Spirituality for Combat |
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TOC -- Preface | Introduction | Opening | Presentations | Responses | Reports | Poems | | |
NATIONAL PRESENTATIONSBurma | Bangladesh | India | Indonesia | Malaysia | Pakistan | Sri Lanka INDONESIA We had difficulty in usage of terminology in the Indonesian context. In our context, spirituality is more related to religious exercise and rituals. A clear-cut demarcation exists between spiritual' and 'material'. We have not tried to understand spirituality merely on religious terms but on humanitarian terms. Spirituality is understood more as courage, commitment, consistency in relation to our struggle and combat. Against this backdrop, we had discussed the theme 'Spirituality for Combat'. This paper is not the result of a discussion by theologians but by plantation workers, peasants, social workers, consisting of both Christians and Muslims. We can say that all people have the capacity to theologise but the fact remains, this paper is not based on theological exercise by academics but by common people. There-fore this paper is a popular understanding of spirituality for combat. What is 'spirituality for combat'? Everybody has either the spirituality for combat or the spirituality for survival. Let me give you an example. Sudarto was a worker in a company. He received a minimum salary and inhuman treatment from the company. One day, he organised his friends in setting up a labour union and began their struggle for improving their lives. Consequently, he was fired from his job. Then, together with other workers who were also fired from their jobs, they fought for their rights. At first, Sudarto fought against injustice in the company because he himself had experienced humiliation. His spirit for combat was for maintaining his life and his friends' lives as well. Only after he had experienced struggle with them did he change his aim. He fought no more for himself but for a social transformation. "Spirituality for Combat" is not the spirit for personal survival or self-interest. Instead, it is an aim or ideal which includes the interests of all. Rise of Spirituality for Combat Spirituality for Combat can become active when a person or a group experiences oppression. An event or personal experience could also affect someone to start combat. We remember the experience of Moses, Isiaih and Paul. Their struggle was turned into God's mission after their special personal experiences. Spirituality for Combat can occur as one gets inspiration from some historical event or figure. Preserving Spirituality for Combat One's spirituality for combat often has its ups and downs. It is also possible for one to lose the spirit. Constant effort is needed to guide it. Some efforts that could be carried out for this purpose are:
Obstacles Spirituality for combat will always face challenges. The greatest challenge in forming the spirit for combat is just the inner factor. The opponent will try to break the spirit. The obstacles to the spirit are:
Conclusion Spirituality for combat is not limited to political problems, the economy or religion. It covers all aspects of human life. When a person is involved in struggle, he can only maintain his spirit if he realises the motivation for his struggle: the what, how and why. Spirituality for combat is not owned by a certain group (eg political party, religious body, or nation). It can even be owned by those who hold power in their hands as well as those who want to liberate themselves from oppression. A person who has the spirit for combat means that he has the confidence, idealism and the will to sacrifice. Struggle, like truth, does not always win. Those who fight for truth and justice should realise that they will not gain victory only by themselves. They will not enjoy the result of their struggle. One thing is certain: truth is eternal. We are faithful in the struggle because we are certain that our struggle is eternal. |
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TOC -- Preface | Introduction | Opening | Presentations | Responses | Reports | Poems | | |