45 discrimination. In Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes explores the underlying reasons which can explain the discrimination Muslims may hold against Christianity, through concepts such as human nature, the social contract, fear, power, and the tension between order and equality. Although Hobbes does not directly address discrimination in Leviathan, his ideas on these four themes provide insight into the dynamics of religious discrimination. First, Hobbes' view of human nature presents humans as fundamentally selfinterested and competitive. He argues that people act out of fear and self-defense, often against those with similar desires or interests. Discrimination can arise when individuals or groups sacrifice others in pursuit of their own goals or desires, particularly when there are no laws to regulate their competition "If two men desire the same thing, which nevertheless they cannot both enjoy, they become enemies; and in the way to their end, (which is principally their conservation, and sometimes their delectation only,) they endeavor to destroy, or subdue one another." — Leviathan, Chapter 13 By suppressing Christianity, Muslims may seek to eliminate the perceived threat to their own religious identity. This discrimination leads to a crisis of faith for some Christians, who, in the face of oppression, may eventually lose their belief in God. As a result, atheism can emerge as a reaction to this loss of faith, when individuals can no longer see the value in Christianity or perceive any divine assistance in their oppression. Second, Hobbes' concept of the social contract suggests that, in order to avoid conflict in a state of nature, individuals within a community must agree to a common social contract, granting authority to a sovereign or government. This authority is meant to ensure justice and security. However, when the social contract is unevenly applied or ignored, it can lead to the oppression of minority groups, including Christians as in Indonesia’s case, as: "The nature of justice consists in keeping valid covenants. But the validity of covenants begins not with the constitution of a civil power sufficient to compel men to keep them; then it is also that propriety begins." — Leviathan, Chapter 15 For Hobbes, justice is achieved when people honor their agreements, upheld by a central authority that can enforce them. Discrimination against Christians in Indonesia reflects a breakdown in this social contract. Muslims, as the majority, often disregard the agreements meant to ensure equality and religious freedom, feeling empowered to override them in favor of their own interests.
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