Jakarta –
Member of Commission VIII DPR RI Gerindra faction, Rahayu Saraswati regretted the act of banning worship Christmas against the residents of Cilebut, Bogor, in their own homes. He mentioned freedom of religion and Pancasila.
“It is a pity that in a country that adheres to Pancasila and has freedom of religion like Indonesia, there is still intolerance,” Rahayu said when contacted on Tuesday (27/12/2022).
Rahayu said the right to freedom of religion is contained in the first precepts of Pancasila. Where every citizen is protected by his human rights to have faith in God.
“Pancasila, the first sila does not exist as an affirmation of colonialism on freedom of worship but protects the fundamental rights of every citizen to have faith in Almighty God,” he said.
Rahayu further suggested that people who cannot respect the right to religion study the story of the founding of the Indonesian nation.
“A person who cannot respect his brother’s right to worship should relearn the story of the founding of this nation,” he added.
Sit down
The incident started when one of the residents held a Christmas service at his home. She did the Christmas service bringing congregations from out of area.
“On Sunday, December 25, 2022, one of the residents will hold a Christmas service bringing congregations from outside the area and claiming the venue as a church,” Iman said through his statement.
Then local residents reacted to his actions. Residents said there had previously been an arrangement to carry out Christmas services for only one resident’s family.
“Because there was an agreement previously with the residents that the residents actually welcome worship and Christmas celebrations for their local families,” he said.
This is what local residents complained about. They said the permit for the house was not designated as a house of worship.
“What the residents objected to was that there were congregations from various regions and that it was not a church, but a residential house and it didn’t have a house of worship permit,” he said.
Peaceful end
Police mediated residents in Cilebut, Bogor Regency, West Java, which went viral on social media with the narrative of banning home-it-yourself Christmas. This misconception can be controlled and worship can be performed.
“The situation is safe and under control, worship can take place and residents disperse,” Bogor police chief AKBP Iman Imanuddin said in his statement on Tuesday (27/12/2022).
Before the understanding difference, Faith said there had been an agreement between the homeowner and local residents. That the residents don’t mind the Christmas service being held at the home as long as it is for the family only.
“There was an agreement as a result of the previous mediation that the residents have no objection to Pak Aritonang’s family cult,” he said.
Residents have also called on homeowners to go through the licensing mechanism to apply for permission to designate their homes as places of worship. The police continued to mediate between the two sides to maintain public order.
“Further steps will continue to mediate between residents and homeowners to resolve existing issues with various stakeholders regarding permits for houses of worship. As well as suggesting homeowners take permits according to the law,” he added.
Watch the video “Hot video of residents banning Christmas worship in Cilebut Bogor”:
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