padt - I am deeply gratified!

I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreter of their thoughts. Thus no two people ought to be able to empirically experience the same thing. More so, when religious views becomes a subject of debate or a discussion. This is why I often try to avoid this

in my comments.

Padt, thanks for your great comment. Tantomo, the religion is not to blame. When I mention a religious country, I am thinking about some people who claim to be religious, who want Indonesia to be driven by religion but who forget the basics of the religion . Almost every religion has charity a part of it but so many people just obliterate it in their mind and this is sad.

Another way of helping the poor people would be to reinforce family planning and sexual education for the young people.

tamtomo - thank you for your comment. Your observation is valid and appreciated. I thank you for it.

Indonesia, by virtue of its Constitution, identifies itself as a religious country - in fact, many of its public stances and utterances take religious sensibilities into consideration.

Indonesia claims to be therefore a 'religious society'. I personally would not make that claim for Indonesia or for any county. Although I believe in God I also believe in the separation of religion and state. Indonesia does not.

However, if Indonesia is going to claim within its own borders that it is a religious society and present itself further afield to a wider world community as a moral and religious society, then it needs to play by its own rules.

You are right. A religious teaching or practice is not (directly?) under discussion here. It was not for some religious misdemeanor that these unfortunate people have been penalised. However, they are being penalised within a society that officially says it is governed according to the laws of God. I don't make that claim, Indonesia does.

Well, the laws of God tell us to care for the destitute and to be open handed to the poor and the weak.

In that sense, according to Indonesia's official logic, it is therefore a religious matter.

I made my comments below because I get confused living in a society that reminds me daily that it is a religious society - and yet I see at first hand evidence of gross disregard for human dignity and people's rights. Just how far does 'being a religious society' extend into and effect public social policy and private behaviour?

If Indonesia is officially going to speak of itself as a 'religious society' which it does, then I will speak with Her as a religious society and presume She will act accordingly. If that is not Indonesia's intention, then perhaps its about time the the situation was recognised for what it is.

Again, thanks for your comment. I hope this clarifies my own.

Whilst I can partially agree with you on your comments, it's got nothing to do with religion. I have observed that you often associate religion to your comments. Why do you need do it?

I agree 100% with you Padt. How can a so religious country allows this? But be careful, if you criticize the hospital, they may try to put you in jail. These doctors never heard about Hypocrat?