The Role of Professional Ethics of Religious Counselors in Preventing Religious Polarization and Encouraging Moderate Behavior

EDUSOSHUM Journal of Islamic Education and Social Humanities Vol. 6, No. 1, April 2026, pp. 477-487 ISSN 2776-5229 477 The Role of Professional Ethics of Religious Counselors in Preventing Religious Polarization and Encouraging Moderate Behavior 1 Asmarani Majid1*, Rahmawati 2 Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Al-Furqan Makassar 2 Politeknik Pariwisata Makassar [email protected]* ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history Received February 5, 2026 Revisied March 12, 2026 Accepted April 5, 2026 Keywords:Professional ethics, religious counselor religious counsellor, religious polarization, religious polarization, religious moderation, social harmony This study examines the role of professional ethics of religious counselors in preventing religious polarization and promoting moderate religious behavior in society. Using a qualitative field research approach, this study was conducted in the working area of Islamic religious counselors in the Tamalanrea District. Data were collected thru in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation, involving religious counselors as key informants, supported by community leaders and the assisted community. Data analysis was conducted using qualitative techniques thru data reduction, data presentation, and inductive conclusion drawing, with data validity ensured thru source and method triangulation. The findings indicate that the consistent application of professional ethics such as honesty, objectivity, inclusivity, social responsibility, and respect for diversity serves as a fundamental basis for religious counseling practices. Professional ethics enable religious counselors to convey religious messages persuasively, dialogically, and contextually, thereby reducing exclusivist narratives and preventing the emergence of religious polarization. Additionally, ethical professionalism strengthens the role of religious counselors as moral exemplars, social mediators, and facilitators of intergroup dialog, significantly contributing to the internalization of moderate religious behavior (wasathiyah). This study concludes that strengthening the professional ethics of religious counselors is a strategic necessity to maintain religious harmony, enhance social cohesion, and improve socio-religious resilience in Indonesia's plural and multicultural society. 1. INTRODUCTION Religious counselors have a strategic role in fostering the religious life of the community, particularly in shaping healthy, inclusive, and socially beneficial religious understanding and practices (Azis et al., 2025; Ismail, Ar-Rahman, et al., 2025; Lestari et al., 2025; Ridwan & Karmila, 2025; Setiawan & Karadona, 2025). The presence of religious counselors not only serves as conveyers of religious teachings but also as social agents contributing to maintaining harmony, stability, and social resilience in the community (Ali, 2024; Hasibuan, 2025; Rahmawati et al., 2025). Thru outreach activities, religious values are internalized into social life so that religion is not only understood ritualistically but also manifested in attitudes and behaviors that reflect peace, justice, and brotherhood (Islam, 2025; Karadona et al., 2022; Karadona & Sari, 2025; Puja et al., 2025; Rahma et al., 2024; Susono et al., 2025). Asmarani Majid et.al (The Role of Professional Ethics of Religious) EDUSOSHUM Journal of Islamic Education and Social Humanities Vol. 6, No. 1, April 2026, pp. 477-487 ISSN 2776-5229 478 In the contemporary social context, the role of religious counselors faces increasingly complex challenges. Globalization, advancements in information technology, and the massive use of digital media have changed social interaction patterns and the way society understands religious teachings. Religious information can be accessed very easily, but it is not always accompanied by adequate religious literacy. This condition opens up space for the development of narrow, exclusive, and even provocative religious interpretations, which have the potential to trigger religious polarization within society (Halimah et al., 2024; Situmeang & Sagala, 2023). Religious polarization is characterized by the strengthening of mutual negation attitudes between groups, narrow fanaticism, and extreme tendencies in understanding and expressing religious teachings. This phenomenon not only threatens social harmony but also has the potential to weaken the unity and cohesion of society, especially in the context of Indonesia's plural and multicultural society (Haluti et al., 2025a; Yuniarto et al., 2025). Therefore, religious counseling is required to no longer focus solely on the delivery of normative teachings and rituals, but rather to be directed toward the formation of moderate, dialogical, and contextual religious behavior (Haluti et al., 2025b). In that situation, religious counselors hold a strategic position as actors who interact directly with grassroots communities. The proximity of religious counselors to the communities they serve makes them figures with significant influence in shaping the perspectives, attitudes, and behaviors of the community's religious practices. Religious counselors have the potential to become agents of religious moderation and bridges for dialog between various socioreligious groups. However, this strategic role cannot be optimally carried out without being supported by professionalism and a strong commitment to professional ethics. The professional ethics of religious counselors serve as a moral foundation and normative guidelines in carrying out their counseling duties. The ethics include the principles of honesty in conveying religious messages, justice and non-discrimination, respect for differences in beliefs and social backgrounds, social responsibility, as well as the ability to maintain objectivity and neutrality in facing differences in religious views. The application of professional ethics is key to ensuring that religious counseling does not get caught up in specific interests, does not trigger conflicts, and remains oriented toward the broader welfare of the community (Huriani et al., 2022). When professional ethics are consistently upheld, religious counselors not only serve as religious communicators but also as moral exemplars, social mediators, and dialog facilitators. In that role, religious counselors are able to mitigate potential conflicts, avoid provocations, and foster values of tolerance, togetherness, and brotherhood amidst the diversity of society. Thus, religious counseling can function as a strategic instrument in preventing religious polarization and strengthening moderate religious behavior (Nababan et al., 2024; Widyaningrum & Fatonah, 2025a). However, the implementation of professional ethics in religious counseling practices still faces various challenges, both structural and cultural. Not all religious counselors possess a uniform level of competence, especially in aspects of persuasive public communication, cont (...truncated)