http://www.indonesiamatters.com/3299/religious-differences-pluralism/
Religious Differences & Pluralism November 29th, 2008, in Opinion, by Ross Ross on the bigotry of teachers of religion in Islamic schools, ideological jilbabs, and Dewi Persik. Schools Run by Nutters The Jakarta Post recently gave front page attention to a survey (by an Islamic college, Pusat Pengkajian Islam dan Masyarakat (PPIM)) of Muslim "religious teachers" which indicates that a large percentage of them are benighted savages. This in itself may come as no surprise but what is particularly disturbing is the fact that a clear majority of these ignoramuses are affiliated to the so-called "moderate, main-stream" Muslim bodies, the NU (44.9% ) and Muhammadiyah (23.8%). While their enthusiasm for cutting off thieves' hands is a matter of taste, their notion that stoning ought to be applicable to people convicted of "other crimes" is abominable. (One hopes they will go easy on parking violations and smokers!) I'm no softy pinko and I'm all for tough penalties, but we know how primitive Aceh is, beatings administered by cowards in masks to guys who play cards for small change or teeny-boppers who get caught canoodling - are we really looking at a situation whereby thousands, millions, maybe, of young Muslims all over Indonesia are indoctrinated into this kind of garbage by semi-educated goat-beards? Over 21% of the nutters think anybody smart enough to convert out of Islam should be murdered. An incredible 85.6% abuse their positions to tell kids not to go to 'Western' festivals - i.e. if a young Muslim lad wants to go to his Christian pal's Christmas party, he's affronting his own religion. Sounds to me that there is a degree of insecurity in these pesantren senior common rooms - do they think the joyful festivities might seem more appealing than sonorous ululations? Again, much the same percentage says it is impermissible even to learn about other religions! How asinine (and in this case hopefully self-defeating - if you tell a teen he's not allowed to know about something, he's likely to get into it PDQ). These morons, 73.1% of those surveyed, object to having churches or other faiths' houses of worship in their neighbourhoods. Insecurity again! Bet they'd be the first to whine if Brits or Aussies object to a cacophany of mosques being erected in Sydney or Birmingham. Yet 75% urge students to urge their contemporaries to convert to Islam. How they'd manage to demolish tenets of other faiths if they may not first make themselves aware of their target's current beliefs is a fascinating point which may be too complex for neanderthal imams to take on board. When I worked in the West, I had numerous Muslim colleagues, exemplary in their prayers and other religious obligations but happy to join in the office Xmas knees-up. Thus I had a very open mind towards Islam when I came here. I find it harder and harder to maintain this, despite the many normal,sensible Muslims I meet and with whom I agree on a great many issues. Moderate Muslims abound, but they are not calling the shots. The bad guys evidently have the whip-hand in education and politically, well, recall my post about the mayor of Tangerang, a man of mediaeval mentality, who nevertheless got the entire spectrum of "moderate" and even "nationalist" parties to back his bid for re-election. Now we read of the PDI-P and the PKS playing footsie, despite the candour with which the latter's leading lights admit their long-term goal of suffocating Indonesia under a giant ideological jilbab. It's just too grim to contemplate, especially for those who never want to leave these islands. Okay, that's today's rail - but just as a playful idea, how about we give the sharia gang something to keep them busy. The PKS has supplied a number for the public (and that surely includes expats) to nominate women whose activities are an inspiration to Indonesia. It was in 24/11 Jakarta Post - 0856 7007 699 - and I'm strongly tempted to sms the name of a truly inspirational Indonesian female, the delightful Dewi Perssik! I doubt if they'll go by the democratic method of total smses received, but it would be great if she got more than anybody else. On the other hand, guess the PKS wouldn't let on! Tags: Aceh, Beliefs, Christmas, Churches, Dewi Persik, Education, Faiths, Islam, Islamic, Islamic Schools, Jakarta Post, Jilbab, Moderate, Muhammadiyah, Muslim, Muslims, Nahdlatul Ulama, NU, Partai Keadilan Sejahtera, Pesantren, PKS, Pluralism, Religion, Religions, Religious, Schools, Sharia, Students, Tangerang, Women
