>From your Digesthttps://www.quora.com/ <https://www.quora.com/profile/Fajar-Setiawan-24> Fajar Setiawan <https://www.quora.com/profile/Fajar-Setiawan-24>, fascinated with Indonesia's shady politics Updated Feb 16 <https://www.quora.com/How-conservative-is-Indonesia/answer/Fajar-Setiawan-24> How conservative is Indonesia? <https://www.quora.com/How-conservative-is-Indonesia>
There is a popular saying in Javanese: “Ngono yo ngono, nanging ojo ngono temen” In English, it probably translates to: “You can be/do that, but not THAT that” All in all, the sayings above simply mean, don't be so much. That saying exemplifies one foundational value in Indonesian society, moderation. It means the avoidance tendency from being excessive or extreme.. In Indonesia, the value of moderation is perhaps commonly known as what you think as modesty. People can try to stand out over others but not entirely undermining them so that they wouldn't be deemed as condescending. This is because moderation is literally played in every aspects of lndonesian social life. It usually comes as small and quite loose rules. It has certain limits but it's not implemented strictly. Moderate rules give you a sense of freedom but only to certain expectable foreboding extent. In parenting, for example, childrens are usually encouraged to play outside and mingled with other kids. Moderation plays in certain extents here such as; how long the kids are allowed outside the home, what games they are allowed play, how far they can go from home, etc. Your parents might allow you to play a little bit with small rocks or sands. But once you dare climbing that tree, you'll get spanked. These little rules are the manifestation of moderation value. Moderation is basically a psychological game. It gives you an illusion sense of freedom while in fact you're still under a strict watch of the authority above you. In Indonesia, moderation is so fundamental in the society it goes beyond a mere value, it becomes the mentality. You are able to do things that are likely seemed as uncommon, unconventional, and peculiar because we don't really mind about it, albeit reluctantly. But once you get around with it too conspicuously much under the public's eyes, the social backlash will be severe. We, Indonesians, can equivocally disagree with your “anything”, be it ideology, identity, behavior, etc, but we can tolerate you insofar as you're not bothering us. There is a certain line where you cannot step over and surpass “us” that is the majority, the tradition, the establishment. Being moderate accurately described what Indonesia's conservatism looks like .. To put it simply, the rule of thumb here is “don't ask, don't tell” or as we call it as “tolerance”. Indonesians can tolerate the existence of things or behaviors that might not sit well with their principles (i.e. liberal culture, clothing, sexual freedom, or even queer issues) but only to a certain point where it better be obscured and remained hidden from the public's eyes, i.e. the media, the netizens, etc. This is noteworthy because tolerance is different than openness. Tolerance is basically lowering your guards, or hostility frankly-speaking, towards something that you might not disagree or dislike with. The disacceptance is still there and existing but it is toned down to the extent it's not visibly hostile to the opposition. At this stage, what rules the social game is basic values of good manner, morality, and humanity. That's why moderate mentality is still considerably peaceful towards the minorities, albeit such harmony is built upon hierarchical social system where the majority conservative still rules the game. Hence one can conclude that tolerance is Indonesia’s take on moderation and thus, conservatism. Indeed there are people who take things into extreme, either to the far right or the far left. But frankly, these loud-spoken groups are just minorities which ironically, and certainly ungratefully for them, are still tolerated in Indonesian society. 1.7k views View Upvoters View Sharers Upvote · 17 Share · 1 Footnote Add Add <https://www.quora.com/profile/Muhammad-Raid-Islamy> Muhammad Raid Islamy <https://www.quora.com/profile/Muhammad-Raid-Islamy> Nov 10 <https://www.quora.com/How-conservative-is-Indonesia/answer/Fajar-Setiawan-24/comment/116542345> At what point is too much tolerant? Because of the tolerant value that is too high, that means its is negligence. Reply Upvote <https://www.quora.com/profile/Fajar-Setiawan-24> Fajar Setiawan <https://www.quora.com/profile/Fajar-Setiawan-24> Original Author · Nov 23 <https://www.quora.com/How-conservative-is-Indonesia/answer/Fajar-Setiawan-24/comment/117988139> Your call then. But don't enforce it to others, please. Unless if you believe natural disasters are caused by sinners instead of the real nature. Reply Upvote
