Christian Women on Trial in Indonesia

By Jay Esteban
CWNews

July 29, 2005

CBN.com – Three Indonesian women are on trial for teaching Christian songs to Muslim children. Muslim extremists are demanding the three women be put to death for allegedly evangelizing Muslim children. The women say they were only holding a religious program for Christian youth, by invitation, at a public school.

In Idramayu, Indonesia, three Christian housewives are in jail, for more than two months, on accusations of proselytizing Muslim children.

This has raised concern among the Christians. They believe the outcome of the case can be a precedent that will affect the ministry.

I was present at one of the court hearings—this trial is of utmost importance to religious freedom in Indonesia.

Three truckloads of Islamic radicals surged into the courthouse to show anger to the 3 Indonesian Sunday School teachers accused of converting Muslim children to Christianity. The case is causing concerns among Christians and stirring the passions of militant Muslims.

This is the third court hearing of the 3 Sunday school teachers: Eti, Ratna, and Rebekka. Muslim protesters outside shouted "Kill them, hang them, deport them from this area," signifying that this is a very serious case.

The Christian community hopes the court's decision will not be influenced or pressured by the sentiments of Muslim protesters such as this

Then, even inside the court, masses of Muslims continued to shout and chant verses from the Quran, giving warnings that they are ready to go on a jihad and wipe out the Christians.

Eti, Ratna, and Rebekka were charged by the local Muslim Council of enticing and attempting to Christianize under age Muslim children, which is a violation of the Child Protection Act. The penalty for such a crime is 5 years imprisonment and a fine of $10,000.

Bambang Widjaja is the General Chairman of the Indonesian Evangelical Fellowship. He expressed his concern over the Child Protection Act—which was only ratified in 2002.

Widjaja said, “There are 2 problems with this law. First this is directly against the Indonesian constitution because in our constitution there is freedom to choose our religion and practice our religion.”

He says their religious freedom was interfered with, “When arrested the 3 women were not allowed to pray, to read the Bible and to share their faith with others so this is directly against the human rights of the 3 women.”

Pastor Jeff Hammond has spent 30 years ministering in Indonesia. He has followed the case of the 3 women very closely. He says, the women were invited by the state school in their area to conduct a religious program for the Christian children of the school.

Hammond told us, “They started the program but some of the children of the Muslim families liked the singing and the bright and happy way of doing things. So some of them wanted to come along. Now, because the Muslim children have learned Christian songs, the 3 women have been accused of Christianization. Of course none of the Muslim children changed their religion.”

Some of the Muslim children were brought to the trial and were asked to sing the songs they learned.

Most of the children sang "Father Abraham" and got no reaction from the crowd. But when a child sang "Jesus is the vine and we are the branches…" the crowd reacted disgustedly, even calling for the women to be killed.

Pastor Hammond cites the serious implications the case may have for the Christian ministries in Indonesia if the three women are indicted.

Hammond added, “ Because once a precedent has been set, any Christian worker could be imprisoned for having a Muslim child attend any of their activities. So it is a serious threat to the freedom of religion, to the freedom of preaching the Gospel.

Posma Manahan is the 3 women's legal counsel. According to him, the prosecutor has not produced witnesses who have strong evidence against his clients. He strongly believes that Eti, Ratna and Rebecca can be released despite the mass protests.

Manahan said, “Even though the judge's decision can be inferred by the mass protests, I believe by the prayers of Christians, Rebekka and her friends can be released.”

Amid the vile accusations and insults, and faced with the uncertainty of their situation in prison; Eti, Ratna and Rebekka together with their families have remained calm and strong in the faith.

Rebekka is Dr. Rebekka Loanita, a medical doctor, the mother of 3 children. She told us, “Do not be afraid. Tell our families God is Number 1. It is His plan that must be done. God tells me this everyday. He makes me strong everyday.”

Ratna Malabangun, is also a mother, of 2 children. She told us, “My 7-year old son asks why are you in prison? And cries, ‘Come back mommy, even if only for one day.’ I explain to him, I am imprisoned not because of stealing but because of Jesus Christ.”

Eti Pangesti is the mother of three children. She said, “What I wish to happen is to share the Word of God and keep serving Jesus.”

The three ladies are asking Christians throughout the nation and overseas to pray for them that God would continue to give them the peace and joy of knowing He never leaves or abandons them.

This is not the first time such a case has happened. But this is the first time that such a case has gained media coverage. It did so because of the network of Dr. Rebekka with other church leaders.

Indonesian churches say exposure of the case to the international community can help the women win the case.

Prosecutors are calling for the women to receive 5-years in jail. By contrast, those convicted of the 2004 bombing—that killed 10 people at the Australian embassy—are serving only four years.

Christians say this discrepancy reveals that Indonesia's legal system treats Christians and Muslims very differently.

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