Religious Authority and the Prospects for Religious Pluralism in Indonesia: The Role of Traditionalist Muslim Scholars

This book deals with the role and authority of such traditionalist Muslim scholars as A. Mustofa Bisri and Emha Ainun Nadjib in seeding religious pluralism in Indonesia. It shows that it is not necessary to base religious pluralism on "liberal" or "modernist" stances but rather on "traditionalist" attitudes. Religious pluralism can be smoothly connected to "traditionalism", so that this may preserve greater credibility in the population. Traditionalist scholars may play a considerable role in promoting religious pluralism in the society, in general, and among anti-pluralist groups, in particular. The account of the role and authority of these traditionalist scholars is significant in revealing the prospects for religious pluralism in the country. (Series:?Southeast Asian Modernities, Vol. 17) [Subject: Religious Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, Islamic Studies]