Sounding Board My stand on the RH Bill By:Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas S. J.

Philippine Daily Inquirer 1:49 am | Monday, May 23rd, 2011 I HAVE been following the debates on the RH Bill not just in the recent House sessions but practically since its start. In the process, because of what I have said and written (where I have not joined the attack dogs against the RH Bill), I have been called a Judas by a high-ranking cleric, I am considered a heretic in a wealthy barangay where some members have urged that I should leave the Church (which is insane), and one of those who regularly hears my Mass in the Ateneo Chapel in Rockwell came to me disturbed by my position. I feel therefore that I owe some explanation to those who listen to me or read my writings. First, let me start by saying that I adhere to the teaching of the Church on artificial contraception even if I am aware that the teaching on the subject is not considered infallible doctrine by those who know more theology than I do. Moreover, I am still considered a Catholic and Jesuit in good standing by my superiors, critics notwithstanding! Second (very important for me as a student of the Constitution and of church-state relations), I am very much aware of the fact that we live in a pluralist society where various religious groups have differing beliefs about the morality of artificial contraception. But freedom of religion means more than just the freedom to believe. It also means the freedom to act or not to act according to what one believes. Hence, the state should not prevent people from practicing responsible parenthood according to their religious belief nor may churchmen compel President Aquino, by whatever means, to prevent people from acting according to their religious belief. As the Compendium on the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church says, Because of its historical and cultural ties to a nation, a religious community might be given special recognition on the part of the State. Such recognition must in no way create discrimination within the civil or social order for other religious groups and Those responsible for government are required to interpret the common good of their country not only according to the guidelines of the majority but also according to the effective good of all the members of the community, including the minority.

Third, I am dismayed by preachers telling parishioners that support for the RH Bill ipso facto is a serious sin or merits excommunication! I find this to be irresponsible. Fourth, I have never held that the RH Bill is perfect. But if we have to have an RH law, I intend to contribute to its improvement as much as I can. Because of this, I and a number of my colleagues have offered ways of improving it and specifying areas that can be the subject of intelligent discussion. (Yes, there are intelligent people in our country.) For that purpose we jointly prepared and I published in my column what we called talking points on the bill. Fifth, specifically I advocate removal of the provision on mandatory sexual education in public schools without the consent of parents. (I assume that those who send their children to Catholic schools accept the program of Catholic schools on the subject.) My reason for requiring the consent of parents is, among others, the constitutional provision which recognizes the sanctity of the human family and the natural and primary right of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character. (Article II, Section 12) Sixth, I am pleased that the bill reiterates the prohibition of abortion as an assault against the right to life. Abortifacient pills and devices, if there are any in the market, should be banned by the Food and Drug Administration. But whether or not there are such is a question of scientific fact of which I am no judge. Seventh, I hold that there already is abortion any time a fertilized ovum is expelled. The Constitution commands that the life of the unborn be protected from conception. For me this means that sacred life begins at fertilization and not at implantation. Eighth, it has already been pointed out that the obligation of employers with regard to the sexual and reproductive health of employees is already dealt with in the Labor Code. If the provision needs improvement or nuancing, let it be done through an examination of the Labor Code provision. Ninth, there are many valuable points in the bills Declaration of Policy and Guiding Principles which can serve the welfare of the nation and especially of poor women who cannot afford the cost of medical service. There are specific provisions which give substance to these good points. They should be saved. Tenth, I hold that public money may be spent for the promotion of reproductive health in ways that do not violate the Constitution. Public money is neither

Catholic, nor Protestant, nor Muslim or what have you and may be appropriated by Congress for the public good without violating the Constitution. Eleventh, I leave the debate on population control to sociologists. Finally, I am happy that the CBCP has disowned the self-destructive views of some clerics.
Why the RH Bill is bad: The Real Truth behind the Supposed Truth about the RH Bill
The RH Bill is wrong because it assumes that the Philippines is overpopulated. I agree. I, myself, have observed that the Philippine is NOT overpopulated. In fact, if you use your common sense and think about it, you will realize a few things: 1. We are not overpopulated! Look at the mountains, the jungles, the caves and the ocean floor. There are no people there! 2. If we were really overpopulated, we would have trouble travelling. But if you go to EDSA, theres no traffic. When you ride the MRT, its not packed with people. 3. Students in public schools are well educated because the teacher to student ratio is very low. In fact, because of our low population the government can basically guarantee that all public school students are provided books, notebooks and other school supplies.

The RH Bill is wrong because it assumes that contraceptives are good for mankind and women. 1. I agree, the RH Bill is not good for women because it might draw a woman away from her one, true, universal purpose the uninterrupted production of healthy babies. 2. Furthermore, the role of women in society and the universe is to make babies. Thats why God made women. Thats their sole purpose in life. Theyre not good for anything else. Ever wonder why there are no women in the clergy? Because theyre not good enough. 3. Contraceptives would allow women to enjoy the benefits of physical intimacy while maintaining a successful and productive career, if she so chooses. That is so wrong. Only men should be able to enjoy that privilege. 4. Women should get pregnant every single time they have sex and only immoral women enjoy sex without the possibility of conception. In fact, a better alternative would be for women, in

general, to follow the example made by Mother Mary to learn how to conceive without having sex.

The RH bill will put Filipinos at risk of extinction! 1. I agree. If we pass the RH bill, we will become extinct, like dinosaurs. The dinosaurs are all dead. If we dont want to be extinct, we should not pass the RH Bill. I mean, do you really want to be a dinosaur? 2. In my opinion, it wouldnt even be far-fetched to speculate that the most probable reason the dinosaurs became extinct was because they used contraceptives. 3. Population decline is just bad for nations. Just look at the countries which have a declining population Italy, Japan and Singapore. Theyre in such a bad shape. The Philippines obviously has a better economy and has a higher literacy rate than these countries. In fact, many Italians, Japanese, and Singaporeans go to the Philippines for work. That only goes to show that a decline in population is bad for the economy.

Our population is our biggest asset! 1. In my opinion, people should make as many babies as they can because the population is not a problem. In fact, the more babies a person has, the more assets he has. Forget real estate properties, stock investments, or Jollibee franchises. The real secret to increased wealth is babies. 2. If you have 15 babies, youre practically wealthy because babies are assets: 2.1 If you need money, you can sell them. 2.2 If you can keep them alive until they can walk, they can one day beg for money in the streets theyre going to have to anyway because theres no way in hell youll be able to provide for all of them on your own. 3. If ever a person is not able to feed the 15 babies he made, its the governments fault, because its the governments sole responsibility to make sure that every Filipino baby is fed. 4. The best way a person can contribute to his country is to contribute to its population.

The RH Bill is wrong because it assumes that reproductive education and contraceptives will effectively reduce cases of abortion.

1. Reproductive/contraceptive education will have no effect on the number of abortion cases. In my opinion, these abortion cases will not lessen because women will continue to have abortions regardless of whether they are pregnant or not. 2. Abortions cannot be prevented. Its just something that women naturally do. Like shopping, for example.

The RH Bill is wrong because it will make people participate in extra-marital and pre-marital sex. 1. By approving the RH Bill, we as a nation, are practically encouraging our people to engage in immoral activities. 2. We must protect our moral values and reject the RH Bill. Because, currently, not a single Filipino engages in pre-marital sex or extra-marital sex. As soon as this bill is approved, Filipino people will run the streets naked and start a national orgy! 3. The root cause of extra-marital and pre-marital sex is ones exposure to contraceptives. There is just something in contraceptives that people find very arousing. 4. In Western countries, men lure strange women into bed by showing them condoms. 5. If we ban condoms, absolutely no one would engage in pre-marital or extra-marital sex.

The RH Bill is wrong because it assumes that parents dont teach their children about sex. 1. The truth is that parents talk to their children about sex all the time. Its so not awkward. The dad usually tells his children how he takes off all his clothes, does a sexy Tiger growl and makes sweet, sweet music with their mothers body. 2. Also, a father usually advises his daughter that if shes going to have sex with her boyfriend, she should use a condom. Sometimes the father even drives the daughter to the boyfriends house and waits for the couple to finish. 3. Filipino daughters dont have sex without the fathers permission. Unwanted pregnancies or teen pregnancies never happen to Filipino girls. Thats why we do not need the RH Bill.

The RH Bill is a conspiracy. 1. Its lies, all lies!

The RH Bill is wrong because the priest said so, and priests are never wrong. The biggest reason why we should not pass the RH Bill is because the priests told us that we shouldnt. As anyone should know, priests, men of the clergy, should be the authority on sexual and reproductive matters because they have the most knowledge and experience with sex and reproduction. They are true sexperts legendary masters of erotic affairs. If you are a real Catholic, you would do everything they say, because theyre always right.
Related Posts:
y y y y y

Tastebuds, Tsunamis, and the Thorough Twisting of Truth: A Recap of the Anti-RH Forum at SM Megamall (3 of 3 Parts) Tastebuds, Tsunamis, and the Thorough Twisting of Truth: A Recap of the Anti-RH Forum at SM Megamall (1 of 3 Parts) Reverie What Would Jesus Do? Nouthanasis: The Eternal Now