Is Christianity also on a decline in RP?

The April 20 Newsweek magazine that I used to quote an article on Global Warming yesterday also had a special report on World Affairs written by Jon Meacham entitled, “The End of Christian America” taken from the American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS). It revealed that the number of Americans who claim no religious affiliation has nearly doubled since 1990 and have risen from 8 to 15 percent. The America we once knew that was founded with a Christian culture is losing its hold in America.

As the article suggests, “This is not to say that the Christian God is dead, but that he is less of a force in American politics and culture than at any other time in recent memory. To the surprise of liberals who fear the advent of an evangelical theocracy and to the dismay of religious conservatives who long to see their faith more fully expressed in public life, Christians are now making up a declining percentage of the American population.”

While this article speaks of Americans becoming less Christian, my concern is about us here in the Philippines that still boasts a Catholic population of 89 million Catholics. But then a huge majority of these so-called Catholics are merely Catholics in name. Most of us are considered cradle Catholics who do not know our Christian doctrines, much less understand what’s written in the Bible regarding the Gospel or Scriptures. Very few Catholics accept with humility that they are conservative Catholics and are proud to say so. I am one of those who are proud to say that I’m a conservative Catholic. Most say they’re modern Christians.

Most Catholics misunderstand our conservatism to be outdated or not in touch with today’s modern times. It would be good if the Cebu Archdiocese on the eve of its 75th Anniversary as an Archdiocese to come up with a similar survey like the ARIS in America so we can really find out whether or not the Catholic Church membership is on the rise or decline? Some priests say that Catholicism is on the decline, gauging on the number of people who go (or no longer go) to Sunday Mass. But these are mere perceptions by individuals. I would like to see an actual survey done.

I’m asking for this is due to that latest Social Weather Station (SWS) Survey that 76% of 600 respondents from three Congressional Districts in Cebu Province supported the Reproductive Health bill. The issue is whether or not those 600 people who were surveyed were even Catholics or belonged to other Christian sects. But given the low level of understanding of cradle Catholics, this figure is quite alarming. It shows that the Cebu Archdiocese is no longer “influential” in the decision making process of those 600 sampled individuals.

For instance, I would like to know whether these people surveyed understand or believe that late-term abortion is murder. I also would like to know their stand on the much more complex political and moral issue as to when conception really begins. These are harsh times with the Earth suffering the effects of a global climate and a worldwide global financial meltdown. People have forgotten that all these things are happening because they no longer believe that God provides for us. Remember our Lord Jesus Christ said, “even the hairs on your head are counted.”

I have no doubt that God knows what is happening in this world. If we turn our backs on him, that means we are not accepting his offer of love, where he sent our Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son to be amongst us to save us from our sinful ways. Lest you have already forgotten, God’s love is perfect love. It is only through him that we can rest in true joy and peace. Allow me to quote St. Augustine, “The God who created us without us, cannot save us without us!”

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We attended a milestone the other night at the Marco Polo Plaza for the formal launching of a very special kind of partnership between Cathay Pacific, American Express and Banco De Oro who are joining forces, giving out a tailor made for frequent travelers offering generous and attractive opportunities to earn miles when they travel or when they use the card for shopping. Mr. Paul Loo, General Manager of Cathay Pacific Loyalty Programs said, “We have long recognized that our frequent travelers need a credit card that offers them attractive opportunities to earn miles when they travel.”

Indeed, this new card is quite generous giving out a 3,000 bonus with the first purchase made on the Elite Credit Card or a 3,000 bonus miles upon card renewal. That’s one Asia Mile for every P38 spent on the Elite Credit Card or P42 spend on the Credit Card. So this means, the more you fly and spend on this card, the cheaper it gets when you get those mileage bonuses.