The Roman Catholic Church doesn’t list being gay as a sin. It however lists gay acts (sexual acts obviously) as disordered. The Church counsels understanding of the gay condition and the heterosexual faithful are exhorted to help gays live lives in conformity with Church teaching, be celibate or be faithful heterosexuals (which incidentally is also the ideal standard for straights) . While that is the Roman Church’s position which some people may not agree with, at least the Church doesn’t condemn the gay condition and is consistent. Why? It is because what is the gold standard for straights is also the gold standard for gays. An unfaithful straight is in the same category of sin as a sexually active gay. That is what the Catechism says which is the IRR of the Roman Catholic Church. However as with implementing rules and regulations, it is how it is implemented by bureaucrats where the injustice may lie. In the Pinoy cultural implementation, being unfaithful is less sinful than being gay, contrary to official Church teaching.
The COMELEC Second Division however I believe became more Catholic than the Pope. By denying Ang Ladlad’s petition for accreditation it used the “protection of morality argument”. The question is should the COMELEC be in the business of protecting people’s morals or should they be more in the protection of ballots? Also the decision even to a non-lawyer is violative of the non-Establishment of Religion clause in our Bill of Rights. The decision clearly favours Christianity and Islam and is protective of the belief system of the two faiths. Even if these two faiths consist the majority of the electorate’s religious affiliation, the State by virtue of the Constitution is required to be neutral with respect to religion.
If gays want to destroy the constitutional system of government, then COMELEC should not accredit it. If gays have in their platform a plan for liquidating straights in order to rule the planet, then COMELEC should not accredit it. But if gays want to participate in the electoral system and promote children’s rights, women’s rights and the right to an education (which is Ladlad’s platform) then they should not be a threat to anyone in our society at all. I recall Danton Remoto’s quip on gay marriage. Danton said “No, magagalit si Jesus!” Our gay rights advocates seem to know their limits.
But if just being gay is a threat to society and the morals of the youth, then this is indeed disturbing. Because it implies that gays if only shut in their beauty parlor ghettos will be harmless to the rest of society.
Now back to the real morality argument. The Roman Church believes that homosexual orientation doesn’t violate any of the Ten Commandments. But it does believe that cheating in elections is a violation of 8th Commandment “Thou shalt not bear false witness on thy neighbour”
Since all the political parties in the Philippines trade allegations of cheating every election time and the COMELEC knows its morals, then it should not accredit all POLITICAL PARTIES.
I like Hillary Clinton’s description of corruption as ‘corrosive”. The United States electorate does take seriously allegations of poll cheating because it undermines the basis of their democracy which is based on a Judaeo-Christian understanding of morality. However they to a large extent uphold a Secular understanding of this morality. An interpretation based on a religious viewpoint in the courts and government authorities is bound to generate a lot of freedom of religion suits.
The ruling elite in our society must be so oxidized by now!
So which is more corrosive to the youth? Being gay or cheating? I believe it is the latter. As for the former and since I teach in college, I know many of the youth are gay anyway. So why the need to protect them from gays? Let them be gay as long they don’t hurt anyone, or violate the law.
Popularity: 3% [?]
COMELEC should NOT give partylist accreditation to gays.
That gays do not threaten any constitutional item does not mean
that gays should be accredited. Public school teachers form a
distinct minority. Public school teachers do not threaten any
constitutional item, and public school teachers should NOT be
accredited. Sabungeros, too, should not be partylist accredited.
True but a logical inconsistency. The basis of the COMELEC decision appear to favour certain religions. Does it make sense if the COMELEC does not accredit teachers on grounds of immorality? Sabungero, pwede pa! But that is point the accusing immoral finger at the State which operates gambling halls.
Is it true that Ang Ladlad espouses actions that are
prohibited by one or more of Philippine laws?
“So which is more corrosive to the youth? Being gay or cheating?”
Better rephrase this question, as it implies that both are corrosive to the youth, only differing in degree.
I agree Ryan but to do so is to remove the irony on the COMELEC decision. The essay does clearly state as a thesis being gay is not a sin. And in using the Catholic Church’s position on homosexuality, the rug is pulled out from under the “protection of morality” argument.
Okay, so you’re trying to say that homosexuality is not corrosive to the youth? I have a question for you. You’re okay with homosexuality right? You’re a heterosexual guy right? Does that mean your also okay into getting into a homosexual relationship?
Gays and Lesbians are people like you and me. They were only born
with different sexual orientations. Would you condemn a born cripple?
Because he/she was born that way?
All Churches have no clear definitions of SIN. If it is against their Dogmas, Doctines and Teachings. It is Sin to them. If you are outside their religions. You will be going to Hell. I have not seen any Dead people in my lifetime coming to life. Then talk about Hell.
It is like the NAZI belief that all Aryan Germanic people are
superior. All the rest of humanity are SUBHUMAN, condemned to serve the Aryans.
We should not DISCRIMINATE what we dont understand. The COMELEC is
trying to impose its OWN SET OF MORALITY to everyone.
You can see those magnificient LUXOR Temples in Egypt. They were
built for religious reasons. Now it is abandoned and is just an
artifact. Or those Temples in South America: Mayan, Incas, etc…
Many unwilling and innocent Virgins were sacrificed for them. Now the Temples are abandoned and are just tourists attractions.
LET US ALL BE OPEN MINDED. ACCEPT ALL HUMAN BEINGS THE WAY THEY ARE.
WE DONT EVEN KNOW WHY WE ARE ALL HERE!
We don’t?
Too bad that God can promised us 72 virgins in heaven and will only allow us one here on earth, the gays even less.:D
72 Virgins and 72 mansions are those Islamic extemists
beliefs. Suicide bombers are like those Lenten Season
Christian fanatics. Who whip and crucify themselves
on Good Fridays.
In fairness to those moderate Muslims. I have good
Muslim friends who do not believe in extremism as
advocated by some of their religious leaders.
Fact check:
Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf has said: “The narration, which claims that everyone would have seventy-two wives has a weak chain of narrators.” [49]
Also agreed by many others, this chain of narrations has been noted to be extremely weak, or Da’eef and was by Tirmidhi, who has been noted for having quite a few unauthentic or fabricated hadith, not to say it was his fault but that of the relaters.
This 72 virgins story has been abused and used as a propaganda tool by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. As with most things, the answer is in the interpretation.
Firstly with respect to suicide and therefore suicide bombers, suicide is not referred to in the Quran but is forbidden in the Traditions (Hadith in Arabic), which are the collected sayings and doings attributed to the Prophet and traced back to him through a series of trustworthy witnesses.
However a distinction needs to be between the martyr and the suicide bomber. A martyr killed in a real Jihad is an honorable thing to do in Islam, and rewards in paradise for this are offered. What occurred on 911 was not a Jihad, but mass murder. In Iraq Ayatollah Ali Sistani – the leader of the majority of Shia’s has not declared a Jihad, similarly in Afghanistan and its religious authorities.
The Quran does make reference to virgins, though the definition of the word virgin is disputed. Some claim the definition of the Arabic word “Abkarun” is not virgins, but Angels.
Christopher Luxenberg’s book, Die Syro-Aramaische Lesart des Koran, available only in German, has an enjoyed an enthusiastic reception, particularly among those scholars with a knowledge of several Semitic languages at Princeton, Yale, Berlin, Potsdam, Erlangen, Aix-en-Provence, and the Oriental Institute in Beirut.
Luxenberg tries to show that many obscurities of the Quran disappear if we read certain words as being Syriac and not Arabic. Luxenberg claims that the context makes it clear that it is food and drink that is being offered, and not unsullied maidens or houris (virgins).
In Syriac, the word hur is a feminine plural adjective meaning white, with the word “raisin” understood implicitly.
Why do we have many suicide bombers? Why do radical Islamic countries and Islamic terrorists political parties parade those suicide bombers? Why did those
suicide terrorists who killed innocent people on the
World Trade center were celebrated as martyrs?
These are not just propagandas. I have talked to
moderate Islamic Religious leaders. And I found that
the answers lies in some Islamic religious leaders who misintepreted the Koran to promote the Islamic faith.
I looked at History. The Islamic faith had used conquest, like the Christian faith to promote its
religious agendas. So much for this nonsense religious
discussion. If people want to think straight. They
can. But, if they want to remain where they are. That
is their choice. Just dont keep us from not moving
forward. We want to be free and discover the best in
life, without those Fairy Tales beliefs that are
nonsense.
Maybe it was lost in translation. Whatever they are
Angels or Virgins. It does not matter. People are
putting bombs on their bodies. Blowing themselves
up and the infidels for “Angels” or for “Virgins”. What do they do with 72 Angels? Talk to them thruout Eternity? Nonsense! What do they do with 72 Virgins? Make love to them in Paradise? Makes sense!
During the Iran-Iraq War. The Ayatollah Khomenei used
young Iranian boys to ran over the Minefields of Saddam Hussein. They triggered the mines, died and were celebrated as Martyrs in Iran. Same as they celebrate Terrorists who kills.
And suicide bombers who blow themselves up and the infidels. You can see the Cemetery of Martyrs in Iran. People who blew themselves up in Saddam Hussein’s minefields. If these people are not crazy. What do you call them? I have yet to see anybody rise from the grave. Telling me he really entered Paradise.
There is also a going on case here in Ohio, U.S.A. An Islamic Sri Lankan young girl. About 17 years old.
She converted to Christian faith from the Islamic
faith. The father of the young girl wants to take her
back. The young girl is afraid. Because of the so called
“Honor Killing”. Children from Islamic families are
killed by their parents. If they convert to other faiths. It is their honor to kill their children who convert to other faiths. Years ago, another Islamic Palestinian girl was killed on the same ground of “honor killing”.
You can research on the U.S. Court Records for facts.
We have the Freedom of Information Act.
It may appear that this people are crazy – but they are fighting a war of national liberation using their belief system – these same “crazies” might as well have been the Koran-quoting Vietcongs.
Their country is under attack – a foreigner has occupied their country, therefore, they will do everything they can to do in their power to stop the occupation forces.
In their belief system, resisting occupation forces, aggressors, and infidels – is martyrdom.
Consider it as the martyrdom of Joan of Arc replicated, and directed by the Islamic version of Pope Callistus and Pope Alexander VI.
It’s a well-known fact that Islam maintains the protection of life and does not sanction any violation against it. In the Glorious Qur’an, Allah, Most High, says, “Whoso slayeth a believer of set purpose, his reward is Hell for ever. Allah is wroth against him and He hath cursed him and prepared for him an awful doom.” (An-Nisa’: 93)
`Abdullah ibn Mas`ud, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The blood of a Muslim may not be legally spilt other than in one of three [instances]: the married person who commits adultery; a life for a life; and one who forsakes his religion and abandons the community.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Focusing more on your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
“There is no such concept in Islam that is called “honor killing”. Islam holds every soul in high esteem and does not allow any transgression upon it. It does not allow people to take the law in their own hands and administer justice, because doing so will be leading to chaos and lawlessness. Therefore, based on this, Islam does not permit such killings.
First of all, in order to sanction killing, it must be through a binding verdict issued by an authoritative law court. Individuals themselves have no authority either to judge cases or pass judgments. Therefore, a Muslim should not sanction such killing because doing so will be leading to the rule of the law of the jungle. A civilized society cannot be run by such laws.”
Shedding more light on it, Sheikh `Atiyyah Saqr, former head of Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee, states:
“Like all other religions, Islam strictly prohibits murder and killing without legal justification. Allah, Most High, says, “Whoso slayeth a believer of set purpose, his reward is Hell for ever. Allah is wroth against him and He hath cursed him and prepared for him an awful doom.” (An-Nisa’: 93)
The so-called “honor killing” is based on ignorance and disregard of morals and laws, which cannot be abolished except by disciplinary punishments.
It goes without saying that people are not entitled to take the law in their own hands, for it’s the responsibility of the Muslim State and its concerned bodies to maintain peace, security, etc., and to prevent chaos and disorder from creeping into the Muslim society.”
Moreover, the eminent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Hanooti, member of the North American Fiqh Council, adds:
“In Islam, there is no place for unjustifiable killing. Even in case of capital punishment, only the government can apply the law through the judicial procedures. No one has the authority to execute the law other than the officers who are in charge.
Honor killing could be a wrong cultural tradition. It is unjust and inhumane action. The murderer of that type deserves punishment.”
BongV,
I respect your interpretation of the Koran, but I wish more Muslims did, and I wish whole Muslim nations would stop cheering with each murderous event, or stand passively by rather than put a stop to it. Only the heathens seem to decry the loss of innocent life. It as if moderate Muslims don’t mind the desecration of their faith by murderers.
Joe
I wonder if our Election Watchdog (the PPCRV) will take this up as an issue.
the words “Parish Pastoral Council” kinda gives an indicator on how this issue will be treated – deny support to Ladlad on grounds of “immorality”.
I wonder if the Catholic Church put forward an application, what the response would be.
Key questions: What are COMELEC’s standards for applicants? What is Ang Ladlad’s charter, in relation to same?
Joe
Blackshama– the legal system in the U.S. is based on common law. Not on any idea of religion.
It allows the judiciary to change with time. The biggest debates in U.S. politics occur since the U.S. is bound by a constitution that allows for reconstructive decision making around the historical changes amongst its broad differing communities that make up its society. .
The issue of abortion and same sex marriage stand out.
But it took generations to move from the WASP Puritanical mode to what they are today.
The overriding influence of the more conservative members of Philippine society are still bound by the superstitious and primitive dogmas of the Catholic Church. Unfortunately they still hold sway over the power structure in the country. The progressives still count as a micro minority.
“The overriding influence of the more conservative members of Philippine society are still bound by the superstitious and primitive dogmas of the Catholic Church. Unfortunately they still hold sway over the power structure in the country. The progressives still count as a micro minority.”
My gulay. Finally. Exactly what I was saying.
Why isnt there too much talk when the Seafarer were rejected? What is it with the LGBT’s?
Yes, good point. It is easy to assume homophobia or other untoward rationale for rejection. What are the guidelines, and how well to applicants meet them? I personally withhold judgment as I don’t know. It is as wrong to slander the COMELEC people as it would be to slander the applicant . . .
I put this in my “pending” file . . .
Joe
“It is as wrong to slander the COMELEC people as it would be to slander the applicant ”
Joe, where were you in the other thread when I was trying to say the same thing?
Darwin 25,
Yes, sorry about that. I am pure Gemini and therefore argue out of both sides of my brain on different days. Either that or I am developing some common sense.
Joe
the key question is: what is the reason for rejection?
i think one seafaring group wanted foreign funding, which is not possible for party list, and the other group wasnt comprised of marginalized people.
I have a question. Who do Akbayan represent?
Jayson San Juan points to Republic Act 7941 here:
http://filipinovoices.com/how-can-5th-century-thinkers-implement-21st-century-plans
apparently, the COMELEC board concludes that Ang Ladlad
2) advocates violence or unlawful means to seek its goal;
Is this true? Do Ang Ladlad members want one or more existing laws of the country to be nulled out and do Ang Ladlad members regularly violate these laws now?
Love this piece you wrote. I’m a devout Catholic yet I have never chastized gays in my entire life, even when being gay was a cultural and moral “no-no”. The call center industry actually opened the flood gates for gays to come out and be accepted – I’ve been working for this industry for 10 years now.
The COMELEC’S decision is a simply egotistical on the part of its members. Is there a way to force them to reverse their decision, besides rallying in the streets?
I think being dumb is the most corrosive thing to our youth, hehehe. No, seriously.
The next thing may be being biased. That’s what the COMELEC officers are right now.
Hmm, I’m sure some LGBTs feel like singing “Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat right now.
“Pushed around and kicked around
Always a lonely boy
You were the one that they’d talk about
Around town as they put you down…”
hehehe
I don’t know why these BLT groups cannot present themselves more decently. Why Ang Ladlad? Why not Third Sex United or something? Are all homosexuals Queens? Why Danton Remoto for a leader, all he does in his column is write about his love life. An over-rated writer, too.
“Real” guys here know we have a true personality that we keep from our bosses and our business partners and generally hide from the public. We wear suits and barongs and shoes. We don’t exactly scratch our balls in the mall. But why do these queens insist on dressing up in a ludicrous manner when they go to a restaurant?
Sodomy is illegal. Sex out of wedlock is illegal. Ang Ladlad is simply too focused on displaying their persons and personalities. If they think homosexuals suffer illegal discrimination, they should try and prove this because this is important. But no, they’d rather display their silverwares on Ayala.
AND WHY NOT FORM A PARTY LIST seeking to repeal the old penal code instead. Selfish naman nila. Philippine gays are socially accepted in the R.P. unlike in other even more advanced countries. When’s the last time you heard a gay man getting beat up in RP? They hold high positions in the corporate world and have entire industries cornered–advertising, film, etc. In Thailand, sa kick boxing lang sila pwede.
My thinking is, if they’re there to simply catch attention (gay marriage? Ludicrous ambition), then why bother.
What Ang Ladlad doesn’t seem to realize is that they experience discrimination because they are gay. They experience discrimination because they are here in the Philippines. The discriminators would use anything, anything at all to discriminate. Puti ka, itim ka, payat, mataba, pangit, gwapo, mayaman, mahirap, taga Maynila, taga probinsya, gay, macho, babae, lalaki, maganda porma, pangit porma, matanda, bata, transgender, static gender, taga la salle, taga ateneo, taga states, hindi taga states, yabang, mahiyain… lahat ng mga ito naka experience ng discrimination.
sex out of wedlock illegal? says who?
Then Erap should have had multiple life sentences!
Yet another peculiarity of our laws. It’s the aggrieved party’s (wife’s) initiative.
sorry, supposedly:
“What Ang Ladlad doesn’t seem to realize is that they experience discrimination NOT because they are gay.” (at least not only because they are gay).
To add: define discrimination before you fight against it. Filipinos are extremely tribal. Everyone who isn’t with them or aren’t their friends suffer from unfair treatment from them. Every time we go out we discriminate or get discriminated.
We need a more rational gay group, people belonging to “other” genders who appreciate the common human condition. My take on Ang Ladlad: they’re too self-absorbed (and given to fantastical ambitions) to serve themselves and the Filipino people.
One question asked of me in the other thread by Ryan is this.
“Will the government recognize my marriage to my partner? Can my partner be my insurance’s beneficiary?”
If that is one of the concerns, I think they’re barking the wrong tree.What they want to amend are the inheritance laws of this country, not marital laws.
Brian B,
Filipinos racially discriminate against themselves, one of the most peculiar peculiarities I have ever seen. Rather than being proud of their brown skin – which works a lot better in the tropics than my highly worshiped pasty skin — they forever waste their money slopping whitening goo on themselves. I get discriminated IN FAVOR OF because I am white . . . when I am not being ripped off because I am presumed rich.
Joe
Dang, as far as am concerned I have a nice tan and WASPs are paying an arm and a leg just to get my tan :)
I think this is the cause of the mainstream media… and also racism. In a society where white skinned people are said to be “superior” in beauty and are preferred to appear on t.v. I’m not aware of a black woman winning Miss Universe.
I’ve seen reports in the U.S. and Africa where black people wish they were white because of economic benefits and perceived beauty.
Though i think this is changing gradually.
Edward,
I appreciated your various perspectives today, of Manny and Roach, especially. I think all of fashion is, to an extent, people superficially putting on a show to try to impress others. The “white” rage in the Philippines is a hand-me-down from the Spanish I think. It needs a popular Filipina to stand up and say “I’m brown, I’m beautiful” and make that the new trend. Too bad Charise or Kris Aquino or such popular icons are not up to the challenge of hailing their natural beauty, for they really do contribute to a suffering of those who are brown and can’t seem to get white enough for the popular style.
Joe
So sadly true. COMELEC is is demonstrating this. You can ask them, so who’s racist now?
Unfortunately… do the Filipinos even realize this? Knock on the head.
I think party-list groups are supposed to do this. Serve their own group’s or sector’s ends. Any effect on the bayan can be merely consequential, and is not necessarily required.
cheating in an election can be corrected, thus being gay is more corosive to the youth.
If you read the entire COMELEC resolution you would note that the way the legalese is worded in the COMELEC resolution is eeerily reminiscent of how the Reich Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honour was worded!
Dear BlackShama,
Can you point us to the resolution or better still, post it somewhere here. Would love to agree with you ( and instictively, I do) but I would be doing that without basis save for passion and gut feel.
Somehow medyo humina ang connection ko this weekend. Maybe its the Pacquiao match.
BTW, I also noticed that from the start congress has had two seats for an association of “contadores” or electricity meter-readers. Strange, huh?
Dean
The resolution is in the COMELEC website. Let’s read through the pertinent passages in these legal documents that disturb me and many others. It is discomforting because of the intent to marginalize and discriminate in the goal of protecting society. Do you agree?
COMELEC 09-228
“Furthermore, should this Commission grant the petition, we will be exposing our youth to an environment that does not conform to the teachings of our faith. Lehman Strauss, a famous bible teacher and writer in the U.S.A said in one article that ”older practicing homosexuals are a threat to the youth”
REICHSTAG September 15, 1935 Law
“The purity of German blood is essential to the further existence of the German people, and inspired by the uncompromising determination to safeguard the future of the German nation”
“teachings of our faith”
Constitutional violation. Where is the Civil Liberties Union?
Joe
It’s kind of like the lack of a divorce law. Philippine theocratic law would rather see two people whose relationship had degenerated living together in misery or under a pretense of bliss instead of in practical separation that affords both parties options for productive ways forward.
The whole society is characterised by a comprehensive lack of perspective on many issues.
Yes indeed.
Many women (and a few men, too, I suppose) are locked into physically abusive relationships through the good heart of the church. Bound. Indentured. Basically tied up and tortured by doctrine.
And the number of deadbeat dads here is frightening to behold. Abandoning the mother and child. That stuns me.
Joe
if I may ask, what’s the difference between a divorce, and a marriage annulment?
(1) Divorce is not recognized in Pinas; annulment is.
Here is a cut-and-paste from some website:
Now you can see why children borne from annulled marriages are in limbo. There are no legal obligations that can be placed on the child’s parents (for monthly support for food- and educational-expenses, etc).
Totally irresponsible towards children. Miriam Santiago, Jamby and all female lawmakers. Do not forget Cory Aquino during her time — totally irresponsible to allow men to walk away from marriages without putting legal obligations on them (actually, on both parents) to fulfill a minimum set of requirements for taking care of the children (at least up to age 16 or 18).
Now, it makes sense why the bishopry of the CBCP want annulments only, not divorce.
Children whose parents’ marriages were annuled are given the status of natural born children.
As stated in the Family Code:
Art. 43. The termination of the subsequent marriage referred to in the preceding Article shall produce the following effects:
(1) The children of the subsequent marriage conceived prior to its termination shall be considered legitimate;
http://www.chanrobles.com/executiveorderno209.htm
The US standard basically is, if two people agree the marriage is not working, it is done if they can set before the court an agreement on division of assets.
The Philippine standard for annulment has two ways to go: (1) an almost impossible grilling of the complainant (usually the woman) as if she were guilty of a crime, over three or four hearings, and a requirement that the woman show some reason that the marriage never was good to begin with, like, the husband is psychologically deranged, or (2) pay the judge a big pile of pesos under the bench.
Which do you figure is more compassionate?
Joe
theres an interesting twist to this. comelec says that they are enforcing the civil code, where the govt is tasked to fight immorality.
that’s where the defintion of “immorality” needs to be reexamined as morality changes with the times.
is the civil code reflective of the times – or is it a fossil relic of the jurassic era.
GabbyD, BongV,
Yes, clear definitions of morality. Is being gay immoral? Is a gay dancing wildly on the street in drag immoral? Is a woman dancing in a bra and miniskirt on the public street immoral? Is a local high-school lad dancing in a fiesta parade in a loincloth immoral? Also definitions of separation of church and state. Can a COMELEC representative quote the Bible as a basis for decision, or claim the decision as based on his “faith”?
It isn’t the easiest area to define, but it needs definition.
Joe
true joe…
there is another side: govt should have no role in determining what is moral and what is not.
im having trouble believing that completely. ex: murder is a moral issue, is it not? the govt should outlaw murder, and its morality is part of it.
one response is: the definition of morality should be determined by a unanimity rule: all people should agree that murder is bad.
but what if a group of people believe that murdering people is ok under a certain set of conditions that other people dont believe in?
GabbyD,
It seems to me that laws are based on morality, so that it is basically government’s job to decide what is good or bad, right or wrong, and put it into rules that binds society to good behavior.
Joe
The people (based on their priorities, moralities and beliefs (religious, sexual, biological, terrestial, protozoan, whatever)) elect their representatives to Congress. These representatives (based on their personal moralities and beliefs (plus need to get re-elected; also financial needs) then write the laws.
COMELEC, the judges, police and others of EXECUTIVE branch, based on their priorities (including financial-needs, personal moralities and beliefs) implement the laws.
So, yes, morality (as well as financial needs and sexuality and many other items) are involved in all the mishmash of living in the Philippines.
============
The process should work, unless, bongV’s thesis is true that bozos get elected into Congress and Malacanang by bozos of voters.
“The process should work, unless, bongV’s thesis is true that bozos get elected into Congress and Malacanang by bozos of voters.”
BongV’s thesis is true, because the ‘bozos of voters’ are us, heheh.
Philippines democracy is still in its infancy. Being Gay can be corrosive to the youth but that’s not the reason why this country has moved slowly. Cheating during elections and buying of votes has been one of the Primary reasons why this country remain so backward. Cheating is closely related to Corruption. The fact that the Philippines is the most corrupt in Asia, the gay community has nothing to do with that. Morality issue is not about being gay in Philippine politics. It’s Low morale on ethical standard in public service and poor governance is more corrosive to the future of our Youth.
If COMELEC denied accreditation, it’s the right decision.
“But if gays want to participate in the electoral system and promote children’s rights, women’s rights and the right to an education (which is Ladlad’s platform) then they should not be a threat to anyone in our society at all. ”
childrens rights, women’s rights and the right to an education are the majority’s platform. Ladlad cannot claim that solely as their platform. They may be very active about it but advocacy and legacy is about “ROLE MODELS”….
Blackshama… your blog is too diversified. You are asking two questions at the same time. Each has its own character to debate. I wish you can be very specific and focus on one.
A blog can be so simple SIR.
The gay community has nothing to do with cheating and corruption? Or was it because we have so many gays thats why we have cheating and corruption?
I know its garbage…but why link the 2 distant issue?
Women of the Philippine government, including past women Presidents, are subservient wimps and fail to represent Philippine women responsibly.
Joe
‘Ang Ladlad’ to the rescue!
Joe’s “Simply Stated Philippine Women’s Bill of Rights Rights”, with the attached question, “Hey, men-legislators, what parts of equality, responsibility, and compassion do you not understand?”
(1) The right to end a physically or emotionally abusive marriage; adultery is an emotional abuse.
(2) The right to receive financial support from the father for a child’s care and education.
(3) The right to birth control information and methods.
(4) The right to make personal medical decisions, to include abortions in the case of rape, incest, gross deformity of the fetus or risk to the mother’s life.
(5) The right to be considered for employment and promotion in a “gender blind” way on the basis of knowledge, experience and ability.
(6) The right to rights granted to men, including but not limited to the right to vote, to speak freely, to demonstrate, to vacations and holidays, to run for government office, to receive government services, to education, to serve in the military, and to do construction, police or fire-work if physically qualified to do so.
Anything important that I missed? Suggestion: don’t complicate that which is secularly reasonable, albeit never perfect, with nit-picking or preaching.
Joe
In philosophy, the argument from authority is the weakest of all arguments. In this case, the premises held on to by that COMELEC resolution is such a lousy if not weak argument altogether.
At the very least, COMELEC ought to clarify what it could have meant by the phrase – “teachings of our faith”. Or maybe, it does not imply religious faith but a kind of social or cultural mindset and therefore bordering on a notion of what people normally understand moral or right to be.
Well, COMELEC will sure have a way to “rationalize” its held position if subjected to subsequent legal action.
Being Catholic. It hasn’t “cured” gays, it hasn’t exerted moral influence on politicians.