KRP300817-DES-Applying Bhinneka Tunggal Ika in School Program

Applying Bhinneka Tunggal Ika in School Program

By: Dessy Ekowati Latief
Tema: KEBANGSAAN

There are various religious and/or spiritual beliefs in Indonesia. Some say that Indonesia is a religious country. A survey¹ in 2009 even said that Indonesia is the 4th most religious country in the world. Unfortunately there are also numerous conflicts in our country which can be traced back to religious-differences-issue. It reveals the sad fact that Bhinneka Tunggal Ika as our national motto might actually got stuck at the “say” belief²-level.  

In order to move up to the “do” belief²-level, Indonesians need to at least build a “respecting mind”³ if not “ethical mind”³, towards religious differences. To be able to respect differences, we first need to understand them. To be able to understand the differences, we need to learn about them. As teachers we know that there are multiple ways to learn something, i.e. by asking questions about it, by doing research on it. It is important to bear in mind that the questions asked must come up as the effort to know and to understand certain ritual, symbol, and/or teaching of certain religion; NOT to attack nor to mock it.

Indonesian schools can play a significant part in bridging the religious differences by providing opportunities for students to learn about different religious rituals, symbols, and teachings. Schools can conduct cross-religions discussion, live-in program, visit to places for religious services e.g. vihara, temple, etc. Eventually, schools can help minimizing or maybe even eliminating religious-related conflicts in Indonesia.

Keywords: religion, differences, learning to understand, school program

References:

¹ http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/most-religious-countries-in-the-world.html

² Ryan, Kevin & Karen E. Bohlin. 1999. Building Character in Schools. Jossey Bass: USA.

³ Gardner, Howard. 2006. Five Minds of the Future. Harvard Business School Press: USA.