Liberal Islamic Discourse in Indonesia (Diskursus Islam Liberal di Indonesia)

Abstract

1. A. Syafi'i Ma'arif differentiates Islamic thought into four styles, namely modernist and continued by neo-modernist, neo-traditionalist, exclusively Islamic, and Muslim secularist modernist. Meanwhile, M. Dawam Raharjo differentiates styles of Islamic thought into Muslim nationalist, humanist, Muslim socialist-secularist, and secular-modernist. Nurcholish Madjid in the book Islam Modernity and Indonesianness appreciates that the concept of modernization is synonymous with rationalization. This concept stems from the liberalization of thought which seeks to overhaul old patterns of thinking and work procedures that are not akliyah, replacing them with new patterns of thinking and work procedures that are akliyah.
2. Liberal Islam is a contemporary phenomenon in the Indonesian Islamic discourse world. It emerged as a thought project, like a ready-to-eat dish with the ideal aroma (kâffah). The initiators are quite an energetic generation. The involvement of members of liberal Islam with the critical study of modern knowledge has galvanized and given a new hue in responding to the existing worldview. The attitude of liberal Islam is very proactive in rejecting the regressive nature of knowledge and culture.