Interrelation between religious and political power under New Order Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to analyze the interrelationship of religious and political power in the New Order government of Indonesia. This study is focused on two areas of religio-political power: power relations between the government and religious associations, and the government's policies on religions. Hence this study tries to answer two related questions: Are the eight religious associations in Indonesia dependent upon the government for their survival and functioning? And, do the state and religions influence each other?;Two conclusions can be drawn from this study. Most religious associations in Indonesia are relatively independent from the government so that the system of religious interest representation resembles more the pluralistic than the corporatistic model. This is explained by relevance to the religiously pluralistic nature of Indonesian society. The variety of well-rooted religions in Indonesia results in a relatively pluralist religious interest representation.;The second conclusion is that interpenetration between the state and religions has occurred on the six criteria used in this study, so that the state in Indonesia is more accurately categorized as a religiously accommodating state than as a secular state. This religiously accommodating state is a product of four interrelated factors: a religiously pluralistic society, pluralist system of religious interest representation, the historical role of the state in religious affairs, and the design for the nation-state laid down by the 1945 Constitution. However, contrary to its intention not to get involved in the internal matters of religion, the government in its attempt to accommodate the interests of the Islamic community has occasionally interpreted religious teaching, has restricted religious propagation, and has placed Islam as the first among equals.;The first question is analyzed by using the interest representation model as conceptual framework. The second question is analyzed by using a typology of state and religion relations. This empirical study utilizes a variety of documents published by the government and by religious associations in order to answer these two questions. In addition, information published in newspapers, magazines, and journals is used.