Indonesia could ban inter-religious marriages

Christian organisations may face curbs on preaching and people of different religions could be banned from marrying under laws being considered by Indonesia.

With an eye on next year's elections, where Islamic-affiliated parties are expected to drain support from President Megawati Sukarnoputri's bid to retain office, hardline Muslim groups are drafting laws to combat Christianity's spread in the world's largest Muslim country.

The so-called Religious Tolerance Bill would curb the building of churches and insist that all religious activities be restricted to members of that religion, in effect barring attempts at conversions.

The laws would also bar a person from converting to another religion after marriage and prevent children being adopted into a different faith, as well as restrict overseas funding for religious activities.

Critics of the bill say it is aimed at increasing the hold of Islam on otherwise secular Indonesia.