Religious Perspectives on Social Harmony: Strategies for Addressing Sara Conflicts in Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to provide a deep understanding of religious perspective on social issues and the role of religious teachings in creating social harmony. Additionally, this research aims to make a significant contribution to knowledge, particularly in the fields of religious studies and sociology, by adding literature on religious views on social conflict and offering new approaches to addressing SARA (ethnicity, religion, race, and inter-group) conflicts based on religious teachings. The findings show that religious teachings in Indonesia contain principles that support social harmony and peace, such as love, tolerance, and respect for differences. For instance, the Quran in Surah Al-Hujurat verse 13 emphasizes the importance of respecting differences and living peacefully. In Christianity, Romans 12:18 teaches the importance of living in peace with everyone, while in Hinduism, the concept of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" teaches that the world is one family, emphasizing respect for all humans. However, challenges in implementing religious teachings to prevent and resolve SARA conflicts include diverse religious interpretations, social and political influences, and the spread of misinformation through social media. Addressing these challenges requires collaborative efforts among religious leaders, the government, and civil society, including digital literacy education, enforcement of regulations related to hate speech, and the promotion of tolerance and interfaith dialogue.