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Abstract
In contemporary Indonesia, the rise of religious extremism poses profound challenges to the harmony and unity of its diverse religious landscape. This study delves into the extreme effects of spiritual practices, aiming to understand their potential mitigate religious extremism. Drawing from an interdisciplinary framework encompassing sociology, religious studies, and psychology, we conducted a comprehensive review of traditional Indonesian spiritual practices, complemented by in-depth interviews with religious leaders and community influencers across various religious groups in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The method used is a qualitative approach with steps: a comprehensive literature review of traditional spiritual practices in Indonesia equipped with comprehensive semi-structured interviews with seven religious and community leaders. Participants were selected using purposive sampling to ensure representation from various parties. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Our research reveals that spiritual practices, anchored in introspection, tolerance, and the core values of Pancasila (Indonesia's state ideology), serve as powerful counterweights against extremist views. These practices emphasize shared values interfaith understanding, and promote a sense of connectedness, thereby creating a resilient barrier against divisive ideologies.
Furthermore, communities actively engaged in such spiritual practices demonstrated lower susceptibility to extremist narratives. This research underscores the importance of bolstering spiritual practices at the grassroots level. It advocates for their integration into community programs and educational curricula as a proactive strategy against religious extremism in Indonesia.
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