The pending RH bill in Congress has generated heated debates among those in favor and those not in favor of the measure. Basically, the bill addresses the management of the very rapid rate of population increase in the country by mandating the government to provide information and informed choices to those who want to plan the size of their families but do not know their options or do not have the means to do so. The poorest and semi-educated segment of the population would be given assistance, whether they will choose the natural or the artificial means of family planning. If artificial birth control is their choice, they would be provided condoms,contraceptives and medical procedures to make this happen. Most of these people really want to limit the number of their children in order to manage their lives better. Many of them have produced unplanned offspring due to ignorance,the absence of self-discipline and financial means for birth control, and plain apathy to their situation.
I am in favor of the RH bill because its intention is laudable, its mechanics are logical and its vision anticipates the problems of the future. The Catholic Church in the country and its adherents disfavor the bill mainly because of its provision on the sanctioning and practical support of artificial means of birth control, which is without exception contrary to Catholic doctrine.
In my view, those in favor and not in favor of the RH bill have overstated their cases and overstepped their bounds due to the sharp difference in their perception of what is moral and what is needed by the country and its people at this point.
The Catholic Church insists that the bill’s promotion of the use of contraceptives is equivalent to tolerating abortion, which cannot be because abortion is illegal. According to church supporters, the bill’s advocacy for condom use will lead to a rise in premarital sex, which is not accurate because condoms are readily available and engaging in whatever means of birth control depends on a person’s core values.
On the other hand, RH bill advocates have stated that the Church’s teachings are outdated and unworkable in real life, but the Church only preaches what is dictated by Catholic dogma. Some of these advocates’ indiscriminate distribution of free condoms, while emphasizing their cause, are overdoing it to the point of appearing offensive.
The Church is a monarchical type of organization with a leader who makes the laws and followers who are expected to obey them. It has lasted for many centuries precisely because of the immutability of its laws, and when its leaders speak on matters of the faith, they are infallible. The rule of the majority does not prevail here.
Members of the church who disagree with its doctrine should simply leave the entity altogether because criticizing it from within is futile. Being a Catholic entails obedience to Christian doctrine and certain sacrifices for its members and is basically a take it or leave it proposition. One cannot have the privileges of receiving the sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony or of having a place to turn to in times of distress from the Church and at the same antagonize it on its basic teaching on the immorality of artificial birth control.
A Catholic who sincerely thinks that the RH bill is right should have the courage to leave his/her faith because disagreement with Catholic doctrine does not translate to being immoral or having no moral standard. The person should nevertheless respect the Church on its position. On the other hand, the Church should also welcome such a development because it will give them the opportunity to know those who embrace the faith fully and those who only accept it partially. In the same token however, the Church should also respect the position of the person who leaves.
The opposing groups on the RH bill issue should observe mutual tolerance and respect and live in peaceful and productive co-existence.
No comments:
Post a Comment