Theological Foundations of Religious Minority Protection: A Comparative Islamic and Christian Approach to Justice in Indonesia

Abstract

The protection of religious minorities in a pluralistic society requires both legal guarantees and normative foundations capable of sustaining equality and human dignity. In Indonesia, Islamic and Christian theological traditions contain diverse resources for conceptualizing justice, coexistence, and obligations toward religious others. This article comparatively examines Islamic and Christian theological approaches to the protection of religious minorities and their implications for Indonesian law and public ethics. Employing comparative theological and normative legal analysis, the study explores concepts of justice, human dignity, religious coexistence, and the moral responsibilities of majority communities. The analysis demonstrates that despite significant doctrinal differences, both traditions contain theological resources that can support non-discrimination, protection of vulnerable communities, and peaceful coexistence. However, theological interpretations may also be selectively employed to justify exclusionary practices when separated from broader principles of human dignity and justice. The article proposes an interfaith theological justice framework emphasizing equal dignity, protection of conscience, reciprocity, and responsibility toward religious minorities. Such a framework can complement constitutional guarantees without transforming religious doctrine into state law. The study concludes that theological engagement with minority rights can strengthen Indonesia's constitutional pluralism by generating religiously grounded support for equality and peaceful coexistence.