Religion and Regulation in Indonesia

This book analyses the relation between state and religion in Indonesia, considering both the philosophical underpinning of government intervention on religious life but also cases and regulations related to religious affairs in Indonesia. Examining state regulation of religious affairs, it focuses on understanding its origin, history and consequences on citizens' religious life in modern Indonesia, arguing that while Indonesian constitutions have preserved religious freedom, they have also tended to construct wide-ranging discretionary powers in the government to control religious life and oversee religious freedom. Over more than four decades, Indonesian governments have constructed a variety of policies on religion based on constitutional legacies interpreted in the light of the norms and values of the existing religious majority group. A cutting edge examination of the tension between religious order and harmony on one hand, and protecting religious freedom for all on the other,this book offers a cutting edge study of how the history of regulating religion has been about the constant negotiation for the boundaries of authority between the state and the religious majority group.

Examines the History of state-religion relationship in Indonesia Addresses key issues of religion tension, Islamic Populism, Minority Rights and the Vilification Law Considers the tension between religious order and harmony, and religious freedom

Autorentext
Dr Ismatu Ropi is Senior Researcher at Center for the Study of Islam and Society (Pusat Pengkajian Islam dan Masyarakat) and Senior Lecturer at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta, Indonesia. His PhD won the 2012 Ann Bates Postgraduate Prize for the Most Outstanding Thesis at the Australian National University.

Inhalt
Introduction.- The State and Religion: an Overview.- Theorising Regulation of Religion.- Religion and Religious Life in Indonesia: Legacies from the Past.- Negotiating Boundaries of Religion Roles in the State System.- Religion and the Intrusive Constitutions.- Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa: Contests of Meaning and Interpretation.- The Ministry of Religious Affairs, Muslim Community and the Administration of Religious Life.- Regulating Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa in Public Life.- Suharto New Order's Regime, Development Program and Religion.- Governmentalisation of Religious Policies.- Managing Religious Tension.- Islamic Populism over Minority Rights.- Old Issues New Controversies: Cases of the Place of Worship, the Ahmadiyah Group and the Judicial Review of Vilification Law.- Conclusion.