Religion is indeed a hot thing as processed material both verbally and non-verbally. Religion is always interesting to review for its truth, history, and its involvement in everything.
According to Joesef Sou’yb, religion is something that must be known about the meaning contained in it, and religion is based on a psychological craze in the form of belief, so that the strength or weakness of religion depends on the extent to which belief is embedded in the soul.
Baca juga: Local Beliefs: Saminisme and The Definition of Life.
Religion is Based on a Belief in the Human Heart
In this world, there are so many people who have different thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives. Many things can distinguish one human from another. Therefore, there could not be in this world, humans who were completely the same. Likewise, with the beliefs of each individual.
Every individual must have a different level of belief. According to Joesef Sou’yb’s words, religion is based on a belief in the human heart. Religion depends on how strong this belief is rooted in humans. In other words, religion is not something that can be bound by law, but religion will be handcuffed to the beliefs of each individual’s heart. This is very relevant to indigenous religions.
Indigenous religions are often not recognized by some countries because there are several countries that have laws that regulate how their citizens should practice religion. By law, it is possible for the law to make its citizens to obey the religion that is being offered. Yet, again, the law can never afford the conviction that is ingrained in an individual’s heart.
Indigenous Religions
Indigenous religions are often associated with new religions. However, it turns out that indigenous religions are beliefs that have long been held by some people in various parts of the world. In Indonesia itself, there are quite a number of indigenous religions that are still practiced by the people.
However, unfortunately, based on the Indonesian Information Portal, Indonesia itself only recognizes six major religions. It is clear and legally patented. Thus, by means of a National Identity Card, every Indonesian citizen is required to have one of the religions recognized by the Indonesian state as their religion.
Even though in reality, their religion and belief are different from the facts on the National Identity Card. Often times, the previous generation (our grandparents) when asked what their religion is and their answers tend to point not to the six major religions recognized by the Indonesian state.
Their answers were like Kejawen (Javanese tribe), Sundanese Wiwitan (Sundanese tribe), Marapu (Sumba tribe, East Nusa Tenggara), Masade (Sangir tribe, North Maluku), and so on. Their answers are not completely wrong because they answer according to their beliefs.
This Belief and Religion Began to Mix
Furthermore, this belief and religion began to mix. For instance, in Java itself, there is already a term Islam Kejawen. Socio-culturally, Islam Kejawen is a sub-culture and part of Javanese culture. The term Kejawen is used by the community to refer to the culture and traditions of the former Islamic The Mataram Kingdom in Yogyakarta (Kasultanan and Pakualaman) and Surakarta (Kasunanan and Mangkunegaran). From here, the Kejawen tradition began to develop. Furthermore, the term Islam is used in the Kejawen tradition as a separate identity that is different from both Puritan Islamic identity and Javanese identity. Islam Kejawen is a religion that has adapted to the culture and traditions of Nagari Agung which then can create an identity that combines Javanese and Islamic culture into Islamic religiosity with Javanese colors. Well, this Kejawen culture is often mystical. The mystical color of Islam in the Javanese Islamic culture is so thick in the phenomenon of Javanese diversity. This cannot be separated from the role of the Guardians of the Demak era and afterward in spreading Islamic da’wah culturally.
All Differences First Step to Unity
Kejawen is just one example. There are still many other indigenous religions that are still widely embraced in Indonesia. However, people who adhere to this indigenous religion are hindered by the laws that are applied in this country. In accordance with human rights, every human should be allowed to follow whatever religion they want to adhere to in accordance with the right to freedom of religion. Therefore, as human beings, it is hoped that humans can uphold all these differences. That way, a peaceful life can be achieved together. All differences are not the first step for disunity but the first step to unity because of these differences we have diversity.
Writer: Yayang Nadistya Ayu
Student of Sampoerna University
