Religions

Indonesia is often referred to as a sea crossroads of the three religions: Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. In fact, there are more than three – there’s also Christianity and different forms of local beliefs. The majority of Indonesians (about 90%) are Muslim. The rest 10% are divided between Christians, Buddhists and Hinduism followers. The official doctrine pancasila implies “belief in the one and only God” and states freedom of conscience. 

The Bali Island is inhabited with followers of the Indonesian branch of Hinduism; the same religion is practiced by part of the Tenggerese people on East Java. The Badui people of West Java practice a local form of Buddhism. In the period of Dutch colonial supremacy, Christianity established in Indonesia due to efforts of missionaries of different confessions. At present, Christians form 5% of the population. Among them are Protestants and Catholics. Protestantism of Calvinist (reformatory) type can be found among some peoples of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, the Lesser Sunda Islands, the Moluccas and Irian Jaya. There are also Lutherans – the Batak people. Some inhabitants of the Lesser Sunda Islands and East Java are Catholic. Part of the population follows local traditional cults; they co-exist harmonically with Islam and other world religions. Thus, under the cover of Islam the belief into numerous spirits is preserved. One of the most popular ancient cults is the cult of Devi Sri, the Goddess of rice. In general, the Indonesians are belief-tolerant, but sometimes there occur religious conflicts. At times religious conflicts grow into national ones and vice versa. Formally, the government does not interfere with religious issues, but there is a Ministry of Religion that patrons all religious communities of the country.

Magicians at drum orchestra. Indonesia, Sumatra. The Maindailing. Early 20th cent.		Priests' book.  Indonesia, Sumatra. The Tobo-Bataks. Early 20th cent.		The Hindu temple "Slim Virgin".  Indonesia, Java. S.V. Banit. 1995
A model of a "boat of the dead". Indonesia. Sumatra (Sumatera). The Karo Batak. XIX c.