UNRAVELING THE POSO CONFLICT ANALYSIS OF ROOT CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS FOR RECONCILIATION BASED ON ICEBERG THEORY AND U-THEORY IN RELIGIOUS CONFLICTS IN CENTRAL SULAWESI

Abstract

Indonesia is a vast country rich in religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity, resulting in complex social dynamics prone to conflicts, including the prolonged religious conflict in Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi. This paper aims to analyze the root causes and reconciliation solutions of the religious conflict in Poso using the Iceberg Theory and U-Theory approaches. Qualitative methods and analysis of social media data through Social Network Analysis (SNA) and netnography are employed to understand behavioral patterns, social structures, and societal paradigms underlying intolerance and violence. Findings indicate that the Poso conflict is not merely an inter-religious confrontation but also influenced by socio-economic, political, cultural factors, state apparatus bias, and mental models fostering an "us versus them" polarization. The Iceberg Theory reveals the layered dimensions of the conflict, while U-Theory emphasizes collective consciousness transformation as the key to reconciliation. Field studies involving Sai Study Group Indonesia demonstrate that Vedic spiritual values can serve as healing energy and a foundation for peaceful, sustainable reconciliation. This paper recommends multi-dimensional interventions integrating structural changes and mental paradigm shifts to foster tolerance and harmony in Indonesia’s pluralistic society.