Hello! You can read about religious climate in other countries through Jen's blog.
1.
I'm an Indonesian living in Singapore since 2008. So, I would love to share about religious climate in both countries ^^
2.
Church attendance is very good here. The difference is...in Indonesia, the churches are far from another. In Singapore, if you miss let's say 9.30 am Mass in Holy Cross, you can easily take MRT for two more stops and go to other church. It's so easy to go daily masses in Singapore. The timing ranges from 6.30am, 7am, 8.30am, even lunch-time weekday Mass! In Indonesia, if you want to go weekday Mass, you need to go to 6am Mass =P and they don't have weekday Mass on Saturdays. In my parish in Indonesia, evening Mass only available on Tuesday and Friday.
Oh another difference, in Indonesia, we need to set up tents outside at the parking lot for Easter Triduum and Christmas. There are just sooooooooooooo many people who suddenly come for Easter and Christmas (we call some people NaPas Catholics ('Na' for Natal (Christmas), 'Pas' for Paskah (Easter)).
Regarding Church attendance, there's something beyond 'attending Mass'. I think both in Singapore and Indonesia, many people still have this misconception that "It's okay to miss Mass on vacation" or "It's okay to miss Mass to study for exams". Another sad thing in Singapore is there are significant number of people who wear shorts and slippers to Mass. In Indonesia, people will surely stare at you or whisper behind your back to tell their kids not to follow your attire when you wear shorts or bathroom slippers to Mass.
3.
It is okay, no awkward moment when we acknowledge ourselves as Christian.
BUT..
in Singapore, people have misconceptions that Catholics are NOT Christians. When we make sign of cross or say that 'I go to Church on Sundays', some people ask, "Are you Christian?" I often answer, "Yes, I'm Christian-Catholic" and some of them would be confused.
in Indonesia, we just call ourselves Catholics and it's enough. They know that Catholics are Christians and they call our brothers and sisters from Christian Protestant as 'Christian Protestant'.
Ahh..additional information: The major religion in Indonesia is Islam, but Indonesia is NOT a Moslem country (unlike Malaysia!). So the confusion happened when I'm in Singapore and I said, "I'm from Indonesia." Their next question, "Can you eat pork?" I said, "Yes, I can eat everything. I'm a Catholic." Some friends in university will be puzzled, "I thought most Indonesians are Moslems?" Another complication is because in Singapore and Malaysia, the Malays (the race that is originally from this region, not Singaporean-Chinese or Singaporean-Indian) are Moslem. If the situation is like me, my dad is half-Chinese half-'Bumiputera' (how they call the Malays in Malaysia) while my mom is Chinese, I must be a Moslem in Malaysia. I don't have a choice. But in Indonesia, I can be a Catholic. Many Malays are Catholics or Christians, while in Singapore, Malay is assumed to be equal with being a Moslem.
4. What kind of faith do the Politicans claim to practice?
Politicians in Singapore - Uhm, I'm not sure. I guess Buddhist or free-thinker? I'm really not sure...
But Singapore used to have a Catholic foreign minister, George Yeo, who was just recently appointed as part of Special Vatican Commision. In terms of policy-making, Singapore practices secularism.
Politicians in Indonesia are Moslem. I guess it would still be a looooooooooooooooooonggg way to go till we have a Christian president. It'll be tough, to be honest. But yeah..we also have Catholic ministers. Interestingly, we always have national Christmas celebration which was attended by Archbishop in Jakarta (the capital city of Indonesia), some church leaders from Christian Protestant, and Indonesian president! :) Our law is not based on Sharia law (like in Malaysia), except in Aceh (one of the provinces in Indonesia).
5.
Attitudes towards family size
In Singapore, it definitely provokes an open mouth to see a family with more than three kids. In Indonesia, hmm, for my generation, I think four is still acceptable (but not common).
But..the sad thing is, my generation has been fed with Soeharto's "two-is-enough" campaign, the campaign to promote contraceptives and to curb the growth of population. Compared to Catholics in Singapore, most Catholics in Indonesia do not know about the Church teaching on contraceptives. :(:( *lots of homework to do to raise awareness about this!* ps. Soeharto is the second president of Indonesia. His regime stood for 32 years.
What I would like to add is people in Indonesia have different views of marriage compared to people in Singapore. Oh well, my generation slowly has this mentality of 'must-have-all-first-before-marriage', but parents' view and advice would still be, "You learn and grow together after you get married. You don't need to be rich first." While in Indonesia, to get married at the age of 24 and 25 is normal, seen in Singapore as, "Wah, very young!!"
6.
I'm not sure about the dominant belief system in Singapore 50 years ago.
But for Indonesia, it's Islam. However, Islam 50 years ago in Indonesia is different with Islam now. Take an example of the use of veil for Moslem women. It was something that only came to Indonesia in 1970s and old generation was quite resistant about wearing it. They saw it as something foreign.
7. Do the people where you live seem happy with their lives?
I guess so. =P
I think I should write another post about Catholicism in my parish in Indonesia :):) I really admire the bond between Catholic neighbours in Indonesia because we have neighbourhood activities (smaller structure below parish). In Singapore they call this Neighbourhood Christian Communities (NCC), but I don't think it's as vibrant as in Indonesia. In Indonesia, the NCC takes turn to be wardens, to be choir for Sunday Masses, etc. However, I really think that we need more doctrinal formation! :(
1.
I'm an Indonesian living in Singapore since 2008. So, I would love to share about religious climate in both countries ^^
2.
Church attendance is very good here. The difference is...in Indonesia, the churches are far from another. In Singapore, if you miss let's say 9.30 am Mass in Holy Cross, you can easily take MRT for two more stops and go to other church. It's so easy to go daily masses in Singapore. The timing ranges from 6.30am, 7am, 8.30am, even lunch-time weekday Mass! In Indonesia, if you want to go weekday Mass, you need to go to 6am Mass =P and they don't have weekday Mass on Saturdays. In my parish in Indonesia, evening Mass only available on Tuesday and Friday.
Oh another difference, in Indonesia, we need to set up tents outside at the parking lot for Easter Triduum and Christmas. There are just sooooooooooooo many people who suddenly come for Easter and Christmas (we call some people NaPas Catholics ('Na' for Natal (Christmas), 'Pas' for Paskah (Easter)).
 |
| My parish in Indonesia: Paroki Hati Maria Tak Bernoda (Parish Immaculate Heart of Mary) |
3.
It is okay, no awkward moment when we acknowledge ourselves as Christian.
BUT..
in Singapore, people have misconceptions that Catholics are NOT Christians. When we make sign of cross or say that 'I go to Church on Sundays', some people ask, "Are you Christian?" I often answer, "Yes, I'm Christian-Catholic" and some of them would be confused.
in Indonesia, we just call ourselves Catholics and it's enough. They know that Catholics are Christians and they call our brothers and sisters from Christian Protestant as 'Christian Protestant'.
Ahh..additional information: The major religion in Indonesia is Islam, but Indonesia is NOT a Moslem country (unlike Malaysia!). So the confusion happened when I'm in Singapore and I said, "I'm from Indonesia." Their next question, "Can you eat pork?" I said, "Yes, I can eat everything. I'm a Catholic." Some friends in university will be puzzled, "I thought most Indonesians are Moslems?" Another complication is because in Singapore and Malaysia, the Malays (the race that is originally from this region, not Singaporean-Chinese or Singaporean-Indian) are Moslem. If the situation is like me, my dad is half-Chinese half-'Bumiputera' (how they call the Malays in Malaysia) while my mom is Chinese, I must be a Moslem in Malaysia. I don't have a choice. But in Indonesia, I can be a Catholic. Many Malays are Catholics or Christians, while in Singapore, Malay is assumed to be equal with being a Moslem.
4. What kind of faith do the Politicans claim to practice?
Politicians in Singapore - Uhm, I'm not sure. I guess Buddhist or free-thinker? I'm really not sure...
But Singapore used to have a Catholic foreign minister, George Yeo, who was just recently appointed as part of Special Vatican Commision. In terms of policy-making, Singapore practices secularism.
Politicians in Indonesia are Moslem. I guess it would still be a looooooooooooooooooonggg way to go till we have a Christian president. It'll be tough, to be honest. But yeah..we also have Catholic ministers. Interestingly, we always have national Christmas celebration which was attended by Archbishop in Jakarta (the capital city of Indonesia), some church leaders from Christian Protestant, and Indonesian president! :) Our law is not based on Sharia law (like in Malaysia), except in Aceh (one of the provinces in Indonesia).
5.
Attitudes towards family size
In Singapore, it definitely provokes an open mouth to see a family with more than three kids. In Indonesia, hmm, for my generation, I think four is still acceptable (but not common).
But..the sad thing is, my generation has been fed with Soeharto's "two-is-enough" campaign, the campaign to promote contraceptives and to curb the growth of population. Compared to Catholics in Singapore, most Catholics in Indonesia do not know about the Church teaching on contraceptives. :(:( *lots of homework to do to raise awareness about this!* ps. Soeharto is the second president of Indonesia. His regime stood for 32 years.
 |
| Advertisement on the streets: "Family has better quality with only two children" |
What I would like to add is people in Indonesia have different views of marriage compared to people in Singapore. Oh well, my generation slowly has this mentality of 'must-have-all-first-before-marriage', but parents' view and advice would still be, "You learn and grow together after you get married. You don't need to be rich first." While in Indonesia, to get married at the age of 24 and 25 is normal, seen in Singapore as, "Wah, very young!!"
6.
I'm not sure about the dominant belief system in Singapore 50 years ago.
But for Indonesia, it's Islam. However, Islam 50 years ago in Indonesia is different with Islam now. Take an example of the use of veil for Moslem women. It was something that only came to Indonesia in 1970s and old generation was quite resistant about wearing it. They saw it as something foreign.
7. Do the people where you live seem happy with their lives?
I guess so. =P
I think I should write another post about Catholicism in my parish in Indonesia :):) I really admire the bond between Catholic neighbours in Indonesia because we have neighbourhood activities (smaller structure below parish). In Singapore they call this Neighbourhood Christian Communities (NCC), but I don't think it's as vibrant as in Indonesia. In Indonesia, the NCC takes turn to be wardens, to be choir for Sunday Masses, etc. However, I really think that we need more doctrinal formation! :(
3.
HOW APPROPRIATE WOULD IT BE FOR A PERSON TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE OR SHE
IS A BELIEVING CHRISTIAN IN CASUAL CONVERSATION? - See more at:
http://www.conversiondiary.com/#sthash.CdQWKh1m.dpuf
1. WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
Your answer here.
2. WHAT IS CHURCH ATTENDANCE LIKE? ARE THERE MANY CHURCHES?
Your answer here.
3. HOW APPROPRIATE WOULD IT BE FOR A PERSON TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE OR SHE IS A BELIEVING CHRISTIAN IN CASUAL CONVERSATION?
Your answer here.
4. WHAT KIND OF FAITH DO THE POLITICIANS CLAIM TO PRACTICE?
Your answer here.
5. HOW COMMON WOULD IT BE TO SEE A FAMILY WITH MORE THAN THREE KIDS? WHAT ARE THE ATTITUDES TOWARD FAMILY SIZE?
Your answer here.
6. WHAT WAS THE DOMINANT BELIEF SYSTEM IN YOUR AREA 50 YEARS AGO? WHAT IS IT NOW?
Your answer here.
7. DO THE PEOPLE WHERE YOU LIVE SEEM HAPPY WITH THEIR LIVES?
Your answer here
- See more at: http://www.conversiondiary.com/#sthash.CdQWKh1m.dpuf
Your answer here.
2. WHAT IS CHURCH ATTENDANCE LIKE? ARE THERE MANY CHURCHES?
Your answer here.
3. HOW APPROPRIATE WOULD IT BE FOR A PERSON TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE OR SHE IS A BELIEVING CHRISTIAN IN CASUAL CONVERSATION?
Your answer here.
4. WHAT KIND OF FAITH DO THE POLITICIANS CLAIM TO PRACTICE?
Your answer here.
5. HOW COMMON WOULD IT BE TO SEE A FAMILY WITH MORE THAN THREE KIDS? WHAT ARE THE ATTITUDES TOWARD FAMILY SIZE?
Your answer here.
6. WHAT WAS THE DOMINANT BELIEF SYSTEM IN YOUR AREA 50 YEARS AGO? WHAT IS IT NOW?
Your answer here.
7. DO THE PEOPLE WHERE YOU LIVE SEEM HAPPY WITH THEIR LIVES?
Your answer here
- See more at: http://www.conversiondiary.com/#sthash.CdQWKh1m.dpuf
This was so interesting! How sad that its encouraged only to have two children :(
ReplyDeleteYup :( and it's promoted through teens radio too. They planted the idea that infrastructure development can't cope with the population growth, we don't have enough doctors, schools, etc, so two-is-enough!
DeleteEven though we are educated in Catholic schools, we don't know that we are not supposed to use contraceptives.
Thank you! That corrected a lot of my misconceptions about Indonesia - I too had always thought of it as a Muslim country under Sharia. I didn't realize there was a large Catholic presence.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the veil - have you ever read Persepolis? It's a graphic novel (by which I mean it has cartoons) about a young girl growing up in Iran during and after the revolution. It's the most engaging memoir I've ever read. The writer grew up in a fairly secular family, and she talks about how many Iranians did not want fundamentalism and the veil. In America we tend to see images on TV and just assume that everyone in Asia is fundamentalist.
We have Christmas and Easter Christians here too ;)
Wah, I haven't heard about it! Will check it out :)
DeleteOh and we have lots of shrines of Our Lady in Yogyakarta.
This one is the famous one :)
http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-tourism-object/religious-sight/sendang-sono/
Thanks for an interesting post! One of my best friends is currently living in Indonesia for a couple of years. And another of my dear friends is from Singapore. I enjoyed getting to know a little more about both of "their" countries through your answers to Jen's questions.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie! Thanks! :)
DeleteIndonesia is very big though. In some remote areas, people don't have chance to attend Mass weekly. On the other hand, there's a town called Flores where the majority is Catholics :)
Please pray for both countries :) Sometimes in Indonesia, we have difficulties building up new church.