Living in the Midst of Various Faiths and Ethics

LIVING IN THE MIDST OF VARIOUS FAITHS AND ETHICS

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Personally, I believe that there can be harmony in diversity for as long as the relationship is founded on tolerance, understanding and compassion. One manifestation of this harmony is the celebration of Christmas even by non-Christians, and I have observed this in the Islamic Center in Quiapo (Manila) where many Muslim homes display Christmas tree during December. When I was in high school, many non-Christians students were proudly sporting the school uniform of our parochial Catholic school.

 

Tolerance begets respect and understanding. Such attitude is devoid of selfishness and egoism. A feeling of superiority is also not harbored in the heart. With tolerance, members of the community do not pay attention to which church their neighbors go on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Respect, though, should be shown to the utmost, especially, on the aspect of diet, so that in a culturally and religiously diversified community, restaurant owners take the pain of gluing on conspicuous space of the wall a notice about their food being “halal”.

 

A former classmate based in our province intoned during our cellphone conversation about his having a “personal God” which he claims does not drive him away from the faith of his birth. It is just that, by maintaining this kind of belief, he can be more tolerant about others’ faith. It is like saying, “leave me alone with my God and I will leave you with yours”. According to him, what spoils religions and sects is their being “institutionalized” which makes each of them competitive, as they vie for expanded membership. Along that line, it cannot be avoided that religions and sects would be compared with each other, so that prospective members can “choose” which is “better” or “best”…..and that is when trouble develops. An unsolicited advice is for these groups not to be too loud about their faith and just show their best “angle” by being tolerant and being nice to others.

 

On the other hand, if the government is not too conscious of the issue on separation between the State and the Church, somehow, there will be harmony. It is true that it is provided in the Law of the Land, the Constitution, but why not give a chance to the “unwritten rules” dictated by the heart and common sense?  For instance, as the various religious communities have more viability as regards morality which goes with spirituality, their strength can prop up the effort of the government in building up the welfare of the Filipino youth.

 

As regards the youth, there are many “homes” administered by the religious groups and most of them are in dire need of financial and material support. Meanwhile, the social workers who work in the government facilities are limited on what they learned from books. If molding of the youth is the issue, there is a need to inject a spiritual element in this effort and the lay social workers cannot do that, but only the religious people. The youth cannot be considered successfully developed if their spiritual foundation which has got to do with morality is weak and crumbling that may eventually result to their becoming disgraceful citizens of the nation.

 

There was a time when the miserable situation of the young detainees in a local government rehabilitation facility was exposed. Such disclosure was underscored by the misuse of budget as it was found out that the detainees were not fed properly. In this regard, lay administrators do not give a damn if they are found to be irresponsible as they have ways to avoid prosecution of the earthly court. On the other hand, the religious people may think twice before misbehaving as part of their guidance is about suffering in hell if they exploit their fellow creatures!

Tolerance should be Respected

Tolerance should be respected

By Apolinario Villalobos

There is nothing wrong with tolerance which even the people’s pope, Francis is practicing. It is important however, that we should recognize and respect such. It should be noted that our rights end where the rights of others begin. Tolerating the ways of others should not mean that they are given the right to go beyond the line beyond which others dwell on their own rights.

In this regard, it is important that religions should be tolerated and respected – not abused and ridiculed. The latest bombing of Charlie Hebdon in France is a clear manifestation of how some people can have the temerity to ridicule other people’s religion, this time, Islam. The bombed group even has the gall to justify their act by mentioning that the new pope had his share of ridicule, but the latter did not react. How can these people forget that human beings differ in their degree of tolerance?  …or better, people belonging to different races differ in character from each other? Why can’t these French just ridicule their fellow French, for fun?

Most importantly, religion is such a sensitive issue deserving utmost respect. Its spirituality deserves the highest degree of esteem, as it deals with a person’s total being – his life and relationship with his Creator. And, nobody has the right to question such faith.

The Islamic State issue is more than annoying enough that it even disheartens some Muslims who go against the violent ways of the said movement. Comparing faiths at this time is uncalled for and can just worsen the heating up friction between the Christian and Islamic faiths. Groups of so-called “concerned intelligentsia” are nothing but hypocrites who cannot even discern the simple meaning of the “Golden Rule”.

Finally, the best act that one can do if he desires to go beyond boundaries of differences is by simply extending a hand beyond them for the sole purpose of helping.

Imperfection, Tolerance, and Peace

Imperfection, Tolerance, and Peace
By Apolinario Villalobos

Nothing on earth is perfect. That is the reason why nobody has the right to say that his or her religion or family or child, decision, etc. is perfect. Not even identical twins are perfectly identical. Religion which is invented by man is not perfect or rather, the perfect way towards eternal Bliss. Religions do not teach perfect philosophies or way of life. Some people behind religions use fraudulent tactics in their conversion efforts. Some churches regardless of faith have been questioned since the early times on the issue of corruption. But this does not mean that religion is totally bad. Somehow, as it is supposed to teach virtues, there is still righteousness in it.

Since nobody and nothing else, for that matter, on earth is perfect, it is necessary that we should be tolerant to one another, especially, on the issue of faith. Let us avoid criticizing others, instead, we should manifest goodness in our action to the humanly best we can and hope that others will emulate us. If we fail to understand imperfection, as well as, practice tolerance of differences that prevail among us, there will never be peace, as each one will always try to prove that he is the best.

If communist countries will not tolerate the democratic system of their neighboring countries, expect clash of ideologies and eventually, war, which already happened in the past, and may erupt again soon. If Islamic advocates will not tolerate the evangelizing efforts of Christians who visit homes to share the Good News in a Muslim community, expect prosecutions that will result to hatred.

On the other hand, there is always the choice between good and better, and the final choice between better and best. But, it does not mean that what comes out as the best is already perfect. One who thinks this way, must be standing on the pedestal of pride!

What Jesus Taught…and what man advocates

What Jesus Taught
…and what man advocates
By Apolinario Villalobos

Jesus taught charity, but man advocates selfishness
Jesus taught love, but man advocates hatred
Jesus taught compassion, but man advocates indifference
Jesus taught mercy, but man advocates cruelty
Jesus taught tolerance, but man advocates aggressiveness
Jesus taught piety, but man advocates wickedness
Jesus taught kindness, but man advocates thoughtlessness
Jesus taught humility, but man advocates arrogance

Unless man frees himself from the shackle of pride
Till death, to righteousness, he will be blind
And, limitless desire for worldly comfort
Will be in his heart, for all its worth!

Tolerance should have limitations…that must be respected

Tolerance should have limitations

…that must be respected

By Apolinario Villalobos

There is nothing wrong with tolerance which even the people’s pope, Francis is practicing. It is important however, that we should recognize and respect its limitations or boundaries. We should always remember that our rights end where the rights of others begin. Tolerating the ways of others should not mean that they can go beyond the line beyond which others dwell on their own kind of rights.

It is important that religions should be tolerated and respected – not abused and ridiculed. The latest bombing of Charlie Hebdon in France is a clear manifestation of how some people can have the temerity to ridicule other people’s religion, this time, Islam. The bombed group even has the gall to justify their act by mentioning that the new pope had his share of ridicule, but the latter did not react. How can these people forget that human beings differ in degrees of tolerance? …or better, peoples belonging to different races differ from each other? Why can’t these French just ridicule their fellow French, for fun?

Most importantly, religion is such a sensitive issue deserving utmost respect. Its spirituality deserves the highest degree of esteem, as it deals with a person’s total being – his life and relationship to his Creator. And, nobody has the right to question such faith.

The Islamic State issue is more than annoying enough that it even disheartens some Muslims who go against the violent ways of the said movement. Comparing faiths at this time is uncalled for and can just worsen the heating up friction between the Christian and Islamic faiths. Groups of so-called “concerned intelligentsia” are nothing but hypocrites who cannot even discern the simple meaning of the “Golden Rule”.

Finally, the best act that one can do if he desires to go beyond boundaries of differences is by simply extending a hand beyond them for the sole purpose of helping.

Ang Pagiging Tahimik at Mapagpaubaya Bilang Mga Lakas ng Pagkatao

Ang Pagiging Tahimik at Mapagpaubaya

Bilang Mga Lakas ng Pagkatao

(tungkol ito kay Dominador Barnachea)

ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang pagiging tahimik at mapagpaubaya ay mahirap gawin, lalo na sa mundong ginagalawan natin mula pa man noong unang panahon na ang pangkalahatang kalakaran ay “matira ang matibay”. Ngayon ay may mga bagong kalakaran, ang “pakapalan ng apog” at “patapangan ng hiya”. Ang mga ito ay angkop na angkop sa mga opisyal ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas.

Subali’t may mga taong likas nang tahimik talaga dahil lumaki sa tahanang ganito ang patakaran, at ang kakambal ay ang pagiging mapagpaubaya, na ang resulta bandang huli, ay ang pagiging mapagpakumbaba. Ganyan ang ugali ng isa kong kaklase na ang bahagi ng buhay tungkol sa pagsikap niyang makaahon sa hirap ay naisulat ko na…si Dominador “Ming” Banachea.

Ang uri ng buhay ni Ming ay nararapat na ibahagi sa iba na maaaring hindi nakakaalam na mayroon din pala silang ganitong ugali. Kung baga, ang layunin ng pagsisiwalat na ito ay upang magamit magkaroon sila ng salamin, at bandang huli ay masabi nila na, “ginagawa ko rin pala, ang ginagawa niya”.

High school pa lang kami ay nakitaan na siya ng ugaling tahimik, nasa tabi lang, nagbabasa ng mga leksyon at gumagawa ng homework. Likas sa high school ang pagiging matuksuhin ng mga estudyante, kaya madalas ang away. Ako mismo ay nakadanas na makipag-away dahil sa panunukso sa akin, kaya gumaganti ako. May classmate kami noon na ang apelyido ay nakatuwaang i-conjugate sa Spanish ng isa pa naming classmate, kaya walang kaabug-abog na ang napikon ay sumugod sa salbaheng lumapastangan sa kanyang apelyido at sinapok ito sa harap ng aming teacher! Subalit si Ming, ni minsan ay hindi ko nakitang kumibo kahit siya ay may share din ng tukso.

Dahil sa kanyang pagiging tahimik, hindi tuloy nabigyan ng mga titser namin ng mga pagkakataon na maisali sa mga extra- curricular activities kaya ang inaasahan naming mataas na karangalang matatanggap niya pagdating ng graduation ay hindi natupad. Ganoon pa man, kasama pa rin siya sa top five.

Hanggang sa siya ay magkolehiyo pagkatapos niyang mamahinga ng dalawang taon pagka-graduate sa high school dahil sa kawalan ng pantustos, ang ugali niyang pagiging tahimik at mapagpaubaya ay dala niya. Subalit dahil nakitaan siya ng galing at talino ng unibersidad na pinasukan niya, nagkaroon siya ng partial scholarship at nabigyan ng trabaho na apat na oras at may katumbas na allowance na Php120 isang buwan. Ang allowance na ito ang nagamit niya sa mga pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan, hanggang siya ay makatapos ng kursong accountancy at tuluyang makapasa sa board at maging Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Nagkaroon ng ibang kulay ang buhay niya nang sinunod niya ang payo ng isang kaibigan na sumali sa Toastmasters’ International, isang asosasyon na nagsasanay ng mga kasapi upang magkaroon ng tiwala sa sariling magsalita sa harap ng mga tao. Kahit palangiti na siya noon pa man, lalo niya itong “pinatingkad”, tuwing siya ay magkaroon ng pagkakataong magsalita sa mga okasyon. Sa kabila ng lahat, ang pagiging tahimik ay umiiral pa rin sa kanyang pagkatao, lalo na ang pagiging mapagpaubaya sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Hindi niya ipinipilit ang kanyang sarili sa mga pagkakataong alam niyang makakatulong siya sa iba kung siya ay magpaubaya na lamang. Mahirap gawin ito dahil ang tao ay likas na lumalaban kung ang nakataya ay pansariling kapakanan.

Dahil sa mga pagbabago sa kanyang buhay, nakapasok siya sa isang kumpanya kung saan ay nakatanggap siya ng malaking sahod at siya niyang ginamit na sangkalan upang lalo pang umangat ang kanyang buhay, hanggang siya ay matanggap ng isang kumpanya sa ibang bansa. Napatunayan ni Ming na totoo ang kasabihang: ang malalim na ilog ay tahimik habang umaagos nito.

Hindi lahat ng tao ay nakakaunawa na ang pag-iingay ng iba ay isang karapatan dahil kaya naman nilang patunayan ang kanilang kakayahan. Para sa ilan, kahit kayang patunayan ng isang taong maingay ang kakayahan niya, iiral pa rin sa paningin ang kayabangan. Kaya ang pinakamagandang gawin ay ipakita ang kakayahan sa gawa, hindi sa salita, at hayaang ang nakakakita ang maghusga. At ang pinakamahalaga, Diyos ang nagbigay sa atin ng mga kakayahan, at hindi Siya bulag para hindi makita kung ang ibinigay Niya ay ginagamit natin sa tamang paraan…hindi na kailangan pang mag-ingay at magyabang.

Sa isang banda, ang likas na ugali ng taong ayaw magpakumbaba dahil hindi niya nakasanayang magpaubaya, na lalong pinaigting pa ng pagiging masalita ay isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit magulo ang mundo. Karamihan ng mga tao sa mundo ay ayaw magpaubaya dahil para sa kanila, ito ay pagpapakita ng karuwagan at pagkatalo. Ito ang mga taong ayaw magpalamang, kahit ang ipinaglalaban nila ay hindi rin naman mabuti, kaya ang nangyayari ay nagpapakitaan sila ng masamang ugali o sa salitang kalye ay nagpapataasan ng ihi…nagtatapatan ng kasamaan.

Ito ang nangyayari sa bansang Pilipinas. Dahil may nag-umpisang mangurakot sa kaban ng bayan, pagdidiin ng iba, “siya lang ba?”, kaya sila ay nangurakot din. Ang kawawang Pilipino ay naiwang nakanganga dahil sa mga taong ayaw magpatalo sa kapwa kurakot, kaya nakikurakot din ng pinaghirapang pondo na nakalagak sa kaban ng bayan….animo mga buwitre na nagpapaligsahan sa paglapa ng katawan ng biktimang naghihingalo!