Exercise faith not force

Conflict often brings out the best and the worst in men.

In the conflict over the Reproductive Health bill, it seems that the Catholic side of the argument has adopted the philosophy that “desperate times require desperate measures”.

But sometimes, the medicine intended to heal, actually ends up killing the patient. In terms of the RH bill, the Catholic side may not be fully aware of the fact that their desperate measures has caused them great damage far and beyond the RH bill.

At the beginning of the argument, it was said that Catholic priests were exaggerating their truths about the proposed law. A case in point was when one of those men of the cloth stated, that when a man used a condom, he was in fact committing an act of abortion.

They persisted in associating the RH bill with abortion by claiming, if not misinforming people, that the law would legitimize abortion in the Philippines.

But when they came face to face with an equally strong, vocal and determined sector that supported the RH bill, the Catholic side quickly changed tactics and opted to lobby, pressure and ultimately intimidate members of Congress, then the Senate and finally, even President Noynoy Aquino.

Sadly, desperate measures also reveal or expose character or the lack of it.

Rather than adopt moral persuasion, brotherly engagement, and reflect a sincere desire for resolution, the Catholic side took a hardline and followed the ways of the world. First they lobbied for support from politicians, but when lobbying failed, they disengaged, condemned and accused politicians and the President of being bad Catholics.

Then came the threats of excommunication and threats of being denied the holy sacrament. One parish priest reportedly went as far as barring or telling parishioners who supported the RH bill to leave the congregation.

Last month, the Catholic side chose to bring their fight to the streets, adopting advertising and promotions gimmick such as mini billboards and stickers.

Last Friday, I heard what to me was the biggest blunder so far for those opposed to the RH bill. They are now threatening the government that they will call for “Civil disobedience” primarily by depositing their tax payments in an escrow account entered as “Under protest”.

This hollow and belligerent threat has successfully resulted in causing a serious self-inflicted wound upon the Catholic Church, the CBCP and those against the RH bill. The day after their threat to call for “civil disobedience”, SMS messages piled up at various radio stations criticizing those who suggested the call for civil disobedience.

This column is not about the Reproductive Health bill as an issue, but about how emotions and belligerence have over taken common sense and Christian ethics.

Those in the forefront of the opposition to the RH bill may not realize it, but their collective actions and strategies has done more harm to the Catholic Church as an institution, as a “Faith” and worst of all, it has shown how far removed some groups or people are from the fundamental teachings of GOD, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Bible.

In the same breath, the hardline and belligerent stance of those opposed to the RH bill has highlighted and reinforced the popular sentiment that the “Catholic Church” is disconnected, ignorant or insensitive to the reality and sentiments of many parishioners.

Lastly, by forcing the hand of the President, the anti-RH bill people have unwittingly provided PNoy his own “Osama Bin Laden” or an opportunity to show his political will and a springboard he could use to improve his popularity rating.

I have had the privilege and pleasure of breaking bread and sharing views with several bishops and an Archbishop and I can state that they can be as realistic, funny and as cool as the next Dude. I have also been blessed with the friendship of Nuns, who can be as passionate or as humorous as the characters we watch on TV.

In other words, they are as human and as realistic as everyday ordinary people.

So I would surmise that the problem we have with the RH bill is not about communication, politics or changing social values. The problem, first and foremost, is in the failure to “exercise” our faith.

In a world full of temptation and free choice, Christians and Catholics who exercise their faith by living, breathing and believing the teachings of GOD, Christ and the Bible, can, and have managed to stir clear of committing sins or things far worse and immediate than a choice called the Reproductive Health bill.

Yes we need to be vigilant but we must first be consistent and persistent. We cannot come out kicking, swinging and screaming in self-righteousness after decades of dancing with the devil, tolerating decadence in society and media.

In court, as well as in life, people demand evidence. There can be no better argument or evidence for being pro-life and pro-people than a life lived in service of others, a life of true charity, true kindness and true love.

Even in battle and waging a war, we must practice what we preach.

Our problem has to do with attitude. A sense of desperation and belligerence often robs us of perspective, reason and wisdom.

Desperate measures, almost always causes us to betray or deny the values and beliefs. Looking back, the battle over the RH bill has caused men and women to tell lies, bear false witness, dishonor and disregard our elected leaders as well as religious heads, place curses upon each other and ultimately….reveal that all our claims of being GOD fearing Christians or Catholics are as empty as the tomb from where our Lord and Savior was resurrected.