Jurnal Sosiologi Agama

Mediatization and Hypermediation in Digital Religion and the Transformation of Indonesian Muslim Religious Practices through Social Media Usage

Hanung Sito Rohmawati — 2025-01-08

This article examines mediatization and hypermediation in digital religion concerning contemporary Muslim religious practices, particularly in Indonesia, through social media. This study employed a qualitative approach through library study of offline and online sources. The findings reveal that mediatization has altered the way Indonesian Muslims understand and practice their religion. Social media facilitates virtual religious practices and creates a hybrid space between online and offline religious activities. Hypermediation, through platforms such as Instagram and WhatsApp, strengthens individual religious identity and collectively reinforces religious communities. Social media also affects the structure of religious communities by challenging traditional authority through the emergence of popular religious figures in the virtual world. This article contributes significantly to understanding religious transformation in the digital age and is a foundation for further research. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the social and cultural implications of integrating social media into Muslim religious practices in Indonesia. It highlights the complexity of the relationship between religion, technology, and identity in the current context of digital globalization

Salafis and Social Media: The Emergence of Islamic Populism in Indonesia

Rholand Muary — 2025-01-08

The development of the Salafism movement in Indonesia is supported by the digitalization of their preaching, even though previously this group claimed to be Puritan, rejected modernization and was known to be strict in interpreting the Koran and hadith. This article explains how Salafi preaching is increasingly spreading on social media with an Islamic populism approach based on political economy. Salafists claim that the digitalization of their preaching can be accepted by society, especially young people in the upper middle class, as evidenced by the millions of people following their social media accounts. This research data was collected through in-depth interviews with Salafi figures and managers of their digital da'wah channels, namely Rasyaad TV in Medan and Surau TV in Padang, and observing content from Salafi's social media accounts. The findings of this research show that Islamic populism is developing and is characterized by the Salafist movement adapting to developments in the digital world. They promote their ideology through Instagram, YouTube, and satellite TV channels. Even though in the early days, their da'wah tended to be more conventional and limited to the Salafi Mahjab community, now it is open to anyone and anywhere. In packaging Salafi preaching content, this movement also adapts to local (Minangkabau) culture, so the local community can accept it. Salafis are also starting to show their support for the democratic system by participating in general elections even though they previously strongly rejected the democratic political system in Indonesia. These findings could have implications for the new Islamic populism movement with the struggle for digital space as the spearhead of da'wah to strengthen Salafi religious ideology as well as negotiate the political system that applies to Salafi congregations in Indonesia

Sile (Pencak Silat Nias) as a Negotiation of Religion and Culture between Traditional Societies, Islam, and Christianity in Ono Niha

Famati Waruwu — 2025-01-08

Pencak Silat is no longer limited to martial arts but goes far beyond this. Suppose it is generally understood as a martial art commonly called Sile. In that case, it needs to be seen from the socio-theological praxis of the people of Moro’ö District, West Nias Regency, and the people of Tugala Oyo District, North Nias Regency, where they are Nias people in general who tend to believe traditionally based on customs, as well as Christian church congregations, including Muslims. This article delves into Nias’ traditional pencak silat in 2022-2023. The empirical problem in Christianity is that there is a tendency to label synchronicity that pencak silat as a traditional rite for primitive people, has always been associated with an attempt to display the dimension of “evil spirits” as opposed to the “good spirits” in the Christian faith with the modern eyes of urban people. Meanwhile, Muslims tend to be positioned as immigrants. This paper is in the social setting of North and West Nias as a research field, and it is carried out with empirical qualitative research with a socio-theological approach. Data were collected by observation, interview, and documentation. It was found that there is an increasing immersion in cultural arts expressed through pencak silat as a social space (medium) for people of different faiths and traditions. It was found that North and West Nias Sile displayed spatial negotiations between culture and religion.

Elite Political Behavior to Get Government Positions through Site Visits in Malang Regency

Muhammad Fiqri Fadilah — 2025-01-08

The study discusses the behaviour of elites performing pre-election political rituals. This behaviour was carried out in the sacred place in Malang Regency. Political traditions contain the belief that symbols followed by elites interpret religion and politics. In this case, the elite who follow the election is closely related to the various contests that are contested. The study uses a qualitative descriptive approach with databases sourced from informants in the field through the interview process and separating vital and additional informants. It was discovered that the elite’s practice of political rituals was formed by a series of processions at the site of kingdom relics. Political patterns attached to the elite have turned into a form of tradition from initially just a pilgrimage process. This form of ritual is divided into stages. First, understand the ritual conditions and symbols. Second, interpret the patterns performed. Third, transform patterns in the actions of the political elite. This paper shows that studying political culture sourced from the elite still needs to be explored as a social phenomenon ahead of elections in Indonesia.

Normalization of Religious Hegemony as Destructive Narrative and Bio-Politics in Minahasa

Thiosani Frinsly Kaat — 2025-01-17

This research analyzes the normalization of religious hegemony as a bio-political text in controlling the socio-religious movements of the Minahasa community through political truth. Using a qualitative approach with an analytical-descriptive method, this study analyzes the process of religious hegemony normalization. Data collection is conducted through literature studies. Christianity, as a world religion, has become a bio-political text for religious elites to control and legitimize actions of right and wrong within society through dogma. Normalizing theological narratives as an instrument of the elite has become a sublimated ideology. The religious hegemony of ‘Christianity’ has shaped a singular episteme (knowledge) and rejected local wisdom texts in the name of Minahasa’s traditions. First, the study discusses how Christianity, specifically the Evangelical Christian Church in Minahasa (GMIM), has formed bio-politics. Second, the sublimation of colonialist ideology continues to be perpetuated by the church. Third, the normalization of religious hegemony results in the marginalization of local knowledge. The conclusion explains that Christianity has been sublimated to form a singular narrative, becoming a tool for elites to legitimize the socio-religious movements of the Minahasa community.

Interfaith and Cultural Community Meeting in Weaving National Identity Based on the Huma Betang Philosophy in Palangka Raya

Sharon Michelle O. Pattiasina — 2025-01-18

Palangka Raya is characterized by ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity. It shows that the Dayak people, as indigenous people, have lived alongside the immigrants. Huma Betang’s philosophy significantly affects society across religions and cultures. This research aims to analyze the implementation of the Huma Betang philosophy in cross-religious and cultural community encounters in knitting national identity in Palangka Raya. This research uses a qualitative method with a sociology of religion approach. In this case, the data collection techniques are observation, interviews, and literature study. The results of the research found that the existence of the Palangka Raya community in the socio-cultural and religious space is based on the Huma Betang philosophy and the motto Bumi Tambun Bungai Bumi Pancasila. These two things are not only implemented for fellow Dayak tribes but also for people with different backgrounds who are categorized as immigrants in Palangka Raya. It is strengthened by the community’s appreciation of humanitarian actions. In this way, the experience of living together in a space across religions and cultures becomes a national spirit based on humanitarian action.