Eccentric Beliefs, Which One Is Right or Wrong?

Excellent Work By: Arvi Marie Sanchez Dacuba Senior – A

Eccentric Beliefs, Which One Is Right or Wrong?

The Reproductive Health Bill has always been a topic of controversy ever since. However, it has been made even more controversial after President Noynoy Aquino has presented his affirmative support regarding artificial birth control in Filipino couple’s family planning; because of this, the church had been enraged thus threatening President Noynoy Aqunio to be excommunicated if ever he approves the RH Bill. Upon hearing this news, Intramuros tour guide Carlos Celdran barged inside a church holding a large sign written “DAMASO” thus interrupting a holy mass being held. His depiction of the name “Damaso” is an allusion to a character in one of Jose Rizal’s novels, “El Filibusterismo”. Damaso is a Spanish priest aka a “Prayle” who is an abusive church leader, who intervenes with the political government. According to Mr. Celdran, the church at this moment is comparable to Padre Damaso, who keeps intervening with the government decision in a negative way. What Celdran did was a remark of courage and bravery. However I must say that his manner of convening his message to the church was in a very adamant and disruptive way since he interrupted a holy mass which was a major disrespect to the Holy Sacrament and to the church goers. After being arrested and being released, Carlos Celdran apologized for his frivolity in the holy mass but wasn’t sorry for his message; remaining firm to his belief that the church and the state must have separate matters and mustn’t get involved with each other.

In the article given, Atty. Cristina A. Montes writes to the editor of The Philippine Star newspaper regarding the latter portraying Carlos Celdran as a martyr for freedom of speech. According to Atty. Christina Montes, even though Celdran has indeed had the courage to shout out his speech and is protected by the constitution, also the church goers have the right to worship peacefully (since Celdran disrupted a holy mass). She feels outraged since the magazine places religious quotes and yet affirms Celdran’s act of disruption.

Carlos Celdran did what he did in rage and annoyance about the church interfering with government decisions. I strongly believe that though the church has their right to express their utmost concerns, I think they overreacted to the president by threatening to excommunicate him. Supporting an RH Bill in my opinion is not too much an offense for someone to actually get excommunicated. Besides, Pres. Aquino is NOT even forcing couples to use contraceptives for family planning. Aquino is merely GIVING THE COUPLES AN OPTION, that’s all. According to the church, Aquino’s support is like saying that it’s okay for everyone to “do it” because contraceptives are legal now. The church’s analysis regarding Aquino’s action IS A FALLACY OF STRAW MAN, meaning the church was misinterpreting the main decision and objective of their opponent (Aquino) and having their own fabricated idea on the president’s decision. It was never Aquino’s idea to allow contraceptives for everyone; he was just merely giving MARRIED COUPLES AN OPTION for family planning to aid in the problem of overpopulation here in the Philippines.

So who is right, who is wrong? Actually, it doesn’t matter. We all have our different beliefs, virtues and principles in life. We all must respect what each of us believes in. The church must give way in whatever decision the government decides regarding the reproductive health bill. The church is a major proponent of freewill and freedom therefore they must exercise their support toward freewill by allowing the government to take charge regarding the RH Bill matter. Like on the gospel # 3 which talks about faith, the church must also have FAITH on her community that they will do the right thing and to make their own decisions. Right?