The Beauty and The Beast of Religions in Indonesia: A Philosophical and Theological Analysis of Presupposition and Hermenetics of Religious Pluralism

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to reveal the suitability of religious pluralism in the perspective of Christian philosophy and theology as a solution to the religious and social problems of Indonesian society or to exacerbate religious and social problems in Indonesia. To achieve this goal, the author uses a qualitative approach with content analysis method. Content analysis is a research technique to make conclusions based on text or content analysis in writing and systematically. Based on this analysis method, it was found that religious pluralism (many) is the same as nihilism (nothing) and dualism (dual) which is not in accordance with Christian philosophy and theology which recognizes that everything comes from the one and only ultimate reality and source. Religious pluralism is built on presuppositions and hermeneutics that are not biblical, so it is contrary to the formulation of Christian theology that is universal (standard). Therefore, pluralism is indeed very dangerous not only for Christianity but also for all religions, because religious pluralism rejects the essence of all religions and contradicts Pancasila, the ideology (base) of the Indonesian nation.