RELIGIOUS MODERATION IN THE FRAMEWORK OF LIFE
Abstract
Abstract: Indonesia’s religious and cultural plurality raises a fundamental question: how can individuals remain committed to their religious beliefs while engaging respectfully with those who hold different convictions? This study examines religious moderation as an ethical and social framework for navigating diversity in contemporary Indonesian society. Drawing on a conceptual literature review, it qualitatively and descriptively analyses scholarly publications and relevant documentary sources addressing religious moderation, tolerance, and multicultural life. The analysis situates religious moderation within the Islamic concept of wasathiyah, articulated through eight interrelated principles: balance (tawazun), justice and proportionality (i‘tidal), tolerance (tasamuh), equality (musawah), deliberation (shura), reconciliation and reform (ishlah), prioritisation (aulawiyah), and openness to constructive change (tathawwur wa ibtikar). These principles are examined across three interconnected dimensions of everyday life: spiritual commitment, interpersonal and social relationships, and environmental responsibility. The study further highlights the role of public policy, religious leadership, educational institutions, religious literacy, and interreligious engagement in sustaining moderate religious practices. It conceptualises religious moderation not merely as an attitude of tolerance but as an integrated ethical framework linking Islamic teachings, everyday conduct, and institutional responsibility. This perspective offers a basis for understanding how religious commitment and respect for diversity can coexist in plural societies.
Keywords: religious moderation; wasathiyah; Islamic ethics; multiculturalism; interreligious relations
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