February 2011

 

Doctrine divides, Action unites

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It Hurts, But We Can Face It

Kristi Thie

On Feb. 6, a group of people attacked the house of an Ahmadiyyah member. At least three died, some others were injured and, of course, there was a broken house left. It happened in a small village, a place that we usually consider to be a place of harmony and security where the spirit of community still exists. It was claimed that the attacker came from another place.

On Feb. 8, a group of people attacked three churches and some other public buildings in Temanggung. It is not a big city. It is a place where people still live in a culture defined by agriculture. It was claimed that the attacker came from another place.

It hurts to hear this news. It hurts to know that the spirit of Indonesia (Bhinneka Tunggal Ika) is not seen as a worthy thing anymore by some groups, groups which live together as Indonesians. It hurts to know that groups from other places come to certain places to create a riot. What do they want to say to Indonesia? That they have power? That they exist? Or that they want Indonesia to become a battlefield and then destroyed to pieces of territory according to religion, ethnicity, tribe and language? What do they want?

On Feb. 7, a group of people from various religious, ethnic and political backgrounds gathered together on Mount Merapi’s slope. What did they do? They started a plantation of trees. They tried to make Mount Merapi’s slope that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption last October and November become green again so it can be a place to live and to make a living. Their slogan is “Spread and Grow Brotherhood and Sisterhood.”

This is like dew in the middle of a hurt heart as if God wants to let us know that it is hurt but we still can face it together. Never ever walk alone! Never ever walk only with your church, religion, ethnic group, tribe or geographical area! But walk together, and we can face it!

Shall we?

Pray for Indonesia

This is the time for us to start praying, and not to stop praying, for harmony in Indonesia.

While many people are still suffering because of 2010’s disasters, groups of people attacked other groups. What’s the reason for the attack? Only because of the difference between us/them?

Our country of Indonesia is built on diversity, and it was built through tears and blood. Then why can’t we keep the spirit of our unity in diversity (Bhinneka Tunggal Ika)?

Pray and keep the spirit to work for justpeace in Indonesia.