Religious Power Relations: Views of Interfaith Figures on Interfaith Marriages in Toraja

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the understanding of interfaith leaders in Toraja in understanding interfaith marriages because interfaith marriages have become a social fact full of polemics. Some parties agree; on the other hand, some parties are against it. Based on reading through power relations theory and qualitative data analysis. This research found that several religious figures in Toraja, including Catholics, the Toraja Church, and Aluk Todolo, accepted interfaith marriages. This fact is accepted because interfaith marriages have become a sociological reality, so religions must think about this in order to adapt to the sociological conditions of society. The following finding is that groups also reject it: Buddhism, Islam, and the Kibaid Church. For them, interfaith marriages are not permitted in their religion. In Islam, Marriage is not just a human will but based on religious commands. This practice contradicts Law on Marriage Number 1 of 1974, article 2, paragraph 1. Interfaith marriages also have an impact; the negative impact complicates the religious status of the child, and the positive impact is that it makes people's minds open and their social circle very wide.