wfn.org | Religious Violence Threatens Adventists in Indonesia

["Beckett, John" <BeckettJ@gc.adventist.org>]

ANN Bulletin
Adventist News Network
Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters
January 25, 2000
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Religious Violence Threatens Adventists in Indonesia
Mataram, Indonesia...[ANN]

At least five Seventh-day Adventist church buildings, and up to 20 other
Christian churches, have been destroyed in clashes between Muslims and
Christians in Indonesia.  The sectarian violence has claimed more than 30
lives in the last ten days, with many of the riots taking place on the
predominantly Muslim island of Lombok and on islands within the Maluku
region. 

John Duroe, Adventist Church spokesperson for the Southern Asia Pacific
region, reports that Adventist and other Christian churches have opened
their doors to those fleeing the ongoing violence.

"Our main church in Ambon was saved during the Japanese bombing during the
Second World War, so the people of Ambon have always thought of it as
special," he says.  "During the recent rioting it was saved and is now being
used as a sanctuary for Christians and Muslims."

Dr. John Graz, religious liberty public affairs director for the Adventist
Church, has expressed concern about the religious extremism spreading
through Indonesia. "As Seventh-day Adventists, we have always encouraged our
members not to be involved in violence and to be confident in the justice of
their country and in God's protection," he says. "Adventists are nonviolent
and try to live in peace with everyone.  In such a difficult time we feel
close to all victims."

Graz notes, however, that "religious violence" is often used to cover
criminal activities. "No religion, neither Islam nor Christianity,
encourages violence and assassination," Graz points out. " We hope that the
government will make peace between Indonesians of various faiths.  We
believe that the State has to be independent of religion and work for the
good of all citizens without any discrimination."

The Adventist church in Mataram, the capital of Lombok, was destroyed and,
according to some reports, anti-Christian slogans painted on its remaining
walls. Rioters also destroyed the pastor's house adjacent to the church and
burned the home of a church elder.  [Bettina Krause]

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