Book Review: Editor: Al Khanif and Dina Tsalist Wildana; Title: Kebebasan Beragama atau Berkeyakinan di Indonesia; Publisher: Intrans Publishing, 2020

Abstract

The book entitled “Kebebasan Beragama atau Berkeyakinan di Indonesia: Perspektif Filosofis, Hukum dan Politik” explains the complexity of the rights of adherents of religion or beliefs in the era of democracy in Indonesia. What is important to note is whether there is freedom of religion or belief in Indonesia. Social scientists may find it difficult to determine the dimensions of freedom and obedience because in philosophy, for example, freedom and obedience are often contradicted as part of the existentiality of thought. However, in practice, especially in the context of the life of a nation-state, the discourse of freedom and obedience requires theoretical and empirical exploration to form a multicultural society. In this corridor, editors and book writers spread their knowledge as intellectuals and as a form of taking sides on human rights issues. However, sociologically it should be noted that freedom is not a fixed social condition. The dynamics that accompany the emergence of religious adherents should be of public interest so that the knowledge of civil society is filled with emancipatory spirit. Yet, the author finds the opposite condition, where the prerequisites for creating multiculturalism are far from democratic principles. Freedom is still framed legally formally and contradicted as if there is only one absolute truth. In this case, the argument that multiculturalism is a value worth fighting for becomes a barrier because diction has lost its supporting power. Not only because religious sentiment has developed into identity politics but also turned into a different imagination about Indonesia. Of course, the presence of this book is not intended to eliminate the current problems or even to emphasize the channels of difference. On the other hand, reading this book is a challenge to revive the spirit of multiculturalism with a frame of freedom that is a shared responsibility.