The Impact of Religious Tourism in the Formation of a Peaceful and Moderate Society

Abstract

Religious Tourism is one of the important pillars in building a community without ethnic, racial, religious and intergroup boundaries. Besakih Temple in Bali is an example of a Hindu sacred place of worship that also provides a place of worship for adherents of other religions, such as mosques and churches. In this location, there is no religious fanaticism. The study aims to examine the positive impact of religious tourism in building harmony of life towards deradicalization and religious pluralism. The study method uses a multi-case qualitative approach to adjoining religious tourism places of worship in several regions. Studies find that multi-religious and multi-ethnic religious tourists mingle in tourism activities. Muslim tourists blend peacefully with other religious followers. They feel as one of God's people. Social insecurity in the plurality of religions and the cause of religious radicalism does not occur at all in religious tourism areas. This finding proves the solidity of religious harmony that leads to the process of the formation of deradicalization and pluralism, which actually leads to the formation of a society living peacefully in a religious life.

The Impact of Religious Tourism in the Formation of a Peaceful and Moderate Society

“…In many places in Indonesia, there are adjacent multireligious places of worship. Communities around the site have high religious tolerance [5]. Likewise, religious locations that become tourist destinations can invite people from multireligions and multi-ethnic groups.…”

“…Even those who have died hundreds of years ago are still respected. This distinctive culture influences the rise of religious tourism and dhikr assemblies in this district [5]. Another study, Gunung Kawi (Malang) has a tourist attraction because of the mythical blessing factor associated with the pilgrimage to the tomb of two religious leaders, Kyai Zakaria II better known as Mbah Djoego and Raden Mas Imam Soedjono [6].…”