OPLAN PEPE: Ang Mga Bagong Pepe

One hundred thirteen years ago, our national hero, Jose “Pepe” Rizal wrote about Padre Damaso, a priest who abused his power to oppress the Filipinos.  Padre Damaso then validated his hypocrisy through his religion.

Labeled a heretic, Jose Rizal was shot in Luneta for his beliefs. 

Today, Padre Damaso continues to live in the Filipino priests as the Church continues to wield its influence in legislation opposing the implementation of the Magna Carta of Women and the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill.

Today, Filipinos continue to be oppressed through their religion.

A number of Catholics and a new generation of freethinkers, tired of being silenced and expected to blindly follow the teachings are speaking up about their disappointment and disillusionment.

 “I’m 30, half-Filipino, half-Indian, born, raised and educated in the Philippines; Convent educated for most part of my life, raised Protestant/ Hindu. Having parents of mixed race has given me a wider view on things and a great value for respect and tolerance, especially as regards to religion. To have any chance to move higher up the social ladder in this country, one must come from a good Catholic school to be even considered eligible to enter a decent University. Since being amongst the religious minorities in the Philippines, I have had to be constrained at a very young age to talk about my faith especially in a Catholic environment, such as in high school. A waiver was required by the administration to make sure I would not discuss my religion and mention anything but good things about the Catholic faith. I was amused at it seemed the school was threatened by an odd Muslim or non-Catholic student.

 The Philippine Catholic Church has more important issues to tackle, we were taught no sex before marriage, no birth control, no condoms, no abortion, no right for choice, no divorce. It baffles me how intimidated the local government can get when an Archbishop denounces for instance a politician’s suggestion to try and control this country’s population. The country, like sheep, meekly follow — instead of having to deal with offending the Catholic Church. They conveniently denounce, as it is not in their religious doctrines, but present no practical help or solution on how to help the masses. There are 3 things that run this country – the church, politicians, and the elite. We live in a country pretending to be a democracy but is clearly an oligarchy.

Funny enough these 3 sectors are just a good 10% of the population of this country. They under estimate the intelligence of the masses.

 India, for instance, is the biggest democracy in the world, with over a billion people of mixed religions: Hindu’s, Jains, Bhuddists, Muslims, Christians and so forth. Their Government shows tolerance and their country is not in the same mess as we are in considering there are 99% Catholics to deal with.

The Church should distinguish themselves and go back to the root of Catholicism, the commitment to tradition, doctrines and ministry to others. You’d think they’d have better things to do than argue with another politician.

 Gandhi did have a good take on Christianity in general, it hurts me to agree with him. He said ” I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

 There’s my answer to why people stray from Catholicism. The threat was felt then when I was still in school, but it’s only out in the open now. The Philippines will always remain like a half empty glass of jaded and disillusioned people trying to find their way and their God.”

Shirin, part of a new generation of freethinkers, banding together to fight for a secular Philippines.

Shirin, isa sa mga bagong Pepe na nagsalita na sapagka’t pagod na syang maging pipi.

[Shirin, one of the new Pepe’s who has finally spoken up because she’s tired of being silenced].