Moderation is the government’s priority program. The spirit of mutual understanding among believers must always be fostered. The existence of the spirit needs to be nourished. Sometimes the spirit of moderation needs to be re-ignited when a dispute with a religious background occurs. Stube-HEMAT Bengkulu held a discussion entitled "Remembering the Spirit of Moderation". It campaigns the discussion activity of Stube-HEMAT Bengkulu.
The small discussion was held at Arastamar Theological College of Bengkulu (STTAB) on November 17, 2023. Iman Kristina Halawa hosted the discussion by sharing material about moderation in evangelical churches. Some believers believe they are the rightest one, feel right, or are more right than others. However, we are grateful, that more and more church members are accepting diversity. Churches no longer justify themselves and blame others’ beliefs. Now, the church can implement belief in Christ without perceiving others with different religions as wrong.
An understanding like this seems simple but is sometimes forgotten due to the many ideas that racing out in mind every day. This time, the participants of Stube-HEMAT were invited to recall the spirit of accepting each other, getting along while upholding equality, and the feeling of mutual respect.
On this occasion, the participants had the opportunity to express their opinions. According to Tommy Helfiger Sakoikoi's opinion, religious moderation is a person's perspective, attitudes, and behavior that must be practiced in their daily life by their beliefs. As an example of religious moderation in the tolerance indicator, we can see how Indonesian people live their daily lives with mutual respect and respecting other religious celebrations. Why should there be religious moderation? There are three reasons why it is important to understand religious moderation. First, social conflicts often arise with religious nuances. Second, there is a threat in social divisions. Third, there is also threat violence and victims. Tommy experienced the third reason, when he celebrated Christmas, the celebration was disbanded by the head of the house complex, and finally Christmas was celebrated at our respective house.
Ponzi added, that a theologian must have a strong awareness of religious moderation because moderation is one of the benchmarks that must be created by Christians so that their ethical lifestyle is visible as a true believer of Christ. In Indonesia there are various ethnicities, religions, and cultures, so, it is necessary to create good and correct moderation to unite diversity well to live in peace and harmony in the life of the nation and state.
According to him, the obstacle in creating religious moderation is how accepting one teaching over another. They consider themselves to be the correct ones, while others are not. This perspective is not good to develop because the impact is felt by society. A theologian plays a role in it and becomes an example of creating peace in the nation and state.
Moderation is created through communication, socialization, and cooperation with one another. One of the basics that must be created in moderation is children's education so that through educational institutions a good atmosphere can be created. So, the basis is good socialization and communication to create harmony.
The discussion equipped participants to appreciate differences more. It is important because the participants of the Multiplication of Stube HEMAT in Bengkulu will become leaders and provide noble teachings wherever they are as servants of Christ. ***