The Dynamics of Religious Conflict and Tolerance in a Multicultural Village

Abstract

This article discusses the dynamics of religious conflict and tolerance in Wanasari Village, South Kalimantan Province, considering Indonesia’s multicultural nature and its complex societal diversity. Indonesia can rightly be described as a multicultural nation, and this article examines the efforts to actualize interreligious tolerance within the multicultural community of Wanasari Village, Sungai Loban District, Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan. Religious identity, which ideally serves as a shared moral and ethical foundation, often transforms into a distinguishing marker that triggers exclusivism and social polarization. This article explores the dynamics of religious identity conflicts in the public sphere, focusing on the triggering factors, forms of religious expression that generate controversy, and the tension between the spirit of tolerance and tendencies toward polarization. Through a qualitative descriptive and literature-based approach, the article highlights the role of the state, media, and civil society in maintaining an inclusive and equitable public space. The study emphasizes the importance of cross-identity awareness building and interfaith dialogue to prevent conflicts and promote social harmony within the framework of national pluralism.