Name: manuel lim
City/State/Country: Philippines
IP Address: 180.194.249.99

Comments

We are now in the modern world. PNL-you are right!!! We should not follow BLINDLY all those in authority who actually doesn't mind the consequences of their FAILURES. So re RH Bill let the people decide and be answerable to God for the outcome of their wants. Don't point fingers in advanced as what you are doing now. Over population is not the culprit why people are sufferings. Its the uneven distribution of God's treasures/wealths on earth that is hurting most. So be FAIR if not have FEAR in God for He alone has the power to control population number.

Name: blumntrit
City/State/Country: njusa
IP Address: 68.197.155.123

Comments

The Catholic church should have their solutions to the problems PH is facing now of over population. Start taxing them so they could share the responsibilities of feeding, educating and giving the people a decent place to live. Let us pray and say amen but you must pay your share of taxes too. Churches including Iglesia ni Manalo should open their doors as a shelter for the flood victims.

Name: peregrino.natividad
City/State/Country: veghel, netherlands
IP Address: 95.36.47.70

Comments

I am glad I am out of the country to study SCIENCE and not religion. Science is the KEY to the country's prosperity and not religion. SCIENCE find solution to all problems of life on earth. I believe in EVOLUTION and not CREATION. 11,000 yeas ago man made religion (Abraham, Middle East). We live day by day with the achievements of Science.

Name: dominador agustin
City/State/Country: valenzuela city
IP Address: 112.200.62.144

Comments

Dapat ang isang sanggol ay hindi muna binibinyagan, dapat ay bigyan siya ng kalayaang mamili ng relihiyon na kanyang sasapian kapag sapat na ang kanyang kaisipan, ang kristiyanismo na ipinakain sa atin ng mga kastila ay hindi na katanggap tanggap ngayon. Mangmang, hikahos at walang tigil sa pagpaparami, iyan ang mamamayang gusto ng Roma at kaparian dito para madali nilang mamanipula at mapaniwala sa ngalan daw ni Hesus. Ayaw nilang umunlad at lumawak ang kaisipan ng mga Pilipino sapagkat natatakot silang mabawasan o tuluyang mawala ang kanilang tagasunod katulad nang nangyayari sa Europa. Mga kababayan ko, gumising na tayo at huwag iasa sa diyos ang kinabukasan, kumilos at makialam, gawin ang nararapat kahit sino ang masagasaan, para sa bayan, ngayoooooon na...

Name: GFJ...
City/State/Country: Hercules
IP Address: 67.188.19.40

Comments

Just because the Old Testament said, "Go forth and multiply," it is not a license to abuse the generosity.

Name: MON FRAN
City/State/Country: QC
IP Address: 124.6.144.99

Comments

You editorial staff is the one devoid of any fairness and justice. I bet not even one of your staff has done an iota of the Priest who are in the barrios and the like who are risking life and limb in helping others. Take it from PNOY, the real issue is this and he summed it up "Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap". Be fair in your words because there are countless of good Catholics around. Rid of corruption and we will have plenty for all of us and much more. Start with this, a pen worth only say 10 php will become 3 times or more that amount in Barangay halls because of SOP

Name: Gemini
City/State/Country: Pamplona
IP Address: 121.1.11.38

Comments

The problem with our society is having people with the mentality (Not Smarter Than a 5th Grade) of T. Soto who one way or the other sent a negative spurious massage through his lame (emotional) speech. People like him, JPE and the rest of the anti-RH Bill in the congress including CBCP, who are suppose to be sagacious, just doesn't seem to understand the REAL meaning of MORAL RESPONSIBILITY. If these are the quality of LEADERS that our people continue to look up to, then might as well succumb to China for a good BUTT KICKING. Sorry Gimme Inay (IP Add: 64.40.183.70) SORE LOSER cyber bully OLD MAN aka PEKE IMPOSTOR for offending you as well, he he he...

Name: Tambay sa Kanto
City/State/Country: Abu Dhabi
IP Address: 2.50.221.177

Comments

Itong si Marie ay bulag. Bakit always equate yong RH sa abortion. Pagkaintindi ko ay pagkitil ng buhay ang abortion. Saan ba nag-umpisa ang buhay di ba sa oras lang ng conception. Kung wlang conception ay walang buhay, di ba? Moral issues daw sabi ng CBCP. Bakit nakatutok dito ang CBCP na di naman klarong makita ito sa bibliya o napa ka "vague". Samantalang maraming moral issues na nabanggit ang bibliya tulad ng homosexuality na kadalasan mga pari ay ganito. Tulad ng adultery tulad ng mga celebreties na papalit palit lang ng partner. Pero tamimi ang CBCP rito bakit Marie? Di ko binoto si Pinoy dahil sa mama niyang palpak. Pero ngayon nakita ko na si Pinoy ang may bayag kumpara sa mga nagdaang mga leaders.

Name: myrna
City/State/Country: canada
IP Address: 99.242.61.85

Comments

Regarding the RH bill...I definitely say NO, AND NOTHING BUT NO. Discipline is all we need for every individual. From discipline everything will gonna be fine. You cannot feed people with what you want. let them learn and feel the effect of not disciplining themselves. From what was happening in Philippines right now, they will learn and will know what their mistakes and will push themselves to control and discipline.

Name: JRH
City/State/Country: Montreal, Canada
IP Address: 70.82.62.71

Comments

As long as the rigid Catholic Church build walls of old narrow-minded prejudice, long-standing antagonism against this bill, petty difference & unreasonable suspicions..this issue about the RH Bill will hang like an ominous cloud on our suffering people. I believe that his is the best time to build bridges of healing forgiveness, humane compassion, & emphatic understanding. As a last recourse (not a solution) the catholic church will, as a last resort, will threaten 'excommunication' if you oppose them. It's about time that they be part of the solution & not the biggest problem about over-population in the Phils. PNL is correct in suggesting that the church butt-out. It's about time.

Name: anthone
City/State/Country: austin,tx
IP Address: 99.190.130.41

Comments

Nice editorial, PNL.!There should really be a limit as to what the church or any religion for that matter can offer in governance of any nation. Just concentrate on the spiritual well-being of a person..period! If they shall continue with their present desires, well, let them but--impose on them a tax like any other big business. And most of all, put a forever brake on the way they fool the people.

Name: Jorge Villanueva
City/State/Country: Canada
IP Address: 142.162.139.221

Comments

I am a member of the Roman Catholic Church. My belief and practice is based on a strong family tradition. However, from the time I became conscious of societal problems and religious fanaticism I have personally questioned some church practices and misbehaviors of church officials. It is for that reason that while I maintain the tradition in so far as faith is concerned I am not all gung ho about anything the church is advocating. Their opposition to the RH bill is another example of that misguided practice. The Filipinos should exercise their free will and understanding of the problem and draw their own conclusion.

Name: Gimme Inay
City/State/Country: NakaTutok Kay Gemini
IP Address: 64.40.183.70

Comments

BRAVO!! About time we start discussing the "Social Cancer" that Jose Rizal was martyred for exposing the venalities of the church 116 years ago!! Helloo Marie!!

Name: Joe Peralta
City/State/Country: Orange,California.
IP Address: 72.130.81.181

Comments

I think it is about time that the Catholic Church start minding their own business in regards to population growth. Yes, they should butt off regarding RH bill. It is so obvious and the world had seen it how bad and an eyesore to see people's houses clinging near the creek and river. It is a modern age now and make them aware about the separation of Church and State. What they should reform and put their time and efforts are to those priest who molested and still molesting children. International community will get tired of helping or donating to our county if we will not start helping ourselves by solving over population. Wake up Philippines.

Name: Steve R
City/State/Country: California
IP Address: 72.207.19.246

Comments

News: “Health Secretary Enrique Ona Monday called for the immediate passage of the Reproductive Health Bill to help arrest a rising maternal mortality rate in the country.” My sympathy goes out to V. Sotto & his wife, but how many more children will die early bcoz of the circumstances, they & their parents are in. Be practical, reduce number of new born & reduce number of sufferings of children living under bridges & in shanties or watch them suffer needlessly? Picture the living conditions of these children in your mind & its something that is hard, very hard to ’stomach’.

Name: Mikaela
City/State/Country: San Francisco, CA
IP Address: 204.68.210.39

Comments

1 - please stop already the debate about RH Bill. Dapat "ipasa" na iyan no "ifs" no "buts" pronto! Asap! This is long overdue! Men and WOMEN opposing to this bill are bunch of HYPOCRYTES. This is NOT all about your faith, your beliefs. People/CBCP, please let's ALL be REALISTIC here! I noticed, however, the bulk of oppositions to this bill are mostly MEN. Do they really care about WOMEN'S HEALTH (the sufferings they endure/encounter before/during pregnancy, etc.?the poor people in general and tons of other problems our country is facing? more...

Name: Mikaela
City/State/Country: San Francisco, CA
IP Address: 204.68.210.39

Comments

2- cont'd. I'm not a P'Noy supporter but if he can PASS/APPROVE this RH bill w/o DELAY (and resolve those other pressing issues (not political bickerings where he is good at), I might have a change of heart for him, but, of course , ONLY if I know that he is really sincere to whatever he is doing and if indeed beneficial for the country and its people. I believe anyone deserves a second chance to prove himself/herself...

Name: ASSTIG AKHO
City/State/Country: EMPIRE STATE
IP Address: 207.38.182.120

Comments

For years, the Catholic Church had ruled with an iron hand against the faithful that do not agree with them. For instance, the use of ex-communication was used, getting denied a Christian burial is common if one has offended the Church, and now these bishops want to be there in people’s bedroom. The premise of the Church that contraception is abortion is without scientific basis. A zygote is a unicellular organism and not a person. Any country must manage its population if it wants to move forward (or develop) and fulfill its responsibility to its people. The Church is against access to contraceptive pills or devices, sex education and it is opposed to responsible parenthood.

Name: ASSTIG AKHO
City/State/Country: EMPIRE STATE
IP Address: 207.38.182.120

Comments

continue.. Most pregnancies in the Philippines are unplanned; those women who oppose the RH Bill are themselves users of contraceptive pills. They never ask their husbands to pull out before they come for that would be a sin. I don't think the Church is concerned about the future of this country.

Name: Ferdot
City/State/Country: Fl.
IP Address: 98.82.108.216

Comments

I love your editorial, forward this to Cardinal Tagle all the milionaryong mga bishops. Please pity your poor kababayan. Pass the RH bill.

Name: Vanessa Lee
City/State/Country: Kuwait
IP Address: 188.236.149.160

Comments

Very well said PNL . The Church oppose the RH Bill just to show the people their hypocrite stand as being part and parcel of the holiness of the Church but deep inside they cannot offer the needed help. Church money is Prelates money, this is church realization (forgive me God). Our country needs more stable foundation to push through one factor to reach that is virtually responsible parenthood. RH Bill is long been due, CONCERNED AUTHORITIES PLEASE ACT NOW.

Name: JRH
City/State/Country: Montreal, Canada
IP Address: 70.82.62.71

Comments

As long as we have bigoted church authorities or pastors, this RH Bill will be strongly resisted & opposed by the Catholic Church. Their harsh & fatal condemnation against this bill will be opposed come hell or high water with its negative judgment & will remain unchanged for a long time. The church will not compromise an inch & that is the core of the problem. What this editorial is suggesting is a light of fairness & intensive analysis of the basic problem..runaway overpopulation. Let us find the common good for the sake of our suffering people & not merely the church as the only instrument of authority on matters that will greatly the affect the future of the Phils.

Name: Jaime
City/State/Country: batangas
IP Address: 85.154.243.118

Comments

Very well said...and very true! we don't succumb totally to the will of the church..at the end of the day the blame will be on us, our future and decent living in this planet all depend on us and not on the so called doctrine of the church or any religious entity..they bear no responsibility as mentioned in this article..and thats the truth! Echoing the mentioned calamities such as flood that has just occurred in the Philippines, did we ever see that the churches opened up to accommodate the evacuees...??????

Name: lydia
City/State/Country: philippines
IP Address: 99.229.134.208

Comments

Yes, I agree with the above opinion. Why should we listen to the priests/bishops? they don't know our sufferings and even if they do they don't help. At the end of the day it is us and us alone who can decide what we want in our life. So GO GO RH BILL. I had been into contraceptives (pills) for 6 yrs. (2 years every after a baby is born and I have 3 kids) and it was perfect for spacing...

Name: HMS
City/State/Country: New York, NY
IP Address: 67.241.96.149

Comments

Those in favor of the RH Bill should stop dignifying the words of the Bishops by responding to their allegations. Bishops belong to a religion and have nothing to do with affairs of the State, otherwise the principle of the Separation of Church and State will be rendered worthless (not that it wasn't already). If they continue to interfere with affairs of the State then they should be relieved of their financial exemptions. This religion is another glaring dysfunction in Philippine society. For centuries these people have been dictating policy. The people know it, they know it is wrong, but they never mention it. It's like the proverbial elephant in the room. People should end their privileges. The country is in such need that to listen to these Bishops is an unaffordable luxury.

Name: tonyo
City/State/Country: pinas
IP Address: 111.68.59.97

Comments

The PNL Editorial on the importance of the RH Bill aka Family Planning is very enlightening. Forget the Catholic Church advocacy against contraception. The people should control their destiny free from the unreasonable interference of the Catholic Church since the church does not and will not feed, cloth and house the people. Overpopulation is destructive. Only responsible parenthood or controlled population growth can save the world population from hunger and famine. Besides, the Church does not provide intelligent argument in support of its contempt of contraception. The Bible does not abhor contraception. Besides, the biblical story of Onan on LEVIRATE MARRIAGE is not currently prescribed by the Church. The Church’s position is wantonly bereft of any basis.

Name: ASSTIG AKHO
City/State/Country: EMPIRE STATE
IP Address: 207.38.182.120

Comments

What the Catholic Church is not telling you: Among 8 countries in Southeast Asia (China included), Philippines has the highest population growth rate. Its gross domestic product grew 8.4% in 2011 Q1and its GNP was but U$ 108 billion. If you spread this blessing among its population, it is the lowest share in 8 of these countries except Vietnam. The Catholic Church is not bothered at all with these numbers. Are these bishops pushing this country off the cliff?

Name: GFJ...
City/State/Country: Hercules
IP Address: 67.188.19.40

Comments

Over population is not the main objective of the RH bill. The country's fast depleting resources to support and sustain this massive population growth is running out. The RH bill is not intended to control population growth, but to avert disaster.

Name: kakha tuka
City/State/Country: tondo/harvey, la
IP Address: 98.175.136.10

Comments

Sen. Tito Sotto is very pathetic as he goes emotional. He shows his flip-flopping attitude. Had his son survived he would have supported RH bill. It is only now he is crying when in fact the bill has been discussed and debated for quite some time now. He could have debated against Lagman, Pia Cayetano, and all those proponents. Dragging or escalating his personal bad experience (probably bcoz of his negligence or miscalculation) to the whole nation with too much sentimentalities should give the voting public a clue that maybe he should just concentrate being an actor than a law-maker.

Name: Paco Sa Cruz
City/State/Country: Vietnam
IP Address: 123.28.156.205

Comments

The Catholic Church should take a close look at the picture of poverty and filth and realize how they participated to make this country what it is now.

Name: todo
City/State/Country: Lanao del Norte
IP Address: 222.127.10.162

Comments

I fully agree and may add that the Catholic church must not be allowed to dictate government policies based on their antiquated teachings.

Name: JRH
City/State/Country: Montreal, Canada
IP Address: 70.82.62.71

Comments

The church's negative judgment against RH Bill will remain unchanged & uncompromising cuz this principle have always been considered irreconcilable in accordance to the rigid doctrine of the church. It's considered a grave sin if you follow it. If you follow the RH bill, here are some of the barbaric & unjust responses that the church will proclaim: You: A) may not receive communion or be allowed the confessional; B) may not act as sponsor in baptism, confirmation, & weddings; C) church funeral rites may be denied after excommunication. These are just a few of the ancient thinking & terror tactics that will scare the living shit of ordinary Pinoys in their blinding obedience to our outdated, ancient, conservative, & stupid church. This is still exist in the Phils & only the Phils.

Name: ASSTIG AKHO
City/State/Country: EMPIRE STATE
IP Address: 207.38.182.120

Comments

I would like to echo the statement of David Silvermann, "“Our political system is rife with religion and it depends too much on religion and not enough on substance. Religion is silly and religion has components that are inherently divisive. ...There is no place for any of that in the political system.” That is exactly what the CBCP is doing. CBCP is deliberately dividng the people and ignoring the consequences of a country where poverty widens, hunger and miseries are common sights, and hope becomes hopeless. This Catholic bishops have abandoned the church's social responsibility, the core of Christ's teaching. Are you reading my blog Marie?

Name: Faithful Christian
City/State/Country: Cebu City, PH
IP Address: 202.78.67.250

Comments

I can hardly believe I am reading all these blasphemous comments that emanate from the mouth of Mephistopheles. If you read your bible, you will be amazed that everything that happens to us now has a purpose. Did you ever ask your self why in one of the temptations of Jesus the devil offered Him the bounty and wealth of the world? The devil offered Jesus the world in exchange for the latter to venerate the former. It clearly tells us that the world is owned by the devil and everything here is bedeviled. You think of easier alternatives to "alleviate" poverty because you don't know the term sacrifice. YOU BROOD OF VIPERS!! SONS OF BEELZEBUB!!!

Name: David Marks
City/State/Country: Keighley, UK
IP Address: 92.238.230.56

Comments

Well written article and very succinct. It is long overdue for the Catholic Church to be dragged into the 21st century. Over population, poverty, mal nutrition are not what Our Lord wants for his children. The Catholic Church, one of the richest organisations in the world, should be setting an example by helping those downtrodden people, not telling them to ignore contraception. The R.C.C. should stop being a religion of fear and get on with helping people, not encouraging them to get into situations that they cannot sustain, by having children they cannot afford or feed or cloth properly, let alone live in decent accommodation. So Butt Out Catholic Church unless you can be constructive, start practising real Christianity.

Name: TRex
City/State/Country: USA
IP Address: 24.7.156.227

Comments

I am a Roman Catholic but God also gave me my own mind to think for myself. I have questioned some church practices and have totally ignored the ones I don't agree with. I don't go around looking to belong to another religion as these organizations also have flaws. You just have to realize what it is that makes your family's life happy and well-provided in a responsible way.

Name: Gimme Inay
City/State/Country: Tutok kay Gemini
IP Address: 64.40.183.70

Comments

Editorial..."The church can coerce both the powerful as well as the downtrodden to blindly follow its pronouncements ...." That is only because the "Blind faith believers" accede to such coercion and even defend it!! Many ( i.e., Catholic church faithful) makes no distinction or has difficulty recognizing the difference between their "faith" in Christ (as personification of God) and their "faith" in the church (as a religious institution).

Name: Gimme Inay
City/State/Country: Tutok kay LPiF
IP Address: 64.40.183.70

Comments

Editorial sez : "Ask for specific answers and a priest will reply with their typical non-answer: if you pray really hard, Jesus might give you an answer!" Touche!!! The Catholic Church is a remnant of the old world whose present form is a carryover from its heyday of the ignorant middle ages! Despite of the Catholic Reformation and the Great Schism---the Catholic Church appears to have gotten stuck in first gear and became irrelevant to the present time. In the Philippines, the Catholic Church appears to be in reverse gear where the bishops and other prelates (i.e. CBCP) still believe that they should hold sway in how society should be governed!!

Name: Phil Researcher
City/State/Country: LA County, Ca USA
IP Address: 96.247.127.252

Comments

Re: Human beings and animals--God gave us our brain to use in determining what is best for us..Now if your financial circumstance is that you can only afford to raise 1 or 2 children, then use what is available to limit the number of people you have to feed. When H Ross Perot an innovator himself and a great entrepreneur was asked about birth control his answer was very simple: "We are not rabbits"..We have our brain to guide us to determine what is best for our families.

Name: Dragonslayer
City/State/Country: Kingsbridge
IP Address: 74.254.86.66

Comments

At the end of the day, however, it doesn't matter anymore whomever the culprits are. The country's dismal conditions have far-reaching effects on everyone; no one gets untouched by lawlessness, wayward living, hunger, pain, and countless deprivations of the human condition. We all need each other; there is no real truth in the terms we proclaim, for example, as separations between church and state, social classes, neighbors, and even between men and women. Let's all keep in mind that separation, whether permanent or temporary, is the most dreaded fear that robs the human spirit of its vibrant life. Let's put contention aside and put love and care once again where they used to be.

Name: Gimme Inay
City/State/Country: Nakatutuk kay Gemini
IP Address: 64.40.183.70

Comments

G. Villanueva posted - "It is for that reason that while I maintain the tradition in so far as faith is concerned I am not all gung ho about anything the church is advocating. " I doff my hat to you! You distinguished and separated that divide between personal faith and institutional religion. There are so many Filipinos having difficulties in recognizing the difference between the two.

Name: WDC
City/State/Country: California
IP Address: 75.38.72.116

Comments

Crooked mentality and that we Filipinos are! It is up to the individual how he/she wants his/her life and if he/she wants to follow the Catholic Doctrines, then that's his/her choice. Get-up and work your a*s-off, don't just whine there.

Name: tonyo
City/State/Country: pinas
IP Address: 111.68.59.97

Comments

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s bias against contraceptives is personal rather based on political will. He was a love child. Had his parents decided to use contraceptives, he would not have been born at all. LINK

Name: ASSTIG AKHO
City/State/Country: EMPIRE STATE
IP Address: 207.38.182.120

Comments

Marie: "Many Christians still at bottom look upon God as one of the most selfish, self-absorbed Beings in the universe, far more selfish than they could think it right to be themselves, —intent only upon His own honor and glory, looking out continually that His own rights are never trampled on; and so absorbed in thoughts of Himself and of His own righteousness, as to have no love or pity to spare for the poor sinners who have offended Him. --Hannah Whitall Smith " Please don't feel offended, it is only a thought and not personal.

Name: anthone
City/State/Country: austin,tx
IP Address: 99.190.130.41

Comments

Sa totoo ,hindi gaanong mabisa itong RH na pinaguusapan ngayon. Ang nakakainis lamang ay ang gustong gampanan ng simbahan, wika nga, pumapapel! Kita naman ng lahat na kaunti ang ginagampanan nila sa tunay na takbo ng buhay. Masasabi nating 'ganid' ang mga amang sobra ang daming anak. Bakit? Pag pinakalat niya sa lansangan ang mga ito, malaki ang pag-asang marami rin ang 'delihensiang' uwi, nakaw man o hinggi.

Name: HMS
City/State/Country: New York, NY
IP Address: 67.241.96.149

Comments

Sotto? The comedian? He's so dumb he doesn't even know what and how to plagiarize without getting caught. For the life of me I cannot understand how a pretentious, unqualified comedian like this could be elected Senator! Now he is showing his irresponsibility be taking the side of the friars. He is trying to clinch their support. PINOYS, Put Sotto on the list! He should never be elected! He is so harmful to the country. I can't believe this guy is a Senator. My, the country has really gone way, way down in quality.

Name: Marie
City/State/Country: Batangas
IP Address: 213.33.14.178

Comments

To all Catholic bashers, You may go to your nearest church and tell the priest that you hate to donate, you hate to be buried in a Catholic cemetery and hate their blessings - may sign an agreement!. For those who acknowledge the church that Jesus/Peter had established, May God pour all His blessings to you all and to your family!

Name: JRH
City/State/Country: Montreal, Canada
IP Address: 70.82.62.71

Comments

It's about time that the church either put up or shut up. While watching a GMA News Report who presented a family of 11 in MM who eat 1 bowl of soup (Ramen) with P20 of cooked rice divided equally among themselves at the end of the day. Remember, no breakfast & no lunch, no veggies, no fruits, & no treats (sweets or panghimagas). This is one of the lucky days but sometimes the parents don't earn anything. What happens then? As usual..no dinner & they will sleep hungry. Have we heard the catholic church offering any food program or soup kitchen anywhere in the Phils. Against the RH Bill? It's a simple question.

Name: GFJ...
City/State/Country: Hercules
IP Address: 67.188.19.40

Comments

A truth that cannot be denied is posted here. flood after flood, year after year, throughout its hundreds of years occupation of the islands, since Magellan, the Roman catholic churches have never opened their doors to flood victims and evacuees, not even for a moment, till the floods subsided.

Name: ASSTIG AKHO
City/State/Country: EMPIRE STATE
IP Address: 207.38.182.120

Comments

Headline " Embattled Philippine Bishops against the United Nations, the Gov’t, Professors, Other Churches, and their Own Parishioners." Now the CBCP has disturbed the hornet's nest. Too many enemies for a small army of thinning ranks. It's about time for the CBCP to back off or to double down. It is a losing fight. It is not a win win situation CBCP likes to think!

Name: Jorge Villanueva
City/State/Country: Canada
IP Address: 142.162.138.112

Comments

I am not sure if the catholic church is aware or perhaps they are deliberately turning a blind eye to the reality that overpopulation dissipates or hampers economic progress. A lot of catholic countries or countries whose population are predominantly Catholics (e.g., Latin America ) are experiencing economic stagnation but the church remained adamant on reconsidering their stand. On the other hand, progressive countries in Europe and North America have fully solved ths problem, decades ago, in fact the ratio have gone into reverse- in some areas there are more deaths than births. It doesn't need a rocket scientist to know that the more mouths to feed the more money you need.

Name: Larry de Lorenzo
City/State/Country: Virginia Beach VA.
IP Address: 98.183.196.114

Comments

I was born catholic, educated in catholic institutions both in the Philippines and the United States. The Catholic Church must stop dictating how to run the government in the Philippines; most of the country in the world doesn’t mix the government and religion and they are prosperous. The catholic religion band contraception but if you analyze the institutions, all the priest, monsignors, bishops, cardinals and the pope band their reproductive organs to reproduce and they want to repel the Reproductive Healthcare (RH) Bill of the Philippines? They are exercising the law already before it even passed, and that is why Catholic religion is so rich because they do not have children to feed. I rest my case.

Name: Gimme Inay
City/State/Country: Nakatutok kay LPiF
IP Address: 64.40.183.70

Comments

Editorial quote: " For close to five centuries the Catholic Church in the Philippines has had near-total authority over the lives of the hapless Filipinos without any need to answer to anyone but themselves. " THIS is what JOSE RIZAL died for in exposing the SOCIAL CANCER!! But many fanatical Filipinos are so "brainwashed" by fire and brimstone rhetoric that like many "Marie"- can't distinguish anymore the difference between God and the business of the Catholic Church!

Name: HMS
City/State/Country: New York, NY
IP Address: 67.241.96.149

Comments

MARIE mentioned Jesus and Peter in establishing the Church. Assuming it's true, the question is: How did it become the biggest, wealthiest, most successful corporation in the world? It owns stocks in the biggest companies worldwide. It's so overflowing with money that it has it's own City - the Vatican. Whatever it does, more money is generated. Did Jesus and Peter intend to be business moguls like Donald Trump? Go to the Vatican and see its full glory and grandeur. Go to the Sistine Chapel and see all the things they own. Then ask yourself, where did they get all the money to acquire all these? In the midst of all this untold wealth how can they claim they even think of the poor. They live in palaces so far removed from the miserable, filthy slums!

Name: Lilian
City/State/Country: Brisbane City
IP Address: 132.234.251.230

Comments

God provides wisdom to those who manage the country, trusting them to do the right thing by the people. So, if we have a church or politicians who support overpopulation, those authorities are no longer aligning their thinking with what God wants His people to experience; i.e. to have a prosperous, happy and fulfilling life through implementation of wise policies and guidelines. Think about it, the product of decisions coming from true wisdom benefits everyone freeing them from hunger and providing equal access to basic necessities in life such as education, shelter and health.

Name: GFJ...
City/State/Country: Hercules
IP Address: 67.188.19.40

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The Roman catholic church is going after 160 Ateneo professors who support the RH bill, calling them heretics. It's the inquisition come alive in the 21st century..> LINK It's the Catolico Romano version of DEATH TO THE INFIDELS.

Name: Pilipino from NZ
City/State/Country: Wellington
IP Address: 218.101.54.38

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I think the Catholic Chuch/CBCP are being hypocritical. Don't they already know that millions of Catholics in the Philippines are already using contraception? If the church will ex-communicate and expel these masses from the church -- they effectively lose a huge income source. If they so believe in what they preach, how come they seem to be condone this practice among their parishioners? Followers of the catholic church are fooling themselves by continually supporting a religion/system that obviously, that at the end of the day, is only after their money. It doesn't take an Einstein to see the Catholic Church is just pure business exploiting gullible members. What do you think Jesus would do to this church and its leaders?

Name: ASSTIG AKHO
City/State/Country: EMPRE STATE
IP Address: 207.38.182.120

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If it is true that the Church is going after Ateneo's faculty members for favoring RH Bill, it is REVIVING the medieval inquisition of the 12th century, the Spanish inquisition of the 15th century or the Roman inquisition of the 16th century. The Church through the CBCP is going after these Ateneo professors whom they consider as "heretics." and they (bishops) are bringing back to life inquisition into the 21st century. Their actions are a violation of human rights and academic freedom guaranteed by the constitution.

Name: HMS
City/State/Country: New York, NY
IP Address: 67.241.96.149

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HERESY says Bishop. What the heck is that? And so what? What will they do? Burn the teachers at the stake? This just goes to show how backward this religion is. They are still trying to bully the masses in this day and age. So bring it on Bishop! Let's talk about how many millions were murdered in the Inquisition, all because of invented offenses like Heresy, Sacrilege, Blasphemy, and of course, the laughable "mortal sin". Now Pinoys will know that there was an Inquisition HOLOCAUST too, just like the Nazis and Khmer Rouge. This may well be the start of The Revolt of the Innocents.

Name: Gimme Inay
City/State/Country: Nakatutuk kay LPiF
IP Address: 64.40.183.70

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Editorial - "And for a small donation, a priest will even say a special prayer for you. But that is about all you can expect from the Catholic Church. Ask for specific answers and a priest will reply with their typical non-answer: if you pray really hard, Jesus might give you an answer!" Just exactly like the booga booga practice of the Delphic priestess interpreting the oracles spoken by the Pythia-in-trance. The interpretation is really nonsense becx it is so vague and can apply every which way-- but for a really big "donation" it will be delivered in nice hexameter verses!! Dominus voviscum /et cum espiritu tou-- amen! The practice of having incense during the mass has its basis putting the priest in trance-- like sniffing glue.

Name: GFJ...
City/State/Country: Hercules
IP Address: 67.188.19.40

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Religious head of Ateneo university pacifies CBCP on RH bill. 159 or 160 academic professors stand on their constitutional freedoms, amongst them, freedom of expression/freedom of the press/right of suffrage. Not even the church full of idol.., church of Baal, the Roman Catholic church, can coerce their constitutional stand on RH bill. To do so, would be dictatorial challenge; telling the professors that their allegiance must be to the imperialistic Roman Catholic church, and not to the government of the Philippines or its constitution.

Name: ASSTIG AKHO
City/State/Country: EMPIRE STATE
IP Address: 207.38.182.120

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Gimme Inay: You are correct. If Rizal was critical of Spanish friars and the power of the Catholic Church, so are we in the 21st century. We harbor so much hate towards some priests molesting young boys and detest a tax-free church's meddling in politics. We must draw a clear line between religion and politics and between religion and science. I could keep my religious faith without the help of those activists bishops of CBCP. I do not want to be influenced or led by them! TOO RISKY TO BET. Sorry Marie.

Name: Anonymous
City/State/Country: Anonymous
IP Address: 121.1.11.71

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I agree 100%. Let's pass the RH Bill!

Name: GFJ...
City/State/Country: Hercules
IP Address: 67.188.19.40

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On the RH bill, the CBCP has put the church of Baal, the Roman Catholic church of the Philippines, its people, at odds against the constitutionally elected government and the constitution of the Philippines. By warning retribution against those who vote for RH bill with dire consequences, it is telling the Filipino people, "Choose who you pay allegiance to.., The Roman Catholic church or the Philippine government?" TREASON!

Name: Jorge Villanueva
City/State/Country: Canada
IP Address: 142.162.215.1

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Regardless of how they feel personally, the officials of the Catholic Church have to tow the line and follow the dictate of the Vatican. The Vatican will never change its stand. It's the Filipino people and their representatives in the government who will have to make their decision based on their understanding of the seriousness of the problem and the absolute necessity of the RH bill.

Name: Gabriela
City/State/Country: USA
IP Address: 72.223.3.17

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Don't blame the religion! Obviously, the people are not living their faith. How come Catholics in other nations prosper? The root cause of the problem is "corruption".

Name: Dragonslayer
City/State/Country: Kingsbridge
IP Address: 74.254.86.66

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What will it take to show maturity and growth in character? Neither the Government nor the Church have anything to do with my choice of action when it comes to doing what is right. No one has a say in my marital practices, the size of my family, and the way I want to raise my children. I never blame anyone for my own mistakes nor do I think I owe anyone for the good things that come into my life. The state has its fault, maybe more than any other overseer in our country, that we don't want to talk about. It's because we are all willing partakers in the kind of society as we know it.

Name: Johnny Lopez
City/State/Country: Laguna
IP Address: 69.176.162.172

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The Roman Catholic Church has made itself irrelevant in our modern times. It is a far cry from the Church which Jesus Christ founded in Jerusalem in 33 AD. While Christ lived humbly and shunned wealth, the leaders of the RCC dress in flashy garments and run the RCC less of a compassionate religion but more as a big tax-exempt business conglomerate which is now the richest in the world. On the issue of birth control in PH, let us not for a moment expect the bishops to change their stand on the RH Bill; it's loyalty is with the Vatican, not with the Filipino people. It's time for our lawmakers oppose to the Bill to put some common sense into their empty heads and pass this urgently needed piece of legislation to slow down our unsustainable population growth.

Name: Jorge Villanueva
City/State/Country: Canada
IP Address: 142.162.136.225

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I think I have said enough about the RH bill issue. Suffice to say, that in my last statement everything now depends on the representatives of the Filipinos to act based on their conscience and their understanding of the problem. Now I am interested to congratulate the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the first woman to hold the highest judiciary position. She seemed to have a great trustworthy credential with a promise to change the very essence of the judicial atmosphere.

Name: HMS
City/State/Country: New York, NY
IP Address: 67.241.96.149

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To Deo: If the purpose of the Church is just to spread the Gospel, the same question stands. How did it acquire the fabulous wealth that is so ostensibly displayed in their city, the Vatican and in their great churches all over the world? And does the Gospel they are spreading preclude helping the poor? In the first place there are 36 known gospels. Yet they only acknowledge and propagate four. Why? Do these gospels they are spreading entitle them to interfere with the business of governing a country? The Church had come a long way from Jesus and Peter to the high handed Bishop of today. Why can't they just stick with spreading the gospel. Oh yea, they are also supposed to be "saving souls", aren't they? "Save" from what?

Name: Marie
City/State/Country: Batangas
IP Address: 194.24.138.51

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Contradicting, slandering our Pope and the Church, is like doing it to Jesus for He is the Founder. Thanks God that some in this forum knows the value of the Church and for giving a much clearer and good explanation to some anti Christ. God bless us.

Name: Marie
City/State/Country: Batangas
IP Address: 194.24.158.4

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Some sects/religion don't believe in saints but what they read in the bible were written by saints and even believed that the Bible is the only source of faith?. Huh funny! That's why if born catholic don't just say you're catholic. Learn Cath. Catechism to be in right path.