Jakarta, IO – With time, the challenges we face are also growing. The main problem, according to renowned scholar Franz Magnis-Suseno, is that development is not accompanied by religion, so the vertical relationship between humans and the Creator is put aside.
In the online launch and review of the book “Iman Dalam Tantangan” (Faith in Challenges) some time ago, Steering Committee of the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP) special staff Antonius Benny Susetyo explained the five global challenges discussed in the book authored by Franz Magnis-Suseno.
The five challenges are the crisis of democracy, ideological extremism, capitalism, environmental damage and the threat of artificial intelligence (AI).
The challenge to democracy is related to the emergence of conspiracy theories that can damage peace. Similarly, the ideological crisis also takes the form of the rise of exclusive groups who do not hesitate to use violence to achieve their goals. Then capitalism, which focuses on making profits can also divide the lower and upper classes.
Environmental damage, due to excessive human exploitation and the negligence of policy makers in managing the sustainability of ecosystems, adds to the long list of crises facing Planet Earth. The final challenge which is no less important is the development of AI. Although it makes lives easier by automating tasks, it can also destroy a lot of jobs.
These five challenges are increasingly exacerbated by secularization. Thus, religion is no longer seen as an important aspect of life.
“Secularization is a process where religion does not play as much of a role in life as previously where it was the center of human life,” said Benny.
Benny explained that secularization has indeed opened up space for science. However, secularization also means that religion is no longer considered to be able to provide answer to human problems.
“Secularization means that when science advances, religion will no longer be needed for its problem-solving abilities,” he added. So, how should religion present and answer these challenges?
“In this book, Father Magnis says that religion will be relevant if it can show a positive attitude or impact on life in general.”
Religion will be relevant when it is able to provide benefits to many people. Don’t use religion to spread hatred.
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Likewise, the harmony between religion and science. Religion is basically able to help shape critical thinking. Because religion also invites reflective thinking towards God and the entire universe.
Pancasila values, said Benny, are also the answer to these challenges in Indonesia if it is applied in daily lives in response to the dynamics of various challenges.
“Pancasila must become a reference for Indonesian public morality, no longer a reference for private and personal morality. How, the values contained in Pancasila, namely divinity, humanity, unity, democracy and social justice, must be properly implemented by the Indonesian people,” he added. (bp)