I never thought I'd write about the Reproductive Health Bill (RH-Bill), but I can't seem to get away from it whenever I go online and if you're work involves using the internet at least 12 hours a day then that makes it impossible to avoid.Personally I am in favor of the RH-Bill however; I am jaded with the opposing poles of the most outspoken representatives of both sides. Because they both parrot themselves as the sole arbiters of what is absolutely right in such huge issue that would take more than simple catchphrases exchanged in national television.
I am pro-RH Bill and I am not a Roman Catholic and yet and I feel for the Roman Catholic Church since whether we like it or not it is by far the world’s largest NGO/welfare organization so to speak and they are at the forefront of taking care of the people who are already here and of the people who are in the margins and it does not deserve being ridiculed by upstart armchair pseudo-intellectuals are in the pro-RH bill bandwagon because they despise institutional religion.
In fact, I'm not so fond of the use of the word Freethinker these days because it’s just a fancy word for those who also subscribe to the dogma of ridiculing people who believe in something greater than themselves. I want to be convinced that being a Freethinker is more than posting rants against religion in Facebook or flashing banners with fancy slogans for a reproductive health bill that Freethinkers wouldn't have bothered to take a stand on if not for the strong opposition of their most hated Roman Catholic church which is against it. I believe that is actually more about doing something concrete to care, uphold the rights and give dignity to people who have been marginalized in this messed up world that's been messed up by our blind adherence to dogma.
As my brother wrote in one of his Facebook status a few weeks ago: "I hope the pro and anti RH Bill proponents will both be as passionate about access to good education, life-saving medicines, decent work, etc. And show that their stand is really for the benefit of real people by investing even half as much time, energy and money to care for the children who are now in this world because of or in spite of “reproductive health” issues."
If priests resort to name calling and pro-RH campaigners are more than willing to do likewise what kind of vision does that project to those who have yet to make a stand on the issue?
Maybe it’s high time for both sides to actually look at what’s on paper rather than exchange hurtful words so that at least consensus based on something tangible rather than trade surrender ourselves to becoming ideologues of our most cherished dogmas even if causes us to become less human than we want ourselves to be.
2 comments:
I am one of those people who support RH-Bill. And I am guilty as charged in joining the bandwagon of putting religion, or at least the Catholic Church, on fire. For reasons that, I believe that religious affairs should be separate from that of the state (vice versa). And seeing how debates about the bill put individuals to question their "religiosity", incriminating themselves to self loathe for being un-Catholic, which makes them view the bill out of its context. For a lack of a better term, it pisses me off.
I don't know. I just don't like what I've been witnessing (mostly online).
But I agree with what you said about people who call themselves "freethinkers", makes me wonder if they are really putting themselves on the center of what the bill stands for, or argues for the sake of it. case in point: there was this article, a satire piece they say, that has people arguing the format into which the author discusses his case. rather than "intellectually" discussing the issue at hand, they ridiculed people who didn't understand its satirical style :| I mean, come on!
really, it's becoming a circus. and it's pissing me off.
Hi Joan,
Sorry for the very late response. Have been very busy with a lot of things.
Anyways, I also disagree with how the Catholic Church is using their hold as Christ's vicar on Earth to impose their dogma on people.
I would always up hold that freedom and informed decision making is compatible with how Christians (Catholic or not) can engage with what's happening in the world.
However, I refuse to join the ranks of armchair intellectuals and critics of religion who jump on a bandwagon issue because it gives them license to poke fun at their most hated Catholic Church.
Lastly, you very right when you say that what's coming out of the passionate debate on the issue is not making any difference in enacting change that would affect lives of people.
Its really disappointing.
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