Freedom of Religion/Belief in Indonesia: Charles Taylor’s ‘Third Secularism’ and the Inclusion of Non-Believers in a God-Fearing State

Abstract This article attempts to address the problem of freedom of religion or belief in Indonesia through the theoretical perspective of Charles Taylor presented in his A Secular Age . It will argue how combining Taylor’s conceptions of Secularity I with Secularity III might improve the relationship between adherents of different religions in Indonesia and serve the Indonesian state in supporting a pluralistic vision of religious life. Furthermore, the article emphasizes that the use of Taylor’s theoretical perspective in reading the problem of freedom of religion or belief in Indonesia provides rational grounds for the Indonesian government to demonstrate more tolerance of secularism / non-religiosity in private sectors of society in order to establish a society characterized by globally-recognized principles of equality, liberty and friendship.