Apathy Towards Zealotry Is Not An Option
I really don’t get it.
I have no idea why in this day in age, people would favor an offensive and arrogant display marinated in intolerance and insensitivity as opposed to opting for a procedure that everyone would have been more likely amenable (yes, I can be funny without being offensive) too. I’m not quite sure if I missed out on any details, but the last time I checked, the Philippine Blog Awards was an event that was supposed to champion Filipino bloggers regardless of creed, affiliation or niche. How it transformed to an exercise to remind bloggers to be steadfast in [our] Christian commitment and help bloggers lead us closer to You [the you being their god] is totally beyond me.
I find it hard to blame the organizers for this unfortunate incident. After all, I’m sure they didn’t proof read and review what the speaker had prepared for the invocation. Given that circumstance, the responsibility squarely falls on one individual’s shoulders. It is quite discouraging that a lot of people turn a blind eye to what has happened here.
Again, I couldn’t emphasize enough that I am not against christians praying in events. Although a lot of christians are considerate enough to concede that a moment of silence would have sufficed, a general prayer that doesn’t overstep the boundaries of good taste and sensitivity would’ve sufficed. Giving thanks to someone’s god for the nice weather, snazzy venue and notable attendance would’ve made it cool, right? Coupled with the speaker’s candor and way with techno-babble and manner, it would’ve still made for a rousing prayer that would’ve still left fans of the only begotten son speechless.
The speaker knew what he was getting into. There are only two possible explanations to what happened. Hypothesis numero uno is that the speaker was too intellectually inept and naive to even fathom the presence of people who don’t blog for the sake of forwarding the interests of christianity. If it isn’t that, the act can only be explained by the speaker’s voluntary, conscious, coherent, Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15 (shout out to Dr. Termulo) decision to recklessly and self-righteously disregard the possibility of having non-christians inside the venue.
Clearly, given the credentials of the speaker, the act was done under circumstances which are closer to the second scenario. That makes it extra revolting.
Though I find it very discouraging that a lot of people are turning a blind eye to how insensitive and presumptuous the prayer was, I’m really stunned with the way people has responded to my sentiments. There are real progressive minds in the Pinoy Blogosphere and most of them read my blog. OK, I’ll stop handing out compliments right now because I don’t want to risk sounding like I’m patronizing you people. 
I appreciate your willingness to share your insights regarding this serious issue.
Noemi said:
I am speaking for myself and not for the organizers though. In my advocacy, I never impose my beliefs on others. But I talk about it and share my experience and it is up to my readers to take it or leave it. We should always consider the feelings of the general blogosphere.
Bikoy said:
i agree. a moment of silence would have probably sufficed. im catholic, but even in school functions in UP, i discourage prayer parts in our organizations’ programs just to be neutral and fair to all attendees with various beliefs.
Eric said:
i wasnt inside the venue nung nag prayer dito ko lng nabasa.
i am a catholic. was educated in a catholic school, but i agree with you that sensitivty re: faith/belief should have been practiced.
a general thanksgiving prayer should have been enough, or at least a moment of silence.
If i was on benj shoes, I would also be disgusted.
I find it very encouraging that christians find the logic in what I’m standing up for. It doesn’t take a similarity in religion and philosophy to grasp what fundamental rights were violated during the invocation. The Philippine Blog Awards was clearly meant to be a secular event (if it wasn’t then the organizers did a poor job in informing the guests), and it’s utterly inexcusable for the speaker to take the opportunity to wantonly and self-indulgently alienate and generalize. It’s also great that agnostics, atheists and other free thinkers who choose to not associate themselves with labels are coming out of the woodwork to voice out their opinions regarding this issue.
As a parting shot, let me feature how one blogger argues for his unethical and absolutely emetic (shout out agaaaain!) premise.
This is taken from Jomar’s blog.
10. Father Cuyos is the name of the cool podcasting/blogging priest from the Vatican, not Cuying, (w/c is taken from his nominated PODCAST: CUYINGCAST). Benj and other non-religious folks must remember that they are in the Philippines and prayers before events are standard. THIS PRAYER w/c is so significant that I’d suggest to to get Father Cuyos as co-HOST next time–will go down (or better yet, GO UP) in history as the funniest and most bagay na prayer I’ve ever heard!
Did I just say zealotry? I’m seriously taken aback with this type of mentality. Prayers are not standard. The University of The Philippines (the bastion of collegiate education in this country) discourages praying before events that are attended by a diverse audience. Seriously, Jomar and his ilk (the presumptuous and bigoted kind) are the very reasons why religious wars happen - and that’s not even an exaggeration. RECKLESSLY CLAIMING THAT SHEER NUMBERS CAN JUSTIFY ACTS OF BIGOTRY, INSENSITIVITY AND INTOLERANCE IS SIMPLY NONSENSICAL AND ILLOGICAL . These people are the ones who are incapable of tolerance towards other philosophies and faiths. I find this post more troubling and revolting than the actual prayer.
It disturbs me that they think that their god is overjoyed when they trample down the rights of others. Pathetic. Some people are really blinded by their faith to the point of madness.
I think encapsulates almost everything that I need to say. Thank you Tess for taking time to actually verbalize it. I don’t have the patience to sanitize things when logic is under attack.
This discussion is never meant to slight the great efforts made by those who organized and volunteered for the Philippine Blog Awards. The issue was raised so that the next Blogger event could be improved, based on the experiences learned from PBA. If it wasn’t voiced out, I’m 100% sure it will happen again the next time.
The mood of some of the commenters in this discussion reminded me of something I experienced in medical school. I attended the Royal Pontifical University of Santo Tomas. And, of course, being a Catholic University, almost all classes were started with a prayer. That is to be expected and those who aren’t Christians just have to put up with it because they’ve accepted to study there. However, there was that once time during class when one non-Christian remained seated during the entire prayer (prayers in that university are made standing up). The professor noticed it and, after the prayer, called him to stand up and reprimanded him in front of the whole class for having disrespected the prayer.
That incident reminded me how non-Christians can be treated in this society predominated by Christians.
If I may say, Christians do forget most of the times that not everybody share their beliefs. And Christians do wonder at what rights did they trample on? Most just don’t realize that they hurt somebody because some things have been so ingrained that they’re almost automatic. Like saying that prayers are standard. Of course not. It’s just that we’re in a society that are composed of mostly Christians that’s why we feel that prayers are part of the S.O.P. of daily living.
Like what Shari might have perhaps done, I just tuned out the prayer and just forget about it. But certainly we cannot blame people like Benj for having to voice out their concerns. And no, it isn’t an attack on the beliefs of Christians.
Simply having those who don’t believe in prayers walk out or tune out is not the correct solution for it. Such actions are simply meant to exclude people further. As others have also commented, a moment of silence in place of an invocation should be done next time. In this way, everybody’s need could be addressed: those who need to pray can pray and those who need not can simply just let their minds wander.
So, it isn’t simply bowing down to the fact that most of the bloggers are Christians and those who are non-Christians should adjust to the needs of the majority. The Blog Awards event is not a religious event. It is an event for bloggers, period. So hopefully next time this would be remembered.
As for the call for volunteers, there are just some, though they want to, who just can’t be physically there and help out with organizing the events. But that’s why people throw out ideas so that, at least, in that way, they could help, if not physically, by sharing whatever they have in mind that they think can improve the blog events.
This has been a heated discussion and I hope everybody would simmer down, as this is only an exchange of ideas, not attacks on personal and religious beliefs.
Lastly, I appreciate those who took time to link to my entries.
—
In other news, its going to be my birthday in a few hours! Woohoo!
And wow, this is quite a way to jump start my bid for next year’s awards. Talk about blogging yourself out of the running in one day!
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on 
fixed the entry. thanks for pointing out the nuance involved.
Thank you Sir Manolo.:)
Benj, really… what right of yours did they trample on? Jomar’s argument was — and I will echo you here — ignorant and really, very poorly constructed (fine, it was stupid), but back to the prayer: what rights were you denied by what the priest said? If you take offense on their insensitivity, I would say that’s calling the kettle black, Mr. Pot; after all, you’ve been “damning souls since 2007″ — I doubt that’s very sensitive to people of faith.
Jorge, first, it’s a joke. Last time I checked, I had no power to damn souls.;) And I don’t believe in souls. You didn’t take that seriously, right?
Second,it’s my blog. It’s not like I’m addressing the attendees of the Philippine Blog Awards. It’s my space and I don’t recall forcing anyone to read my posts.
Come on man, don’t try to do that. That wasn’t a well-constructed argument as well. You’re better than that.
Read the comments on the other post, it would most likely reflect whatever “rights” you’re looking for.
before the heat of the argument gets worse..
advanced happy birthday, dude. yeah, remember my first solved puzzle in the stone?
hahahaha.
wow. 33000 hits? what the!!!
Kevin: Uy! Salamat!
Onga no, 33000 hits! Ayos!
The right that has been trampled on is Benj’s right and others who share his belief to feel belongingness in the said event. The prayer was construed based on the pure assumption that everybody is Christian. How about those who aren’t? And it is definitely wrong to say that prayers are standard. Standard, in this context, meant that it is the authority; that it is the rule. So certainly equality among the beliefs were ignored when a Christian prayer was made. Others are correct to comment that a moment of silence would have been suffice, so as not to defy the secularity of the event.
Jomar’s comment was a turn off. It’s like your being condemned to the lowest level of darkness or whatever.
Anywaaaaay.. dude, Advanced Happy Birthday! May birthday ka pala? Haha! Joke lang.
When faced with Christian fundamentalists, I usually just nod my head rather than argue. I can imagine how it may have been uncomfortable though. I imagine if I’d been there, my brain would’ve frozen at the bald-faced lie that god is always compassionate. God is selectively compassionate. The rest can rot in misery and poverty for all s/he cares.
Oh, btw, I left more questions for you in that previous post.
ahihihi Happy bday!
that was a comment on your insensitivity towards people with faith, not on the validity of souls or your capability to condemn them. i see a parallel: between you taking the concept of faith, souls and such lightly — ridiculing it at times, and the insensitivity of the priest to your belief system. hence the reference to the pot calling the kettle black: you’re no more nor less sensitive than he is. you’re not forcing anyone to read your posts, but nobody forced the attendees to stay, either. i didn’t go at all, because of what i perceived as a kind of elitism (dress code). they certainly didn’t force me to attend, nor did they get back at me for it. you always had the choice to walk out. i make no excuses for the prayer, although it was neither malicious nor bigoted — what derogatory remarks were there? what were you denied, really? do you feel that, because you’re an atheist, you were excluded? again, you could have stepped out or not listen. and what about their right to express their faith? or, hell, freedom of speech?
personally, if i were, say, Muslim, I’d take it to mean that it was “their” blogs he meant, and just naturally excluded myself from it, same as when i would listen to, say, a speech from a foreigner: when he or she would say “we”, i know he’s not including me, he’s talking about his “we”. i find it mildly amusing that you would include yourself as a recipient of a prayer, because obviously, the prayer was for Christians.
ah, the backhanded compliment. yes, i’ve seen that before from you, you’re getting very good at it. although maybe you can keep the condescension out of it next time? you know, just to keep it civil. as for arguments, i’m afraid i can’t do better; i’m still looking for precisely what right of yours they trampled on.
The Awards Night, which includes the program, was a group effort by bloggers for bloggers.
I, like Abe, am saddened with responses like this. We welcome criticism, and respect your opinion. Demanding for us to apologize for something that we voluntarily worked so hard for is quite unnerving (yet understandable), but disrespecting the volunteers is already out of line in my book.
I worked closely with the volunteers and saw how dedicated they were with a task they are not paid to do. Seeing them get lambasted like this is tantamount to the disgust you felt with the invocation given.
It was through the volunteers’ efforts that the Awards Night pushed through. Without them, no one would take care of the event’s specifics. Yes, we were undermanned. But they saw it through no matter what. And for this, we would stand by our volunteers. The same way we would stand by you should you take part in volunteering to help out at next year’s event.
I am Catholic, but I’m as non-practicing as a Catholic can be. There are a lot of things that I cannot (and probably will never) understand about my faith, because like you, I do not believe in blindly following religious beliefs just because I have to. However, I do strongly believe that people have a right to dignity and respect.
As a free thinker, isn’t it better to take part in helping out at events instead of shooting people down like this? Or does “free thinking†involves only “freely thinking†but no action?
We highly encourage everyone who thought we were being unfair to take part and actually volunteer for the next bloggers’ event. It’s easy to say, “you should have done this, you should have done that.†It’s also easy to just sit in the audience, criticize, and call people names, but not experience the tension, the stress, and the sleepless nights of planning and coordinating.
During the planning of the program, the ones who made it asked everyone for changes. Because like you, we believe in free thinking and democracy. If you feel that the non-believers in the volunteers group are under-represented and are being overruled, shouldn’t that be a better reason for you to join the group and take part in the planning? After all, we are undermanned. It’s easy to overlook details like this when you have to consider the bigger picture, and you do not have enough people to help you out. We highly encourage you to join us (and stand by you the same way we are standing by our volunteers now), so this issue won’t be overlooked once more.
hey benj, come on! move on and enjoy your day! things have been learned already and i think everybody has said enough.
Reposting my comment on Jomar’s site.
Magkaiba tayo, alam ko. :p If I were in your shoes, I’d probably just tune out and forget all about it. Hey, at least be relieved that the original plan of playing [inert some genre here] Christian music was scrapped. Baka lalo ka pa pala nabwisit kung ganun. ^_^
Lighten up! Beerday mo naman eh haha. :p
Kalurkey! Pati pala simpleng padasal isyu na.
[...] Apathy Towards Zealotry Is Not An Option by Benj. There’s a comment left by Gail which is worth reading. [...]
Just dropping by to greet you a Happy Birthday
Hi Gail.
As I’ve said earlier, the damage has been done and asking for an apology is moot now.
I don’t think I ever mentioned that. He is being put down for good reason because of his illogical and utterly insensitive claims. If you agree with his point regarding prayers being standard and that Atheists will just have to grin and bare it because we’re in the Philippines, we will never be in the same page. I suggest you make the next Blog Event exclusive for christians if you support such a fundamentalist and narrow-minded view.
Jomar is not being criticized/lambasted by myself (and a handful of other people) not because of his work as a volunteer.
Clearly, a good chunk of attendees feel that the invocation featured faux pas. Please don’t turn a blind eye towards the sheer number of comments (some of which came from your volunteers) that agree that something wrong did happen. I never meant to malign your volunteers. Please please please, don’t demonize me by spinning it that way.
Jorge,
I sincerely felt that that argument was weak - and was very unbecoming of someone of your stature. If you think that’s a backhanded compliment, so be it.
As expected, this discussion is not headed towards a resolution. I’m just really surprised at how you’ve aggressive you have chosen to argue. It really caught me off guard, or maybe I was being presumptuous myself.
As the reasons you’re looking for are all over the comments list, Jorge. If none of those things convince you, then as I’ve said earlier, we have to agree to disagree.
I would like to think that this would elucidate my point further.
I’m sorry if I hurt you in anyway Jorge. I just felt as attacked due to me being a bit caught off-guard.
What’s in a prayer anyway? Have a little tolerance for the hardcore children of Jesus.
Besides, Jorge, Benj, you’ve managed to wrangle this argument to the point of sheer exasperation — it’s no longer the original issue, and we’re all blue in the face.
See, both of you are very enlightened individuals, so shine the light on the likes of Jomar instead. While he may inherit the earth and go to heaven, at least *we’re* politically correct.
Which, I hope, counts for something in *any* religion.
Ah. Since when was it right to put down people for what they believe in? Isn’t that also a form of prejudice? Unless I’m mistaken and suddenly bigotry doesn’t go both ways. It’s prejudiced when it’s done to you, but not when you’re doing it to somebody else.
Please read my comment carefully. I never said I think that prayers are a standard. Jomar could have phrased his words better, but so have you. I am stressing that people do not deserve to be treated this way. Nobody is, even if they do not agree with your beliefs.
Jomar said that he believes that prayers are a standard. That’s his opinion, that’s what he believes in. But did he call you zealous, bigoted or presumptuous? I don’t see any of that in his entry.
If Shari thought having an invocation was unfair for non-believers, then she should have said something. But she didn’t. And I respect that. If you really think something has to be done, why don’t you volunteer to actually help out in the next event?
Yes, we received comments from other people, but they presented suggestions for the betterment of the next Awards. Wauks even pledged to help out because he thought it wasn’t as organized and he would really like to do something about it.
Thank you for your email. I now realize how pointless it is to defend my point. Since you would rather have other people do the “voicing” for you than proactively doing something about your issues with us, then I will no longer waste my time asking you to actually help out.
The email in verbatim
Again, I maintain the retaliatory nature of my knee-jerk reaction. Blame me if you must.
Again, and I couldn’t stress this enough - it is not an issue regarding having an invocation. It was about the content. This was what Shari had to say in the other post.
I think she also found something troubling about the content.
hey benj, you really know how to keep the flame going huh?
sabi naman sayo, kung dumalo ka lang sa afterparty, tapos na ang usapan. kasalanan mo yun! LOL.
let’s put this to rest guys. charge it to experience.
AJ: Let’s just say I fight for what is right in my own space. I was really sleepy, dude. Next time nalang, if you still want someone like me around.
This discussion is never meant to slight the great efforts made by those who organized and volunteered for the Philippine Blog Awards. The issue was raised so that the next Blogger event could be improved, based on the experiences learned from PBA. If it wasn’t voiced out, I’m 100% sure it will happen again the next time.
The mood of some of the commenters in this discussion reminded me of something I experienced in medical school. I attended the Royal Pontifical University of Santo Tomas. And, of course, being a Catholic University, almost all classes were started with a prayer. That is to be expected and those who aren’t Christians just have to put up with it because they’ve accepted to study there. However, there was that once time during class when one non-Christian remained seated during the entire prayer (prayers in that university are made standing up). The professor noticed it and, after the prayer, called him to stand up and reprimanded him in front of the whole class for having disrespected the prayer.
That incident reminded me how non-Christians can be treated in this society predominated by Christians.
If I may say, Christians do forget most of the times that not everybody share their beliefs. And Christians do wonder at what rights did they trample on? Most just don’t realize that they hurt somebody because some things have been so ingrained that they’re almost automatic. Like saying that prayers are standard. Of course not. It’s just that we’re in a society that are composed of mostly Christians that’s why we feel that prayers are part of the S.O.P. of daily living.
Like what Shari might have perhaps done, I just tuned out the prayer and just forget about it. But certainly we cannot blame people like Benj for having to voice out their concerns. And no, it isn’t an attack on the beliefs of Christians.
Simply having those who don’t believe in prayers walk out or tune out is not the correct solution for it. Such actions are simply meant to exclude people further. As others have also commented, a moment of silence in place of an invocation should be done next time. In this way, everybody’s need could be addressed: those who need to pray can pray and those who need not can simply just let their minds wander.
So, it isn’t simply bowing down to the fact that most of the bloggers are Christians and those who are non-Christians should adjust to the needs of the majority. The Blog Awards event is not a religious event. It is an event for bloggers, period. So hopefully next time this would be remembered.
As for the call for volunteers, there are just some, though they want to, who just can’t be physically there and help out with organizing the events. But that’s why people throw out ideas so that, at least, in that way, they could help, if not physically, by sharing whatever they have in mind that they think can improve the blog events.
This has been a heated discussion and I hope everybody would simmer down, as this is only an exchange of ideas, not attacks on personal and religious beliefs.
Tess, that was beautiful. Just beautiful. Ok, now I know you’re from UST. hehe. Dammit, next time di na talaga ako maiintimidate. wahaha.
@Tess and benj in case you change your mind: You don’t need to be physically there to actually help out. We have a volunteer in the US and two from Davao.
I understand that sharing feedback and suggestions is also a way to help out. But personal attacks are not in any way helping. Even if it was made to just one of our volunteers.
Ok, Gail.
Jomar was “attacked” not as member of the volunteers team but as an independent individual who was posting outside the auspices of the Blog Awards.
i really thought that an invocation on that event is really unnecessary. i even thought “wala naman sigurong misa gagawin sa simula ngayon” because it was a necessity in any religious events. But PBA ‘07 is not a non-secular non-religious event… if prayer is a standard, then movie houses should also offer invocation rites after the national anthem. i do hope things will be better next time.
anyway, happy birthday… may the force be with you!
partial content: http://jester-in-exile.blogspot.com/2007/04/post-awards-night-post-post.html#comment-7825624138225187946
continued: http://jester-in-exile.blogspot.com/2007/04/post-awards-night-post-post.html#comment-6365266866193264551
just a thought, benj.
Just like to clear this up.
Gail, I never said that the invocation was unfair for non-believers. Like what the others have been telling, a moment of silence would have sufficed. That, or maybe I wasn’t following the discussion in the groups all too well (I was just vaguely aware that Carlo opposed the music idea). I don’t think the prayer isn’t proper; I just think that it could’ve done without some lines.
Sabi ko nga, I wouldn’t have reacted violently if I were in Benj’s shoes (heck, I wouldn’t have reacted at all - I simply would have ignored it, honestly). I personally think he could’ve aired his side in a less scandalous (???hehe) manner, but then, that’s Benj for you.
Can’t access my site, and Benj, yours loads like a snail. MAybe it’s my connection. Trying to submit this comment for the 4th time…..
on one hand, the site slowdown’s been frustrating; on the other, it helped clear my head and calm me down. phew. let’s just volunteer next year? maybe we can convince them to cut the invocation (which i’m all for, evidence to the contrary), and allow jeans at least for next time :p
[...] of Jesus Christ as a motivating factor for Philippine bloggers in maintaining their blogs. He was further offended by the response of “a lot of people” (in particular, this fellow) to his post, and has [...]
Sa susunod production number na lang ang gawin para bongga.
dapat nga hindi na lang nagkaroon ng mga dasal sa mga event. kung pinayagan nila ang isa, dapat may representation din yung iba. sabi ko nga kay connie…
“if they allowed the priest to speak, then they should have added a muslim imam, a jewish rabbi, a rizalista, one faith healer na nasasaniban ni santo nino, one hindu priest, a celtic priestess, a mayan high lord with a virgin, a scientologist, a mormon, iglesia ni kristo pastor, satanista, atheist, isang engineer sa southern california (ahem) na agnostic and a partridge in a pear tree.”
mas maganda nga kung sabay sabay silang nagsalita sa entablado.
this created quite a stir, huh?
happy birthday benj
To Gail: I’ll always bear that in mind. And, no, personal attacks won’t do. Perhaps the interpretations of words construed brought about the heated arguments.
Well, everybody seemed to have simmered down and that is good.
to Batjay: “…and a partridge in a pear tree.”
— Napakanta ako doon ha. Hehe. Nice one.
to Benj: Hah, you’re from the medical school on the other side of the river! You should be intimidated at me! Hahaha. Just kidding!
I do hope we’ll get to talk next time.
I don’t really know how to react to what happened. Part of me wants to tell you to let it go, that it’s not a big deal. Probably because I got used to the practice (in DLSU). There were some teachers who wanted to start the class with a prayer and we non-Christians just stand there and keep quiet for a minute. Perhaps Jomar’s use of the word “standard” didn’t appeal you, but the practice of that prayer thingie is not that unusual actually. So don’t take it personally.
However, part of me agrees with you. I’m sick of the zealots. Let’s face it, atheists and agnostics are discriminated everywhere. Just wait til you get older, it will become more apparent at work/business (unless of course you work for non-Christian employers).
Just think about it, this country will probably elect a corrupt president over an atheist one. It sucks big-time, but that’s the reality right now. The majority of Filipinos, when it comes to religion, are narrow-minded hypocrites.
Sa sususnod kasi production number ang gawin para bungga! Chos!
happy birthday, benj!
[...] “feel” the Lenten Season), you may want to check out this far more serious (and “controversial“) blogger’s prayer which was convocated in the recently concluded 2007 Philippine [...]
[...] are some excerpts of posts and comments made by bloggers concerned with the controversy: Benj: I have no idea why in this day in age, people would favor an offensive and arrogant display [...]
[...] are some excerpts of posts and comments made by bloggers concerned with the controversy: Benj: I have no idea why in this day in age, people would favor an offensive and arrogant display [...]
[...] Atheista criticized the insensitivity of the prayer to bloggers of other faiths. [...]
I’ve read the comments and everything that i was supposed to voice out has been said already. boo.
For the inappropriateness of the prayer:
If a gathering is supposedly for a group of people, then everything should be apt for that group of people. Walang labis, walang kulang. Else, ‘play it safe’. Hindi lahat ng tupa ay kulay puti.
Traditions were never perfect. Some traditions were just brought out mainly because they needed something to kill time, or to create prestige, or to have an icon, or plainly just to project to everyone that we should follow something for the course of reasons we don’t know, whether of good or bad faith. But these traditions were not intended to be imperfect. That is why people can ‘amend’ for these traditions and just always ‘amening’ to them.
For barking-at-the-wrong-tree issue:
There is always a next time. It’s a redress–a mistake has already been committed. I think the contention only took place because of the ‘act’ and the ‘deed’ of particular people, and not lambasting the altruistic effort of the volunteers to collaborate for the fruitfulness of this (envy =_=) event. Social workers sometimes make mistakes (oh no, I’m not generalizing them, mind you).
For barking-the-wrong-’bark’ issue:
The dog has already barked. Next time, you must always be reminded that hands must work synchronously with the brain. ‘Misinterpretations’? Why misinterpretations occur? It’s because of the ‘misconception’ of the term used that brought misinterpretations. That’s where our brains should’ve worked out in the first place.
For you benj:
Happy Beerday! Bwahahaha.
Invocation and even invoking God’s name in a Public Event is a No-No in most other countries, especially in ours (Canada). One of our Fundamental Rights guaranteed by our Charter of Rights and Freedom is “Freedom of Conscience and Religion. But under another Section covering our Equality Rights, Discrimination of any kind is a violation of an Individual Constitutional Rights and any violator is subject to a lawsuit for such, that Church leaders are very, very careful to cross that line lest they’ll be sued left and right.
We consider it insensitive to the make up of our Diverse Society and it will just Create Frictions among us who have all kinds of faiths and religion and conscience thrown together in a Country made up of immigrants from all over the world.
Lastly, last election (January of 2006) one of candidates for a seat in Parliament, a Muslim invoked Allah’s name during his nomination acceptance and was promptly censored by even his own fellow Muslims, which he later accepted as poor judgement and apologized to the Public and all Canadians. Again no matter how passionate you are in regards to your faith and beliefs, tolerance and consideration of others is always the right to do. There are proper venues for everything and to know them is not that hard, otherwise get a good coverage of liability insurance.
Invocation and even invoking God’s name in a Public Event is a No-No in most other countries, especially in ours (Canada). Our Charter guaranty “Freedom of Conscience and Religion” as one among our Fundamental Rights, but another Provision of our Charter under our Equality Rights clearly states that Discrimination against anyone in particular in regards to Religion, Conscience, Race, Colour Physical and Mental Disability is in Violation of an Individual Constitutional Rights and violators are subject to Lawsuits.
We consider it insensitive to the make up of our Diverse Society and it will just Create Frictions among us who have all kinds of faiths and religion and conscience thrown together in a Country made up of immigrants from all over the world.
Lastly, last election (January of 2006) one of candidates for a seat in Parliament, a Muslim invoked Allah’s name during his nomination acceptance and was promptly censored by even his own fellow Muslims, which he later accepted as poor judgement and apologized to the Public and all Canadians. Again no matter how passionate you are in regards to your faith and beliefs, tolerance and consideration of others is always the right to do. There are proper venues for everything and to know them is not that hard, or otherwise get a very good Liability Insurance Policy. Last time the Catholic Church was sued for abuse of Boys in some of their Boys Training Facilities, it almost gone Bankrupt…
I’m a semi-atheist myself, but I wasn’t offended by that prayer. I couldn’t care less if it were a Muslim or Jewish or Hindu prayer. I guess it’s because I’m not the kind of person who over-romanticizes equality and political correctness in the world. Sure they’re cool in small quantities, but I’m not the kind of person who nitpicks on others’ valiant efforts just to get my point across. This argument has gone too far already, but what has it accomplished? Has it really achieved what you had in mind? Has the linkbait been worth it?
Hi Andrew, if the comments on this entry (and the other one) are any indication, a lot of people “romanticizes” equality and political correctness.
What has it accomplished? For one, it seems that a lot of people in the blogosphere are willing to call people out for irregularities despite its seemingly unpopular tone. I don’t think it’s that unpopular, come to think of it.
I’m sorry Andrew, your cynicism will not rub off on my idealism regarding this issue. Maybe I’ll lose it when I get older, as for now, it’s full steam ahead. And yes, it achieved wayyyy more than what I expected. I never thought that a lot of people would react this way. I didn’t expect christians to react the same way they did. Please read comments before you grandstand next time.
thanks.
i was not there, but let me say my piece
God to Christians, Allah to Moslems, the different gods–lakshmi, Brahma, Siva for Hindus, Buddha for Buddhists, etc., and none for Atheists.
What matters is that we own up to our beliefs, and respect one another, whether they believe in the Christian God, or Allah, or none.
I am a Catholic, by heart, word and action, but it does not stop me from interacting with other people, in a harmonious way. And it does not mean that I will impose on the other what I believe in.
thanks sexy mom.
Wow! Konti na lang and it’d reach the comments on my hate post versus Paurong long ago.
Nice quote, Neil.
Remember, Benj, when I smugged at you while the invocation is going on? Wala lang. The invocation happened to be cool (and very witty, I even admire that father for putting such wit in the prayer), and controversial with some of its parts.
And as what I’ve said in YM: the damage is done.
Then, fingers-crossed, that at the next blog event, no issues like these would ever happen again.
-
By the way, I’m too young to interfere with these arguments, right? Hahahaha!
With my recent comment, sorry for being. Uhh. A two-headed commenter. That’s the effect of being an atheist and graduating in a Catholic school.
Then again, may the wisdom be with you. LOL.
Wait a minute, you’re atheist? I had no idea.
Quote “This argument has gone too far already, but what has it accomplished? Has it really achieved what you had in mind?” Unquote..
It took us years of arguments, debates, and acrimonies, before we put forward a Charter that outlaw discrimination, hatred and embedded the right to Equality in our constitution and the accomplishments are being felt now, when we don’t have to go to this kind of argument not because for being politically correct, but constitutionally correct.
The results of healthy debate and argument today, may not have an immediate result, but eventually it will raise awareness and open the mind of a large sector of society that there are a lots of choices, lots of unexplored ideas and thoughts that can only add to the betterment of the whole.
I agree vic. I took a stand and put myself on the line. Hopefully, the dialogue that we had about the topic would be worth everything.
[...] the way it did, is already too much. This is definitely an example of people being too sensitive. “Apathy Towards Zealotry Is Not An Option” is one of the blog entries integral to this ongoing controversy. While the author made valid [...]
Before I totally forget, thank you to Bikoy, Gibbs, Aajao, Jhed and Kevin for greeting me on my birthday.
“Benj and other non-religious folks must remember that they are in the Philippines and prayers before events are standard.”
I hate that kind of reasoning.
Anyway, I am not an atheist but more like an agnostic. Though almost 90 percent in my class or probably the school are atheists.
The problem in the Phils. that most people tend to reinforce their belief on some other people. I had a close encounter on such situations before. And I agree that an invocation was unnecessary on that event unless it is a religious one.
Ang ayaw ko lang sa ganyang mga dasal dasal e pag nagtatagal. Tapos napipilitan ka lang tumayo. Wala ka namang napapala. Kung maikli lang sana okay na sa akin. Para bang, “Lord, I invoke thee. Amen”. Tapos upo ka na. Okay yung ganun.
Akala kasi nung mga Kristiyano palaging binabantayan sila ni Lord e. E ano naman ngayon kung may Blog Awards kayo, sabi ni Lord. Di mahilig si Lord sa ganyang mga internet internet. Old school daw siya e. Scroll parchments pa rin!
Yun lang. Gusto ko tong blog na to kasi you share my sentiments and hatred of religious bigotry, which I believe is one major factor why this country is the way it is, and why we can never seem to have peace. Ehem. Biglang lumabas lang yung mga Ingles na yun ah. Mukhang nahugot sa balun balunan.
Oh my, more melodrama! Zealotry?
[...] Benj: …the last time I checked, the Philippine Blog Awards was an event that was supposed to champion Filipino bloggers regardless of creed, affiliation or niche. How it transformed to an exercise to remind bloggers to be steadfast in [our] Christian commitment and help bloggers lead us closer to You [the you being their god] is totally beyond me. [...]
[...] invocations in a secular gathering. The blogger more vocal about this was Benj in his post, “Apathy Towards Zealotry Is Not An Option“. Some were rather puzzled at the fuss about the prayers. Others were in agreement that there [...]
[...] the struggle continues. Posted in Verbatim. Originally posted 2 April 2007. I really don’t get [...]