There are currently 5 recognized religious categories in Indonesia. Muslim, Catholic, Christian, Buddhist, and Hindu. I have had people between the ages of 5 and 65 years old ask me, “What is your religion?” or “What is your faith?” For an American that can be seen as an odd question to ask someone you just met 5 minutes before that. The most interesting question structure was, “Hi miss, what is your name and religion?” Like what? Who asks that? Well, here in Indonesia religion is huge, having faith is huge, not believing in a higher power is frowned upon. As you come into a country you must declare a religion, even when you go to the dentist you have to write down your religion, odd right? I am 4 months in now, and have learned that although I am in a primarily Muslim country, as long as I believe in something, its cool. That being said, some people answer that question as, “That is private.” I on the other hand simply answer,, “I am Catholic.”
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Viviana Colin-TorresThe contents of this blog are mine personally and obviously do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps. Archives
August 2016
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