ANALISIS PERSPEKTIF MODERASI BERAGAMA PADA PESERTA DIDIK DI SEKOLAH MENENGAH KEJURUAN HANDAYANI GOWATA DI KABUPATEN GOWA

Abstract

As a country with an exceptionally high level of diversity, Indonesia faces significant challenges in maintaining social harmony amid differences in religion, ethnicity, and culture. Without an inclusive understanding of religion, this diversity may become vulnerable to conflict rather than serving as a source of strength. Emerging indications of exclusivist attitudes and radical tendencies among students require educational institutions to respond more proactively. Schools are not merely spaces for knowledge transfer but also arenas for cultivating values of moderation aimed at shaping tolerant and patriotic students. This concern underlies the importance of examining students’ perspectives at SMK Handayani Gowata regarding the concept of tolerance and the factors influencing it. This study is motivated by the pluralistic reality of Indonesian society, characterized by religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity. Amid the potential for horizontal conflict, educational institutions such as SMK Handayani Gowata play a crucial role as instruments for internalizing religious moderation values in order to safeguard students from intolerance and radical ideologies.  The research aims to analyze students’ perspectives on tolerance within the framework of religious moderation and to identify the supporting and inhibiting factors that influence these attitudes within the school environment. This study employs a qualitative approach using a field research method. Data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, documentation review, and questionnaire distribution. The data analysis process followed stages of data condensation, data display, and descriptive conclusion drawing. The findings reveal that the majority of students demonstrate positive perspectives on tolerance, reflected in their respect for different religious practices and their supportive conflict-resolution skills. This positive outcome is supported by the synergy between teachers’ guidance, family upbringing, and a healthy peer environment. However, challenges such as social stereotypes and exposure to negative content on social media remain inhibiting factors that require ongoing attention. Overall, the reinforcement of religious moderation values at SMK Handayani Gowata has been effectively implemented, although continuous supervision and strengthening efforts are still necessary.