“Theologization” of Psychology and “Psychologization” of Religion: How Do Psychology and Religion Supposedly Contribute to Prevent and Overcome Social Conflicts?

This study assumes that indigenous epistemological comprehension of social conflict and violence is at the heart of social protection. The authors aim to explain that there are two symptoms developing in Indonesia, i.e. “Psychologization” of religion and “theologization” of psychology. We conducted this research to map the symptoms by inviting resource person from religionist and psychological scientist circle. We asked five religious figures, where one of them is a Christian and the others are Moslems, regarding how theology should address psychology and vice versa, as well as its relation to the democratization of violence. We also inquire two psychologists regarding how psychology should address religion in the context of understanding and social intervention against social conflict and violence, and conversely, how theology should place psychology in this context. We concluded that if we managed to put psychology and theology in their place respectively, then the research projects and intervention can be more precise and just in formulating existing issues, as well as more optimistic expectations of the research results applicability in the field in order to build and maintain peace in Indonesia. Thereby, we can expect the nation's socio- economic competitiveness to be maintained and even accelerated.