Beyond Tolerance: Deconstructing Inter-Religious Harmony and Social Capital in Pluralistic Urban Settlements

Abstract

In the context of rapidly densifying and diverse urban environments, the concept of "tolerance" often serves as a superficial metric for inter-religious relations, denoting passive coexistence rather than active engagement. This study aims to deconstruct the dynamics of inter-religious harmony by examining the role of social capital within pluralistic urban settlements. Utilizing a qualitative case study, this research investigates how bridging and bonding social capital influence the transition from mere tolerance to genuine cooperation. The study analyzes the socio-spatial interactions among diverse religious groups, focusing on trust, reciprocity, and shared norms. The findings reveal that while bonding social capital strengthens internal group cohesion, it is the bridging social capital / cross-community networks that is critical in fostering resilient inter-religious harmony. Furthermore, the research highlights that true harmony in urban settlements is sustained not by the absence of conflict, but by the presence of active social networks and collective civic engagement. These results suggest that urban policy and community building must move beyond the rhetoric of tolerance to cultivate inclusive social capital that binds pluralistic communities together.