Tourism and change of community: An ethical theological study at tourism impact at GKPB, the Philadelphia congregation, Legian

Abstract

Bali has been one of the tourists’ sites in the world for many centuries. Thousands of foreign tourists have come to visit Bali and consider it as an interesting place with its unique culture and friendly people. Bali as a province of Indonesia, is called “An Island with a Thousand Temples”. Most of Balinese people are Hinduism with their places to worship called “Pura" (= temples) are scattered throughout Bali. Bali is divided into two parts, North and South. In the middle part, a range of mountains lay down from West to East, and spring flow down from the mountains to the Northern and Southern lowlands. Balinese people believe that the spirits of their ancestors or gods live in the mountains. To the Balinese, the mountains, jungles, and lakes are considered sacred that give them prosperity with rice that grow to the North and South. Tourism has brought them to have more incomes and prosperous life. A lot of changes go with the development of tourism industry in Bali. In the field of economy, some people have shifted their earnings from farming to tourism industry. In the field of education, tourism schools have been built by the government of private institutions. In the field of business, garment companies facilitate various kinds of handicrafts that develop tourism and economy. People from not only Indonesia but also abroad are interested in becoming investors in Bali. The involvement of the Government, private institutions and the Balinese people in tourism management has been a key of Balinese people for success since the past time, now, and the future. There has been a decrease in unemployment. Balinese people are eager to express their cultural values and creativity in the form of handicrafts that may be sold. So, not only their income has been increasing but also their unique religious culture has been well known that attract more domestic or international tourists to come to Bali. However, as the side effect of the development of the society and tourism in Bali, conflicts may raise. The kinship system of the Balinese society deal with a cast system, that has a sense of feudalism, even though Hindu literature does not really mention the class division of the society. Modernization and great social development make the cast system weak. Modem people tend to neglect the cast system, but some traditional people, especially, people with high cast, prefer to be in status quo or still put the system into practice. A strategic approach for overcoming the social conflicts has been done by not only maintaining a good relationship to each other in their kinship and with other people but also having a cultural, rational and pragmatic approach for justice. In other words, a multi ethnic and cultural harmony and balance in Bali society have to be maintained. Tourism, then, has interacted with the local society. Changes that go with the meeting of local society and tourist temporarily or for long time are often critical. In general tourists with Western styles have influenced the Balinese society dealing with the way they speak, dress up, and view at life. The meeting of the two different cultures give not only positive but also negative influences. To face the negative influences, the Balinese society has done many positive efforts for the wholeness of Bali in cultures and religion. The positive force based on cultures has been an investment for developing the quality and empowering the Balinese society, which is called "Ajeg Bali", that is, Bali stays strong in their spirit, good environment, unique cultures and religions. So, in the midst of changes with materialistic and secular influences, Balinese society will not lose control and still have a strong spiritual life. In fact, tourism has supported the development of original cultures instead of reducing the local cultures of Balinese people with their commodities. Tourism has given chances for creating jobs for the jobless people. Tourism affects the local political considerations and decisions dealing with the activities of the tourists. Natural resources have been developed and well taken care of instead of being manipulated. The continues development of tourism really needs acceptable considerations and valid decisions of the local society. Dealing with developing the tourism and the challenges of change of the Balinese society, the Protestant Christian Church in Bali (GKPB) with the mission has played an important role in preparing for human resources to face the reality. GKPB, with the church members who used to be living in poverty and from low social status and education, has been challenged to contribute to develop the society. For the sake of contextualization, without losing the identity, GKPB has counted on various aspects of the Balinese cultures, and has been open to face the challenge of changes and pluralistic realities. If there are conflicts, agreements have been made up for solutions. Having the development of the cultural transformation expresses Christian faith in the Balinese society. The existence of the Church in Bali openly and fairly make the Balinese society accept the church objectively. There is new chance for engaging into real and useful dialogues for peace by appreciating pluralistic religions. In connection with raising up the society income, the Church is in cooperation with other religions, like: Buddhism, Hinduism. Islam and Roman Catholic, to help the poor and the suffering. The Church keeps motivating the members to have positive thinking and maintain good relationship with other people from the upper and lower social status. So, developing the tourism industry does not deal with not only the physical aspects but also the integrity of the Balinese people and for their prosperity. The development involves the government, private institutions, and the Balinese society. The involvement of the local society is essential for being successful in tourism development. In educational field, GKPB should lead the internal organizations of the church to reach the goal. Education, as a crucial tool for people to face their life, needs intellectual and moral spiritual competences with courage and skills developed. Education should be for everybody without discriminating the rich and the poor or the weak. In mission field, GKPB, as living church, has a mission which is based on Psalm 1:3, "They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do.” GKPB, then should develop a paradigm of contextual mission that enable the Church to appreciate pluralism and make peace in the midst of pluralistic society. Having proactive dialogues with religion, social, and political institutions or the government for maintaining a good relationship should be based on loved in Bali. Becoming a living church should depend on the spiritual awareness which is relevant to common living. The spirituality may enliven every church member in order to be more mature. The Church is called to become a living church in the midst of tourism world with its rapid development. The great impact of developing the tourism industry will surely affect the life of church members in Bali. It will also affect the future of the Church dealing with living together with other beliefs and perceptions in Bali. The Church should, then, be able to play her positive role in various aspects of life to empower the society. In other words, the Church is challenged to face the daily and concrete problems of life. The great social change might lead to demoralization and degradation of spiritual values, because of the strong foreign influences and the lack of moral structure of the society. Recovery efforts should be done by involving many parts. The Church should demonstrate God’s universal love. Social realities should be given the priority: their needs, rights, suffering and other social problems.

Instead of being determined by its institution, the living Church is determine by the Church members’ maturity in faith and their capability for realizing their call and hopes for working hard in doing God’s will or mission. Becoming a living church means becoming an active and dynamic church moved by the Holy Spirit.