%0 Journal Article
%@ ISSN 2397-348X
%A Suhadi Cholil, -
%D 2022
%F digilib:57618
%I Equinox Publishing
%J Interreligious Studies and Intercultural Theology (
%K Moderation, freedom, harmony, critical perspective, governance of religion
%N 2
%P 196-204
%T Freedom of Religion amid Polarization and Religious Moderation Policy
%U https://digilib.uin-suka.ac.id/id/eprint/57618/
%V 6
%X To address religious extremism and radicalism, the Indonesian government  initiated the idea of “religious moderation” as an official state policy centered  at the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Since 2019 the government has published  books, guidance, and held various trainings on religious moderation, especially  in institutions related to the Ministry. It also develops religious moderation  instruments to ensure that government employees and officials,  especially those within the Ministry, are free from exposure to extremism and  radicalism. The idea is presented by the government as appreciating, respecting,  and protecting the valued religious pluralism in Indonesia. But this article  also argues that, upon critical examination, there are tensions between this  idea and freedom of religion or belief in Indonesia. The religious moderation  policy may run counter to freedom of religion or expression and overlooks  central weaknesses in the existing state governance of religion.