Andreas Harsono on whether Muslim journalists cover up or distort stories of religious violence.

A fan/local perspective on the recent visit of American reality TV/game show "The Amazing Race" to Indonesia.

As the holy month looms an Australian journalist plans his escape from the restrictions and impositions of Ramadhan and its aftermath.

A list of upcoming Indonesian public holidays, PLUS their implications for travel in Indonesia.

Re-emphasising the need for Pancasila based education values to deal with the rise of religious radical groups in Indonesia.

Sometimes despite all the laughs, Indonesia is hard to take as a serious nation.

Pop Star Ariel was convicted of violating the Anti-Pornography Law and the Criminal Code in relation to three sex videos that feature a man resembling him having sex separately with TV presenters Cut Tari and Luna Maya, the singer’s girlfriend. He was also fined Rp 250 million ($28,000) and 3.5 years gaol.

The presiding judge, Singgih Budi Prakoso, said one of the factors affecting Ariel’s sentence was his celebrity status.

His “crime” was someone stole a personal Video of him having sex and a bunch of sad sexually inadequate tossers decided he should be punished???

Compare that to torturing and burning an Indonesian’s testicles by Indonesian Military, 10 months for lowest ranking person involved and not so much as a reprimand for his Superiors.  Not so much as an arrest for those FPI thugs who beat and bashed 100s at Monas square.  Burn a church no problem, harass orphans not an issue.  Major corruptor, multi exit travel at the airport of your choice. Private sex tape ...go to gaol, you sinner...What absolute nonsense.  One has to wonder if there is any truth in the rumour this was payback because Ariel happened to make one very senior government official, shall we say a bit jealous and more than lacking in comparison.

As for Budi the judge, seems to me isn’t a basic principle of law that it applies equally to all people since when did being a celebrity change things.  Sounds like envy to me and looking at the freaks from the FPI I can see why they are envious.  No wonder they are hanging out for the virgins in paradise, because no human would wish to copulate with them unless under duress..

WHAT SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS INDEED…AND WHAT A COMMENTARY ON THE NATION INCLUDING THE SO CALLED SILENT MAJORITY.

UPDATE: Sometimes despite all the laughs  - "Indonesia is hard to take as a serious nation"  (I want to change that, to Indonesia is just hard to take)  We have since had the grotesque incident were 1500 animals attacked 20 people and beat/hacked 3 to death.  This of course has now been flashed around the world making a mockery of the nation and it's claims of civilized tolerance. Even more galling was watching government official after government official make apologies and excuses for these cowardly pigs.  The Governor of the region even had the sheer audacity to say the tragedy was beyond humanly powers...Say What!! Who the hell did this person (?)think was doing the hacking and videoing for later viewing pleasure ..a wandering gang of angry peacocks.

Still one would think the government at higher levels would be shocked if not humiliated into doing their job and yet...

Are we ashamed of ourselves yet or what does it take?

From the Jakarta Globe..

Two days after a Muslim lynch mob killed three members of a minority Islamic sect, crowds of furious Muslims set two churches alight as they rampaged in anger over the prison sentence imposed on defendant Antonius Bawengan, 58.

A court in the Central Java town of Temanggung had sentenced the man to five years in jail, the maximum allowable, for distributing leaflets insulting Islam.

But this only enraged the crowd, who said the sentence was too lenient, police said.

"Today was the climax of the trial ... The mob shouted that he should receive the death sentence or be handed over to the public," Central Java province police spokesman Djihartono said.

"There are two churches that have been burned. The windows were shattered and the roofs were charred ... There is also another church that was damaged."

About 1,500 protesters took to the streets and pelted stones at the police, who responded with tear gas and fired warning shots into the air. One police vehicle was set ablaze, Antara news agency reported.

They chanted "kill, kill" outside the court and "burn, burn" as they set upon the churches.

You would think that would spur some action on behalf and yet today..

Two days after a Muslim lynch mob killed three members of a minority Islamic sect, crowds of furious Muslims set two churches alight as they rampaged in anger over the prison sentence imposed on defendant Antonius Bawengan, 58.

A court in the Central Java town of Temanggung had sentenced the man to five years in jail, the maximum allowable, for distributing leaflets insulting Islam.

But this only enraged the crowd, who said the sentence was too lenient, police said.

"Today was the climax of the trial ... The mob shouted that he should receive the death sentence or be handed over to the public," Central Java province police spokesman Djihartono said.

"There are two churches that have been burned. The windows were shattered and the roofs were charred ... There is also another church that was damaged."

About 1,500 protesters took to the streets and pelted stones at the police, who responded with tear gas and fired warning shots into the air. One police vehicle was set ablaze, Antara news agency reported.

They chanted "kill, kill" outside the court and "burn, burn" as they set upon the churches.

Rampage by militant groups in in Bandung & Tasikmalaya, while a senior Democrat Party figure calls for their banning.

Air Asia's plan to grow its business in Indonesia and beyond.

On 8th November about 15 white clad men descended on the Ganjuran Sacred Heart Church in Sumbermulyo village, Bambanglipuro, Bantul, Yogyakarta, and demanded that dozens of Merapi volcano refugees that were being given shelter in the church, - those of them who were Muslim, - leave forthwith.

Plans to install CCTV surveillance cameras in the red light district of Surabaya, Dolly, as the noose tightens around it.

How separatists are dealt with in West Papua; the torture of Reverend Kindeman Gire.

Nineteen 'local' religions clamouring for state recognition says the NU, but the God of Indonesia is a jealous being.

Justice Party (PKS) politician Jazuli Juwaini's bloodthirsty salivating over the supposed death of Pastor Bob Old.

Who is winning the race to build the most houses of worship: proof minorities are not discriminated against.

Whether God is relevant now, physical and intellectual evolution leaving God in the past.

The world's most inspiring 'tweeter' is Fahira Idris it seems; her battles with FPI leader Habib Rizieq.

A Christian short stay type complex in Cisarua, Bogor is burned to the ground by the 'Puncak Line'.

The many low-cost or free tourist attractions in the cities of Jakarta and Surabaya.

Sectarian mapping of cities to prevent conflict, as another church, in Bekasi, is closed.

Constitutional Court hears case on free interpretation of religions, a human right or recipe for anarchy.

Latest book bannings from the Attorney General's Office, revisionist history and religious pluralism.

Short story competition on the culture wars, Timdog and Ross go head to head.

Ross finds shameful bigotry in the fair city of Tangerang.

The place where bizarre, abusive, tortured comments that don't get approved come to rest.

What lonely women want, what adults get up to, Sasak singers get in trouble for suggesting answers.

Educating the public about the pornography bill and legal challenges against UU Porno at the Constitutional Court.

Another East Timor in Papua, lack of development in the province, and racism by other Indonesians towards Papuans.

Sectarian violence over classroom blasphemy allegations in the Central Moluccas near Ambon.

Ross on the bigotry of teachers of religion in Islamic schools, ideological jilbabs, and Dewi Persik.

Treespotter looks at capital punishment around the world, and an argument in favour of it.

Barry Soetoro aka Barack Obama's Indonesian connection.

Purba Negoro on perceived threats to national unity.

American led societal transformation, intercession and the prophetic marketed in Indonesia.

People from East Nusa Tenggara continue to play out 16th century European theological battles.

Whether working on Sundays is a sign of Islamization for the pious Papuans.

A violent neighbourhood dispute over a Christian theological college in East Jakarta.

Rima says religion and religiosity are to blame for much of Indonesia's, and the world's, troubles.

Sebuah gereja dibakar di Purwakarta, Jawa Barat oleh penduduk setempat yang merasa diremehkan karena protes mereka atas pengalihfungsian bangunan tidak di tanggapi.

A church is burned down in Purwakarta, West Java by local people feeling slighted at the lack of response to their protests over its construction.

Dewi Sandra, who is not Sandra Dewi, reassures her fans that she has not re-flipped on the religion front.

Marrying off old and poor people and those living in sin, it's mass wedding ceremony season.

Politically aware young lady Sandra Angelia scores a crushing victory for East Java in Miss Indonesia 2008.

Church services in malls, people in West Java are flocking to shopping malls in order to pray.

Impatient people in West Java province who can't wait for the banning of the Ahmadiyah sect.

The hardline stand taken by Indonesian clerics against homosexuality wins applause from Ross.

Timdog on world religions and local beliefs in Nusa Tenggara.

Easter celebrations in Indonesia, a service in Bogor is broken up, mayhem in Atambua, everywhere else humdrum.

Ross continues to be infuriated by the lovely Julia Suryakusuma, and other intellectuals.

Mengapa terdapat begitu banyak penyerangan terhadap gereja-gereja di Jawa Barat.

Why there are so many attacks on churches in western Java.