[Mudi]

I am very sorry if I cause misunderstanding.

If you say animism is

A belief that individual spirits inhabit objects, that spirits are separable from physical bodies, and that a spiritual force permeates the universe then I understand what you write. To me that describes all culture. Do not all cultures have religions that believe that spirits are separable from physical bodies, and that a spiritual force permeates the universe?

Sorry that I did not understand. I am more used to that word used with primitive tribal culture.

We were always taught that the Majapahit Empire was the golden age of Indonesia. The Majapahit had control or influence on most all of what is today Indonesia.

As for Islam in Indonesia, I can say this. Each year, Indonesia sends more Haj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia than any other country. For the Haj in 2004 the Saudi government gave Indonesia 205,000 spaces for the Haj. Also you may not know that 14% of all the Regencies in Indonesia are under Sharia Law.

When you write The flowon from this was that Jawa in particular has developed a form of Islam that would not be recognised as Islam in many other Islamic countries I am very sorry, but I cannot agree. Islam in Indonesia is majority moderate, but to call it not recognized by other areas of Islam is not right. We read and pray from the same Al Q'uaran as the rest of Islam.

I am further sorry that I cause confusion about feeding keris with incense. Of course man does not bring it life. You write also The keris itself must be viewed separately from any spiritual force that may be believed to be within it. How can this be done? They are one and the same. Do you view man with spiritual force separately or do you embrace the spiritual power and goodness in the man?

I hope I read what you wrote in correct meaning. If I cause more confusion, I am sorry again.