JAKARTA, Indonesia — Three complaints of blasphemy have been lodged against an Indonesian Christian pastor for statements in a sermon posted online.
In the sermon video, Gilbert Lumoindong, pastor of Indonesia Bethel Church, mentions Islamic prayers and alms, comparing them to the biblical practice of tithing, Morning Star News reports. The news article describes Lumoindong as “a leading Christian pastor in Indonesia.”
On April 16, Metro Jaya Police Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, received a complaint from attorney Farhat Abbas that Lumoindong’s video statements disparaged Islam.
Next, South Celebes Regional Police Headquarters, which is some 1,145 miles from Jakarta, received a similar complaint from South Sulawesi Arimathea Forum.
Then, on April 19, Jakarta Capital Special Region Youth Committee filed a complaint with Metro Jaya Police Headquarters, Morning Star said, quoting suara.com. The complaint claims Lumoindong’s statements meet the definition of hate speech as set forth in Article 28 of Indonesia’s Information Technology and Electronic Bill.
Morning Star reports that Lumoindong visited leaders of two organizations, offering his apology for the upset.
Lumoindong claims Muslims edited the video to make his comments offensive.
Indonesia is No. 42 on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
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