Prejudice Reduction Dalam Ajaran Agama-Agama

Abstract

Religion was regarded as a source of prejudice against others who are different, even a source of hatred. In fact, as complex teachings, religions had opposite role, reducing prejudice. This study attempted to find religious values that can be useful for prejudice reduction. With a qualitative method, religious values reducing prejudice were explored from five religions, namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Catholicism, Christianity and Islam. Data were collected through studying religious texts, both from the main sources and the works of religious leaders. The finding found that all religions had fundamental values that could reduce prejudice. These values generally were in the form of respect for diversity, prohibition of acting unfairly, and prohibiting acts of violence. This finding was expected to refute the assumption that religion was a source of prejudice, hatred and horizontal conflict.

The Baseline of Multicultural Education: An Examination from Islamic and Buddhist Standpoints

“…The acknowledgement of the multicultural dimension is essential for individuals to surpass cultural boundaries, enabling them to advocate for universal and transcendent values. The inability to surpass the challenges posed by multiculturalism will perpetuate individuals' entrapment in religious prejudice, ultimately undermining the progress and efficacy of religion (30).…”