Note: This is supposed to be another of my
Sunday sermons but I decided to keep this secular because it would be
very hypocritical of me to call out another religion while bringing up
my own religious beliefs. So no, I won’t be wearing my stole, collar,
chastity belt, garter belt and stockings this Sunday. Oh wait, I think
I’ll keep my chastity belt on just in case.
And here we are again with another sequel of EDSA People Power! There
was EDSA 1 that supposedly won our “freedom” from tyranny, there was
EDSA 2 that led to the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (which the
current administration insists was the worst president the Philippines
ever had), EDSA 3 which just involved a lot of anarchy and violence that
was somehow related to supporting former president Joseph Estrada and
then there’s EDSA 4 which I honestly don’t know much about and don’t
really care anymore. Seriously people, you guys are beginning to remind
me of Abbadon the Despoiler and his thirteen ill-fated crusades against
the Imperium of Man. Anyway, now we have another “People Power”, this
time headed by none other than the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). Well, my
fellow realists Add, Fallen Angel and Paul Farol have said their pieces and now, I’ll give you mine.
4-lane EDSA traffic crunched to a one-lane trickle by Iglesia Ni Cristo ‘protesters’.
(Source: Inquirer Group on Twitter)
(Source: Inquirer Group on Twitter)
As
I’ve said many times before, I try to keep a sense of respect for all
religions. After all, who am I to judge people for what divinity they
choose to worship? Unfortunately, with things going the way they are
now, I have little choice but to speak out. Things are getting out of
hand and what’s worse is that religion itself is once again being used
for the wrong reasons just as many historical groups have used it to
justify their inconsiderate and often violent actions against hapless
innocents.
So, let the criticisms begin…
The Hypocrisy Of Separation Of Church And State
The INC claim that they are rallying for the separation of church and state.
Really?
The INC is quite infamous for bloc voting, a sure-fire way that will
certainly give them some leverage over presidential candidates (which is
quite obvious in the way that Roxas, Binay and Poe are reacting to the
situation) during election time. They claim that the reason they want
the church separate from the state is because they want to prevent the
government from “meddling” in their affairs when, thanks to their
considerable leverage over presidential candidates, they can meddle with
the government whenever they want to.
Of course, the INC isn’t really alone in this regard as the Roman
Catholic Church in the Philippines (which some have begun disdainfully
calling the Philippine Catholic Church) is just as bad when it comes to
meddling in politics. However, this does not at all absolve the INC from
their own hypocrisy. The thing is, it’s more than a little awkward to
tell people to mind their own business when you are thoroughly involved
in someone else’s business. It’s like catching a pervert peeping on the
ladies’ room, calling him out and then doing the same thing he was doing
when he leaves.
Covering Up Their Crimes: Another Hypocrisy
Look, I don’t like De Lima either. To be honest, she is as much a
criminal as the masterminds and murderers of the SAF 44 because of her
willingness to cover up a heinous crime. However the INC insisting that
De Lima focus on the case of the SAF 44 instead of the pending cases
human rights violations against the ministers of the INC is just another
show of hypocrisy.
I mean really, as Add in his own article said and tying in with my
first statement above, what right have they to tell a government
official anything when they are in fact clamoring for separation of
church and state?
Furthermore, what is being discussed here is human rights violations.
These can go on to include many frightening possibilities. Some of the
most common forms of “human rights violations” we hear about are sexual
harassment, physical assault, rape and outright murder. And take note
ladies and gentlemen, these are cases that should not be taken
lightly. No matter what religion we adhere to and which god we worship,
we should always remember that a “crime is still a crime” and that no
one is exempt from the law.
Yes, the SAF 44 deserve justice for what happened to them and the
case should receive a thorough and just investigation. But let’s
remember that “justice” is supposed to be for everyone, regardless of
who one is or what is one’s standing in life. This goes to include
members of any religious organization who may be victims of verbal or
physical abuse.
The INC is right for demanding justice for the SAF 44 but this does
not excuse them from being investigated when they could have done the
same thing or worse to other people. If the INC are as righteous as they
claim to be and have done right by the law, then there’s really nothing
to fear from an investigation.
Another EDSA People Power Courtesy Of The INC
So the INC claim that they have a permit and therefore a “right” to
cause a massive traffic jam in the streets of EDSA. Ladies and
gentlemen, I remember fellow realist ChinoF saying that: “Just because
you can do something doesn’t mean it’s right.” And I have to agree
because, at the end of the day, while they may claim to have noble
goals, the INC only made a nuisance of themselves in EDSA.
As a commenter said, how many ambulances with passengers requiring
urgent medical help did they delay thanks to the traffic the protest
caused? How many perishable goods like food arrived late and simply
spoiled because of the heavy traffic congestion? How many people just
wanted to hurry home to rest but were held back by the legions of
protesters that clogged the main roads of EDSA? How many protesters even
understood what they were actually fighting for?
So yes, the Iglesia Ni Cristo may have a permit, but this does not
essentially mean that they have a right to wreak havoc on the lives of
others. I honestly thing that, if they have a beef with the government,
then let them take it up with the government and not the common people
who are just trying to get by in the crappy third-world country we live
in. They should go and block the exits and entrances of Malacanang
instead of taking to the streets and ruining the day of many people just
trying to make a living.
***
And to the people I haven’t offended yet,
yes that’s you Roxas, Binay, Poe and De Lima, don’t worry. My next
article will be just for you. Don’t think you’re exempt from my
indignation.
Grimwald
Thaddeus Grimwald is an avid writer and supporter of the GRP website and writes his own fiction in his own Grow Up Philippines website.
To check out his works of fiction, you can check the following:
Hired Help.
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