Effectiveness of religion in achieving NU

Question 1

An assimilative religious regime led to increased conformity and the formation of a shared common identity (T, B)

Answer 1

[T]
- Buddhist monks made to travel to outlying areas to speak about Buddhism and help with welfare – associated Buddhism and national development
- Thammacarik & Thammatut – programme initiated to convert the tribal peoples to Buddhism to create loyalties to the nation through development of strong beliefs in Buddhism

[B]
1. Creation of state-financed agency for the propagation of Buddhism

2. 1961 State Religion Bill – Buddhism declared as the state religion which alienated the minorities in Upper Burma and other frontier areas
3. Ministry of Religious Affairs saw the spread of Buddhism to hill tribes eg. Karens (Christian)

Question 2

An accomodative religous policy led to the reduction of religious tensions in the populace hence leading to social stability (S, M)

Answer 2

[S]
Legal concessions made to accommodate racial practices – - Sikh motorcyclists not mandated to wear helmet,
- Muslims can practice Shariah Law in matrimonial matters.

• 1990 Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act – restraining orders can be issued to anyone who attempts to disrupt the racial harmony in the country, or who seeks to promote political cause through religious means

[M]
- Article 160 of the Constitution — Islam made the official state religion, but there was freedom of worship for other religions
- religion was decentralised, everyone is free to profess what they want to profess

Question 3

However the implementation of accomodative policies also sometimes brought about negative impacts to social stability as the implementation of the policies were accompanied with assimilative elements that enhanced minority consciousness (I, B)

Answer 3

[I]
- Belief in one true god – Fit into many mainstream religions in Indonesia; allowed for freedom of choosing their own religion
- Christians – held positions in military and bureaucracy, held shares in newspapers
- Dominant religious status recognised but never given that official role in the country
-Were being carefully controlled preachers had to pass govt Institute of Islamic Studies where 95% of Islamic institutes were run at govt level

[B]
- Allowed for the education of Christianity and Islam (opposed by the Sangha, they demonstrated)
- Buddhism/ Buddhist missions organised to hill tribes/ minority areas to actively promote Buddhism
- In other minority areas, Muslim madrasah and Christian schools were closed

Question 4

Directly assimilative policies often exacerbated minority tensions (P, V)

Answer 4

[P] Secular education system under US rule
- teachers were Non-muslim which was a major issue with the Muslims; they did not send their children to school and due to this illiteracy occurred
- Laws passed to legitimise the expropriation of lands owned by the Muslim for resettlement projects

[V]
- [SV] Early S Vietnam: Diem’s Divisive policies:
1959: tried to dedicate predominantly non-Christian country to virgin Mary
-> catholics exempted from Corvee labour that the rest of the country had to do
- 1963: Buddhist Crisis (self-immolations)
-> further antagonism from Diem and Madame Nhu, called the buddhists bloody fools and barbeques