Purwakarta Church Burned Down
May 26th, 2008, in News, by Patung
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.
In Citeko village, Plered district, Purwakarta, West Java on 20th May a church run by the Abdi Karya Foundation (Yadika) was burned down in an attack by hundreds of local people.
The building had formerly been a tile factory and was in the final stages of being converted into a church. Local residents had repeatedly complained about the conversion of the building into a church, and Citeko village head Andri Yani said the building was supposed to have been turned into a school.
Initial reports said no arrests had been made l6, later reports state that four people are being questioned by police over the attack. jakartapost
102 Comments on “Purwakarta Church Burned Down”
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Patrick says:
@Rob – Can I agree and disagree on the same point?
Reading your posts sometimes reminds me of a dog chasing its tail. The dog is so mesmerized by the chase and so pleased with himself upon catching the tail that he does realize how ridiculously funny his actions appear to people watching. The paradox of this is that your also an excellent writer with a good voice but this time you really got it wrong.
Do you really believe that every Indonesian who does not feel safe has the option to move to another country? And for those that did have the means, would that make Indonesia a better country that they left? Do you really think wishful thinking will majically change the Indonesian government into a fair, benevolent , caring and protective resource for Indonesia’s minorities?
All civilized people abhor violence but given the prospect of watching your home burned down, your wife and daughters raped before your very own eyes and then viciously murdered, what choice do you you have? Answer Under the present condition in Indonesia prepare for the worst and if it happens defend until the death and with whatever means necessary. There is no other choice if no options remain.
However, it does not mean the situation has deteriated to the point that it is totally hopeless. One only has to look at those brave Indonesians (many who were muslim) who rallied for religious freedom this past weekend and at the expense of being beaten by the facsist thugs of FPI, while their government was apparently sleeping. As an outsider looking in it gives a glimmer of hope that the good people of Indonesia will demand through peaceful means a government that follows its own constitution.
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Patrick…
Thanks for the compliment before the ego crushing blow! 😀
I went back and re-read my post to be sure.
So, I will answer your questions in the order they are posed.
No, I do not think every Indonesian that is unsafe (or feels unsafe) has the option of migrating, temporarily or permanently, to another country. In the post immediately prior to your’s, I said that it was one means. This would presuppose for those that can afford it! However, I will be sure to be more explicit next time!
No, I think if those that had the means to leave, did so, then I think Indonesia would be poorer for the loss, both literally and figuratively.
No, I do not believe wishful thinking and magic will play a role. However, what I am advocating is that “we” must start somewhere. We in this sense means that us foreigners can lobby our own governments to make representations (demands) to the Indonesian government.
My point is Rome was not built in a day and many of these problems have been institutionalized over many years. I have always said Indonesia has two choices reformation or revolution. However, the reformasi route has been ad hoc, piecemeal, and generally unsatisfactory!
I would hope that Indonesians could find a peaceful route to the rule of law and the protection of all citizens irrespective of whether they reside in the majority or the minority.
The violence and murder you describe are they examples provided by HTC and to some degree DXP. If you read my earlier posts and the pasting I received from HTC on this issue you will see that I agreed with them. When you feel all hope is lost and your options are limited to one, fight; then you will fight to protect and save that most dear to you! I still, perhaps I am too optimistic, hope that Indonesia can move forward without having to revert to racial or sectarian violence (yes, Sunday suggests that this might not be possible).
Why do I hope? Simply, a person without hope has nothing to live for!
I also think other options still remain. Maybe those options are decreasing by the day, but I do not believe all is lost!
Ultimately, my point was the one you conclude with! There are brave and dedicated souls out there who are prepared to lay it all on the line. It is my sincerest hope that these efforts will snowball (perhaps not a good analogy for a tropical country) into a movement that will reach critical mass and force change!
Always the optimist! So perhaps that is why I am like a dog chasing my tail…I always think that one day I will catch it!
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Raden says:
There are brave and dedicated souls out there who are prepared to lay it all on the line. It is my sincerest hope that these efforts will snowball (perhaps not a good analogy for a tropical country) into a movement that will reach critical mass and force change!
I translated the above, in the context of Indonesia’s multi crises dimension would be a long journey movement which before it reaches the critical mass, there will be casualties in hudred thousands or maybe million dead bodies because of the horizontal conflicts as we witnessed at least between muslims A to muslims B for example.
The gov’t may have different agenda behind the surging potential horizontal conflicts, as it will give a leeway to take a break from demand to cancel the fuels price hike & ‘BLT’ execution that is free from corruption.
I think, I am sorry to say, the human rights problems related to non muslims & fuels hike will be secondary priority to our gov’t indeed. Unless you born & grew up in Indonesia, you may not have historical experience on how bad is Indonesian track records in the aspects of the governance, management, leadership, ownership, transparency, accountability -
Raden…
Standard line from you and I am glad that you did not disappoint!
Unless you born & grew up in Indonesia, you may not have historical experience on how bad is Indonesian track records in the aspects of the governance, management, leadership, ownership, transparency, accountability
Your arguments always include this line or one similar to it. Whether I am born and raised in Indonesia is irrelevant to my ability to understand horizontal and vertical conflict in the Indonesian context! I can read and I can read widely if I want to in order to get the context necessary for an understanding of Indonesia’s history. Maybe I have even had access to a lot of alternate Indonesian histories available in foreign locales which are not so readily available here.
If your beef with me is that I cannot experience what you have because I am not Indonesian, then that is something I cannot argue with. I am not Indonesian, I was not born here, and I did not grow up here. I have though spent the better part of the last 15 years here. Maybe this does not make me an expert (may be it does) that is not the point. The point is that I have insights of my own about how things might or might not work that are not dependent on my “Indonesianess”. Yet, nothing I say can ever count in your mind because I am not Indonesian. So be it!
It matters not! I will keep writing and keep voicing my opinion, if for no other reason than to annoy the hell out of you!
Have a nice day!
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janma says:
I wasn’t born here either Rob, and I don’t ‘get’ indonesia sometimes… and when I do it’s usually depressing….. the other day I saw my sister in law tell off her 5 year old daughter for laughing….. ‘girls shouldn’t laugh’…… they day I get that will be a depressing day!
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Rob,
below is just another example from other posting about FPI defenders:Hidup FPI…hidup pejuang Islam…selama ini hanya FPI yang berani membela Islam, disaat Islam dinodai, FPI-lah satu-satunya yang berani melawan….dimanakah ormas lain, mengapa kalian malah memfitnah para pejuang kita….dimanakah pembelaan kalian terhadap Islam. Jangan cuma bisa ngomong doang…jangan cuma sok alim padahal kalian pengecut….Hidup FPI…maju terus FPI….
I really want to watch you to open logical debates with the FPI laskar jihad, again your theory is at stake .. you claimed expert in Indonesian but I will not surprise at the end you end-up leaving this country or seeking the nearest Aussie embassy’s shelter
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Raden…
I don’t know whether I should take you seriously or just brush you off as someone looking to grind an axe.
I do not recall that I said that there was a need to open logical debate with the FPI. I have no theory at stake here. My point was violence begets more violence and does not resolve the core issue(s).
Maybe you should read some of my posts elsewhere (including my personal blog) then maybe you will get a “feel” for what I think of FPI. The point is the longer the so called “moderates” sit in silence with respect to the FPI the more difficult it will be for the moderates in the future to take command of the debate. Moderates claim that Islam is a religion of tolerance and peace. The FPI suggests the religion is one of violence and oppression. Who wins? I hope for Indonesia’s sake not FPI.
I never claimed to be an expert. But I cannot be bothered to quote myself back to you!
Yes, I am leaving Indonesia! Yet, not for the reasons that you might think!
An opinion is what it is!
Have a nice day!
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Ktut Asmara says:
Chistianity is a superior religion that is why the christians also target Hindus to be christians. Why ?
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Deng Xiao Phing Says:
May 26th, 2008 at 9:25 amJavanese + muslim = AMOK capable, target chinese & minorities
Sundanese + muslim = AMOK capable, target church & minorities (incl Ahmadiyah)
Javanese + christian = PEACE society, very cooperative & friendly, a few become pastor / priest, involve in international churches missionary professionally
Sundanese + christian = doesn’t exist, no data
Balinese + Hindu = PEACE society, very cooperative & friendly
Ambonese + Christian = PEACE society, very cooperative & friendly, church choir / pro singers
Chinese + Christian = PEACE society, very cooperative & friendly, hard workers
Chinese + Budhism = PEACE society, very cooperative & friendly, hard workersetc ..
what is the problem with the muslim ideology ? it could be incompatible with our traditional value anymore ?How about:
Religion + Fanaticalism = Ignorance, Predjudice, Violence, Murder
Deng Xiao Phing, like other ignorant people, who quickly accuse specific religions as being the root of all evil, fail to understand that it’s human beings who are at fault, and not the religions.
There are just as many good Muslims as there are Christian, Hindu and Buddists.
If you’ve got problems with someone, deal with them on a personal level, and not as a group. Idiots come in all shapes, sizes, nationalities, and religions.
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Pakmantri says:
@ the self-righteous Deng Xiao Phing,
Read this before you judge others. China a history of atrocities.
@Jeff B. Britt,
Hear ya ……….
Salam.
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hariyangindah says:
If Muslims burnt down a church, it is not really something peculiar. It is quite common that Muslims will burn anything that is not a mosque, and it is quite common that Muslims will be happy to kill anyone who is not a Muslim. It is not some news.
Christians, Buddhists, Chinese, and Hindus, all of them have ‘enjoyed’ the tortures.
But just take a look at the natural disasters that have happened and will happen in Indonesia. Most of the victims are Muslims. And who will help them? Ironically Christians, Buddhists, Chinese, and Hindus will help them. Just recall to what happened during the Aceh tsunami disaster. Who helped those Aceh people? Most of them were Christians. Muslims? You know the answer.
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