SECULARIZATION AND LIBERALIZATION AS CONTROVERSY AND URGENCY

Abstract

This study aims at explaining the notion that religion must be able to face various challenges of developing ideas because the religion that is rahmatan lil ‘alamin (compassion for the universe) should not sealed itself off, be reluctant to, or even reject the developing discourse. Especially if the development of thought regarding furu’iyah matters (differences) do not conflict with the basic principles of religion. Thus, the problems discussed in the research include why Islamic societies oppose and reject the notions of secularism and liberalism? Hence, the questions were formulated as follows: how does Islamic society respond to the notions of secularism and liberalism? And how is the urgency of religion in interpreting and accepting secularism and liberalism? This research is a deconstructive study of Islamic thought from which it found out the sense behind the mainstream meanings in order to realize universal Islam. Secularism and liberalism are considerations for religion to deal with various problems faced by their adherents.