Thread: Bali marriage...

The foundation of Indonesia as a nation reposes on top of five principles named Pancasila and this philosophy is part of the preamble of the Indonesian Constitution. One of this principle is the belief in the one and only God (Ketuhanan yang Maha Esa). Therefore you can not be atheist in Indonesia and administratively you must have a religion (just look at the KTP of any of your indonesian friends and you will see that it states a religion).
The indonesian marriage law of 1974 stipulates that a couple must marry in accordance with his faith and religion, therefore excluding interfaith marriage.
To answer your question, legally there is no mixed religion marriages. However since many conversion are just done to comply with the law, in the facts, there is interfaith marriage.

Aha,
yeah I remember the first time I applied for a KITAS, at the kantor imigrasi on some form I had to choose a religion. Can only remember Catholic,Protestant,Hindu and Moslim, the fifth slipped my mind. Don't remember what I've choosen then, think it was Catholic because my mom was raised that way(long,long time ago).
So if I understand correctly, if I change that choice into Hindu religion, I would be considered Hindu?
Me personally, I have respect for all religions, or the people who choose to believe in something/someone, without being fanatical/hardcore. Now wouldn't it be somewhat frowned upon(Desa or family of the girl) me being Hindu, without really knowing anything about it? Or for that mather, any westerner who 'convert' just for marriage?

Thanks so far(and again) for your insight Kabim,
Friendly greetings.........Gilbert.

Originally Posted by gilbert de jong

So if I understand correctly, if I change that choice into Hindu religion, I would be considered Hindu?

That would be too easy :)

You have to "undergo" all the necessary Hindu rites, which would include a name giving a.o.

Hi Bert,
I understand you've experience in undergoing in such ceremonies(wedding/toothfiling/namegiving etcetc..), I am still wondering why one has to 'convert'(not for Legal-reasons), but undergo those ceremonies, if one really doesnt believe in all those ceremonies. Is it more like an tradition to do so? To like...satisfy the parents of the bride to be? And by 'undergoing' the ceremonies, I would still have no clue, what it is all meaning.
I do have an interest in the religion itself, but not in a way that I think it helps to make offerings to gods.

Hi Charlie,
No fiance yet, hahaha, just want to be prepared if the issue of marriage comes up.
I am still trying to find a girl for a serious relation, who not just loves money, but me for who I am-not for what I have. Or at least a girl who can hide the fact she loves money very very good, hihihi.
So as far as you know, she would have to convert to my religion, as in follow the religion of the man she marries. That would mean no temple at all or salib or praying towards mekka.

Thanks to you both for your input so far, hope to learn more about it.
friendly greetings.......Gilbert.

Gilbert,

You live in Bali, you do it the Bali way. For her and her family, if not for yourself. And thus for yourself.

No question about it.

You don't have temple, I advise to join in with hers, that's what I did.

Originally Posted by gilbert de jong

So as far as you know, she would have to convert to my religion, as in follow the religion of the man she marries. That would mean no temple at all or salib or praying towards mekka.

It is a misconception here. Nothing in the Indonesian law force the girl to follow the boy's religion. It's up to them. To marry, they must be of the same religion. Point. Be it the one of the girl or the one of the boy, terserah.

Hi Y'all,
What I meant by changing the choice given at the kantor imigrasi, that would make me a 'legal' hindu and therefor allowed to marry a hindu-lady. I realise, to the inlaws that's just being hindu on paper, same as I am now probably Catholic on paper...it doesnt mean anything. To become a 'real' hindu one has to undergo certain ceremonies, out of respect for the family and to her, is what I understand from Bert. And it would be better for me too. As in how, would it be better for me?Could you elaberate a little more?
Like I said, I have respect for the hindu believers, and exactly out of that respect I find it strange to pretend I want to become a Hindu.
About living on Bali, and therefor have to do it the Bali way, I agree..some things yes, other things absolutely not. Yes, to for example, tiga bulanan potong babi. Absolutely not, to for example, offering a little puppy-dog for a new house ceremonie(read that somewhere on the forum). As we're talking about marriage here, I believe I should know the ins-outs of the reason and consequences to converting.
By the way Bert, you joined her family-temple?
Thanks again, for the info provided, and in forehand thanks for any info coming...
friendly greetings, Gilbert.