RELIGION AND PUBLIC CRITICISM: DIALOGUE FOR RECONSIDERING RELIGIOUS PEACE

Abstract

Criticism of religion is an integral part of Indonesia's multicultural society. In an increasingly pluralistic social context, criticism of religious beliefs and practices has great potential to either build or destroy social cohesion. This study aims to distinguish between two main poles of religious criticism in the contemporary public sphere, namely destructive criticism that reinforces polarization and hostile sentiments, and dialogical criticism that leads to a transformation of understanding and increased tolerance among religious communities. This study refers to Mikael Stenmark's theoretical framework on forms of religious criticism, then explores two contemporary representations, namely criticism from Apostate Prophet as an example of extreme criticism that has the potential to trigger conflict, and Husein Ja'far Al Hadar's approach, which presents a model of internal and dialogical criticism in Islam. This study uses a digital-based qualitative method by examining existing dialogues in online media. This study concludes that dialogical criticism that leads to a transformation of understanding and increased tolerance among people in a pluralistic society is public criticism that must be revived in Indonesia's diverse society.