Arsip Yanuar

Recently, there has been an increasing tren d in news reporting about religious issues. The early 2017 was marred by Trump’s presidential edict, in which it restricts immigration to the U.S. from several Middle Eastern countries such as Libya and Iran. Similar situation happens in the Republic of Indonesia. The gubernatorial election in Special Capital Region of Jakarta has become a hot topic for Indonesians everywhere. Unfortunately, engaging participation from both sides – those who support the incumbent and those who wants to replace him – often employs religious rhetoric instead of merit-based arguments. I found such events as divisive and unproductive, unfit for any course of nation-building within this globalized society. Thomas Jefferson once argued in his Danbury Baptist letter using the phrase, “A wall of separation between church and state.” I concurs with Jefferson’s stance that religion should be separated from the state. The state has a fun damental obligation to serve al...