RH bill – a battle for moral order in everyday life
The RH bill has divided our country into half: the pro-RH and the anti-RH groups. The pro-RH group generally believes that this bill will help resolve the population explosion problem of the country; will help alleviate poverty and will protect our citizens from different types of sickness or diseases that can also spread out to a bigger population. The anti-RH group believes that the Catholic is a good citizen; knows that all authority emanates from God; knows that governments must be respected as long as they do not conflict with the divine mandates of God which includes the sacred process of conception.
Throughout the centuries most of our national heroes and leaders have been Catholics: Jose Rizal, Antonio Luna, Osmeña, Quezon, Laurel, Aquino, etc. These people (despite imperfections) have stood for what is noble, good, true and right for the people and for the country. As government leaders, aside from standing by their principles they need to be progressive thinkers; are forced to seek the truth; and face reality in order to help the country overcome a crisis. It is also expected of them (not only as leaders but also as Catholics) to defend the weak and the oppressed. And since we have entrusted them with political powers, we expect them to maintain civic order and social discipline in this democracy.
Honestly, I feel that there are more people who are in favor of the RH bill – but many of them have no voice. They are the “victims”, the ones who will benefit most from this bill. Unfortunately, there is a strong public perception that there are more people who oppose this bill. This group has an edge – they have a “louder” voice. Most of them belong to the upper class income group – mostly educated in convents, in Catholic schools. They belong to a generation described as “Catolico Cerrado”. Yes, they are more privileged in life. They do not know the real situation and living conditions of the marginalized groups. They do not understand that the RH bill is very much needed by this group in order to save lives – of mothers, of children (incest in families) and unborn babies.
The RH bill debate seems to be a case of the Caciques of today speaking for the Indios. Sadly, our society has not evolved!
Even if other religions have evolved in this country, we are still a predominantly Catholic nation. In fact, our country has one of the largest numbers of Catholics in the world. But within the Catholic population, there are members who are anti-RH and those who are pro-RH – each having a different point of view. And amongst those who are anti-RH, there are a handful of clergymen who grandstand in the pulpit and make us believe that through their discourse, they speak for the Catholic Church. Do they really represent the Church in general? I actually have not seen an official statement from the CBCP on the RH bill issue. Yes, I have heard and read about some priests asserting their positions but they seem to be only using the CBCP stationery. What about the other bishops? Why haven’t they spoken? I think its time the CBCP speak out with one voice before their reputation and authority as a Church erodes and deteriorates in the hearts and minds of the people.
John MacArthur, pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in California and author of the book, Right Thinking In A World Gone Wrong, says there is no question that bearing children pleases God. This is evident from Titus 2:3-5 and Paul’s exhortation to young widows in 1 Timothy 5:14. He added that in addition to the pleasures of intimate companionship (Proverbs 5:9), procreation is one of the primary purposes of marriage (Genesis 1:27). Hence Psalm 127:3-5 says that children are gifts from God and those who have many of them are blessed. A big family means increased responsibility, but children raised in a godly way will influence the world for good and for God. But what happens when children end up with irresponsible parents sometimes even luring them to do wrong just to put food on the table? Isn’t it a graver crime for parents not to be able to provide the most basic needs of their children simply because they are too many?
In my daily commute I often see mothers sitting on the sidewalk watching their little children sell sampaguita, beg for money or for food from passersby. One mother had four little tots and was pregnant. Another person asking for alms was a pregnant teenager probably around 15 years old. In the squatter’s district, you would hear stories of incest in families. One story is about a woman who was asked why she was always pregnant and why even when she already has 5 children still continues to bear more. She answers, “If I don’t allow my husband to have sex with me he will have sex with my daughter especially when he comes home drunk.”
Many of us are so sheltered we do not understand the tribulations of life out there. We need to open our minds and our hearts to see how we can help our very “sick” society and overpopulated country.
In the words of US President Barack Obama when he spoke about the Health Care Reform Law, “Today, we’ve reached a decision on how to move forward. Under the rule, women will still have access to free preventive care that includes contraceptive services – no matter where they work. I understand some folks in Washington may want to treat this as another political wedge issue, but it shouldn’t be. This is an issue where people of goodwill on both sides of the debate have been sorting through some very complicated questions to find a solution that works for everyone. With today’s announcement, we’ve done that. Religious liberty will be protected, and a law that requires free preventive care will not discriminate against women.”
The RH bill is a law that should serve as a guide, not to be forced upon individuals but to give them the chance to make the right decision for life.