Indonesia today, the Philippines next?

Lately in Indonesia, there have been waves of mass protests driven by economic inequality and political corruption.

- FR. ROLANDO Y. DELA ROSA, O.P.

But the public response in the Philippines to similar issues has been far more subdued. A key reason may lie in the religious traditions that shape how people in both countries understand justice and moral responsibility.

Indonesia is predominantly Muslim country. The late Islamic scholar Wilfred Cantwell Smith noted that, in the Qur'an, faith and the moral imperatives that flow from it are deeply tied to daily life and public behavior. In Islam, faith is tightly bound to the moral obligation to obey God’s will as expressed in the law (Sharia). For many Muslims, standing up against injustice goes beyond civic duty. It is a religious obligation. Protests, civic engagement, and resistance are regarded as expressions of faith.

In contrast, the Philippines is a largely Christian country. The philosophical framework that grounds Christian theology has been shaped by Western thought, which gives emphasis on doctrinal accuracy and interior righteousness. This often leads to a disconnect between theory and practice. Many Christians may believe rightly but do not necessarily act justly. Personal salvation is often preferred over activism for social justice.