indonesia Archives

Let’s build a church that looks like a giant chicken

January 26, 2016 by Andrew Leave a Comment

Towering above the tops of the trees in the Magelang Distract in Indonesia is a giant chicken.

The locals call it Gereja Ayam and, sadly, it is decaying rather quickly.

Why did they build a giant chicken church?

Good question. It is said that the building was intended as a prayer house for Daniel Alamsjah after hearing a message from God. It’s supposed to look like a dove, not a chicken. They wanted to build a giant dove church. You decide what it looks like.

The good news is that the building was put to good use for a while – running as a rehabilitation centre it helped look after disabled children, drug addicts and others.

In Pure Spirit

What do you make of the building? A good idea gone wrong? A wonderful idea? Just… odd?

Picture credits: Punthuk Setumbu, Alex Kurnianwan and This is Colossal.

New shark species found – and it walks!

September 1, 2013 by Andrew Leave a Comment

Scientists have found a new species of shark in eastern Indonesia. The shark is harmless to humans and grows up to 80cm in length, which is not large for a shark. However, the brown and white bamboo shark walks. The shark doesn’t haul itself out of the water but waddles over the rocks in at the sea bed in a way that might remind you of a lizard.

The sharks can be found off Maluku Islands west of Guinea. It’s a region of the oceans that are hugely diverse but still largely undiscovered.

In Pure Spirit

What do you feel about the discovery?

Isn’t amazing that we’re still discovering new animal species? Or do you disagree with the claims that this shark “walks” because it never leaves the sea.

Banned: Valentine’s Day leads to hand holding and free sex

February 14, 2010 by Andrew Leave a Comment

In Indonesia, some Muslim leaders have commanded the faithful not to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

The Western / Christian day has become increasingly popular among the young and liberal population of the nation’s larger cities.

Abdullah Cholil, leader of Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Islamic organisation in Indonesia said;

“We forbid Muslims to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The day is often celebrated by young, unmarried people. They celebrate Valentine’s Day by holding hands or having free sex, which they are not supposed to be doing,”

Lalilurrahman, the East Java branch chief of the country’s highest Islamic body, the Indonesian Ulema Council, noted that the day had nothing to do with Islamic tradition and should not interest Muslims. He said;

“Valentine’s Day originated from Western culture. It’s not in accordance with Islamic and Eastern culture.”

In Indonesia’s largest cities many shops are selling both Valentine’s Day gifts and Chinese New Year memorabilia.

In Pure Spirit

What do you think? Are these religious leaders worried that Valentine’s Day is corrupting their traditional beliefs or do they simply dislike what it is supposed to stand for?

If you’re Muslim and have done something romantic on Valentine’s Day for your partner then it would great to have your thoughts in the comments below.

Muslins banned from yoga in Indonesia

January 25, 2009 by Andrew Leave a Comment

Indonesia is the largest Muslin country in the world. Although officially secular some 90% of the 234 million population is Muslim.

The Council of Ulemas, 700 clerics and the country’s top Islamic body, explained that the use of yoga could erode the Muslim faith. The ancient Indian practice is popular in Indonesia, especially Jakarta, but it contains ritualised elements of Hinduism. The recital of Hindu rituals in yoga mantras is considered haram for Muslins.

The Council of Ulemas was formed in 1975 by then-President Suharto. The Council was initially founded to allow politics and religion to continue alongside one another in Indonesia without crossing paths. In recent years, though, the Council of Ulemas has become more involved in politics and the issuing of fatwas.

In Pure Spirit

What do you think? Is it a good idea to keep religion and politics separate? Is it possible?

Is it wrong of clerics to clearly spell out what is considered right or wrong according to their religious teachings?