Quote of the Dei (# 7)

photo courtesy of jessilicious6

"Faith is what gets you started.

Hope is what keeps you going.

Love is what brings you to the end."

 

– Mother Angelica

Why I’m Opposed To The Reproductive Health Bill (Part 4)

photo courtesy of AnnuskA - AnnA Theodora

 Conclusion

• Plurality of Society

Some Catholics, perhaps wanting to play safe, say “I’m personally opposed to the RH Bill, but I don’t want to impose my beliefs on others”. On moral issues however, we simply must have the courage to take a stand. For example, we cannot say “I’m personally opposed to murdering innocents but I don’t want to impose my beliefs on others”. While we acknowledge pluralism, we must also have the integrity and conviction to stand up for our beliefs.

• Hypocrisy

At times during discussions regarding the bill, we hear those in favor accuse those opposed of hypocrisy. I believe hypocrisy deserves to be discussed in an entry of its own, but in the meantime I’d like to share a quote from philosopher Peter Kreeft on the subject:

“…if a Catholic comes to believe the Church is in error in some essential, officially defined doctrine, it is a mortal sin against conscience, a sin of hypocrisy, for him to remain in the Church and call himself a Catholic…”

I agree and also think that while an “honest believer” is best, an “honest unbeliever” is better than a “dishonest believer”. Perhaps now is an opportune time for us Catholics to seriously reflect on our own beliefs.

• Cafeteria Catholics

Religious demographics of the Philippines show that 80% of Filipinos are Catholics. Ironically, surveys also show that 80% of Filipinos are in favor of the RH Bill and want it passed into law. This is a clear indication that the Philippines is a country of Catholics only in name but not in practice.

What makes us Catholic? Millions of Filipino Catholics mourned the passing of Pope John Paul II, but shedding tears at the death of a saint doesn’t make one Catholic; mere sentimental reasons won’t suffice – we must also heed the wisdom of their words and live by their example. Let us therefore be faithful to the church’s teachings on sexual morality.

A good thing that is coming out of these discussions is that we’re given the opportunity to discover the real depth of our faith or lack thereof.

Do we believe the Church simply because that’s what our Lord Jesus Christ asks of us?
Do we believe the Church only when we agree with her teachings?
Do we believe the Church only when it’s easy for us to do so?

Now is a good time for each of us to reflect on our personal beliefs. It’s also a time for us to remember: that to be Catholic means we must accept, not just some, not just most, but all of our Lord Jesus Christ teachings, revealed and made known through His bride and our mother, the Church; that we cannot have Easter without Good Friday; that we cannot have Christ without His cross.

“…if, of the things taught by the Church, he holds what he chooses to hold, and rejects what he chooses to reject, he no longer adheres to the teaching of the Church as to an infallible rule, but to his own will.” – St. Thomas Aquinas

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Why I’m Opposed To The Reproductive Health Bill (Part 3)

photo courtesy of TARIQ-M

Arguments Commonly Used By The Reproductive Health Bill Supporters 

•  “The Catholic Church does nothing (or very little) to address the problem of poverty in the country.”

It’s everyone’s responsibility to help alleviate the suffering of their countrymen, not just the government nor the church’s. While all faithful are called to perform works of mercy (feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, etc.), we must remember that our Mother Church’s main mandate is to save souls – and this is exactly what she’s doing by opposing the bill.

• “Passing the RH Bill is essential for the country’s economic growth.”

Unless problems such as rampant corruption and lack of discipline are first addressed, any development would be improbable. But even granting (without accepting) that the bill is vital in solving the country’s economic woes, should we pay for it with our souls? The church has always taught us that “the end does not justify the means”. Pope Paul VI, preaching against the use of contraceptives, stated the same in Humanae Vitae: “it is never lawful, even for the gravest reasons, to do evil that good may come of it.” (18)

• “RH Bill promotes responsible sexual behavior.”

A closer look into the issue indicates the opposite; contraceptives are used by people who want to have sex minus the responsibility. In this way, both men and women are treated as mere objects and sex is viewed as merely an activity for one’s own pleasure. Thus, a culture of contraception actually promotes sexual irresponsibility and promiscuity.

• “RH Bill has nothing to do with abortion.”

While the bill states that abortion is a crime, it contradicts itself by promoting the use of abortifacients such as IUD. Even in ideologies espoused we can see a connection, for we often hear supporters of the bill claim that “RH bill is about freedom of choice” – and once again we hear the misuse of the word “choice”, also a favorite misdeed of the “Pro-Choice/Abortion” movement. Some supporters even go so far as to call for the legalization of abortion in the country. Such acts give further credence to fears that the bill is merely the camel’s nose and once passed, abortion, its body, will soon follow inside the tent. What does abortion have to do with contraception? Everything, for abortion is simply backup contraception.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4