ICRS Research

Handling vulnerable people, saving the environment, strengthening local culture and national sovereignty through interdisciplinary research

OUR RESEARCH AIMS to develop knowledge, strengthen civil society advocacy, and consider public policy in the field of religion. To achieve this, we have established cooperation with various stakeholders to conduct research in the following areas:

Religion and politics

The relationship between state, society and religion has become one of the world’s central issues recently, including in Indonesia. Religion not only influences political expression and social relationships in society but is also influenced by the socio-political context in which it occurs. After intensive research, our team developed the theory and practice of “civic pluralism” in the context of Indonesian society. Several works we have published are:

• Merangkul Penghayat Kepercayaan melalui Advokasi Inklusi Sosial (July 2019)

This report discusses advocacy practices—which involve perspectives, methods, and strategies—for native-faith followers. In addition, this report describes ways to advocate social inclusion.

• Pemilu dan Jalan Non-Kekerasan Para Jihadis (April 2019)

So far, terrorism and extremism have often been looked through the lens of security studies. This report, published in collaboration with PUSAD Paramadina, notes experiences in Poso and Bima, and shows that the 2019 elections succeeded in facilitating a non-violent channel for political aspirations of former terrorists.

• Kerukunan dan Penodaan Agama: Alternatif Penanganan Masalah (December 2017)

Some argue that legislation to prevent “religious blasphemy” is necessary to maintain religious harmony. This report shows that the impact of legislation does not in fact support harmony, but rather there are other ways to prevent “religious blasphemy”.

• Serial Report on Religious Life: Local Politics and Religious Conflict: Elections and Political Opportunity

• Structure in Religious Conflict in Sampang, Bekasi and Kupang

• Managing Diversity and Religious Freedom: History, Theory and Advocacy (First book)

• Managing Diversity and Religious Freedom: Reflection for some approaches to advocacy (second book)

• Civic Pluralism: A New Direction of Political Diversity in Indonesia

​Interfaith relations

With the development of transportation technology and intensified migration, the world has become complex. Indonesia is no exception. Consequently, dialogue and cooperation among religions continue to deepen. However, interreligious relations are also marked by tension, conflict and violence between religious communities. Adopting a perspective of religious freedom and harmony, we carry out research in this field, among which have been published:

• Aspiration for Modernity and Prosperity: Symbols and Sources Behind Pentecostal/ Charismatic Growth in Indonesia

• Papua’s Hidden Pearl: The Potential of Local Wisdom for Reconciliation in Papua

• Religious Pluralism and Religious Freedom: Religions, Society, and The State in Dialogue

• Crescent in Bali: Traces of Islam in Kusamba, Bali

• Badingsanak Banjar-Dayak: Religious Identity and the Economics of Ethnicity in South Kalimantan

• Church Controversy in Jakarta

• Interreligious Dialogue: Ideas and Practice in Indonesia

Religion, culture, and nature

In recent decades scholars have been compelled to look back on the relationship between religion and culture, including local beliefs. Moreover, with environmental crises and the massive natural disasters, discussions about religion, local culture and the environment (nature) have become increasingly important. The colonial paradigm, a perspective usually adopted by the “world” religions, needs to be reviewed in a process of emancipation for more equal inter-group relations. Our team rearranges the relationship between religion, culture and nature by conducting research on topics such as religion and local culture, local religions, religion and natural disasters, and religion and the environment. Our published works include:

• On the Connections Between Religion and Disaster: A Literature Review

• Religion, Culture and Disaster: An Integrative Study of Science, Religion and Culture (first book)

• Disaster and Religion Series: Local Community Response on Disaster: An Integrative Study of Science, Religion and Culture (second book)

• Disaster and Religion Series: The Construction of Disaster Resilient Communities: An Integrative Study of Science, Religion and Culture (third book)