Marlon looked at Riri and nodded. "Well, there it is. So the question is, which method is more effective in the current situation?"
Pak Herman chuckled. "Seems like this is a question that'll never have an end."
Romo laughed softly. "And maybe the answer is right there. There's no one method that's always right in every situation. Sometimes we need to be bold and challenge things publicly, and sometimes we have to speak privately. The most important thing is that our intention remains to spread goodness, not just to win an argument."
Marlon sighed deeply. "Ugh, the more we discuss it, the more it becomes clear that this world really can't be seen in black and white."
Riri smiled faintly. "It's a gray world, Mar."
Everyone chuckled. Though their discussion hadn't found a definite answer, they were at least beginning to understand that truth isn't just about who's more right, but also about how it's conveyed.
Marlon exhaled deeply again. He looked up, as though assembling his words in his head before speaking.
"Have you ever noticed," he said finally, "why the scholars who are well-versed, who explain religion with philosophy, psychology, and detailed explanations, actually have fewer followers than the simpler scholars who just forbid this and that, calling things haram, or labeling others as heretics?"
Romo frowned. "What do you mean?"
Marlon looked at him seriously. "Why is it that scholars who are truly deep in their knowledge are less popular? Why do people prefer listening to lectures that are simple, direct, and judgmental, without much explanation? Why are the popular scholars the ones who say, 'this is haram, that is heresy,' without needing to explain in detail?"
Pak Herman chuckled. "Ah! This is interesting. I've often thought about that."
Riri added, "Yeah, when you think about it, the scholars who explain religion with vast knowledge end up with fewer followers. But those who just say, 'this is a sin, that's haram,' end up with millions of fanatic followers."
Romo took a deep breath, then answered softly, "Because, at the core, humans prefer certainty over complexity."
Marlon raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Romo stared back at him. "For many people, religion isn't just a way of life. It's a place where they seek certainty. When life is full of problems and confusion, they want clear, firm answers. They want something black-and-white because it's easier to understand."
Marlon thought for a moment, then nodded. "So, you're saying people prefer simplicity because they don't want to think too deeply?"
Romo shrugged. "It's not just about whether they want to think or not. It's about psychological needs. Imagine there are two scholars giving lectures at two different mosques. One says, 'Everything has its rule, just follow it, don't ask questions, because questioning is a sign of weak faith.' The other says, 'Let's delve deeper, because even in Islam, there are concepts like ijtihad and tafsir that can evolve with the times.' Which one do you think is more appealing to the layperson who wants quick answers?"
Marlon fell silent for a moment. He already knew the answer, but still wanted to hear it from Romo's mouth.
Pak Herman chuckled. "Clearly, the first one."
Riri nodded. "Yeah, because the first one provides certainty right away. People don't have to think, just follow."
Marlon sighed. "So, because people prefer certainty, the scholar who gives simple and firm answers actually ends up with more followers?"
Romo smiled faintly. "Exactly. Especially if the scholar uses emotional language and creates a sense of exclusivity—that only they are right and everyone else is wrong. It creates comfort for their followers. They feel like they're part of the purest and most correct group."
Pak Herman nodded. "So, this also explains why groups that are harsh in their religious views tend to have more followers, huh?"
Marlon tapped his chin with a finger. "This is similar to politics. People prefer politicians who make simple and bombastic promises, rather than those who explain complicated technical solutions in detail."
Riri chuckled. "Yeah, like those who say, 'If I'm elected, all the problems will be solved!'—when in reality, it's not that simple."
Marlon sighed again, this time more heavily. "So, this is what's happening in this country? People prefer certainty over the complex truth?"
Romo looked at him with a meaningful gaze. "It's not just in this country, Mar. This is a phenomenon of humanity in general."
The room fell silent. Everyone reflected on what they had just discussed.
Finally, Pak Herman broke the silence. "Well, then, do we just give up? Let people stay in ignorance just because they prefer simple answers?"
Marlon looked at him with renewed enthusiasm. "Of course not. In fact, that's why we need to find a way to explain complex truths more simply, without losing their essence."
Riri smiled faintly. "So, our job is to bridge both?"
Romo smiled slightly. "Maybe that's one of the best paths."
Marlon leaned back again, staring at the ceiling of Pak Herman's house. The world is indeed gray, and their task is to find the light between its shadows.
That night's discussion was long and intense. Pak Herman's living room felt smaller than usual, as if filled with the thoughts floating in the air.
Marlon still seemed eager to continue the conversation, but Pak Herman suddenly cleared his throat loudly. "Okay, that's enough for now. My head's getting hot, don't let it explode."
Romo smiled faintly, while Riri leaned her head against the backrest of the sofa, exhausted. "Agreed, Pak. Our brains have been working overtime tonight."
Marlon, still looking excited, shrugged. "But we're just starting to get to the good part."
Pak Herman raised his hand like a referee stopping a match. "Alright, alright. Tomorrow morning, you guys are coming with me to the market."
Marlon frowned. "To the market?"
"Yeah," Pak Herman replied with a mysterious smile. "You guys have had enough theory. Now let's see the real world. See firsthand how people live, how they struggle. We'll shop, talk to the vendors, observe transactions, and see how the economy works in a place like that."
Riri immediately sat up from her reclining position. "Oh, this sounds interesting! But which market are we going to, Pak?"
Pak Herman chuckled. "To the traditional market, of course. The muddy one, where the vendors can use mental calculators faster than college students. Where you can haggle from ten thousand down to five thousand, even though they only make a thousand profit."
Romo laughed softly. "Wow, this is going to be an interesting experience."
Marlon still seemed to be thinking, then nodded. "Alright. Let's see what we can learn from the market."
Pak Herman smiled contentedly. "That's more like it. Tomorrow morning, we leave early—don't sleep in! We'll be on the road by five!"
Riri immediately protested. "What? Five? Pak, we're college students, not chickens!"
Pak Herman laughed loudly. "Exactly because you're college students, you should know how life begins at the crack of dawn! Alright, get some rest now, tomorrow we'll learn from the vendors."
Marlon, Riri, and Romo finally agreed. That night, they went to sleep with various thoughts still swirling in their heads. Tomorrow, the real world would greet them at the market.
And maybe, the traditional market would give them the answers they've been searching for.