ARE WOMEN DOGS?
The Reality of Racism in Indonesia Reviewed from Matthew 15:21-28
Abstract
In Jesus' conversation with the Canaanite woman, he expressed it with the word "dog." What does Jesus' words mean by using such harsh words to a woman who asks Him for help? Jesus gave an argument in the face of the multi-dimensional racism that existed at that time so that we can examine it to apply to the present. Christianity in Indonesia as one of the faith groups officially recognized by the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia has a long history in building the nation and state. The Canaanite woman who so consistently came to Jesus, she felt marginalized by Jesus' group. In her belief, the Canaanite woman believed that Jesus would act as a helper for her. Christianity is a minority group that needs to dare to act like Canaanite women to obtain fundamental rights within the Indonesian state. Discrimination because of ethnicity, ethnicity, belief, socio-economy, gender is so strongly experienced by minority groups in bureaucratic life, social order of society. Looking at the present context based on the relevance of Jesus' actions and the Canaanite woman's response in Matthew's gospel, I am the solution to the way of thinking and acting for us today. This paper begins by identifying the problems that exist in racism in Indonesia which apparently have failed in carrying out a multi-cultural and religious anti-discrimination life to bring about substantive change. Through the reflection of Canaanite women, I would like to propose alternative proposals to live multi-faith and cultural in order to eliminate or end racism.
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