FROM THE MAILBAG.
I'm convinced that the internet is becoming the world's new confessional. I received this letter a couple of days ago from a Catolico Cerrado who just had to get some things off her chest.
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009
From: DOLORES
Subject: Looking for 20 Filipinos to speak up
To: celdrantours@hotmail.com
Dear Carlos,
I have long been for the passage of the RH bill and would really want to help. Unfortunately, "I ain't got no balls".
My family, especially my in-laws are mostly "Saradong Katoliko" and so are many of my dearest friends. They follow whatever the church dictates. It's very difficult for me. I am also a practicing Catholic and wonder why I so don't agree with the church on this issue. I support the bill but I'm afraid to speak up because I don't want to be condemned or ostracized especially by my friends.
The church has been such a big bully in all this. Although I'm sure you can find 20 people to speak up, I think there are perhaps more people who are just like me, supporting the bill but not openly.
Over the weekend I was with a mixed group of ladies, chatting while preparing food for typhoon victims. The question was asked "So how do you feel about Noynoy supporting the RH bill?'' to a lady whose family was working very hard to convince people to reject the bill but at the same time will be supporting Noynoy. She replied saying that they will be "working" on him to convince him to change his stand.
Many months ago, or was it maybe a year or so ago, (when this issue was all over the news), my parish church was working very hard to get our support for their anti-RH stand. They would pass a paper for us to sign DURING THE MASS--how desperate, I thought. I didn't sign it and I think a lot just passed it on without signing also. We've also recently had speeches from members of the parish talking about the "evils" of the bill, before the mass ended which meant that they had a captive market.
Also about the same time, I got into a discussion about this with a very close friend who was anti-RH bill. After I put forth all my arguments and she was kinda "losing the debate", she told me even then that anyway, this was not going to be passed because the church had already convinced GMA not to sign this. I guess this meant that even if I was right, it didn't matter because they were stronger and worked harder to block it.
In my daughter's school, they are always praying that the bill will not be passed. I, on the other hand, have been praying but for the passage of the bill and for the enlightenment of those working against its passage. My daughter knows how I feel about this bill but I told her to just follow what the school says so she doesn't get into trouble.
I feel for you because you are working so hard for this and I so agree we need this bill. I don't need to give you my reasons because you know more than me the merits and importance of this bill. I have in fact become convinced because of what I've read mostly from you.
Sorry if I seem like a big coward to you. I don't really think I can handle going up against the church. I'm no David against that Goliath.
Well, maybe you should take a poll on just how many there are of us--who are Catholics and support the bill but are afraid to openly go against the church. Maybe there's a way those of us who are not so courageous can show our numbers without identifying ourselves.
DOLORES
From: carlos celdran
To: DOLORES
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 18:08:03
Subject: RE: Looking for 20 Filipinos to speak up
Hi there. Thank you so much for emailing me. I am amazed at the responses I have had these past few hours. So much support.
And although there really is no way to help if you hide your identity (Really, there isn't. Either one speaks up or doesnt'. There are no grey areas), I think you have already done quite enough.
Just speaking up with your family at the dinner table and instilling your values to your children and not allowing your kids to get brainwashed is already a courageous act. Not all battles have to be big ones. You are taking little steps. Good for you. It's better than not doing anything at all.
Once again, thanks so much for emailing me. It's really sweet of you. And trust me, although the bullies may have won this battle through unfair methods, people of my ilk are now realizing that we are not alone. The movement has started. And we are active. And we are thinkers. We'll get far. Maybe not tomorrow. But soon. Trust me.
All the best.
Carlos
I wonder how many Dolores' there are out there. It really made me think. And really made me more determined to keep this discussion going. And how about you? Pipi ka ba O Pepe?
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009
From: DOLORES
Subject: Looking for 20 Filipinos to speak up
To: celdrantours@hotmail.com
Dear Carlos,
I have long been for the passage of the RH bill and would really want to help. Unfortunately, "I ain't got no balls".
My family, especially my in-laws are mostly "Saradong Katoliko" and so are many of my dearest friends. They follow whatever the church dictates. It's very difficult for me. I am also a practicing Catholic and wonder why I so don't agree with the church on this issue. I support the bill but I'm afraid to speak up because I don't want to be condemned or ostracized especially by my friends.
The church has been such a big bully in all this. Although I'm sure you can find 20 people to speak up, I think there are perhaps more people who are just like me, supporting the bill but not openly.
Over the weekend I was with a mixed group of ladies, chatting while preparing food for typhoon victims. The question was asked "So how do you feel about Noynoy supporting the RH bill?'' to a lady whose family was working very hard to convince people to reject the bill but at the same time will be supporting Noynoy. She replied saying that they will be "working" on him to convince him to change his stand.
Many months ago, or was it maybe a year or so ago, (when this issue was all over the news), my parish church was working very hard to get our support for their anti-RH stand. They would pass a paper for us to sign DURING THE MASS--how desperate, I thought. I didn't sign it and I think a lot just passed it on without signing also. We've also recently had speeches from members of the parish talking about the "evils" of the bill, before the mass ended which meant that they had a captive market.
Also about the same time, I got into a discussion about this with a very close friend who was anti-RH bill. After I put forth all my arguments and she was kinda "losing the debate", she told me even then that anyway, this was not going to be passed because the church had already convinced GMA not to sign this. I guess this meant that even if I was right, it didn't matter because they were stronger and worked harder to block it.
In my daughter's school, they are always praying that the bill will not be passed. I, on the other hand, have been praying but for the passage of the bill and for the enlightenment of those working against its passage. My daughter knows how I feel about this bill but I told her to just follow what the school says so she doesn't get into trouble.
I feel for you because you are working so hard for this and I so agree we need this bill. I don't need to give you my reasons because you know more than me the merits and importance of this bill. I have in fact become convinced because of what I've read mostly from you.
Sorry if I seem like a big coward to you. I don't really think I can handle going up against the church. I'm no David against that Goliath.
Well, maybe you should take a poll on just how many there are of us--who are Catholics and support the bill but are afraid to openly go against the church. Maybe there's a way those of us who are not so courageous can show our numbers without identifying ourselves.
DOLORES
From: carlos celdran
I wonder how many Dolores' there are out there. It really made me think. And really made me more determined to keep this discussion going. And how about you? Pipi ka ba O Pepe?
Labels: oplan pepe
posted by carlosceldran @ 1:54 AM
9 Comments:
the older generations in my family are very much brain-washed. it is very difficult to reason with them. it is like banging my head against the wall. but there is hope, almost all of the younger ones are very much in favor of this bill. i mean, just look around us - the hardship, poverty and deprivation. we need to change.
There are a lot more I believe. Sad to say the culture is not conducive to people speaking out their minds especially against authority figures.
I understand Dolores's feelings(even if i am on the other side of the fence),she should speak her mind out,however she should reread catholic teaching first before choosing to support the bill.
i wonder if the members of congress refuse to discuss the RH bill because they truly believe they will go to hell for it.
carlos, is there an avatar/logo we can use to signify our support for the RH bill? Maybe we can get people to post it on their blogs, Twitter accounts, etc. I would love to make one but I don't know anything about graphic design :)
is the stand of the Catholic Church on this issue consistent throughout all the other countries? just curious... i'm not a Catholic but my religion (SDA) kinda has different standards depending on the culture eg US vs Phil
Hi! This is just a bit off tangent, but Atlantis Productions is presenting a musical which can be considered an argument for the RH Bill. It is called Spring Awakening and one of its major themes is what can happen when you keep your kids ignorant about sex and sexuality. One of the fascinating things is that it is based on a play — and it is very faithful to it — written in the 1800s! And it remains painfully relevant today. We have not come a long way baby.
Lali
Our population is reaching 100M and most of that number fall below poverty line!
In a few years, brain-washing the Philippines into going against the RH Bill will be the main downfall of the Church.
I know this is an old post already but...
My family and I are Roman Catholics and we believe that the RH bill must be passed. I always see families on TV with more children than they can support, and perhaps thousands of unreported cases of STDs. There must always be a separation of Church and State. Our vote goes to the candidate who is committed to passing this bill.
How about if the RH Bill was amended to remove artificial birth control as a means of population control?
How about if the government encourages smaller families by allowing one child per family through schooling?
The Church supports life and not preventing life. That is its dilemma. How many can understand that. Unfortunately very few. And please do not call me a papist. Thank you for not getting angry.
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