Recent international reactions to events in Aceh, Poso and Maluku only serve to intensify suspicions of a conspiracy against Indonesia's Muslims. It is easy to follow such logic. After all, the West succeeded in helping East Timor, home to a mainly Catholic population, secede from Indonesia. Indonesia is a relatively young concept and the fall of the New Order government triggered some soul-searching. It is a big question that Indonesians are grappling with for an answer.
Religion unites people as much as it divides people.
Religion is a powerful tool that can mobilize any nation to raise arms to defend their beliefs. Religion is also a dangerous political instrument, pitting followers of one faith against another, with both sides willing to die to defend what they believe to be the only truth. This is what is happening in Indonesia. Certain people or groups are using religious sentiments for political gains. Even without the pope and the West, Indonesians are divided by their differing faiths.