Monkey Mail: An End to Religious Intolerance at Last
It seems that we can now argue with confidence that candles (tastefully arranged) are the key to improving religious tolerance throughout the archipelago (Reuters Photo/Sigit Pamungkas)
The subject of religious tolerance is a vexed one, but I’ve found out what the problems are and how to solve them. I never thought it could be so easy. Once this is published I’m pretty sure it’ll be a matter of days before peace and harmony descends on Tanah Air’s trouble spots and I’m called in to sort out the Middle East mess.
This is how it came about.
“I don’t like Buddhism,” said a Muslim friend. “The temples are so dusty because of all the ash from the candles.”
“If the places were tidied up a bit, would you consider liking it?” I enquired.
“Maybe.”
This exchange, deeply focused on the core beliefs of one of the world’s largest religions, got me thinking. If we extrapolated, or “scaled up” as scientists like to say, from these findings it was clear that tidy temples would go a long way towards winning the hearts and minds of the Muslim citizens of Tanah Air.
I decided to push this beyond a “Tidy Temples” campaign and see if I could sort out the enmity between Catholics and other Christians so I extended the survey to a friend of the former persuasion.
“I don’t mind Protestantism. It’s still sort of Christianity,” she said, “but I grew up a Catholic and I want to get married in a Catholic church.”
This was a little more complex than just whizzing through the vihara with a vacuum cleaner; this was about genealogy. I could now see clearly the roots of the centuries-old animosity between the two sides of the same coin. This required some further research.
“What do you like about Catholic churches, in particular?”
“The candles: they're so pretty.”
“So if Protestant churches had candles would you consider marrying in one?”
“Maybe.”
One could begin to see a theme emerging in the research findings, but more work was needed. Accordingly, I asked another friend, a Hindu, what he thought of Islam.
“I don't like waking up early,” he said. “I prefer praying at night. Everyone dresses up and looks fabulous!”
In keeping with the more diverse nature of Hinduism’s beliefs, here was the most complex analysis yet.
It took a lot of thought before I finally pushed through to the winning question: “Would you consider Islam if there were more prayer sessions at night with fashion designers giving advice?”
“Maybe.”
“How about with some tastefully arranged candles?”
“Sounds lovely. As long as there wasn’t too much smoke and ash.”
“I said ‘tastefully,’ ” I gently reminded him.
It seems that we can now argue with confidence that candles (tastefully arranged) are the key to improving religious tolerance throughout the archipelago. Of course, there will have to be some nuanced work done on the shapes, sizes, numbers, luminosity, colors, and various tasteful arrangements of the candles, not to mention some nifty broom and vacuum cleaner work, but I think we can feel pretty safe in our overall conclusion.
Candle concession holders are probably feeling pretty safe now, too.
Good point Ivanovich, hence that's why the fear "western contamination" and anybody exposed to satelite TV & internet is deemed "western agents" and any attempts by the change of mindset and views by the previously militant taliban is viewed as "traitor turned western wannabe".
The main flaw at this time is that while the people are practicing their own beliefs/religion, they are not taught to know & accept others' religion/beliefs. The rules & regulations of religions was established at the time when there was no modern conveniences like electricity and handphone for communication. Moreover, modern/formal education was not available to the general population. So most people will accept & obey the religious teachers in ways the latter may interpret without questions for fear of offending the almighty. If the religious teachers are ignorant with a static mindset, then their interpretations may be skewed which in turn will cause their followers to be the same. A case in point is about one taliban field commander who was exposed to satellite TV & internet. He remains a practicing muslim and urge other talibans to stop their militancy and learn about the outside world for the benefits of their people & country.
It seems that their view of religion is very shallow.
what the point with this ? intolerance is when each other ignorant and not know what they are dealing with. the importance thing is each ppl start to learn not from one perspective. think out of the box. not just one story-telling or one action can draw a conclusion that this religion is bad, spread hatred, this religion had mission to recruit ppl to be the same as them. that a dull. indonesian need to "grow up" and stop watching tv (especially) and rumor, start reading any information and we can draw any conclusion, but be smart not use offensive words or action. regards, indonesian.
Hahahahaha. A nice light hearted read on a difficult problem. if only the solution were as easy and fun as suggested.
But alas, mankind must have something to fight over and religion with its perfectly unprovable concept of "a deity with a beard in the sky" will remain that catalyst for argument, hate, violence, and intolerance until the day that mankind, in its current evolutionary state, ceases to exist or evolves into something more "enlightened"
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@Sabrina I don't think education plays the biggest role here, certainly not unemployment. If parents instill the right values, a grown up m 7:14am | Hijab, Misunderstood Symbol of...
I spend most my adult live abroad and rarely back home to Indonesia .Reason that worth mentioning here what I remember back than non of my relative 8:17pm | Hijab, Misunderstood Symbol of...
@OVOxo: "It should NOT be the Women's responsibilities to change their clothing, but the Men to change their mindset." Oh, how I 6:36pm | Hijab, Misunderstood Symbol of...
i think we can't judge someone from what she wear or bring or believe. the problem is not about a religion but the people. 4:42pm | Hijab, Misunderstood Symbol of...
@SirAKB, well said.
