New Zealand Herald, 25.11.2003
Indonesia could ban inter-religious marriages
Christian organisations may face curbs on preaching and people of different religions
could be banned from marrying under laws being considered by Indonesia.
With an eye on next year's elections, where Islamic-affiliated parties are expected to
drain support from President Megawati Sukarnoputri's bid to retain office, hardline
Muslim groups are drafting laws to combat Christianity's spread in the world's largest
Muslim country.
The so-called Religious Tolerance Bill would curb the building of churches and insist
that all religious activities be restricted to members of that religion, in effect barring
attempts at conversions.
The laws would also bar a person from converting to another religion after marriage
and prevent children being adopted into a different faith, as well as restrict overseas
funding for religious activities.
Critics of the bill say it is aimed at increasing the hold of Islam on otherwise secular
Indonesia.
©Copyright 2003, New Zealand Herald
|