The debate on the most controversial Reproductive Health Bill has been raging for a long time now and it seems that the "battles" had become more intense in the second half of this year. As a Pinoy who is concerned about our country's plight, I can never turn a blind eye to this issue. I have to take side and I took the side of the people opposing this RH Bill.
As person opposing the RH Bill, let me share you this this piece I read in the FB page of
100% Katolikong Pinoy. I hope that this post will help you understand why we are opposing the RH Bill.
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The Christmas Villains and the RH Bill
It is within the 100-day countdown before Christmas that the issue of the Reproductive Health Bill began to heat up again this year. It occurred on the time that people are anticipating this most-liked season. Everyone's hearts are put into the crucible and tried. Hearts begin to examine their perspectives in life, about life and for life. No wonder, for the bill itself deals with life. For the Pro-RH Billers (i.e those who approve or agree with the bill), it will serve as the means to upheave the poor from their dire condition, believing that it will give them the chance and the "choice" to make their life better. On the other hand, for the Anti-RH Billers (i.e. those who oppose or disagree with the bill), it will be a threat not only to life, but also to morality, on which they believe that no true upheaval for the poor will happen if people will tolerate what is immoral.
I believe there is purpose why the issue is dealt in the time when Christmas is approaching. Christmas, for many, is the year's pinnacle of everything lived and loved. December gives off the "ergo" of our yearlong routines, goals and schedules. It is the time for the ahhs, of singing rehearsals, of free breathing and regeneration as well. It is in this time that we are agog to receive bonuses, 13th-month pays, aguinaldos and gifts to please ourselves. It is in this time that we plan to spend worthwhile time with family and friends, pleasing them with this and that. In short, it is this time that we define and realize the kind of life we are living.
With regards to the RH Bill, the individual is questioned once again. This has a become a challenge to Filipinos, especially to Catholics. Many rose and fell through this issue. Thoughts have been revealed. Oppositions arose. Catholics against Catholics, household members against fellow household members. The scene created heroes and villains. Life is unfolding, it will always give the good things and the bad things. For the meantime it is not yet determined who were the heroes and the villains. Thankfully God seemed to have planned it all by letting the issue drive into Christmas, for Christmas is the celebration of God and his goodness, and if God is in the midst, his enemies are easily known and exposed.
We can identify them through the Christmas villains.
1. Ebenezer Scrooge.
Marley is dead and cannot do well anymore, so is Mr. Scrooge his friend. Charles Dicken's character is not only selfish but also views the poor in the negative way. He views the poor as inconvenient. He ignores the fact that the poor are humans too who has to be respected. Here is an excerpt of the book A Christmas Carol where Scrooge is talking with two gentlemen who were asking donations to be given to charity.
"Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude," returned the gentleman, "a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?"
"Nothing!" Scrooge replied.
"You wish to be anonymous?"
"I wish to be left alone," said Scrooge. "Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned -- they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there."
"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."
"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides -- excuse me -- I don't know that."
(Stave 1: Marley's Ghost)
In this case, Scrooge refused to give money to the gentlemen. Scrooge clarifies that he has no heart to perform charity. The gentlemen explained that there are still many people who needs help and that they could die. Scrooge views it as an opportunity, to decrease the numbers of the poor, by saying that it has to "decrease the surplus population." This is resonant with what the RH Bill views on population and the poor.
2. The Grinch
This creature shows great disdain for Christmas, wanting to destroy it with all his little brain could think of. Unable to conceive excellent ideas to do so, he opted to "steal" Christmas, which is a stupid yet clever way but did not help eradicate Christmas totally from the citizens of Whoville. Christmas is too "natural" for the townsfolk.
Christmas is primarily a celebration for a natural event: birth. Since birth denotes life, Christmas is also a celebration of life. Like the Grinch, RH Bill wants to steal something important from the natural. Artificial methods of family planning are to be introduced and taught. Artificial Family Planning tries to have the same effect like that of Natural Family Planning, but in the easier and more convenient way. But the artificial way will not compare to the fruits of the natural way, in the moral, interpersonal and spiritual dimensions of a person. Something that is wholesome is always greater than those of the lesser degree. The Grinch will fail if we will recognize the benefits of the natural way in morals and conscience.
3. Herod.
A king of Judah, he was notorious in history for killing those who can be potential threat to his throne. He killed even his sons and everyone whom he sees as dangerous to his rule. When the wise men from the East entered Jerusalem and inquired about the "King of the Jews", he planned to do something against this new born King. Eventually the wise men were warned of the King's evil scheme and did not return to him. Furious, the King has slain the children of Bethlehem and of Judah to prevent this Child-King from living so that it cannot endanger him of his power anymore.
Condoms and pills do the same thing: prevention. Satan has learned his lesson. Though he do makes his job in destroying multitudes of souls, he knew that God will be ever mightier and more powerful than him. This God can call holy men directly from the womb, examples are St. John the Baptists and the Blessed Virgin Mary. These holy men and women called from birth to be holy, God can use to fight against the devil. On the other hand, God can help turn the worst sinner to be a saint, examples are Saint Augustine and St. Paul. And the effects of God's power through these people is far greater and richer than the effects of evil in this world. Thus, Satan has learned his lesson. He willingly wants to obstruct life and attack life even in the womb, in order to block and kill human beings whom God would possibly call for his purpose to help others, to do good and to counter Satan. Satan is more concerned and afraid with these future people than those whom he can pull down and lead astray.
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These villains may enter the churches soon in the nine-day novena masses or even at Christmas eve, but I bet they can't stand the sight of the Babe in that humble manger, whom God has sent that night to "men of good will" and not to Herod or to any other Christmas villains, especially now that they even hate and malign the very institution that Baby has been here for - the Church. That is why, here in
100% KATOLIKONG PINOY, we strive to lead the madlang faithful to the truth, so we can approach our Lord of natural beauty and humility,
WITHOUT FEAR, WITHOUT SHAME, AND WITHOUT GUILT. We wish that our brethren who turns out to be villains will reform like Scrooge before it is too late, will be touched into the core like The Grinch in his actual realizations, and will be be humbled like Herod realizing that his deathbed is his final throne and nothing more to come.
In the meantime, the 100% KATOLIKONG PINOY! will fight side by side with the Church against this bill. Whatever are the circumstances, we are ready to face it, even to the point of bloodshed.
We do not want to waste the purpose Jesus has come here for, for us this Christmas.
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Do you also believe that the RH Bill will bring moral and economic damage to the Philippines? Do you also oppose the RH Bill? Then please join us in the FB Page:
I Oppose the RH Bill.
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Images of Scrooge and Herod came from
WikiCommons. Image of the Grinch came from Ontario and Quebec site.
