Public Religion"" and the Pancasila-Based State of Indonesia (American University Studies. Series VII. Theology and Religion) [Hardcover]

Benyamin Fleming Intan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 6, 2006 | Series: American University Studies. Series VII. Theology and Religion (Book 238)

"Public Religion" and the Pancasila-Based State of Indonesia: An Ethical and Sociological Analysis analyzes the public role of religion in Indonesian society from the pre-independence period to the end of Suharto's New Order government. It offers constructive suggestions regarding how Indonesian religion can play a significant role within the framework of Pancasila, Indonesia's national ideology. Based on a Christian-Muslim dialogue, it is only within the realm of civil society that Indonesian religion will be able to promote the ideas of democracy, tolerance, and human rights in Indonesian public affairs. In short, far from being anti-pluralist, Indonesian religion evolves as a liberating force in the life of society, nation, and state.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"The heightened role of religion in the public sphere can become either a source of violence or a source of reconciliation. Benyamin Fleming Intan's work offers positive suggestions of how religion can develop as a transformative and liberating force in Indonesian public affairs. Undoubtedly this book will make an important contribution to the contemporary debate about the proper role of religion in Indonesia. I recommend it highly." Muhammad A. S. Hikam, Author of Demokrasi dan Civil Society (1996); Former Minister for Research and Technology, Republic of Indonesia; Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (2004-2009)

"Benyamin Fleming Intan's book is an important contribution to the ongoing discussion about the relation between religion and politics in Indonesia, specifically on the crucial issue of the meaning of Pancasila." Franz Magnis-Suseno, S.J., Director of Postgraduate Department, Driyarkara School of Philosophy, Jakarta

"For more than three decades, Pancasila as an Indonesian state Weltanschauung has become more rhetoric than practice. Although Pancasila has been formulated in the Preamble of the Indonesian Constitution and has been determined as the source of all Indonesian law, it is still a dead letter. This book analyzes the ongoing problems and finds the answers to why it has been so difficult to implement." J. E. Sahetapy, Chairman of the National Law Commission, Republic of Indonesia; Former Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (1999-2004)

About the Author

Since 1998 Benyamin Fleming Intan has been teaching social and political ethics at the Reformed Institute, Jakarta, Indonesia. He has written several chapters in books on public religion and numerous popular articles on social ethics in various magazines and newspapers in the country. Dr. Intan received his M.A. in theological studies at Reformed Theological Seminary (Jackson, Mississippi), his M.A. in religion from The Divinity School of Yale University (New Haven, Connecticut), and his Ph.D. in social ethics from Boston College (Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 277 pages
• Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing (January 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082047603X
• ISBN-13: 978-0820476032
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,798,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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