Marlon sighed. "So, if the market is only filled with greed and competition, the economy may advance, but society could collapse because of too many conflicts. On the other hand, if the market is only filled with virtues, people will live harmoniously, but the traders will go bankrupt because there is no competition."
Riri nodded. "That's what happens in the real world. We really need a balance between sin and virtue."
Romo thought for a moment before adding, "So actually, a healthy market isn't about eliminating sin or enforcing virtue entirely, but how we can regulate so both exist in a balanced way."
Pak Herman chuckled softly and nodded. "Exactly! Everything has its purpose, as long as we know how to control it. The Seven Deadly Sins might sound bad, but without them, the world would stagnate. Similarly, the Seven Heavenly Virtues, if too dominant, could destroy the existing system."
They all fell silent, reflecting on how the balance between sin and virtue is not just about morality, but also how the world functions.
Pak Herman leaned back in his chair casually, stirring his coffee that was starting to cool. "So, what do you think, Rom? Still confused?" he asked with a small smile.
Romo let out a long sigh, staring blankly ahead. "I'm starting to get confused, Pak. I've been taught that Islam is full of goodness. Even in business, you should be honest, fair, and prioritize virtue. But after what we saw at the market..." Romo trailed off, recalling the footage they took. "If everyone only relied on virtue, the traders would destroy themselves. So, where's the line?"
He looked at Marlon and Riri, trying to find answers in their eyes. "Should it be 70% virtue and 30% sin? Or is there a better composition?"
Pak Herman chuckled quietly. "Good question." He took a sip of his coffee. "This is the classic problem between idealism and reality. In the pesantren, you're taught absolute moral values. Honest is honest, fair is fair. But the world isn't ideal, Rom. If all traders are honest without strategy, they'll be crushed by competition. But if everyone only cares about profit without regard for morals, this world would become a terrible place."
Marlon leaned forward, his eyes sparkling as if he had just discovered an interesting puzzle. "This is like the concept of economic philosophy," he said enthusiastically. "There are two extreme approaches: deontology and utilitarianism. Deontology is like what they teach in pesantren, believing that morality must be upheld without compromise. Honest is honest, fair is fair. While utilitarianism focuses more on the outcome—does the action bring the greatest benefit to the most people?"
He turned to Romo, who still seemed deep in thought. "In the market, if everyone just sticks to deontology, many traders won't survive. But if everyone is purely utilitarian, cheating can run rampant. So what's really important is balance."
Riri, who had been listening, finally spoke up. "In psychology, there's a concept called cognitive dissonance—when someone holds certain moral beliefs, but reality doesn't align with them." She looked at Romo gently. "Maybe you're experiencing that now, Rom. The values you believe are right, but when you see the practices in the field, there's a mismatch. It's normal. This often happens to idealists who first enter the real world."
Romo was silent for a moment. He realized there was a conflict inside him. "So..." he said slowly. "You're saying that the teachings I learned can't be fully applied in the real world?"
Pak Herman shook his head, smiling with understanding. "It's not like that, Rom. The teachings of Islam are perfect. What we need to understand is how to apply them in an imperfect world."
Marlon smiled faintly, leaning back in his chair. "Maybe what we need to look for isn't just the percentage between virtue and sin, but how they control each other." He looked at Romo deeply. "Pride can be a drive for success, but if it's too high, it ends up harming others. Greed can motivate growth, but if it's not limited, it becomes exploitation. On the other hand, kindness can make business more humane, but if it's too much, we'll be taken advantage of. Everything has its place, and everything has its limits."
Riri raised an eyebrow, adding with enthusiasm, "This is like economic law too, right? The balance between supply and demand. If goods are too cheap because of generosity, the market could collapse because traders are losing. But if prices are too high because of greed, people can't afford them and the economy can stall. This balance must be maintained."
Romo was still silent, trying to process everything they had just discussed.
"I'm still confused," he said honestly. "If balance is what matters, how do we determine the limits? Is there a formula?"
Pak Herman chuckled. "If there was a formula, the world would have been at peace a long time ago."
They all laughed softly. Romo began to understand that the world isn't as simple as black and white, and that the idealism he held must find a bridge to the more complex reality.
"I think Islam is like a moral compass," Riri suddenly said. "It shows the right direction, but how we walk toward it must be adjusted to the terrain we face."
Romo smiled faintly. For the first time, he felt there was room to ask questions, without fearing that everything he had believed in would collapse.
In the living room of Pak Herman's house, the four of them sat in a circle. The remains of the shopping bags from the market earlier were still neatly arranged on the table, some already placed in Pak Herman's small stall. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, adding warmth to their discussion.
Riri took a sip of her coffee before opening the conversation. "You've probably heard the famous quote from Karl Marx: 'Religion is the opium of the people.'"
Romo immediately interrupted, his expression clearly showing his displeasure. "That's a wrong view. Religion isn't opium. Religion actually gives direction in life and moral values that build civilization."
Pak Herman nodded in agreement. "That's right. If religion is called opium, it means religion is just a distraction that makes people forget their problems without really solving them. But religion teaches solutions, gives the spirit to work, share, and live in justice."
Riri didn't respond immediately, letting them share their opinions first.
"If religion is just opium, why have many large social movements been born from religious values?" Romo continued. "Look at the resistance to colonialism, major revolutions in the world, even humanitarian movements in various countries. Many have roots in religious teachings."
Pak Herman raised an eyebrow. "In fact, religion often becomes fuel for resistance, not just an escape. I don't agree with calling it opium."
Riri looked at them one by one, then set her coffee cup down. "I understand why you disagree. But try to hear the historical context, why Marx said that."
She continued, "In his work A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right in 1844, Marx wrote:'Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.'
"Here, Marx describes religion as a response to the suffering and social injustice experienced by society in his time. Religion provides comfort and hope in difficult situations, similar to the function of opium, which alleviates pain."
Pak Herman and Romo exchanged glances, then nodded.
"So here's the thing," Riri continued, "Marx isn't directly attacking religion. He was observing the conditions of society in 19th-century Europe. At that time, many people from the lower classes lived in poverty, oppressed by the feudal system and early capitalism. They didn't dare to resist or demand change because they believed their suffering was God's will."
Riri paused, making sure everyone was listening.
She stopped for a moment, giving Romo and Pak Herman time to process her explanation. Both seemed deep in thought, clearly considering the perspective she had just presented.
After a while, Riri continued, "Marx observed that in some parts of Europe at the time, many people accepted their hard living conditions passively, believing that their suffering was God's will. This attitude, reflecting values like patience and humility, made them reluctant to fight for change."
She added, "Marx argued that religion, in this context, functions like 'opium,' soothing the pain of oppression, but it can also hinder efforts to address the root causes of social problems. In other words, religion provides temporary comfort without resolving the source of suffering itself."
"They were patient, accepting their situation, and hoping that heaven would reward their patience. Meanwhile, in the real world, they were still being exploited. That's why Marx called religion the opium of the people—because it offers temporary relief but doesn't solve the underlying problem of social injustice."
Romo leaned back in his chair, reflecting. "So, what he meant is that religion can become opium if misused, or if its followers are too passive?"
"That's pretty much it," Riri answered. "Marx didn't say religion is always bad, but he saw how it was used as a tool to maintain the status quo. It wasn't religion itself that was wrong, but how it was exploited by the rulers to pacify the people without truly changing their fate."
Romo nodded slowly, his expression showing a deep understanding. "So, according to Marx, religion can be a comfort in suffering, but it also has the potential to make people complacent and not try to change their situation?"
Riri smiled slightly. "Exactly, Romo. However, it's important to understand that Marx's critique was about how religion was used in a specific social context, not about the essence of religion itself. He saw that religion could be exploited by those in power to maintain the status quo and suppress the aspirations for change from the oppressed."
Pak Herman crossed his arms. "Hmm... so it makes sense why he said that."
Riri smiled. "That's why we need to look at Marx's quote in its historical context, not just reject it outright."
Pak Herman, who had been silent until then, finally spoke up. "Interesting. This gives a new perspective on how we understand the role of religion in society, especially in social and economic contexts."
The conversation led them into deep reflection on the relationship between spirituality, social struggle, and how religious values can influence the dynamics of change in society.
There was a brief silence. They all sat quietly, each lost in their own thoughts. What had started as a discussion full of counterarguments had now turned into profound contemplation.
Marlon stared blankly at the ceiling of Pak Herman's house, his eyes sparkling as if he had just discovered an important clue in a treasure hunt. His breath quickened, and a smile slowly spread across his face.
"Oh my God… I think I've found something!" he exclaimed, almost jumping out of his seat.
Riri, sitting next to him, frowned. "Huh? What now?"
Pak Herman set his coffee cup down. "You look like you found a million bucks in an old pair of pants."
"Wait, wait!" Marlon raised his hand, asking everyone to pause for a moment. "I think… I've just connected the dots I've been putting together in my head!"
Romo raised an eyebrow. "What dots?"
Marlon took a deep breath, then started explaining excitedly.
"Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Heavenly Virtues… they're not just moral concepts or religious teachings. They're already part of us from birth! Everyone has the potential to be greedy, angry, lazy, arrogant… But on the other hand, we also have the potential to be humble, patient, generous, and so on."
He looked at them one by one, making sure everyone was paying attention.
"So, what determines whether someone leans toward sin or virtue? Knowledge, life experience, actions, and mindset! All of those just emphasize the direction in which a person moves!"
Riri rested her chin on her hand. "Hmm… So you mean humans are essentially neutral?"
"Yes!" Marlon pointed to himself. "Think of a newborn baby. They don't know anything, but they already have the seed of greed—just look at how a baby cries for milk without caring if their parents are busy or not. But they also have the seed of goodness—look how a baby can laugh and bring joy to their parents unconditionally."
Pak Herman chuckled. "Hahaha, interesting. So we're like seeds that can grow into either a poisonous tree or a sweet-fruit tree, depending on the fertilizer we give it?"
"Exactly!" Marlon pointed at Pak Herman excitedly. "That's why I think the concept of original sin and inherited sin is true!"
Romo looked at Marlon with a skeptical expression. "Wait, wait. Explain that."
Marlon took a deep breath, as if building up to a climax in his explanation.
"Original sin is like our innate human traits. We're born with the potential for the Seven Deadly Sins because we're human, biological creatures with survival instincts—hunger, anger, envy, and so on. But inherited sin? That's the result of our environment and life experiences that push us more toward one side than the other!"
He leaned back, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "So, humans aren't born completely pure, but they're also not born completely sinful. We all just carry the seeds of both sides... and life is the journey of choosing which one to nurture."
A brief silence followed.
Pak Herman stroked his chin. "Wow, interesting. So, there's no human who's truly pure, right? Even the best people must still have some sins in them."
Romo crossed his arms. "But that also means... there's no one who's truly evil. Even those we consider criminals might still have some virtues left in them."
Riri smiled. "I like this conclusion."
Marlon laughed with relief. "Ha! It feels like I just found a treasure map in my head!"
Pak Herman lifted his coffee cup. "Hahaha, well then, congratulations on your discovery, Professor Marlon!"
They all laughed, releasing some of the tension from the earlier discussion. Yet, in their hearts, Marlon's thoughts still lingered—opening up a new perspective they hadn't considered before.
Marlon, still full of energy, kept working through his thoughts, linking one concept to another like a detective who had just uncovered a hidden pattern in a major case.
"But wait, this isn't over!" he exclaimed, drawing their attention back to him. "I've started to realize… we've been too focused on the size of the sin. But the more important thing isn't that. What's more crucial is: what sin is it, and where does it come from?"
Romo furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"
Marlon brought his hands together, thinking for a moment before explaining.
"Look at it this way… A lot of people teach sin in terms of big or small. Big sins lead to hell, small ones… well, maybe they're noted, but don't immediately end your life. But that's a too simplistic approach! We're never taught why someone is driven to commit a certain sin."
Riri began to catch on. "So, it's not just about whether it's allowed or not, but about understanding the root of that action?"
"Exactly!" Marlon pointed at Riri, his eyes bright. "For example… someone lies. Generally, lying is a sin, right? But the question is: why did they lie? Was it because they were afraid of being punished? Was it because they wanted to look better? Was it because they were greedy and wanted more gain? Each reason comes from a different original sin!"
Pak Herman sipped his coffee. "Interesting… So, if we know the source, we can find a more precise solution?"
Marlon nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly, Pak! If someone lies because they're afraid of punishment, we can teach courage and responsibility. If someone lies because they're greedy, we can teach contentment and sharing. It's not just about forbidding it!"
Romo started to think more deeply. "So, if someone gets angry, don't just say it's a sin, but first find out… Are they angry because they've been wronged, or because their pride and ego were hurt?"
"Exactly!" Marlon pointed at Romo. "We need to explain sin in more detail, not just 'don't do this because hell is waiting.' It has to go deeper: 'If you want to do this, think first, which original sin is driving you to do this?' Because if we know the original sin, finding the solution becomes much easier."
Riri leaned her head against the back of her chair. "This makes sense. If we just scare people, they might be afraid for a while, but the urge is still there. They don't really understand why they want to do something... they just know it's forbidden."
Pak Herman nodded with a smile. "This... could be a new way of educating, right? Not with fear, but with understanding."
Romo pondered for a moment, then sighed deeply. "This makes me rethink how people teach religion... Maybe there's something that needs to be fixed in the way we preach."
Marlon smiled contentedly. "And that, my friends, is a new map for understanding sin and virtue!"
Pak Herman chuckled. "Hahaha, at this rate, you three could all be professors!"
They all laughed, but in their hearts, each of them knew this was more than just a casual conversation. This was something that could change the way they viewed the world.
The living room in Pak Herman's house was still filled with the remnants of their long discussion. Half-filled coffee cups, a few small notes on the table, and the air beginning to feel heavier after such a complex economic discussion.
Marlon leaned back on the sofa, letting out a long breath. Then, with a more serious tone, he looked at Romo.
"Romo, can I be honest?" he asked.
Romo, who had been distractedly stirring his spoon in his cup, turned to him. "Of course. What's up, Mar?"
Marlon clasped his hands together, his fingers intertwining. "I rarely attend study sessions. Not without reason. Maybe not all preachers, but I feel like the majority of preachers in this country don't want to be debated or have discussions."
Romo furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"
"I feel… a lot of ustads prefer to deliver things in a one-way manner. They teach religion as dogma, not dialogue. And what's worse, the followers are used to it. They think questioning something in religion is a sign of weak faith, but… if questioning the creed is obligatory, like Riri says, isn't that actually a sign of faith?"
Riri chimed in, "That's something I often think about too. If we're not allowed to question, how can we truly understand?"
Pak Herman, who had been leaning back in his chair, chuckled softly. "Hahaha… this is interesting. I'm an old man, but I like the way you guys think. Please, continue."