Indonesia influencer Denise Chariesta’s pregnancy plea highlights deep stigma unwed mothers face
- The unmarried 31-year-old, a Christian in the predominantly Muslim nation, quoted the Bible when asking for donations towards her medical care
- Her posts sparked a debate on pregnancy outside marriage, as millions of Indonesian births go unregistered due to concerns about prejudice
Apparently short of cash, the 31-year-old, who identifies as a Christian, appealed to supporters this month to give what they could, quoting a Biblical passage from the Gospel of John that exhorts Christians to help those in need.
“I need all of [my fans] to chip in, especially those who like to make nasty comments. Your generosity will make up for your rudeness,” she wrote on Instagram in early July.
Her forthright words aside, there was another point of contention as far as many Indonesians were concerned: Chariesta is unmarried, and getting pregnant outside of wedlock is still taboo in Indonesia.
How dare she quote the Bible … when having premarital sex is obviously forbidden by the same book?
“Why would you air your own dirty laundry like this, since you are unwed?” said one follower, Zeeyra Wowor.
Siska Tobing, 34, a Christian resident of Surabaya, took umbrage at what she saw as Chariesta’s levity with the scriptures, which she said brought shame on all in her faith.