“But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (1 Corinthians 7:4-6, New International Version)
Whether or not the Reproductive Health Bill will be passed into law, and even if no such bill is proposed, we should be guided by this Bible admonition. The rejection by the Catholic Church of the RH Bill leaves no other alternatives to family planning except the use of the so-called “natural” or “rhythm method” which, in fact, is unnatural because it is done by abstaining from sexual intercourse during the woman’s fertile periods. This goes against the normal sexual urge, which is at peak during fertile periods and such time of abstinence, and is therefore ineffective as a means of birth control. When abstinence is forced, it further leads to infidelity and promiscuity of either spouse, since the deprivation, for lack of self-control, “burns,” seeking release of the burning passion in the bosom of a third party, where adultery begins. God knows the weakness of the flesh, that is why Paul the Apostle advised every husband and wife, thus: “Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (Ibid.) The “natural” or “rhythm method” of birth control fostered by those against the RH Bill goes against this principle written in the Holy Scriptures.
To contend that RH Bill is part of U.S. manipulation of our legal system to push the U.S. agenda of controlling Philippine population thereby preventing the dwindling of Philippine natural resources to provide Americans a steady supply of raw materials and resources for their consumption is to insist that Filipinos are mindless, unthinking, weak, without self-will and sovereignty, and are without control of its own destiny as a people. If it is true that RH Bill is just a means to serve American objectives, and is against the doctrine of the Vatican, why do anti-RH Bill camps also agree that family planning is a must, and natural methods are acceptable, and yet will not agree that controlling the population is necessary? How can family planning be achieved without curbing the population growth? If we are going to let population explosion go unchecked and unmanaged, how can the government provide its basic services to an unlimited number of citizens in a country with limited resources?
The RH Bill is not against life. It is pro-life. If there are loopholes in it, can’t we make amendments to improve it to our own benefit, without fostering the vested interests of foreign entities? Of course we can. Those mathematicians of by-gone centuries who tried to square the circle using only compass and straightedge were fooled by illusions and false hopes. Now we know that squaring the circle is an impossible construction to make. Today, a different kind of illusion, seeming to offer solution to an alarming and urgent national problem, is deceiving the eyes of many. A different kind of false hope-- that we can control the population by mere natural methods without the intervention of government programs and initiatives—is being proliferated by those taking their stand against this proposed RH law.
When God instructed the first couple on earth, Adam and Eve, to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, He was quick in adding to His instruction that mankind “…subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). How can mankind obey this commandment--to subdue or bring the earth under control--if we cannot even bring the population under control? And how can we control the population if we rely on ineffective means?
Let us analyze the problem carefully, let us be objective in looking for the solution, and if we find that RH Bill is anti-Filipinos, let’s modify it. But it addresses a pressing need of the nation.
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