Imaginary Boundaries of Christianization in Indonesia

The issue of Christianization is one of the major issues that interferes with interfaith encounters in Indonesia. Relationships across religious identities are hindered by the generalization that all activities involving interfaith encounters initiated by Christians, both Protestant and Catholic, aim to Christianize others. This research intends to show the influence of such issues in the social humanitarian work of the Catholic Church, represented by Karitas Indonesia of the Archdiocese of Semarang (KARINAKAS), and the Christian Church, represented by Emergency Unit of Christian Foundation for Public Health (YAKKUM Emergency Unit/YEU). Both organizations work in disaster response. Using a qualitative approach, the researchers collected data through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with official staff and volunteers from both organizations. Drawing on Christopher Falzon’s Social Dialogue Beyond Fragmentation Theory, this research identifies opportunities for building interfaith relations. This research found that the issue of Christianization limits social relations within the community and at the same time it also encourages people to continue exploring possibilities for cross-identity encounters. The volunteers’ engagement generates new awareness that challenges the dominant narrative of Christianization as the sole framework for understanding intereligious encounters in Indonesia. At the grassroots levels, interreligious relations are not defined by rigid binary oppositions. Shared experiences in responding to human suffering create common ground that enables collaborative action for others’ well-being

Christianization · Evangelism · Focus group · Grassroots · Identity (music) · Narrative · Qualitative research · Solidarity · The Imaginary · Christian Theology and Mission · Contemporary Christian Leadership and Education · Multicultural Education and Local Wisdom