Publication Search

This study examines the Massuru’ Tondok ritual as a space for encountering the Transcendent within the Aluk Todolo belief system of the Torajan community in the villages of Suppiran, Mesakada, and Salisali (SMS), Pinrang Regency, South Sulawesi. The ritual is understood not merely as a cultural tradition, but also as a religious expression through which the community establishes a relationship with Puang Matua as the Supreme Being. This research employs a qualitative method using a literature review approach. The analysis is based on Ninian Smart’s theory of the dimensions of religion, particularly the doctrinal, mythological, ritual, experiential, ethical, social, and material dimensions. The findings reveal that Massuru’ Tondok contains interconnected religious elements manifested through myths, ritual symbols, sacrificial offerings, prayers, customary regulations, communal participation, and sacred material objects. The ritual functions as a medium for expressing gratitude, seeking protection, fertility, and prosperity, while also strengthening social solidarity and maintaining harmony between humanity, nature, and the Divine. Therefore, this study concludes that Massuru’ Tondok represents a living religious and cultural heritage that continues to hold deep spiritual and social significance for the Aluk Todolo community.

This study discusses the dialogue between Christian faith and Karl Marx’s atheism as well as its relevance to the lives of contemporary Christians. The rise of atheism in modern society is closely related to secularization, scientific progress, social inequality, and criticism of religious institutions that are considered unable to answer humanitarian problems. Karl Marx viewed religion as an ideological instrument that often legitimized oppression and alienated humans from their true existence. Through his famous statement that “religion is the opium of the people,” Marx criticized forms of religiosity that merely comfort human suffering without striving for social liberation. This research employs a qualitative method with a literature review approach by examining various philosophical, theological, and social sources related to Marx’s atheism and the Catholic Church’s teachings. The findings reveal that Marx’s criticism of religion should not merely be understood as a rejection of God, but also as a moral challenge for the Church to continuously renew itself in carrying out its mission amid social realities. In response, the Catholic Church, especially through the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, views atheism not only as a doctrinal challenge but also as an opportunity for dialogue and self-reflection. The study concludes that authentic Christian faith is not an escape from worldly realities but a spiritual force that encourages believers to uphold justice, solidarity, and human dignity. Therefore, Marx’s criticism can become a reflective instrument for Christians to embody a more contextual, humanistic, and socially engaged faith in the modern world.

This study aims to examine the theological meaning of love for the poor in the apostolic exhortation Dilexi Te and to reflect on its relevance within the context of Indonesia’s pluralistic society. The research employs a qualitative method with a literature study approach, using Dilexi Te as the primary source, supported by relevant theological and social literature. The findings reveal that love for the poor in Dilexi Te is not merely a charitable act but constitutes the core of Christian faith, inseparable from one’s relationship with God. This love is integral, encompassing spiritual, moral, and structural dimensions, and calls for active engagement in promoting social justice and addressing the root causes of poverty. Theologically, solidarity with the poor is grounded in the mystery of Christ’s incarnation and the principle of the preferential option for the poor. In the Indonesian context of diversity, this teaching holds strong relevance as a foundation for fostering interreligious solidarity, strengthening social cohesion, and encouraging both the Church and society to work toward a more just, inclusive, and humane social order. Therefore, this study highlights that theological reflection on love for the poor is not merely normative but also carries concrete social implications in a pluralistic society.

The rapid development of digital technology and artificial intelligence has transformed human life in significant ways while simultaneously fostering a reductionist understanding of the human person based on productivity, efficiency, and technical capability. This phenomenon poses serious challenges to the understanding of human dignity and identity. This study aims to examine the concept of the human person according to Pope Leo XIV in the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas and to analyze its relevance for contemporary society. The research employs a qualitative method with a literature review approach, drawing primarily on the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas and related scholarly sources. The findings reveal that Pope Leo XIV understands the human person as created in the image and likeness of God (imago Dei), possessing an inherent dignity that does not depend on ability, social status, or productivity. This understanding is grounded in Christological and Trinitarian foundations, which affirm the human person as a relational being called to communion with God and others through love and self-giving. The encyclical also offers a critical response to technocratic paradigms, transhumanism, and posthumanism, which risk reducing human beings to technological objects or economic instruments. In the context of contemporary society, Pope Leo XIV’s thought provides a theological and ethical foundation for the development of human-centered technology while reinforcing respect for human dignity in social, educational, economic, and ecclesial life. This study concludes that the anthropological reflection presented in Magnifica Humanitas offers a significant contribution to addressing the human challenges emerging in the digital and artificial intelligence era.

The rapid development of digital technology has transformed patterns of communication and social interaction, particularly through the widespread use of social media platforms. This study examines how language practices on social media shape youth identity formation and social relations through the philosophical perspective of Ludwig Wittgenstein’s concept of language games. Using a qualitative method with a literature review approach, the study analyzes various academic sources to interpret digital linguistic practices among young people. The findings indicate that language on social media functions not merely as a medium for transmitting information but as a social practice governed by specific rules, conventions, and contexts of use. Expressions such as emojis, memes, slang, hashtags, and other symbolic forms operate as elements of language games that enable young users to construct and display their identities, build group solidarity, and negotiate social meanings within digital communities. At the same time, these linguistic practices also reveal tensions between honesty and manipulation, as reflected in phenomena such as false self-presentation, hoaxes, and persuasive language strategies. Therefore, social media language both reflects and actively shapes contemporary social realities, influencing how individuals understand themselves, others, and the dynamics of meaning and power in digital communication.

The development of digital technology and social media, particularly TikTok, has significantly influenced the learning behavior of elementary school students. This study aims to analyze the impact of TikTok use on the learning behavior of sixth-grade elementary school students through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach. Data were collected from Google Scholar following the PRISMA guidelines, resulting in 200 initial articles, which were then selected to obtain 12 articles relevant to the Indonesian context. The synthesis results show that TikTok has a dual impact. On the positive side, TikTok increases creativity, digital skills, self-confidence, interest in learning, and provides access to interesting and interactive educational content. However, excessive use without supervision has negative effects, such as decreased discipline, concentration, and motivation to learn, the emergence of academic procrastination, and changes in behavior and language that are inappropriate. These findings confirm that the influence of TikTok is greatly affected by parental supervision, the role of teachers, digital literacy, and student self-regulation. Therefore, it is necessary to use TikTok wisely, purposefully, and in an integrated manner in educational policies so that its benefits are optimized and its risks can be minimized.

This study examines Marian devotion in the Catholic Church as a form of veneration (dulia) rather than worship (latria), addressing persistent misconceptions that equate Catholic devotional practices with idolatry. The research aims to identify the forms of Marian devotion practiced by Catholics in Indonesia and to analyze the challenges encountered in living out these practices. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) guided by the PRISMA framework. Two hundred articles were initially identified through Google Scholar and screened according to relevance, recency, geographical context, and methodological criteria, resulting in four eligible studies for analysis. The findings reveal four principal forms of devotion: the use of statues as aids to prayer, pilgrimages to Marian sites, Montfort-style Marian consecration, and the rosary emphasizing praise, imitation, and prayer with Mary. These practices deepen faith and lead the faithful closer to Christ without replacing divine worship. Challenges include external religious intolerance toward devotional symbols and limited theological understanding among believers. Therefore, sound catechesis grounded in Scripture and Church Tradition is essential to ensure authentic and balanced Marian devotion.  

This study developed and evaluated an AI-integrated Virtual Reality (VR) system designed to enhance personalized learning in higher education. While VR improves engagement, existing systems often lack adaptivity or experience high latency during AI interactions. To address these limitations, this research introduces a novel integration of a cache-optimized Llama 2 Large Language Model (LLM) that delivers real-time, motivationally grounded feedback. The system was implemented using Unity 3D and validated with 50 undergraduate students. Technical validation showed that the cache layer reduced interaction latency from 17.7 ms to 14.2 ms and maintained zero system crashes throughout the pilot. Learner motivation was assessed using Keller’s ARCS model, yielding mean scores ranging from 4.08 to 4.69 across all dimensions. Independent t-tests (p > 0.05) and negligible effect sizes (Cohen’s d < 0.2) revealed no significant difference between technical (ICT) and non-technical (Physics) students. These findings confirm that the proposed system effectively bridges technological and motivational gaps, providing a robust model for adaptive, immersive education.

This study analyzes the mangakkai’ ceremony in the Aluk To Dolo tradition in the villages of Suppiran, Mesakada, and Salisali (SMS), Toraja, as a rite of passage that has religious, symbolic, and social meanings. The study aims to explain the structure of the mangakkai’ ritual based on Victor Turner's theory of liminality and to examine its relevance to contemporary human relations. The method used is qualitative research with a literature study approach enriched by field interviews with Aluk To Dolo figures. The results of the study show that mangakkai’ consists of three main stages, namely pre-liminal (lao ma’tundan) as a phase of separation, liminal (passurusan and mata kandean) as a space for community formation, and post-liminal (ma’palulangngan) as reintegration and refinement of relations with Puang Matua. This rite not only guides the soul of the deceased to a transcendent destination, but also strengthens solidarity, mutual cooperation, and the transmission of values between generations. In a modern context marked by individualism and social fragmentation, mangakkai’ presents a model of relationships based on togetherness, empathy, and collective responsibility. Thus, this ritual has anthropological and ethical significance as a source of reflection for the formation of more humanistic and communal human relationships.

This study examines the identity and role of the Catholic Church as civitas Dei through an analysis of Augustine of Hippo’s political philosophy and its relevance to the pastoral response of the Konferensi Waligereja Indonesia (KWI) toward Indonesia’s socio-political dynamics in 2025. The research departs from the problem of how the Church should position itself amid political polarization, violent demonstrations, and violations of human dignity that marked the national context. It aims to (1) explain Augustine’s concept of civitas Dei and civitas terrena, (2) formulate the Church’s identity as a moral-spiritual community oriented toward God, and (3) analyze the relevance of this framework for the Church’s prophetic and pastoral engagement in Indonesia. This study employs a qualitative method with a literature review approach, drawing from Augustine’s De Civitate Dei, Church documents, and the official pastoral statement of KWI, complemented by relevant theological and socio-political sources. The findings show that Augustine’s distinction between the two cities is not merely institutional but based on the orientation of love: love of God that generates justice and service, versus self-love that leads to domination and injustice. Within this framework, the Church in Indonesia actualizes civitas Dei through solidarity with victims, ethical criticism of power, and active participation in promoting peace and the common good. KWI’s pastoral statement embodies this prophetic stance by advocating nonviolence, human dignity, and social justice. In conclusion, Augustine’s political theology remains normatively relevant for guiding the Church’s mission as a transformative moral force in contemporary public life.

This study analyzes the relationship between Christian faith and artificial intelligence (AI) through a theological-philosophical approach and assesses its relevance to the existence of the Catholic Church in the digital age. The background of this study stems from the rapid development of AI, which brings both opportunities and risks to the life of faith, such as the simplification of theological teachings, the reduction of personal relationships, and the emergence of a technocratic paradigm. The study uses qualitative methods with a literature review of the Holy Scriptures, Church documents, and literature on philosophy and technology ethics. The results of the analysis show that AI is a product of human creativity as the image of God, so it does not conflict with faith, but it remains instrumental and does not have moral or spiritual dimensions like humans. Therefore, AI cannot replace the role of humans in faith relationships. The Church is called to guide technological development through Christian ethical principles, upholding human dignity, being critical of the effects of dehumanization, and utilizing AI wisely for evangelization, catechesis, and faith education. With a reflective and critical approach, the Church can remain relevant amid technological advances without losing its identity and mission for the common good.  

Faith is often understood as a personal and spiritual relationship with God; however, in Catholic theology, faith also possesses an inherent social and political dimension. This study examines the relationship between Christian faith and citizenship through a theological reflection on the political participation of Catholics in Indonesia. The research aims to demonstrate that faith and political engagement are not separate spheres but mutually enriching dimensions of the Christian vocation to promote justice, solidarity, and the common good. Employing a qualitative method with a literature review approach, this study analyzes biblical foundations, the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, and the Church’s social doctrine, alongside contemporary discussions on political participation. The findings indicate that political participation can be understood as a concrete expression of faith and moral responsibility, particularly through civic engagement, political education, advocacy, and social involvement. Nevertheless, many Catholics remain passive due to negative perceptions of politics, corruption, and a lack of political formation. The study also highlights the importance of maintaining the Church’s moral autonomy while encouraging lay participation in practical politics. In the Indonesian context, the principle “100% Catholic, 100% Indonesian” reflects an integrated identity in which religious commitment strengthens civic responsibility. Ultimately, this research affirms that authentic faith necessarily leads to active citizenship, where Catholics contribute prophetically and ethically to the transformation of society and the realization of the common good.