Indonesia Religion

ISLAM
About 88% of Indonesians practice Islam, making the country home to the world’s largest Muslim population. Originally spread through trade, Islam has proven an important political force in Indonesia; much of the nationalist sentiment against the Dutch was strengthened by religious belief. Today, agitation by Muslim separatist groups threatens the country’s fragile political and social stability.

CHRISTIANITY
Dutch colonizers brought Christianity to Indonesia in the early 1600s. Today, about 8% of Indonesians adhere to the faith, with large concentrations of Christians in Flores, Maluku, and Kalimantan. When Suharto came to power, his administration forced all citizens into religious practice as a way to combat communist beliefs. Many of Indonesia’s Chinese adopted Christianity, widening the cultural gap and fueling conflict.

HINDUISM
Though Hinduism was once practiced widely in Indonesia, the faith is now confined primarily to Bali. The Balinese form of Hinduism, however, has developed into something quite distinct from the Hinduism practiced in India and other areas of the world. Visit Pura Besakih, “Mother Temple,” on Gunung Agung to study the largest temple complex and most sacred site of Balinese Hinduism.

BUDDHISM
Before the introduction of Islam, Sumatra was primarily Buddhist, while Hinduism dominated Java. Though few followers remain today, the strong influence of Buddhism is nonetheless still evident throughout the archipelago. For a glimpse of some of Southeast Asia’s most stunning Buddhist architecture and a lesson in Buddhist philosophy, visit the Borobudur temple near Yogyakarta.

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