Indonesian Islamists Bully Villagers Into Revoking Church Permit

Andrew Pauley
10-30-09
4:40pm

The regent of Purwakarta regency, West Java, has revoked his decision to permit construction of a Catholic worship building in Cinanka village after Islamists threatened residents into withdrawing their approval of the project. Dedi Mulyadi on October 16th revoked the permit for construction of Catholic Church of Saint Mary after Islamists threatened some of the local residents whose approval is required by Indonesian law, the priest of the church told Compass. "Those who had signed were continually terrorized by the FPI, Front Pembela Islam, or Islamic Defenders Front," the Rev. Agustinus Made said. "They became so frightened that when they were called to a meeting by the Interfaith Communications Forum, many did not attend. Also, the members of the Interfaith Communications Forum and the Department of Religion were also terrorized by the FPI, so much that they were afraid to say that they agree to the church building.” The FPI also intimidated the regent, resulting in his revoking the building permit he himself had signed two years ago, Made said. The congregation of 1,000 people has been holding services in a warehouse belonging to a steel factory located far from the proposed building site. The church has been worshipping in the warehouse since 2002. The church is preparing to bring a lawsuit in a West Java court, he said. "We are building on land that was set aside, zoned, for a house of worship, and which we have purchased," Made said. "We demand that justice be firmly enforced. Intimidation by radical groups must cease.”

Should land that was set aside for “religious” purposes be specified to a certain religion? Should someone go back on their contractual word based on a personal vendetta? I think that if a group is a non-violent group and is also not in any violation of the contract there is no lawful reason to bring any discrepancy against them. Can anyone just go back on their lawful word based on a personal feeling? If you are planning on renting an apartment to a man and who has never caused any problems according to references, has signed a contract and you both have agreed to terms, can you say no, once you find out he is gay? Is this principle not the same? You may have a personal problem with non-heterosexuals, but is that legitimate and lawful reason to void a contract? I do not think so at all.

http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/11610399/