Aliran kepercayaan

Aliran Kepercayaan^{[note 1]} is an official cover term for various forms of mysticism in Indonesia.^[2] It includes kebatinan, kejiwan and kerohanian.^[2]

Characteristics

Kebatinan can be described as an amalgam of animist, Hindu-Buddhist, and Islamic (especially Sufi) mystical elements that combine to form Javanese mysticism. According to Caldarola, kepercayaan "is not an apt characterization of what the mystical groups have in common".^[2] The US State Department's states:

Sizeable populations in Java, Kalimantan, and Papua practice animism and other types of traditional belief systems termed "Aliran Kepercayaan." Many of those who practice Kepercayaan describe it as more of a meditation-based spiritual path than a religion. Some animists combine their beliefs with one of the government-recognized religions.^[3]

Recognition

As a body of belief, kebatinan is officially recognized in the 1945 Indonesian constitution; however, to avoid recognizing it as a formal religion, it is administered by the Department of Education and Culture rather than by the Department of Religious Affairs. The Indonesian Government recognizes the right to follow Aliran Kepercayaan, as long as its practitioners do not upset the public order or offend the sensitivities of the followers of the major religions.

Aliran Kepercayaan has recently been rejected by the United Development Party [PPP] heterodoxy.

Notes

1. Full: Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan Yang Maha Esa,^[1] "Believer of One Supreme God", aka Pangistu.^[1]

References

1. Indonesia: East Java native religion called Aliran Kepercayaan or Kepercayaan Kepada Tuhan Yang Maha Esa, aka Pangistu; its status and treatment of its members by Muslim fundamentalists (2003-June 2004)
2. Caldarola 1982, p. 539, note 30.
3. "International Religious Freedom Report 2005 (Indonesia)"

Sources

• Caldarola, Carlo (1982), Religion and Societies: Asia and the Middle East, Walter de Gruyter

External links

• Article on Indonesia People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)