Indonesia's Constitutional Court recently reinforced the requirement that individuals declare a religion on official documents, preventing atheists from obtaining legal recognition. The ruling rejects a petition by agnostic activists attempting to leave the religion field blank, citing Pancasila, the founding ideology that mandates belief in a deity. This court decision underscores the longstanding challenges non-believers face in a nation where only six religions are formally acknowledged and where religious identity remains crucial for legal status in matters like marriage.
In ruling against non-believers, the Constitutional Court stated that religious belief is "a necessity" under Indonesia's foundational ideology, Pancasila, which mandates belief in a single deity.
Abolishing the necessity for religious affiliation on official documents would open doors for equal recognition of atheists, who are often subjected to discrimination.
The court's decision highlights the ongoing discrimination faced by non-believers in Indonesia, reinforcing the idea that faith is essential in the eyes of the law.
Previous efforts to challenge legal frameworks repressing atheism, such as the case involving Alexander Aan, underscore the significant societal barriers faced by non-believers.
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