Reinterpreting “Belief in One Supreme God": Biblical Theology and the Social Construction of Religious Intolerance in Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64529/37dd1d03Keywords:
Pancasila, Religious Intolerance, Biblical Theology, Social Construction, PluralismAbstract
This article analyzes the interpretation of the One Godhead (Ketuhanan yang Maha Esa) as the first precept of Pancasila and its relationship to the social construction of religious intolerance in contemporary Indonesia. The unit of analysis of this research is a philosophical, theological, and social discourse that forms the meaning of the first precept in the context of religious pluralism. This study aims to examine how differences in interpretation—particularly between exclusive and inclusive interpretations—affect religious attitudes, public discourse, and social practices related to tolerance. The research method is qualitative, integrating a comprehensive literature review and critical discourse analysis of academic texts, policy documents, religious narratives, and media representations. Key findings suggest that exclusive, literalist interpretations of the One Godhead contribute to the polarization of identity and the legitimation of intolerant practices, while inclusive interpretations that align with biblical theological ethics—such as human dignity, justice, and love—have transformative potential to strengthen social cohesion. This article contributes to the interdisciplinary study of religion and democracy by offering an inclusive conceptual framework for multireligious education based on the philosophy of Pancasila and biblical hermeneutics.
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