Religious violence flares in Indonesia

[Jodievt]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/23/religious-violence-flares-in-indonesia-as-mob-torches-aceh-church

[Qapla]

Muslim vigilante is shot dead as small Protestant house of worship attacked and authorities move to ‘ensure security’ – by demolishing more churches

[Jodievt]

Priests have gone into hiding. It's interesting that the police ended up demolishing 4 churches for the sake of security.

[Trina]

I don't understand how they can say that Muslim is a peaceful religion, there is so much happening because of this religion that is horribly violent.

[bohemian]

I don't understand how they can say that Muslim is a peaceful religion, there is so much happening because of this religion that is horribly violent.

The problem is that of perceptions. Islam is being misrepresented in many ways, not least because of the contradictory statements within the Koran itself.

Many would ask the same question as yourself concerning Christianity. How can that be a peaceful relgion? We know the answer to that one. The majority of muslims see Islam as a peaceful religion, but some twist it for their own ends.

I have many muslim neighbours, all friendly peaceful people.

There is much confusion over Islam, it seems especially in the USA, where some people even think that 'Muslim' is a nationality!

Just an edit to refer to the original news item. Did you notice that the churches were build without a proper permit? Only those churches are being demolished. I am not excusing the violence in any way, but had the churches obeyed 'Caesar's' law, would this have worked out differently?

Edited October 23, 2015 by bohemian

[Jodievt]

It was my understanding that intimidation was involved in the 'lack of permits'

When Muslim and Christian members of the FKUB in Aceh Singkil decided that 10 of 22 churches in the district would be torn down, it was their decision the police was enforcing.

***It was not a decision that Christian priests in Aceh Singkil felt at liberty to dispute. Bishop Elson said on the day of the meeting his pastor had been escorted by police and “forced to sign”.

“Of course, they were intimidated,” said a Human Rights Watch researcher, Andreas Harsono. “They told me that attending the meeting, they felt like they were on trial

...

Apparently the fkub is dominated by muslim majority who can veto. Now i am leery whether they really did build illegally or not but the fact that religion is fighting against each other is of interest. In the west media fearmongers islam. In islam dominated places Christiandom is feared.

[shali]

In almost every religion there are "extremists" those who carry things to the extreme and to the detriment of others, they are solely  focused on accomplishing their "cause" at any cost.  The ones who carry out these kinds of crimes against others would be termed "extremists" I feel.  We have them in Christianity too (that couple that just beat their son to death to get him to confess and put the other son in the hospital with serious injuries, to name one).

Edited October 23, 2015 by shali

[Trina]

It is so true that it has been and is in Christianity all you have to do is look at history to see.