"Politics is now a matter of life and death that breeds political war and fanaticism."
So warned the leader of Mohammadiyah, Indonesia's second-largest Islamic organization.
"Politics", he continued, "is no longer regarded as an issue of worldly affairs, which allows room for differences. It is now associated with faith, which is absolute." He went on to warn against the unenlightened implementation of Islam, which could lead to problems such as extremism, intolerance, misinformation, the politicization of religion and also hate speech and hostility. "Religion", he said, "should be a blessing for all humanity."
Nice to hear a Muslim leader talking good sense (not to mention sound spiritual doctrine). Perhaps, with our 'thoughts and prayers', certain overly vocal evangelistic Christian leaders will join him, or at least learn to keep their mouths shut more often.
Stop mixing religion with politics, Nashir said, and focus on assessing the programs of election contenders.
Again, good advice; which, translated to the American scene, means to stop talking about God elevating this or that man to the presidency, for God has nothing to do with it. Politics is a free will pursuit of men toward the object, ideally, of benefitting men. In Indonesia, as in America, people are becoming ever more inclined, and quite undemocratically so, to justify their particular political prejudice by claiming the seal of God Almighty. Whatever else this may be, it is certainly a darn good way to end all political discourse and moderation.
So warned the leader of Mohammadiyah, Indonesia's second-largest Islamic organization.
"Politics", he continued, "is no longer regarded as an issue of worldly affairs, which allows room for differences. It is now associated with faith, which is absolute." He went on to warn against the unenlightened implementation of Islam, which could lead to problems such as extremism, intolerance, misinformation, the politicization of religion and also hate speech and hostility. "Religion", he said, "should be a blessing for all humanity."
Nice to hear a Muslim leader talking good sense (not to mention sound spiritual doctrine). Perhaps, with our 'thoughts and prayers', certain overly vocal evangelistic Christian leaders will join him, or at least learn to keep their mouths shut more often.
Stop mixing religion with politics, Nashir said, and focus on assessing the programs of election contenders.
Again, good advice; which, translated to the American scene, means to stop talking about God elevating this or that man to the presidency, for God has nothing to do with it. Politics is a free will pursuit of men toward the object, ideally, of benefitting men. In Indonesia, as in America, people are becoming ever more inclined, and quite undemocratically so, to justify their particular political prejudice by claiming the seal of God Almighty. Whatever else this may be, it is certainly a darn good way to end all political discourse and moderation.
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