Abstract

What does normal mean? Referring to its meaning, normality is connected to the acceptance of people. According to Charles Taylor, it’s about recognition. Certain people take the recognition for granted, while others need significant effort. In Indonesian context, there are some religions that need to do significant effort to be accepted as normal. The law on the official religions makes minority groups tends to adjust their beliefs to one of the official religion. This research is about the struggle of The Hare Krishna Community in Yogyakarta to be recognized. As a new religious movement that came to Indonesia in 1970s, in the middle of official religions in Indonesia, Hare Krishna community fights for their existence. This community did efforts for its acceptance within Balinese Hindu community and the society in general. They did three kinds of identity politics: the consolidation among them; the negotiation toward Balinese Hindu community; the union with society in general. By doing so, they need to negotiate their rites and some of their belief system to the official one. Since talking about the official religions is debatable, these efforts are also a part of looking forward for a more respectful society toward the minority. Their effort for the public recognition is a process of identity politics.

Keywords

Adjustment, Identity Politic, Indonesia, Official Religion, Religious Freedom

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