Philippine Atheists

In an opinion titled Theological Clarity about the Catholic Church ‘clarifying’ the concept of Limbo, the Inquirer wrote:

The fact that Filipino Catholics have eagerly made the ITC document an agenda for absorbed conversation should indicate that they not only have potential for theological sophistication, but also have the commitment and devotion to active Christian humanism.

Now ‘potential for theological sophistication’ is a funny phrase. The devoted Pinoy Catholics don’t just have potential for theological sophistication, they are achievers. Trailblazers even. But seriously, why can’t the Catholic Church just admit it and call the concept of limbo what it really is - bullshit?

Popularity: 50% [?]

Despite being very much Jesus Christ country, an honest inspection of the Philippine culture will reveal that behind the overwhelming dominance of Christianity as the main religion most notably the Roman Catholic Church, saying the Philippines is a Christian nation is wrong and a gross misrepresentation of the true nature of our nation’s religious diversity. Aside from the roughly 85% Christian population, about 5% of the population profess the Muslim faith while another 3% are Buddhists, mostly Chinese-Filipinos. Additionally, we have the small minorities of animists like the Aetas, the Sikhs, agnostics, and of course atheists. The constitution of the republic guarantees equal right and protection to these minorities. The Christian majority owe it to the religious minorities not to misrepresent our nation with the misplaced pride that our nation is the only Christian nation in Asia, because it’s not.

Popularity: 42% [?]

The Commission on Elections or COMELEC is reportedly banning campaigning on Christendom’s Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. I think the separation of church and state principle ought to be tested in the legal system if we are to understand its intent, to let the courts interpret it for everyone alike - Christian or not. With the current state of affairs, I’d be surprised if the framers of the constitution understood it as well or they were merely suggesting these things they have written in the constitution of the republic. Only few of them have expressed opinion on the matter though an opinion is still much better than no opinion at all. About the election rule in question, the COMELEC official said the ban is “religion-blind.” Who does he think he is fooling? It has Christianity written all over it in big bold red letters! It is very much religion aware and religion-advancing short of establishing Christianity as official religion of the state. Quoting the article, “he said Muslim candidates and all areas where Islam was the only or dominant religion were also covered by the prohibition” which of course implies that there are only two religions in the Philippines. While Thursday and Friday are already official public holidays of religious nature, the government getting out of its way to ban activities of public nature so as not to “offend” the sensibilities of the majority Catholic populace during the holdiays already made for them is, IMO, too much. The least it could do is observe the days as if they are regular days. The government, or the COMELEC in this matter, should be there to promote the public good and not to promote the Catholic public good. Otherwise, let’s just call the COMELEC, CACOMELEC or Catholic Commission on Elections so everybody understands.

Popularity: 24% [?]