religions are importance.
2 Effendi, Islam and The State, 29.
3 Before the era of president of Abdurrahman Wahid, Indonesian Government
recognizes five religions; not including Confucianism that had existed in Indonesia
since 1967. In Abdurrahman Wahid era, however, government as well as in Presidential
Decree No.6 adds Confucianism as a religion. Rumadi, “Agama dan Negara; Dilema
Regulasi Kehidupan Beragama di Indonesia” in Jurnal Istiqro’, Vol. 04, No. 1 2005
(Jakarta: Department of Religious Affairs), 118.

4. 32|Hatim Ghazali – Strengthening the Meaning of Religion in the Democratic Society
The question is, should Indonesia have any rule and role in
regulating and controlling religious activity, behavior, and morality?
Answering this question is dilemmatic. In one hand, without controlling
and managing of the state within inter-religion relationship, social and
religious conflict will increase because every religion claimed as the right
one (truth claim). And on the other hand, if the state controls religious
activity, it is often to be religious politicization. The manipulation of
religion for political-economic and cultural interests is more extensive,
which later often intensifies social conflict. When religion becomes basic
principle of the state, the opportunity to abuse a religious, doctrine to
achieve a certain interest, becomes more potential, such as to establish its
regime, oppress little people, and legitimate and implement an unpopular
policy.
In this context, I think, Indonesian people need rule to manage
and control religions. This rule is only to manage and control social,
economic and political aspect of religion, not in the internal side of
religion (faith), therefore I believe that religion has to differentiate from
the state. This rule is also created based on agreement and consensus
among each follower of religions that it is important to do in plural
society like Indonesia. Of course, every area (district, province) needs
particular rule that perhaps varies from one to another. The aim of this
rule is to protect all religious community in Indonesia.
In addition, the consensus and agreement among religions’
followers enable religion to implement the role and meaning of religion
as a medium to humanize human being, liberalize people form
oppression, and keep moral society. Due to this rule of religions above,
all religions can show its significant among human being as both
religious followers and Indonesian citizen. In democratic society like
Indonesia, the role of religions inevitably is a part of Indonesian life as
well as in the first principle of Pancasila. In short, it is impossible to
ignore the role of religion in democratic society as long as religion can
carry out its messages for human life, because religion is compatible with
some social values, such as democracy and pluralism.

5. 33Volume 4, Nomor 1, Maret 2014|
The Ambiguity of Indonesian Identity
Before describing the role of religion in the democratic society, I
would like to make a clear understanding on the relationship between
state and religion in Indonesia, and several rules of religion today.
Analyzing and criticizing the Indonesian today’s rule of religion is
important, because the obstacle of religion’s role in Indonesia is caused
by the problem of the rule of religion itself.
Although Islam is the largest religion in Indonesia, even in this
world, Indonesia is not Islamic state, which is based on Islamic principles
or laws. And Indonesia is not secular state as well, which separates
religion from the state. They decide that the best solution for Indonesian
is Pancasila, which detached religions from the state, but recognize them
as well as stated in the first principle of Pancasila, The Lordship of the
Supreme One (Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa).
However, the process of Pancasila to be the foundation of the
state has undergone a long debate between Islamic and Secular
Nationalists. Islamic Nationalists such as Ki Bagus Hadikusumo,
Sukiman Wirjosandjoko, etc, want to make Islam as a basis of Indonesia,
since Islam is an integral and comprehensive religion, covering and
controlling all aspects of human life. Ki Bagus Hadikusomo said:
Honorable gentlemen! If you wish to establish a just and wise
government in our state based on noble moral conduct and
democratic deliberations and tolerance without compulsion in
religion, then establish a government based on Islam, because
Islam provides all of this.4
In order that Indonesia become a strong and stable state, I
propose that the establishment of a free state of Indonesia be based on
Islam, because this will be in conformity with the fundamental aspiration
of the majority of people [who are Muslim]… Do not neglect the
aspiration of 90 percent of the people [who are Muslim]5
4 Ki Bagus Hadikusumo, Islam Sebagai Dasar Negara dan Akhlak Pemimpin (Yogyakarta:
Pustaka Rahayu, 1954), 13; Ismail, Islam vis-à-vis Pancasila, 42.
5 Ibid., 43.

6. 34|Hatim Ghazali – Strengthening the Meaning of Religion in the Democratic Society
Meanwhile, Secular Nationalists like Soekarno, Mohammad
Hatta, Soepomo Wongsonegoro, Mohammad Yamin propose to
separate religion (Islam) from the state, and put religion as private
matters. Religion cannot be a basis of state. Soepomo stated:
Creating an Islamic state in Indonesia would mean that we are not
creating a unitary state. Creating an Islamic state in Indonesia
would mean setting up a state that is going to link itself to the
largest group, the Islamic group. If an Islam state is created in
Indonesia, then certainly the problem of minorities will arise, the
problem of small religious groups, of Christians and others.
Although an Islamic state will safeguard the interests of other
groups as well as possible, these smaller groups will certainly not
be able to feel involved in the state. 6
The debate and controversy of Indonesian ideology are
continuous after independence, even today. Nevertheless, Soeharto’s
regime of New Order era radically had rejected the formalization of
Islamic law (Islamic state),7
oppressed all organizations, including
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), to accept Pancasila as the only one basis (asas
tunggal).8
After the falling of Soeharto, Indonesians began to enjoy the
democratic era in which the freedom of speech is one of the pillars. As
consequence, discussion and polemic about the Pancasila as the ideology
6 B.J. Boland, The struggle of Islam in Modern Indonesia (The Hague: Martinus Nijhoff,
1982), 20; Ismail, Islam vis-à-vis Pancasila, 41.
7 Robert W. Hefner, “State, Society, and Secularity in Contemporary Indonesia” in
Theodore Friend (ed.), Religion and Religiosity in the Philippines and Indonesia; Essay on State,
Society, and Public Creeds (Washington DC: Southeast Asia Program, 2006), 41.
8 Nahdlatul Ulama accepts Pancasila as its sole basis in 27th national congress of NU
held from December 8-12, 1984 in the Pesantren Salafiyah Syafi’iyah of Sukorejo
Situbondo, East Java. This declaration stated: [1] Pancasila, as the basis and philosophy
of the state of the Republic of Indonesia is not religion; neither can it replaces religion
nor it can’t be used to replace the position of religion. [2] the principle of “Belief in
One God” as the foundation of the Republic of Indonesia, as stated in article 29
paragraph 1 of the 1945 constitution which gives life to all other principles, reflects
“monotheism” (tawhîd) in accordance with the notion of belief (iman) in Islam. Due to
this declaration, the NU has obligation to maintain the true notion of Pancasila and its
correct and consistent observance by all. See, Ismail, Islam vis-à-vis Pancasila, 216-219;
Marzuki Wahid and Abdul Moqsith Ghazali, “Relasi Agama dan Negara; Perspektif
Pemikiran Nahdlatul Ulama” in Jurnal Istiqro’, Vol. 04, No 01, (2005), 147-169.

7. 35Volume 4, Nomor 1, Maret 2014|
of Indonesia took place in the second wave. Some people still endeavor
to promote Islam as a basis of Indonesia, like Majelis Mujahidin Indonesia
(MMI, Indonesian Council of Jihad Fighters), Front Pembela Islam (FPI,
Islamic Defense Front), and Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI, Indonesian
Party of Liberation), etc. In the Annual Meeting (Sidang Tahunan, ST) of
the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR, Majelis Permusyawaratan
Rakyat) on 2000 and 2001, PBB (Partai Bulan Bintang) and PPP (Partai
Persatuan Pembangunan) proposed “seven words” of the Jakarta Charter,
“the obligation to practice the shari’a for its adherents”, to be part of the
Constitution (UUD). But, the majority of political party rejects this
proposal. 9
Those facts above have shown that the political and cultural
movements to change the Pancasila are not completely vanished.
From Pancasila to Sharia: The Politicization of Religion
I believe that Pancasila is a final principle basis of Indonesia. T.B.
Simatupang said, “Pancasila has been an important element in
maintaining and strengthening the unity of religion”. Therefore,
Simatupang suggests that all segments of Indonesian society, whether
they are more religiously or more secularly motivated, could accept and
support the Pancasila.10
According to Benyamin11
Pancasila is civil
religion of Indonesia that can guarantee the different religion not only
exist and co-exist but also pro-exist. However, it does not mean that
Pancasila has run without any obstacles. In this chapter, I will discuss
two issues regarding Pancasila as a basis of Indonesia and the problem of
religious freedom.
9 Siti Musda Mulia, “Menuju Kebebasan Beragama di Indonesia, in Abd. Hakim & Yudi
Latief (eds.), Bayang-Bayang Fanataisme; Esai-Esai untuk Mengenang Nurcholish Madjid
(Jakarta: PSIK, 2007), 200.
10 T.B. Simatupang, “Ideology and Gospel: An Indonesian Perspective”, in Tj. Baarda,
Zending op Weg naar de Toekomst, essays aangeboden aan Prof. Dr. J. Verkuyl (Kampen: 1978),
160.
11 Benjamin F. Intan, “Wajah Agama Publik di Indonesia”, in Reform Review, 1-1, (2007),
6-12.

8. 36|Hatim Ghazali – Strengthening the Meaning of Religion in the Democratic Society
1. Problems of Pancasila
At least, there are two problems concerning Pancasila as a basis
of Indonesia. The first problem is the first principle of Pancasila, The
Lordship of the Supreme One. This principle forces all religions, beliefs
and traditions in Indonesia to believe in One God (personal God).
Whereas, we know that Indonesia has many religions, beliefs and
traditions, which may be does not have the concept of God, or belief in
many gods, or impersonal God. The concept of God in Buddhism and
Hinduism, for instance, differs from monotheistic religion, especially
Abrahamic religions (Jew, Christianity and Islam).
Originally, god and goddess matters are not a central part of
Buddhism. Sidharta Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, avoids talking
about god and goddess. But, after Gautama era, some of Buddhist tries
to re-conceptualize conceptualizing their God. In Hinayana school, there
simply are no gods, because the question of God would be one, which
did not tend to edification, and hence it would not be elucidated; God is
neither affirmed nor denied. Buddha himself dismissed the Vedic gods,
and his dharma after him had no place for them because Buddha
transcended them. Meanwhile in Mahayana school, the Buddha become
a kind of God, or take place of God, but the term is not applied to them
because their significance is not as transcendent beings but as
embodiments of dharma, of wisdom, of the truth of the world and
human destiny.12
In Hinduism, another example, “The Long Search’ film reports
that there are 330 million gods. Hindus have many gods and goddess
through which they view Ultimate reality because indigenous people,
Arya, believe that Hinduism is just a philosophy of life, not as a religion.
As consequence, Hinduism is profound compromise with indigenous
cultures. Every culture has different view, perception, and concept on
response to the reality. For that reason, Ward J. Fellows stated “the
Absolute Being of Hinduism is one, is many, is personal, is impersonal, is
everything, is nothing, is red, is green, is good, is bad, is the word, is
12 Ward J. Fellows, Religion East and West (USA: Thomson Wadsworth, 1998), 116.

9. 37Volume 4, Nomor 1, Maret 2014|
emptiness.13
Briefly, Eastern religions tend to worship either many gods--
according to different function, or human who becomes deified.14
However, both Buddhism and Hinduism in Indonesia should accept
Pancasila as the sole basis of Indonesia,15
although they have different
teachings regarding the concept of god.
And the second problem is the differences between “agama”
(religion) and “kepercayaan” (belief). It is right that Pancasila does not
differentiate religion and belief, but the interpretation of the first
principle of Pancasila is “rather” different. Indonesia divides agama
(religion) and aliran kepercayaan (belief). Indonesia has various beliefs
(aliran kepercayaan), which sometime and frequently are judged by another
religion as heretical belief. The United States Commission on
International Religious Freedom reports that:
The law officially “embraces” six religions—Islam, Catholicism,
Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism. The
government generally respects the freedom to worship of
adherents to each of these religions. Presidential Decree No 6,
promulgated in January 2000, lifted severe legal restrictions on the
practice of Confucianism that had existed since 1967. While only
these six religions are recognized officially, the law explicitly,
including Jehovah’s Witnesses, whose adherents may experience
difficult process of civil matters like marriage. Likewise, citizens
who are members of religions other than the six officially
recognized may be obliged to identify themselves as Catholics,
Muslim, etc., in order to obtain national identity card or process
other civil matters.
2. Questioning The Religious Freedom
Beside two issues related to the principle of Pancasila, there are
two another issues that currently so obvious that injure the values and
13 Ibid., 60.
14 Lester Kurtz, God In the Global Village: the World’s Religions in Sociological Perspective
(California: Pine Forge Press, 1995), 58-59.
15 KB. Sutrisno, “Agama, Politik, dan Negara; Perspektif Buddha” in Th. Sumartana
(ed.), Agama dan Negara Perspektif Islam, Katolik, Hindu, Buddha, Kunghucu, Protestan
(Yogyakarta: Interfidei, 2002), 50-51. See also another chapter in this book, AA. Ari
Dwipayana, “Masihkah Kita Punya Peradaban”, 86-87.

10. 38|Hatim Ghazali – Strengthening the Meaning of Religion in the Democratic Society
principles of Pancasila; implementation of Islamic sharia and religion-
based violence.
a. The Implementation of Islamic Sharia
Although Indonesia is neither secular nor Islamic state, but we
can see both some national rules accommodating Islamic teaching, and
later some places in which has any rule based on Islamic doctrine
(sharia). To name only a few of any rules accommodating Islamic sharia
are as follows: [1] Law No 1/1971 about Marriage, [2] Governmental
Regulation No 28/1977 about Perwakafan (property donated for
religious or community use) [3] Law No 7/1989 about Religion
Judicature., [4] Law No 7/1992, Law No 10/1998 and Law No 23/1999
about National Banking system, which allowed the operation of Sharia
Bank, [5] Presidential Directive No 1/1991 about Islamic Law
Compilation, [6] Law No 17/1999 about Implementation of pilgrimage,
and [7] Law No 38/1999 about Tithe (Zakat) Management.
Meanwhile, there are many residences in Indonesia implementing
the local official-regulation (Peraturan Daerah) of Islamic Sharia. [1] in
Bulukumba (South Sulawesi) there are some Islamic rule; Law No
03/2002 about prohibition, control and sale of drink, Law No 2/2003
about Management of tithe, Infak and alms, Law No 05/2003 about
wearing Muslim and Muslimah code, Law no 06/2005 about the ability
of reading-writing the Qur’an for Student and Bridegroom. In Gowa, the
local government obligates women civil servant to wear veil, and adds
the time of Islamic lesson in school. In Cianjur (West Java), there is a
letter of local government No 061/2896 about recommendation of
Islamic uniform.16
In Padang, the instruction mayor No
451.442/Binsos/III/2006 obligates wearing Islamic code.17
16 Ahmad Fuad Fanani investigates on the implementation of Islamic Sharia in West
Java According to the leader of Pesantren (Traditional Islamic Education institution.
Usually, this institution is operated by the Traditionalists Muslim [NU] and located in
rural area). According to Fanani, the leaders of Pesantren have different perspectives
about what sharia is. The conservative leaders look that sharia is absolute texts, which
cannot be changed, while the moderate leaders tend to interpret the sharia. However,
most leaders of Pesantren agree with the implementation of Islamic Sharia in the state
rule. In accordance with non-Muslim, Islamic sharia will protect and safeguard non-

11. 39Volume 4, Nomor 1, Maret 2014|
Nangroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) has various rules of Islamic
law; [1] Qanun (Law) No 11/2002 about the implementation of Islamic
Sharia in the level of theology, Prayer and Islamic Mission, [2] Law No
12/2003 about Wine and a kind of Wine, [3] Law No 13/2003 about
Maisir (Perjudian), [4] Law No 14/2003 about Khalwat, Law no 7/2004
about the Management of tithe (Zakat). Base on Pagar’s research, Aceh’s
people enthusiastically agree with the implementation of Islamic Sharia,
including for non-Muslim. When the observer aks “how if Islamic law
occur only for Muslim”, 65 % disagree. In other words, 65 % of Aceh’s
citizens agree with the implementation of Islamic Sharia for non-
Muslim.18
Furthermore, Pagar concludes that the law of Islamic Sharia in
Aceh does not give implication for dualism (double) of criminal law
(pidana) in Aceh between Islamic Sharia and national law. It is because,
Islamic law just regulates some, not all, aspects.19
b. Religious Violence
Religion frequently provokes, and even becomes the source of,
the conflict, or at least exaggerates it. It is true that religion is not the
only source and cause of peace, but like or dislike in fact that religion
also becomes source and basis of conflict. Many scholars, such as Rene
Muslim as well as in the Medina when Muhammad live. Ahmad Fuad Fanani, “Jihad
Memperjuangkan Syariat Islam; Pandangan Tokoh-Tokoh Pesantren di Jawa Barat”,
(paper presented in 6th Annual Conference on Islamic Studies, Bandung: Department
of Religious Affairs, 2006).
17 Sukron Kamil and Chaider S. Bamualim (eds.), Syariah Islam dan HAM (Jakarta:
Center for the Study of Religion and Culture, 2007), 110-111.
18 Pagar, “Dualisme Hukum Pidana di Nangroe Aceh Darussalam: Analisis terhadap
Dampak Penerapan Hukum Islam”, (Paper presented in 6th Annual Conference on
Islamic Studies, Bandung: Department of Religious Affairs, 2006).
19 Rumadi, “Delik Penodaan Agama dan Kehidupan Beragama”, (paper presented in 6th
Annual Conference on Islamic Studies, Bandung: Department of Religious Affairs,
2006). Rumadi gives some examples of the sullying of religion, such in the 1990
Arswendo Atmowiloto (Chief Editor of Monitor Tabloid) who got sentence five years.
Monitor October 15, 1990 release polling about amazing figure. The result of this
polling shows that the Prophet of Muhammad stands in the position eleven. Because of
this polling, Arswendo get verdict five years, because he is claimed sullying of religion,
specifically Islam. Another sample is Shaleh in Situbondo conflict in 1996, and Mas’ud
Simanungkalit who get sentence three years because he had claimed doing false
interpretation for the Qur’an, etc.

12. 40|Hatim Ghazali – Strengthening the Meaning of Religion in the Democratic Society
Girard (1973),20
Bruce Lawrence (1989),21
Regina Schwartz (1997),22
have
recognized the link between violence and religion. The work of
Juergensmeyer, for example, clearly shows how violence has occurred
and spread under the banners of all religions. In his introduction,
Juergensmeyer writes:
The first half of the book contains chapters on Christians in
America who supported abortion clinic bombings and militia
actions such as the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal
building; Catholics and Protestants who justified acts of terrorism
in Northern Ireland; Muslims associated with the bombing of the
World Trade Center in New York City and Hamas attacks in the
Middle East; Jews who supported the assassination of Prime
Minister Yitzhak Rabin and the attack on Hebron’s Tomb of the
Patriarchs; Sikhs identified with the killing of India’s prime
minister Indira Gandhi and Punjab’s chief minister Beant Singh;
and the Japanese Buddhists affiliated with the group accused of
the nerve gas attack in Tokyo’s subway.23
Clearly, we can look particular cases of religious conflicts in
Indonesia. Since 1996, violence under the banner of religion has been
increasing in Indonesia. Besides small-scale religious violence, such as
that Situbondo, East Java, (1996), Tasikmalaya, West Java (1996),
Purwakarta, West Java (1995), Banjarmasin (1997), Ketapang, Jakarta
(1998), Lampung (2002) and Mataran (2000)24
much larger-scale religious
violence between Muslims and Christians began on January 19, 1999, in
Ambon, Maluku.
20 Rene Girard, Violence and the Sacred, (Baltimore & London: The Johns Hopkins
University Press, 1973).
21 Bruce D. Lawrence, Defenders of God, The Fundamentalist Revolt Against the Modern Age,
(New York: Harper & Row, 1989).
22 Regina Schwartz, The Curse of Cain: The Violent Legacy of Monotheism, (Chicago:
University of Chicago Press, 1997).
23 Mark Juergensmeyer, Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence,
(California: University of California Press, 2000), 13-14.
24 To know social conflicts in Indonesia, which also religious tendency takes place, you
can see the researches from several intellectual, that collected in two books, Konflik
Sosial Bernuansa Agama di Indonesia, Volume I and II, published by Department of
Religious Affairs in 2002 and 2003.

13. 41Volume 4, Nomor 1, Maret 2014|
Contemporary phenomenon is violence for Ahmadiyah, an
Islamic sect founded in India by Mirza Gulam Ahmad and GKI (Gereja
Kristen Indonesia) Yasmin. According to fatwa of the Indonesia Ulama
Council (MUI), Ahmadiyah is illegal belief in Indonesia. Furthermore,
because of MUI’s fatwa, government officially issued the SKB (Surat
Keputusan Bersama) 3 Menteri (SKB No.3/2008, No: Kep-
033/A/JA/6/2008, and No 199/2008) to criminalize Ahmadiyah.
The implementation of Islamic Sharia and religious violence in
Indonesia show that the formalization Islamic Sharia into state’s law is
problematic. Toward this problem, I think, we should firstly differentiate
(not separate) between religion and state affairs. It is important to avoid
what Benjamin F. Intan calls “politicization of religion” and
“religionization of politic”. The two factors making religion's roles in
public area are not productive and contributive to welfare and prosperity
of this country. 25
Differentiating between religion and state matters is not a form
of secularism nor theocratic, but both religion and state (politics) have
different area. If secularism tends to separate religion from the state,
while religion also consists of public doctrine (privatization of public
matters), and theocratic is a kind of “publicization of the private matter”,
the differentiating religion and state is moderate choice than both.
Therefore, to some extend state has right to intervene religion as long as
it related to the role of the state such as separatism and social conflicts
provoked by religion. In accordance with private matters of religion such
as belief, religious experience, etc., the state has no right to intervene.
The reason of why this separation between religion and state is
important is that both religion and state partly have the same role,
namely building welfare society, doing justice, humanity, etc. The
difference between religion and state that religion is to inward aspect of
human being, while state is to outward aspect of human being as a
citizen.
25 Benjamin F. Intan, “Wajah Agama Publik di Indonesia”, in Reform Review, Vol. 1, No.
1, (2007), 34.

14. 42|Hatim Ghazali – Strengthening the Meaning of Religion in the Democratic Society
The aim of distinguishing the state and religion is how religion
has good meaning for individually or socially human being. Therefore,
religion does not legitimate and justify the oppression, injustices,
inhumanity, but religion otherwise promotes and contributes the role of
the state in order that both religion and state can cooperate to humanize
human being, build welfare and justice society, and empowering civil
society. In other words, differentiating state and religion implicitly will
make religion has strong role in managing and controlling socially and
individually human being. Accordingly, both state and religion will
compete each other to apply their function and meaning in social life.
Strengthening the Meaning of Religion
Religions have two faces, which R. Scoot Appleby calls “the
ambivalence of the sacred”.26
Religion, at one hand, appears as the
source of violence. The other hand religion can be potential element to
breed peaceful and reconciliation. In other words, religion is understood
to be the source of serenity, security and peace. But in fact, religion often
is an inciting factor of tension and conflict among religious adherents as
well as with other religious groups.
Meanwhile, all religions doctrinally promote noble messages such
as peace and humanity. Contradiction between the noble messages of
religion (Das Sollen) and the reality (Das sein) has to look for its solution,
unless religions will lose its function in social reality. No other choices,
we have to build and develop the role of religion as well as the original
aim of religion.
Ted G. Jelen and Clyde Wilcox (2002) divide political roles of
religion into two general categories; priestly religious politics and
prophetic religious politics.27
In the first category, religion and state may
stand in a mutually supportive relationship to one another, while in the
26 R. Scoot Appleby, The Ambivalence of the Sacred: Religion, Violence, and Reconciliation
(Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publisher, Inc, 2000), 45.
27 Ted G Jelen and Clyde Wilcox, “Religion: The one, the Few, and the Many,” in Ted
G Jelen and Clyde Wilcox (eds.), Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective (USA:
Cambridge University Press, 2002), 7.

15. 43Volume 4, Nomor 1, Maret 2014|
second one political and religious authority may assume opposed or
independent roles. Furthermore, Jelen and Wilcox explain that priestly
religions may enhance or legitimate political authority in a variety of
ways. National regime supports particular religions, or even establishes
official national religions, such as Islam in Iran, Catholicism in Spain and
Ireland, Lutheranism in Sweden, or Anglicanism in England. Some other
nations have not established a national religion, but they provide
financial support to religious bodies, such as funding for religious school.
In this context, the state may give subsidy for the dominant religion, for
some but not all religion, or for all religions.
By contrast, the prophetic role of religion assumes that religion
can assert a certain level of autonomy and independence from political
authority. In many countries in which more than one religion is applied,
disputes over the autonomy of religious belief and practice are quite
common. Jelen and Wilcox give sample in the United State that the
Supreme Court has ruled on a wide array of issues, including the rights
of religious groups to avoid military service, to refuse to salute the flag in
public school, to be exempt from laws governing the use of peyote, and
to practice animal sacrifice. In 1994, a number Muslim school girls were
expelled from French public school for wearing head scarves mandated
by their religion.28
I am likely to differentiate religion and its followers. Specifically,
in this context I would like to say that Muslim is not identical with Islam.
In making this differentiation -that is as pre-requirement of the role of
religion-, we can analyze clearly, who plays role in conflicts, whether the
religion or the followers. The religions’ followers frequently manipulate
religious teaching to provoke hostility and conflict. The standpoint of
exclusive theology makes the follower to have prejudice and stereotype
toward other religions. We can hear the expression in sermon and
preaching in the mosque, church and synagogue in which sometimes is
28 Jelen and Wilcox, “Religion: The one”, 9.

16. 44|Hatim Ghazali – Strengthening the Meaning of Religion in the Democratic Society
promoted exclusive theology. Exclusivists are making isolation and
trying to get rid of dialogue.29
Hence, we need to revise an exclusive theology to inclusive
theology. The theology constructed by classical ‘ulamâ (Muslim scholars)
within unharmonious interfaith relation led the frame of theology to be
more exclusive, full of double standard and inter-suspicion. Such
theology might be contextual in its age. Nevertheless, when the religious
plurality becomes contemporary fact and natural law, theological changes
is the essential need as the base of religious living in practice. This
inclusive-transformative theology put the human on equal position no
matter his religion, ethnic, race, language and tribe is (QS. Ali ‘Imrân
[3]:64). On this level, all human is expected to be the God’s Caliph on
the earth (khalîfat Allâh fî al-ard}) to accomplish transformation toward the
better direction and live in harmony with the environment. Therefore,
war, religious conflict, or dispute must be avoided as a form of collective
responsibility.
In the context of religions, all religions have a convergent point
(kalimât sawâ‘ in the Qur’an term)—the bond of interfaith plurality. The
inclusive–transformative theology has not only opened the possibility of
truth in others’ belief, but also created serenity and world peace as a
collective responsibility. It means that universal values like love (rah}mah),
wisdom (h}ikmah), universal benefit (maslah}ah ‘âmmah), justice (‘adl) and
equality, etc must be the ‘umbrella’ of all religions to cooperate in
humanitarian deeds. All kinds of evil, violence, or terrorism must be
common enemy. The prophet of Muhammad saw said: “O mankind!
Disseminate peace, tighten the bonds of fraternity, feed (the hungry),
and pray when most of people sleep at night, hence you will enter into
heaven full of welfare”.
After all, good relationship between one religion to others and
differentiating state and religion affairs will promote and make the role
of religion stronger. I think, at least, there are three roles of religion in a
democratic society in which every group has an equal right to speak out
29 Tarmizi Tahir, “Roles of Religious Leaders in Reducing Possible Conflict”, in ICIP
Journal, Vol. 2, No.1 (2005), 1.

17. 45Volume 4, Nomor 1, Maret 2014|
and to associate. First is controlling. The differentiating between state
and religion affairs enables religion to control the state policy, which is
against religions’ principles such as humanity, justice, liberation, etc. All
religions have obligation to keep this world in balance. Therefore, the
authoritarian state is an enemy of religion. This control does not place
religion under religion, but both are equal. For instance, religion has right
to control state when it uses symbols of religion to oppress citizen, or
manipulates symbols for some political interest which is against with
religious values.
Second is humanity. I believe that all religions come to this world
only to humanize human being. Historically, all religions grow and
develop in tribal and uncivilized society in which slavery,
authoritarianism, gender inequality, conflict and violence occur in all
over the place. Moses, Jesus and Muhammad was born in that situation.
Therefore, the great agenda of religion is humanity, H{asan H{anafî,
professor at the University of Cairo, says, “Islam is a humanistic religion.
Man is the center of the universe. Islam is a religion already modernized
from theocentrism to anthropocentrism, from inauthentic to the
authentic. The whole world is created for man”.30
Maintaining humanity
values in Indonesia is very important, because Indonesia, which has
more than 200 ethnic groups,31
several religions and beliefs, potentially
expose the conflict and violence.
Abû H{âmid al-Ghazâlî describes the humanity, which he names
universal benefit (maslah}ah ‘âmmah) for five elements: [1] a safety of
religion, which means no coercion in believe certain religion (hifz} al-dîn),
[2] a physical safety, which means no violence (h}ifz} al-nafs) [3] a safety of
religious thinking and expression from intimidation (h}ifz} al-‘aql), [4] a
safety of family and descent (h}ifz} al-nasl), and [5] a safety of property
(h}ifz} al-mâl).32
Religion, especially Islam, has to maintain and apply these
30 H{asan H{anafî, “Reconciliation and Preparation of Societies”, in Journal of Millennium
Islam, Vol. 1 No.1, (2000), IMFO-AMAN Indonesia, 17.
31 Robert Cribb, “Nation: Making Indonesia”, in Donald K. Emerson (ed.), Indonesia
Beyond Suharto, Polity, Economy, Society, Transition, (New York: M.E. Sharpe, 1999), 3.
32 Abû H{âmid al-Ghazâlî, Al-Mustashfâ min ‘Ilm al-Us}ûl, Vol. 1 (Beirut: Dâr al-Fikr), 26.
This hierarchy of the universal benefit differs from Hassan Hanafi. According to

18. 46|Hatim Ghazali – Strengthening the Meaning of Religion in the Democratic Society
values of humanity. Therefore, inhuman act, attitude, behavior and
policy are an opponent of these values.
The third role of religion is liberation and justice. I believe that
all religions want to liberate and advocate oppressed people. Therefore,
the first followers of several religions are the oppressed people.
Mohammad Tabli said,
To my best knowledge, among all the other revealed texts, only
the Qur’an stresses religious liberty so unambiguously. The reason
is that faith, to be true and reliable, must be a voluntary act. Faith
is an individual concern and commitment and that even parents
must refrain from interfering with it. Faith, as stressed in the basic
text of Islam in clear and indisputable words, is a voluntary act
born out of conviction and freedom.33
Besides liberation, religion also promotes justice. Allah said “Say:
My Lord has enjoined justice, and set upright your faces at every time of
prayer and call on Him, being sincere to Him in obedience; as He
brought you forth in the beginning, so shall you also return” (QS. al-
A‘râf [7]:29). Another verse, Allah said, “O you who believe! Be upright
for Allah, bearers of witness with justice, and let not hatred of a people
incite you not to act equitably; act equitably, that is nearer to piety, and
he careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely Allah is Aware of what you do”
(QS. al-Mâidah [5]:8). These two verses prove that the liberation and
justice are the principle of, at least, Islam. Therefore, the piety will be
more significant if do justice, and the justice will not occur without
liberate oppressed people from their sufferings. Islam makes social
revolution to deconstruct society of Arab for oppressed people.
Hanafi, its hierarchy is, [1] h}ifz} al-h}ayât (safety of life), which al-Ghazâlî calls h}ifz} al-nafs;
[2] h}ifz} al-dîn (safety of religion); [3] h}ifz} al-‘aql (safety of intellect); [4] h}ifz} al-‘ard} (safety
of dignity) which al-Ghâzalî calls h}ifz} al-nasl; [5] h}ifz} al-mâl (safety of property). See
H{asan H{anafî, Dirâsât Islâmîyah, (Cairo: Maktabah al-Anjalû al-Mis}rîyah), 99.
33 Mohamed Talbi, “Religious Liberty”, in Charles Kurzman (ed.), Liberal Islam: A
Sourcebook, (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998), 163.

19. 47Volume 4, Nomor 1, Maret 2014|
Conclusion
Indonesia is neither secular nor Islamic state, but puts Pancasila
as its sole basis, which acknowledges all religion and belief equally and
does not give privilege to one religion, Islam for instance. This ideal
relationship—for Indonesian context—practically often becomes
problem such as politicization of religion and restriction of religion. The
conflict, violence and implementation of Islamic sharia in some places
are evidence that the ideal relationship frequently is manipulated to get
political interest.
Therefore, besides supporting and strengthening this
relationship, I suggest differentiating the state and religion affairs.
Therefore, there is no intervention one another. The right to embrace a
religion is the most basic of human rights and all legislation on religion
should pay attention to those rights. The state should not define a
religion, but should leave it to the people to define their own. The
inclusion of religious identity in legal documents such as identity cards
compromises the state’s guarantee on upholding human rights.
In principle, the role of religion is concerned with empowering
of civil society and maintains religion from politicization and
manipulation. Hence, the value principles such as controlling, humanity,
liberation and justice must be done in order that religion has great and
deep meaning for human being. Briefly, if state is aware to outward
aspect of human being as a citizen, religion is aware to inward aspect
(spirituality) of human being. Religion can reduce corruption, poverty,
unemployment if religion gives meaning for its followers.
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