Religious
moderation has been proven to have a strong influence in shaping youth mindsets
that are more open to religious differences and social life. This finding was
presented by Ni Made Widya Astuti, Christian Religious Education Supervisor of
Palu City, in a scientific article published in the International Journal of
Advanced Technology and Social Sciences (IJATSS) in 2026. This study is
important because it addresses the growing challenges of intolerance, social
polarization, and exposure to extremist ideologies among Indonesia’s younger
generation.
Amid
Indonesia’s diverse society, young people occupy a strategic position as both
the next generation and agents of change. However, the rapid flow of digital
information also makes this age group vulnerable to narrow and exclusive
religious views. Therefore, Astuti’s research highlights how the values of
religious moderation can serve as a foundation for building critical, balanced
ways of thinking that are aligned with plural social life.
The
research was conducted in 2026 using a qualitative case study approach in
several regions representing Indonesia’s social and religious diversity. Astuti
collected data through interviews, observations, and surveys involving youth
from different communities and university environments. Through this approach,
the study successfully captured young people’s direct experiences in
understanding religion, interacting with other groups, and interpreting
tolerance in everyday life.
The findings revealed a consistent pattern: young people who grow up with an understanding of religious moderation tend to develop a more inclusive perspective. They do not see differences in belief as a threat, but rather as part of social reality that must be respected. Some of the key findings include:
These
findings show that religious moderation is not merely a normative concept, but functions
concretely as a mechanism for shaping social character. In the digital context,
this becomes even more relevant because social media often serves as a space
for spreading extremist narratives. Youth equipped with moderation values are
proven to be more capable of filtering information, comparing perspectives, and
resisting intolerant propaganda.
Astuti
also emphasizes that education plays a central role in strengthening religious
moderation. Schools, families, and communities are identified as the three main
spaces for shaping youth mindsets. In schools, curricula that teach interfaith
dialogue and respect for religious rights are considered effective in fostering
tolerant attitudes. Within families, the value of mutual respect becomes the
initial foundation for character formation. Meanwhile, in society, the
experience of living side by side with different groups provides concrete
social training for youth to understand plurality.
Socially,
the impact of this research is very broad. The findings provide a strong
foundation for educational institutions, local governments, youth
organizations, and interfaith communities to strengthen tolerance education
programs. In the educational sector, these results can be translated into
stronger curricula on religious moderation and critical digital literacy. For
policymakers, this research supports strategies to prevent radicalism through
character education and stronger social cohesion.
In
the context of the wider public, the study’s results are also highly relevant
for parents and community leaders. The main message is simple yet important:
the way young people understand religion is strongly influenced by the
environment in which they learn and socialize. When these spaces cultivate
respect for differences, youth become better prepared to live peacefully in a
diverse society. Conversely, exclusive environments may narrow their
perspectives.
In
line with her findings, Astuti, as the Christian Religious Education Supervisor
of Palu City, stresses that religious moderation helps youth view religion as a
source of peace rather than social division. This perspective is essential for
strengthening national unity amid growing challenges of identity polarization
and conflicts rooted in differences.
Ni Made Widya Astuti serves as the Christian Religious Education Supervisor of Palu City. Her expertise focuses on religious education, religious moderation, youth character development, and social tolerance in plural societies. Through this research, she highlights the close relationship between balanced religious value education and the formation of a more inclusive younger generation.
Research Source
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijatss.v4i3.188
0 Komentar