Toward Interfaith Ecological Ethics: Synergizing Religious Eco- Theology and Local Cultural Wisdom for Environmental Governance in Indonesia

Arwansyah Bin Kirin; Zul Kariman

doi:10.63919/ajmc.v2i1.71

Penulis

Arwansyah Bin Kirin Tun Hussein Onn University of Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1641-2846
Zul Kariman Universitas Islam Negeri Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7153-0944

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63919/ajmc.v2i1.71

Kata Kunci:

Eco-Theology, Local Cultural Wisdom, Interfaith Ecological Ethics, Environmental Conservation, Indonesia, Religious Ecology

Abstrak

Environmental degradation represents not only a physical crisis but also a profound spiritual and ethical disconnect between humanity and nature. This study aims to analyze the synergy between eco-theology and local cultural wisdom in constructing a contextual interfaith ecological ethics framework in Indonesia. Using a qualitative literature-based approach, this research examines eco-theological constructions within Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Indigenous Beliefs, alongside manifestations of local wisdom in conservation practices such as Subak, Sasi, and Leuweung Larangan. The findings reveal that integrating spiritual principles with cultural practices enriches the moral dimension of environmental conservation and significantly enhances community participation. The study concludes that the ecological crisis is fundamentally a crisis of values, requiring a holistic approach that integrates theological insights with cultural practice. The resulting “Interfaith Ecological Ethics” framework offers a transformative pathway for sustainable development in Indonesia, rooted in society’s spiritual and cultural values, while challenging dominant secular-anthropocentric environmental paradigms.

Unduhan

Data unduhan belum tersedia.

Referensi

Abdullah, H., Mohd Zain, F. A., Sheikh Ahmad Tajuddin, S. A. F., A. Rahim, N. A. A., Che Haron, H. I., & Abdul Ghani, M. T. (2024). Whistleblowing likelihood scale in the light of Kohlberg and Maqasid Shariah. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, 17(5), 974–990. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMEFM-12-2023-0462

Adhyaksari, R., ALW, L. T., & Maryono, M. (2023). Tri Hita Karana perspective in waste disposal from a seaweed processing factory (Eucheuma cottonii) at Jumpai Beach, Bali. E3S Web of Conferences, 448, 03032. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202344803032

Adnyani, N. K. S., & Purnamawati, I. G. A. (2020). Tri Hita Karana and tourism village management models for wellbeing. Target: Jurnal Manajemen Bisnis, 2(2), 157–166. https://doi.org/10.30812/target.v2i2.750

Alwi, Z., Parmitasari, R. D. A., & Syariati, A. (2021). An assessment on Islamic banking ethics through some salient points in the prophetic tradition. Heliyon, 7(5), e07103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07103

Amelia, F. U. D., Iskandar, J., Partasasmita, R., & Malone, N. (2018). Recognizing indigenous knowledge of the Karangwangi rural landscape in South Cianjur, Indonesia for sustainable land management. Biodiversitas: Journal of Biological Diversity, 19(5), 1722–1729. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d190518

Argumedo, A., Song, Y., Khoury, C. K., Hunter, D., Dempewolf, H., Guarino, L., & De Haan, S. (2021). Biocultural diversity for food system transformation under global environmental change. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5, 685299. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.685299

Azad, M. A. K., Uddin, M. S., Zaman, S., & Ashraf, M. A. (2019). Community-based disaster management and its salient features: A policy approach to people-centred risk reduction in Bangladesh. Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development, 29(2), 135–160. https://doi.org/10.1177/1018529119898036

Behnken, J. A., Groninger, J. W., & Akamani, K. (2016). Institutional constraints to collaborative ecosystem management within a wetlands conservation partnership. Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education, 158(1), 19–33. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1936-704X.2016.03216.x

Bhattacharjee, G. (2025). Environmental protection in Indian knowledge system. Advanced International Journal for Research, 6(5), 1238. https://doi.org/10.63363/aijfr.2025.v06i05.1238

Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (n.d.). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches.

De Wit, M. P. (2013). Christ-centred ethical behaviour and ecological crisis: What resources do the concepts of order in creation and eschatological hope offer? Koers: Bulletin for Christian Scholarship, 78(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/koers.v78i1.46

Exploring the interplay between culture and religion in African countries: A case of Lusaka District, Zambia. (2023). International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science. https://doi.org/10.56726/IRJMETS46879

Gautam, A. (2025). Sarnaism in the Oraon tribe of Jharkhand: An ecological-religious perspective. Critical Research on Religion, 13(2), 184–203. https://doi.org/10.1177/20503032251344342

Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures. Basic Books.

Gusti Agung Ayu Rai Asmiwyati, Mahendra, M. S., Arifin, N. H. S., & Ichinose, T. (2015). Recognizing indigenous knowledge on agricultural landscape in Bali for micro climate and environment control. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 28, 623–629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2015.07.073

Hamzani, A. I., Soeharto, A., Taufiq, T., Wibowo, D. E., & Kunantiyorini, A. (2025). Balancing utilitarianism with access to environmental justice: An Indonesian case study. Environmental Policy and Law, 55(4–5), 152–165. https://doi.org/10.1177/18785395251374205

Hemp, A., Miyazawa, M., & Hurskainen, P. (2025). Gain and loss: Human and environmental wellbeing – drivers of Kilimanjaro’s decreasing biodiversity. PLOS ONE, 20(10), e0334184. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0334184

Hutasoit, H., & Wau, R. (2017). Menuju sustainability dengan Tri Hita Karana (sebuah studi interpretif pada masyarakat Bali). Business Management Journal, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.30813/bmj.v13i2.917

Ilham, M. I. (2018). Economic development and environmental degradation in ASEAN. Signifikan: Jurnal Ilmu Ekonomi, 7(1), 103–112. https://doi.org/10.15408/sjie.v7i1.6024

Imran Hayat, et al. (2023). The role of Islamic environmental ethics in the alleviation of climate challenges and the preservation of ecosystem. Russian Law Journal, 11(11S). https://doi.org/10.52783/rlj.v11i11s.1967

Insan Ali, A. R. (2024). Environmental degradation: Causes, effects and solutions. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 6(3), 20366. https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i03.20366

Intan, B. F. (2023). Religious pluralism, public religion, and principled pluralism in Indonesia. Transformation: An International Journal of Holistic Mission Studies, 40(4), 334–349. https://doi.org/10.1177/02653788231206020

Irham Multazam, Binti Khalimatuzzahro, & Ahmad Muttaqin. (2025). Exploitation of nature and spiritual decadence: Ethical responsibility in Islam through ritual and religiosity as the foundation of humanity. Multidisciplinary Indonesian Center Journal (MICJO), 2(3), 3311–3324. https://doi.org/10.62567/micjo.v2i3.953

Jiang, J. (2025). Place attachment of the A’atsika tribe in People of the Whale. International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Translation, 8(4), 29–34. https://doi.org/10.32996/ijllt.2025.8.4.4

Keegan, B. (2022). Contemporary Native American and Indigenous religions: State of the field. Religion Compass, 16(9), e12448. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec3.12448

Krapchunov, D. E. (2021). Freedom of belief and ecological consciousness in India. European Proceedings of Social and Behavioural Sciences, 681–687. https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2021.12.03.91

Krishna Pasupuleti, M. (2024). Religion and environmental ethics, interfaith dialogue in conflict resolution, and the role of religion in mental health. In Bridging beliefs: Interfaith dialogue for conflict resolution and global peace (1st ed., pp. 202–217). National Education Services. https://doi.org/10.62311/nesx/92496

Kumar, A., Ahuja, D., Sharma, C., Thakur, S., & Chopra, J. (2025). Environmental degradation and its consequences on global biodiversity. International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 3470–3477. https://doi.org/10.64252/5xwt1n45

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Muslih, M., Anggraeni, D., & Ghonii, M. I. A. (2023). Harmony in diversity: Exploring religious moderation perspectives through interfaith dialogue. Jurnal Penelitian, 171–182. https://doi.org/10.28918/jupe.v20i2.2275

Mustofa, M., Zenrif, M. F., & Barizi, A. (2025). Towards an Islamic ecotheology: Indonesian Muslim organizations in climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. Problemy Ekorozwoju, 20(2), 21–31. https://doi.org/10.35784/preko.7089

Norman, K. D., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2005). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Nur, A., & Yasir, M. (2025). Qur’anic ecotheology and the ethics of forest protection in Indonesia. Jurnal Studi Ilmu-Ilmu Al-Qur’an dan Hadis, 26(2), 351–382. https://doi.org/10.14421/qh.v26i2.6312

Ogwu, M. C., & Ojo, A. O. (2025). Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems in food safety and contaminant management. In M. C. Ogwu & S. C. Izah (Eds.), Mitigation strategies and risk management for food contaminants (pp. 291–328). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-7052-1.ch009

Paswan, A., Guzmán, F., & Lewin, J. (2017). Attitudinal determinants of environmentally sustainable behavior. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 34(5), 414–426. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCM-02-2016-1706

Prianto, A. L., Nurmandi, A., Qodir, Z., & Jubba, H. (2021). Climate change and religion: From ethics to sustainability action. E3S Web of Conferences, 277, 06011. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202127706011

Purnomo, A. B. (2023). The efficacy of eco-music in interreligious ecotheological movement in Indonesia. Dialogo, 9(2), 23–34. https://doi.org/10.51917/dialogo.2023.9.2.1

Reuter, T. (2015). The green revolution in the world’s religions: Indonesian examples in international comparison. Religions, 6(4), 1217–1231. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel6041217

Risna, R. A., Rustini, H. A., Herry, H., Buchori, D., & Pribadi, D. O. (2022). Subak, a nature-based solutions evidence from Indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 959(1), 012030. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/959/1/012030

Robina Ramírez, R., & Pulido Fernández, M. (2018). Religious travellers’ improved attitude towards nature. Sustainability, 10(9), 3064. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10093064

Rohmatulloh, R., Hasanah, A., Sahlani, L., & Zuhri, M. T. (2023). Energy-saving triangle: Internalizing Islamic ethical values on energy saving in integrative learning. Religions, 14(10), 1284. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14101284

Rudnyckyj, D. (2014). Islamic finance and the afterlives of development in Malaysia. PoLAR: Political and Legal Anthropology Review, 37(1), 69–88. https://doi.org/10.1111/plar.12051

Ruhulessin, J. C., & Parihala, Y. (2021). Being an Indonesian Christian: Exploration of a theology of nationalism in the history of the proclamation of Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 77(4). https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v77i4.6891

Satrio, N. M., & Kusumah, A. H. G. (2022). The role of Cireundeu traditional village in tourism management. JHSS (Journal of Humanities and Social Studies), 6(2), 198–202. https://doi.org/10.33751/jhss.v6i2.5441

Selfa, T., & Endter-Wada, J. (2008). The politics of community-based conservation in natural resource management. Environment and Planning A, 40(4), 948–965. https://doi.org/10.1068/a39160

Sen, B., Tam, N., Maharjan, R., Maharjan, A. K., & Talukdar, G. (2024). The shift towards green construction. Tropical Environment, Biology, and Technology, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.53623/tebt.v2i2.482

Setiawan, R. A. (2023). Impact of Islamic jurisprudential on traditional financial customs and legal integration in Indonesia. Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, 13(2), 195–209. https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.132.13

Silalahi, F. H. M., & Purwanto, E. (2025). Sacred harmony: Exploring Pikukuh Tilu philosophy in the spiritual, social, and environmental practices of the Baduy people. Pharos Journal of Theology, 106(2). https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.106.2022

Silitonga, R. (2025). Imago Dei as the foundation of Christian ethics in addressing the ecological crisis in Indonesia. Verbum et Ecclesia, 46(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v46i1.3604

Smith, J. D. (2018). Connecting global and local Indonesian religious environmental movements. Jurnal Kawistara, 7(3), 207. https://doi.org/10.22146/kawistara.25908

Souther, S., Colombo, S., & Lyndon, N. N. (2023). Integrating traditional ecological knowledge into US public land management. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 11, 988126. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2023.988126

Suasih, N. N. R., et al. (2024). Predicting agriculture sustainability in Subak Pulagan. Research on World Agricultural Economy, 5(3), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.36956/rwae.v5i3.1135

Tjokorda Gde Agung Wijaya Kesuma Suryawan, et al. (2024). Tri Hita Karana for environmental resilience. Journal of Community Service and Empowerment, 5(1), 23–33. https://doi.org/10.22219/jcse.v5i1.29858

Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, & Adekanbi, O. A. (2024). The ultimate economic model hidden in plain sight. American Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Research, 4(11), 100–106. https://doi.org/10.37547/ajsshr/Volume04Issue11-14

Ward, C., et al. (2020). Wading through the swamp. Restoration Ecology, 28(4), 817–827. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13133

Ward, C., Stringer, L. C., Warren-Thomas, E., Agus, F., Hamer, K., Pettorelli, N., Hariyadi, B., Hodgson, J., Kartika, W. D., Lucey, J., McClean, C., Nurida, N. L., Saad, A., & Hill, J. K. (2020). Wading through the swamp: What does tropical peatland restoration mean to national-level stakeholders in Indonesia? Restoration Ecology, 28(4), 817–827. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13133

Windia, W., et al. (2018). Sistem Subak untuk pengembangan lingkungan berlandaskan Tri Hita Karana. SOCA: Jurnal Sosial Ekonomi Pertanian, 118. https://doi.org/10.24843/soca.2018.v12.i01.p10

Wohangara, R., Sanjaya, R., & Setiyanto, B. D. (2023). Sumbanese’s traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). CELT, 23(2), 223–235. https://doi.org/10.24167/celt.v23i2.9812

Wong, N. W. M. (2025). Bridging the divide. Asian Politics & Policy, 17(2), e70013. https://doi.org/10.1111/aspp.70013

Zagonari, F. (2020). Comparing religious environmental ethics. Sustainability, 12(7), 2590. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12072590

Zalukhu, A. (2025). The Moyo dance of Nias. Voice of Wesley: Jurnal Ilmiah Musik dan Agama, 8(2), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.36972/jvow.v8i2.277

Zarb, S., & Taylor, K. (2023). Uneven local implementation of federal policy after disaster. Review of Policy Research, 40(1), 63–87. https://doi.org/10.1111/ropr.12478

Zhu, Y., et al. (2024). Construction of ecological security patterns. Land, 13(8), 1227. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081227

Zulaika, Vahlepi, S., Soleh, W., & Aliudin, N. S. U. B. (2025). Green spirituality in the Qur’an. Jurnal Progress, 13(1), 91–107. https://doi.org/10.31942/pgrs.v13i1.12693