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Abstract
In Indonesia – as in other parts of the world – communities aspire to build larger and larger monuments to religion; monuments which are not only houses of worship but markers of ethnicity. In Lombok, the Sasak Muslims and Balinese Hindus are eager to create new mosques and temples, but such building activities easily arouse mutual suspicion. This chapter analyses the attack on Pura Sangkareang, a Balinese temple with an interethnic history, and the rationales, from the perspectives of both Sasak and Balinese, for the temple’s destruction. Telle’s approach discusses the way in which physical spaces are spiritual landscapes connecting living communities with past religious ideation. Examining how shared sacred sites come under pressure as groups redefine their religious identity and practice, the chapter also argues that legal regulations concerning the construction of places of worship discriminate against minorities.
Abstract
In Indonesia – as in other parts of the world – communities aspire to build larger and larger monuments to religion; monuments which are not only houses of worship but markers of ethnicity. In Lombok, the Sasak Muslims and Balinese Hindus are eager to create new mosques and temples, but such building activities easily arouse mutual suspicion. This chapter analyses the attack on Pura Sangkareang, a Balinese temple with an interethnic history, and the rationales, from the perspectives of both Sasak and Balinese, for the temple’s destruction. Telle’s approach discusses the way in which physical spaces are spiritual landscapes connecting living communities with past religious ideation. Examining how shared sacred sites come under pressure as groups redefine their religious identity and practice, the chapter also argues that legal regulations concerning the construction of places of worship discriminate against minorities.
Abstract
The development of contemporary Chinese religion has its own social background. A typical characteristic of it is co-existence with globalization. The present development and future possibilities of religious existence in China should be based on the corresponding relationship with Chinese society, specifically in the contextualization of global engagement. Many people hope and believe that religion can play a very positive role(s) in contemporary China, in line with its global connection. Alhough certain problems still remain, the theme of understanding religion has a very special role within the context of the Chinese effort of constructing a harmonious society.