TheJakartaPost
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Your letters: Living in a multicultural society
This refers to an article titled âPolice prevent hardliners from closing down Bantul churchâ (The Jakarta Post, July 16, p5)
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his refers to an article titled 'Police prevent hardliners from closing down Bantul church' (The Jakarta Post, July 16, p5).
Indonesia is a multicultural society, consisting not only of the religions that were brought here by colonialists. In a very good conversation with friends, one of them a highly respected Muslim functionary, I said mockingly, 'you are mostly Muslims, some are Christians, but deep in your heart you all still believe in your old local religions ' this blending is what I like about Indonesia.' He was gravely nodding his head and said 'well, in a way you may be right.'(I hope he and I will not get arrested for this.)
I guess we should be beyond the medieval times where in Europe (and elsewhere) the 'unfaithful' would be killed.
Now, white, black, yellow or brown can only describe people who have not noticed that there is something beyond the borders of their village ' and here we come back to education (which by the way, is where I am trying to help out in this country ' not just vacationing).
So, Happy Hari Raya, Merry Christmas, Cheerful Hanukah and whatever else there is.
W. Nellen
Jakarta
