%A - Suhadi Cholil
%J Interreligious Studies and Intercultural Theology (
%T Freedom of Religion amid Polarization and Religious Moderation Policy
%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.
%N 2
%K Moderation, freedom, harmony, critical perspective, governance of religion
%P 196-204
%V 6
%D 2022
%I Equinox Publishing
%L digilib57618