Religious Minorities in Indonesia: Theological and Legal Perspectives on Their Rights and Social Justice

Abstract

Religious minorities in Indonesia, such as the Ahmadiyya, religious Christians, and other marginalized faith groups, often face significant challenges related to discrimination, persecution, and legal restrictions. This paper explores how various theological frameworks within Indonesia’s dominant religious traditions—Islam, Christianity, and others—approach the rights of religious minorities and address social justice issues related to their status. The study examines Islamic and Christian theological teachings on tolerance, equality, and justice, investigating how these teachings are applied in the Indonesian context. It also considers the role of Indonesian law in safeguarding or undermining the rights of religious minorities, focusing on legal protections, the role of the state, and the implementation of religious freedom. The paper explores key legal cases involving religious minorities, assessing the effectiveness of existing laws in protecting these communities and ensuring social justice. Additionally, the research investigates the theological and legal challenges faced by religious minorities, particularly the Ahmadiyya and Christian groups in certain regions of Indonesia. The paper concludes by recommending strategies to strengthen legal protections for religious minorities and integrate more inclusive theological perspectives into public discourse to promote social justice.