March 30, 2010

Even the naked body of Christ may be considered as pornography under Indonesia's new anti-porn law, Catholics fear.

The fears arose after the Constitutional Court declared the anti-pornography law (enacted by the Government in 2008) to be compatible with Indonesian public policy, Fides reports.

Fides sources say that Indonesian civil society groups, including moderate Muslims, Christians, and Hindu groups, as well as associations dedicated to protecting freedom and human rights, have challenged the document.

"It is not that we are pro-pornography," Catholic sources explained, "but because it is feared that this law lends itself easily to exploitation.

The ruling accepts a controversial generic definition of pornography – including "any attitude and any artistic-cultural form of communication that excites a sexual instinct or is contrary to morality."

"The fundamentalist Muslim fringe can use it to penalise non-Muslims and, ultimately, seek to impose strictly traditional customs, even the Sharia," the source said.

"Our angels are naked," an Indonesian priest told Fides ironically. "Will they be outlawed? This law comes at a time when the country is also debating the blasphemy law, which carries similar risks.

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