Great Asia: Challenges for Religions

Abdul Mu'ti presentasi di Paris, Prancis. (Foto: istimewa/gebrak.id)

By Abdul Mu'ti, Secretary General of Muhammadiyah, Indonesia

After colonialism era, Asian countries have great achievement in many aspects of life especially economy, culture, education and politic. Some Asian countries such Japan, South Korea, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and others have played important roles in regional and international arena. Besides its economic prosperity, Asian countries have cultural, religious, and traditional sustainability.  

Even so, since the last two decades, there have been observable changes in religious and social life, especially among young generations. Asian people, as people in the world, believe that religions are important and needed in almost all aspects of private life and happiness. Religions also important for compasing public morality including in government and governance.

Despite its significant roles, religious people and leaders could not disregard realities on growing tendencies of multi faced of disengagement to religions. Such disengagement might lead to delusion of religions.

The future of religions, to some extends, dependent on its ability to answer challenges. In Asian contexts there are five challenges. 

First, the challenge of mental health. World Health Organizations (WHO) states that people have mental health problems are increasing indicated by number of people commit suicide and psychological disorders. Materialistic life has caused high level of stress, decline of social cohesion, spiritual emptiness, etc.

Second, challenges of aging society which is caused by social factors: (1) changing world view about marriage and family life while people prefer not to get married and child free; (2) better health services and healthy life style that contribute longer life expectancy. There are senior citizens who live alone and lonely. This necessitate the importance of human fraternity.

The third challenge is humanity. As stated in Istiqlal Declaration signed by Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Istiqlal, Jakarta development of industries brought about negative sides such as human trafficking, exploitation, "modern slavery", violence, etc. There are problems of women subordination and   alienation of the poor.

The fourth challenge is environmental crisis, especially climate change and all its impacts    not only to the future of nature but also survival of human. Again, Pope Francis state in many occasions that the world is heating -some said it is boiling. Therefore it call for common action to overcome this environmental damage.

The fifth challenge is economic inequality. The gap between the have and the not have is widening caused by capitalism, materialism, hedonism and lack of social solidarity. It this society, monotheism could be replaced by "moneytheism". 

How religions could answer these challenges?  Religions are needed to be revitalize and refresh not only as series of rituals  and spiritual conduct but more importantly formula for solving real life problems. It is important to contextualize religious values so as to be relevant with the shifting of contemporary values. In this digital era, God might be replaced  by google. The position of priest might be replaced by AI.

Therefore, in order that religions could answer challenges of digital age, religions have to meaningful in guiding people to attain happiness in this earthly and  hereafter life.

In order to have peace, tolerance and dialog are not enough. Religions people need to have collaboration and collaboration to make religions meaningful for real life.

Paris, September 2024