It’s always interesting and exciting to deal with intelligent young people in high schools - especially those who are vocal and very willing to fight for what they believe in with much gusto and of course, logical substantiation. I received an email with an attached article. The sender has expressed his/her intent to remain anonymous.
The article is lifted (i.e. copy and pasted) from the original document with minimal changes to conceal the real name of the school in question.
HEAVEN, HELL AND SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL X
by: Anonymous
Every week in Science High School X begins with the flag ceremony, where the students hold a prayer, sing the national anthem, recite the Panatang Makabayan, hear the announcements made, sing the school hymn, and leave wearing their IDs properly, in that order. Now, is there anything wrong with this scenario?
If you answered no, think again. Here’s a hint: Article II, Section 6 of the Constitution states, “The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.”
Hint Number 2: Science High School X is a government institution.
In case you haven’t figured it out yet, there are two things wrong with the above scenario. First is that we actually have a prayer. Secondly, the prayer comes before the national anthem. God before country? Sure, but only if you’re Christian.
According to statistics, you probably are. 94 percent of Filipinos are Christian, 84 percent are Roman Catholic (CountriesQuest.com, 2003). Regardless, this doesn’t make prayer during the flag ceremony, or other mandatory Catholic activities held here, right. Science High School X is defined as a non-sectarian school, meaning no particular religion is practiced here during school hours. This does not mean that organizations such as PCORI and SCA are against the law; in fact, I’m all for students being given the option to practice religious activities on their own time. What I am against, however, is if, oh, say, every student in the school, Christian or otherwise, was made to pray at the start of every school week. Hypothetically speaking.
I have this teacher. He’s a nice guy, and more importantly, he’s efficient at what he does. This teacher makes us all pray in class every meeting, which, in this particular instance, puts him on my steadily lengthening “against” list. He explained to our class that regardless of this school’s non-sectarian policy, he makes us pray to, and I quote, “teach [us] moral values.” I might not get how standing up for 45 seconds with hands clasped teaches us moral values, but if Teacher says it does, then we should do it. A little discrimination against non-Catholics to teach everyone moral values? Good deal!
Another teacher of mine from last year made God and prayer a topic in her subject for an entire quarter. She told us that it was her mission to teach us all how to pray. Now, I’m going to go out on a limb here and suspect that she feels that it’s her mission because those of us who haven’t been exposed to God don’t know any better and thus need her guidance. As a morally upstanding and virtuous Christian, it is her responsibility to lead us away from eternal damnation. Makes sense, right? After all, it is the same reasoning used by Catholics when they, you know, burned witches in the 17th century.
Each religion believes that it is the absolute on morals and justice. Since Catholicism is the predominant religion in this country, it has established itself as the absolute, considering all other religions to be misguided to some degree. Thus, everyone who goes against any of the Ten Commandments is a sinner, even though the Constitution only goes by two: as comedian Bill Maher so elegantly put it, “I won’t slaughter you, and don’t take my shit.” Homosexuality, premarital sex, absence at the Holy Mass, failure to pray, and drawing Muhammad in an unflattering way are not sins just because some religion says they are.
My point is that these teachers aren’t saving anyone by forcing us to do unnecessary religious practices. Last time I checked, Science High School X was still a non-sectarian institution, so these teachers can introduce us to their wonderful religion some other time. For now, as long as we
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I hope whoever wrote that has taken this up with his/her high school’s administration. I went to a Catholic college and I was very vocal about my being an atheist. Out of respect, my professors never made me participate in class prayers. Out of respect for my theist schoolmates, I’d stand up during prayers. And the noontime Angelus. LOL.
Good thing our school (Science HS Y) has a more open perspective. We can go to the library if a Catholic mass is being held and we don’t hafta pray if we don’t want to. I personally raised hell when my beliefs were trampled on.
@Helga That’s good for you. Being an atheist, I was pretty much considered the “bad girl” in my Protestant high school.
I used to ask questions about the basis of their religion, for example: How can you be so sure that the Bible was written through the “chosen men” by the Lord? It could have been written by some guy on drugs with an onset of psychosis. My Values Education teacher turned red, told me to shut up, and pretty much got angry in the process of trying to answer my question. The rest of the classroom hushed up and turned their angry eyes at me for questioning their faith. I wasn’t trying to go against their religion. I was merely asking a question regarding their religion. Argh.
I’m glad UP won’t subject me to any kind of worshiping, kneeling and hand-clasping anytime soon. Although a lot of my teachers ask us to pray before class…. at least I won’t be forced to memorize passages from a thick book I rarely open.
Having lived with individuals who highly regard their faith (read: Opus Dei), I guess this is what they call Apostolate. It means “spreading the word” or, to put it in blatant terms, trying to inject the faith to non-catholics/non-believers through those means mentioned above.
I think it’s just a matter of respect. Not all can be easily swayed by prayer - probably to turn them into catholics - so it shouldn’t be obliged. Maybe a more personal approach will do rather than subjecting everyone to practice a religion that some people don’t accept.
Yes. Science High School X is still non-sectarian. But by the way things are going, it does seem like a catholic school. Some teachers assume that because more than 80% of the students are Catholic, they might as well treat the lot as Catholic.
Even the subjects Values Education, whose course description can be inferred from the subject name, is approached from a Catholic/Christian perspective.
As the someone on the balance of atheist/nominal protestant, I still find status quo in Science High School X as quite suffocating, especially when students like me who don’t exactly believe in such absolutes have to limit, if not negate what we believe in class just to pass certain subjects.
Well, as a Christian, I pray a lot, but I agree with the essay that state institutions should not impose such practices.
I actually disagree with the methodology that you can convert someone into Christianity by forcing them with Christian practices.
I’m sleepy right now but suffice it to saw for now that the writer, and a lot of other people, seems to have a little understanding of the Constitution with regards to the “Separation of the Church and the State”. What you just described is not violative of your right to believe in the inexistence of God and not violative of any prohibitions in the Constitution in regards to secular and non-secular activities.
Well, Mr. Political Science Student, here’s a snippet from Art. 14 Sec. 3 of the Philippine Constitution:
Hmm. So did the kid’s parents sign some sort of waiver or permission slip? I doubt it.
Still, our Constitution is clearly not as secular as some of us would like.
Oh c’mon, Science Highschool X? PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL. PSHS. Mataas na Paaralan ng Pilipinas sa Agham.
Came from there, am Catholic, but I’ve always wondered how my non-Catholic classmates feel about “ecunemical” masses and prayers and sh*t. I had classmates who were Muslim, Protestant, Born Again, and Ba Hai. I don’t like how they handle the whole place vis-a-vis religion at all.
I studied in PSHS - SMC (in Davao City)… and oh… the tales I could tell about our tyrannical administration in relation to religion. Imagine them banning Catholic masses on campus, but allowing their own religious sect to hold religious (almost) fanatical services on campus… and requiring the entire student body to attend such.
Way to go Jon! Hehehe!
I went to a Catholic school run by nuns so I know how it feels to be forced to attend masses (because your class attendance will depend on it). And I understand Skye because in a Catholic school, nobody questions the religion. YOu’ll be told to just shut up and swallow everything whole. But I go through it because I know I enrolled in a Catholic school. It’s different with a government high school though. They’re either ignorant or arrogant to be considering everybody to be Catholic since majority of Filipinos are Catholic, which is rather reminiscent of a previous controversial blogosphere topic. Hehe. But, oh no, I’m not going to open healed wounds. Hehe.
I know that school… I’m in it.
I think it’s only proper to keep the anonymity of the school in a publicly viewable site like this, but if anyone could come up with a proposal to rectify this situation, you can email me at neo(anti-spam, remove this)fanim@yahoo.com. I myself am willing to help if any adults would know what to do.
@Skye: (sidenote) For my Comm II class, I gave an informative speech on Atheism. The professor was really cool about it.
Noir: The writer asked me to keep the name of the school unknown to protect his/her identity. It’s the truth. Science High School X should be shamed a million times over.
cabinet meetings are started with prayers so i’m not surprised that high schools follow suit. i’m just irritated by when theists think that they have a monopoly on morality. they always equate morality with belief in god (or gods). and that is wrong in so many levels.
the young writer of this piece should try to have his article published in major newspaper.
I’m a student of SciHS-X and I’m proud to say that being part of organizations aforementioned (PCORI and SCA) are completely optional.
During our Flag Ceremony, students lead everything. Even the prayer. Unfortunately, some still make the sign of the cross. In my opinion, I can’t blame them. They’re my schoolmates.
Attending masses are purely optional for us, as far as I can recall. And, religious organizations have their own limits as well. We practice faith during our own time, and organize activities which are purely optional.
The PCORI also organizes retreats and recollections, which are, again, purely optional. No attendance checking, no grade incentives.
Though there are high attendance rates in recollections and retreats, this is simply because of the high Catholic population of the school.
It’s actually worse than that, Benj. Have you heard of Science High School X’s involvement with a certain Catholic sect? It’s really horrible. While they have been more low-key lately, their influence lingers. And lately, one secular event even began with a long prayer rally-like celebration that got the secularists in an uproar. As an institution, they are aware about being non-sectarian. However, some interest groups hold powerful lobbies. But because of that “prayer rally”, I believe the admin will be hearing about this soon.
@ myidentityinmyemail
I have not heard of affiliations with a Catholic sect in our school.
Pardon, I seem to be misunderstood. The author of the article has been a friend of mine for four years. What I meant was that if anyone knows any action, legal or otherwise, that can be taken to address the issues stated in the article, I am asking for support as I myself wish to take action against this.
And yes, another issue would be the involvement of a Catholic sect, heavily depicted in a recent popular novel to be an overtly fanatical group. Many teachers in the school belong to the sect, allowing for them to have an influence in school matters. It has also been an observation by more liberal teachers that selection for employment in new teachers seems to be biased towards religious individuals, more so to members of the said sect.
If there might be any lawyers, individuals involved in the government, or just anyone concerned who could help, email me at neo(anti-spam, remove this)fanim@yahoo.com.
This article was supposed to be published as an editorial to the school paper last year, but was held back by the author from fear of repercussions from many of the fundamentalists who have power in the school.
Wow. Powerplay at SciHS-X. Sounds like an Umberto Eco novel.
Glorious. May ginawa na ba tungkol dito, especially the every-morning-prayer?
This has to be heard. People have to know this. I agree with slim whale: The media needs to spread this out.
As usual, the response to the allegations is hardly dynamic. Good thing I had LOW (read: VERY LOW) expectations as far as the person who offered the “response” is concerned. ;P
Why all the overprotection of Philippine Science High School and Opus Dei?
Say it as it is. It’s all “in the search of the untarnished truth right?” That phrase is not our de facto motto nor the last line in the alma matter hymn for no reason. Anonimity and fear tarnishes truth.
Philippine Science High School has about 240 students per batch. If the administration goes on a witch hunt against atheists because of the outrage expressed in the letter above, or otherwise singles out and/or threatens the aforementioned atheist, then it will and can be a case taken against PSHS and Opus Dei.
NOBODY, not even PSHS, your entry into which was earned by means of two rigorous entrance exams that you excelled in from more than 15,000 hopefuls a year, can tell you that you have to abide by a certain religion. Only those two tests matter in your entry — your religion or lack thereof should have NO bearing on your continued stay in the school howsoever.
Your education is being payed for by taxpayers — atheists, Christians and non-Christians alike, regardless of race.
And to whatever organization that is trying to exert undue religious influence my alma mater or proselytizing their religion there — may your god damn you for subverting the free will that your god gave every human being.
I regret sending my kids to this particular all-girls catholic school. Because of the forced religious practices (e.g. rosary every class, novenas etc) , they’ve learned to veer away from the Catholic faith. I am all for respect of everyone’s religious affiliation. I believe it should be optional and voluntary to join prayer sessions.
Science High School X sounded so familiar. Hehe. Probably, true. Although I’m a Catholic, I don’t agree in forcing non-Christian to pray. Well, I didn’t realize that before (probably due to ignorance).
I’m pretty skeptical about this post’s claims. I am studying right now at SHS-X, and I do not see any negative reactions to the Catholic activities of SHS-X, mainly because non-Catholics are not forced to join these activities. If they want to, then fine. Edi astig. In recollections and retreats, they have their own thing, Catholics have their own shindig as well.
Besides, if this post were to be published in our school paper, it would just probably be a one-hit wonder. or something like that.
This is not just a matter of Catholics against non-Catholic Christians, this is a matter of the school or related personnel imposing religion upon the students. Now this may not be a matter to those who follow the faith, but for those who do not, or those who may just observe the law and righteousness, this is already a matter. This government science high school must be a prime example of what should be progressive thought, and the imposition of religion only creates subjectivity in what is supposed to be an institution for the most objective of minds.
Now, the right thing to do is not to suppress the expression of religion, but to suppress the imposition of religion. Events such as the PUBLIC morning prayer held at the flag ceremony and having certain teachers impose prayers upon students before and after classes should not be.
In addition to what has been stated above, the first two years in the school have a subject named Values Education, each worth a unit in an individual’s grade. Where shall I begin on this? I think that by saying that teaching intolerance of homosexuality, abortion and contraception is enough to paint a picture of what might be taught in the subject.
Open your eyes. If this school is supposed to be above of all others, than what does this reflect on our country’s society and culture in general?
Shame.
I had a Science HS teacher who makes us write a reaction paper about a particular verse in the bible. We are forced to pass it every darn day before our class with her, starts. What’s worse is, a partial of our total grade in her subject comes from it.
I’m sure this kinda’ thing happens to other schools as well. Teachers should just stick to their ’subject matter’.
Religion is a ‘two-wrongs-don’t-make-right’ mistake.
i came from science hs, and i don’t see or hear non-Catholic classmates complaining or sticking their heads out about that matter. maybe that’s the problem, the administration may think that it is absolutely fine to pray during flag ceremonies since no one is resisting to cooperate. or probably i dont observe that much.
Beautifully written article. Thanks for sharing it.
Atheista | Verbatim: Heaven, Hell and Science High School X…
Is there a separation of Church and State in the Philippines? Not when students in a Science High School are required to pray before the National Anthem. Good comments at Atheista.net….
Noir,
You make it seem as if intolerance of abortion is a bad thing.
Given that it is a crime, why the kind of attention on it?
justice league: I think that was a slip on Noir’s part. Easy pickings. haha
Just a thought, noir - is the atheist contingent in your school making their presence felt? Maybe the admin feels they can act with impunity because nobody’s saying anything. “First they came for the non-Catholics” and all that. Someone should be visibly against forced religious practice.
If the atheists take the lead, though, I’m not sure it should be a blatantly atheist stance, because you do want to make alliances with other non-Catholic faith groups, right?
Just a thought - maybe a strong atheist presence should be felt in school. I suggest you start an atheist org (if it isn’t there yet). Maybe benj, myself, and other older atheists can lend a hand?
I agree that Christians or Catholics want to save souls, etc BUT I don’t agree that they should force people to do it. I feel sorry for those who force people to pray.. coz even if people pray, but Jesus is not in their hearts, it’s useless. They are just hypocrites.
I do understand your sentiments about praying during Flag Ceremony and I also agree that students should have the right to say NO. Again, this praying during flag ceremonies thing is already a tradition. SO if you don’t want to pray, just stand and wait for it to finish. At least respect the 94% of the students who are Christians/Catholics. I just don’t get the fuss over this.
[...] of a certain science high school (made “certain” by yours truly, a proud alumnus) complains about the seemingly anti-atheistic stance of some of its teachers and officials despite its non-sectarian and taxpayer-funded nature. The ensuing comment thread reveals nothing [...]
How about… respecting the Constitution and not using government time and resources for mandatory praying at all? Just don’t have any prayers at assemblytime, period. I just don’t get the fuss over this!
Now, abortion is another touchy issue, and I won’t give my opinion on it. But the point is, the subject doesn’t allow for tolerance of any other opinions of such matters.
To sir micketymoc, the problem is that the school administration wouldn’t just simply give in like that.
We haven’t really established ourselves. Some friends and I are going to try to establish a school recognized club for atheists, agnostics and liberal theists. They really couldn’t deny us that, because they have two major organizations for Catholics and for Non-Catholic Christians. Once the school recognizes we’re there, we’re gonna start taking action.
Benj,
Very well,
But above the section in the Charter that Joyfulchicken stated is actually another article that reads:
(2) They shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights, appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country, teach the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and “spiritual values”, develop moral character and personal discipline, encourage critical and creative thinking, broaden scientific and technological knowledge, and promote vocational efficiency. (emphasis mine).
Oooops,
I meant another subsection to her subsection.
justice league,
There’s a big difference between religiosity and spirituality, but that’s a different topic altogether.
Well, noir, the point isn’t to compel the admin to give in “just like that”. I think you have to think more long-term, towards an outcome that might only be felt years after you’ve graduated.
It’s an irony - to me, at least - that a science high school doesn’t have an org that stands up for serious scientific, secular values of the kind espoused by Dennett, Dawkins, and Bronowski.
I think the main priority of a PSHS secular org should be: combating religious nonsense with an alternative view of the world, one where logic supersedes religious “reasoning”. Where a sense of wonder about the universe is enough, so you don’t feel the need to guess “God’s plan” in our lives.
“There is an appetite for wonder,” says Richard Dawkins, “and isn’t true science well qualified to feed it?”
So you have an org whose goal is to live the secular, scientific life (these things go together); and you express these goals through activities that celebrate science and secularism:
- a “mythbusters” project, on Youtube or on a blog, where you debunk common religious traditions, superstitions, ghost stories, pamahiins;
- debates between atheists and believers;
- field trips to major scientific events;
- press releases to newspapers presenting a rational rebuttal to stories about “healing priests”, ghosts, apparitions of the Virgin Mary, etc. (I think this is very much lacking in media today!)
But you have to remember to keep it light and fun - don’t perpetuate the cliche of the smug but unhappy atheist!
What do you think? Is this something worth doing? What’s on your reading list?
IMO, Catholic (private) schools have all the right to impose whatever “rules” they want implemented in their campuses. But for government (or public) schools, it’s another story. and yea, separation of church and state should apply. We’re not in the Spanish era anymore so no organized religion should dictate us what to do especially in schools.
anyway, it’s funny though, i’ve been to three Catholic schools in my entire student lifetime and i’ve never experienced being “forced” into attending their religious rites. it’s voluntary, believe me. you just have to inform your teachers to give you other “things” to do in replacement of your attendance to school retreats, first friday masses, and first communions.. etc. only thing is, they REQUIRE religion (theology) subjects. but then again, a student who enrolled in such institutions must anticipate it already and must not give so much fuss about it. pass the subject, but don’t learn from it if your belief tells you otherwise.
again, i am talking about CATHOLIC SCHOOLS and it’s a different story with “Science High School X”
[...] US to follow a sensible Filipino lead in this respect. Though it would also be good if Filipinos actually followed their constitution. tagged: asides, religion, politics written by Brad [...]
I’ve been trying to look for other students who might share the same viewpoint as myself, or those who are at least open to the viewpoints of others, to establish a group of people to push the agenda of religious tolerance. Sadly, at the mention of atheist or agnostic, I am immediately met with responses of “hoy masama yan” or “satanista”. And those were comments coming from STUDENTS. I also tried using the term liberal theist, but that left the most of them scratching their heads.
Still looking for more “allies”…
Jon Limjap,
You stated that you’re Catholic. But I certainly wouldn’t know what an atheist would find as spiritual.
———–
Going back to Anonymous guy’s article; he stated that “God before country? Sure, but only if you’re Christian.”
As if he is stating that no followers of other religions could possibly put God over country.
(But without necessarily admitting that prayer before national anthem means God over country, does national anthem before prayer means country over God?)
“For now, as long as we Science High School X scholars don’t kill, steal, or God forbid, cheat, I think we’re pretty safe from being subject to eternal damnation anytime soon.”
What is Anonymous guy’s religion anyway since he implies a belief in “eternal damnation”?
before I actually comment, commercial muna:
I was there when you auditioned and the Filipino song that you sang was my favorite. “Muli”, right? 
Kuya Benj (if you’ll allow me to call you so just for politeness :P), ang galing mo pala kumanta.
***
At oo, Pisay-Diliman ang tinutukoy dyan. Yung ID thing pa lang sa flag cem, give away clue na eh.
Tsaka kahit naman po ilagay niyo yung pangalan ng school, pwede ba, naunahan na yung nagsulat nito ng newsbreak magazine dahil naglabas na sila ng ganyang article na, btw, wala masyadong basis.
***
Anyway, before anything else, I come from the Philippine Science High School, an active member of the PSHS-Student Catholic Association (SCA), and I belong to the batch that just graduated this year and was, well, labeled as the most God-fearing of all batches.
Yup. God-fearing people exist even in a non-sectarian school. Seriously. I mean, that should be obvious since this is still the Philippines right? But we did have atheists with us in our batch. At accepted sila. Buong-buo. Walang pangmamaliit.
Now this is my opinion. The school does not break any “laws” or whatever because EVERYTHING still remains optional. The problem with the atheists in Pisay is they are in a constant pursuit to obliterate everything that has got to do with religion or God in our school. Gusto nila kasi, wag mag-pray, wag magtatag ng mga religious orgs, at kung anu-ano pa.
Ang lagi na lang nilang hindi napapansin, the ADMINISTRATION refrains from imposing anything at all. Period.
Meaning, they can opt not to pray during the flag ceremonies. Pwede naman eh. Habang nagdadasal yung ibang estudyante, e di tumunganga ka lang. Tutal, kung atheist nga siyang talaga, magiging napakadali nun. Kung iba naman relihiyon mo, e di magdasal ka sa ibang paraan. The non-catholics do not do the sign of the cross and as a sign of respect to that, the prayer leaders do not say “In the name of the father..” anymore. Dasal lang talaga. Kung may iba kang paraan o kung hindi ka naniniwala, MALAYA kang gawin ang gusto mo. May prayer time bilang pasintabi sa mga naniniwala na dapat simulan nila yung linggo nila ng isang dasal.
Ang problema kasi ang paradigm lang yung atheists eh. Since paniniwala ng atheists na hindi dapat magdasal, dapat wag na lang magdasal. Eh pano yung mga hindi atheists? Panu kung sila yung magreklamo sa napaka-atheistang eskuwelahan na hindi man lang sila binibigyan ng panahon para simulan yung linggo nila ng isang dasal?
Tapos yung issue nung teachers. So? Alam kong alam ng estudyante na yan, more than anything, na parang UP lang ang Pisay: may kalayaan. Kaya nga kahit yung orgs estudyante lang nagpapatakbo ng lahat eh. Kung talagang atheist siya, he would opt to tell the teacher na: “ma’am, I don’t believe in what you’re teaching. sori but can i leave?” ganun kasimple. sigurado naman ako (at kagagraduate ko palang sa eskuwelahan na iyan) na WALANG TEACHER sa pisay na namimilit na makisama ka sa isang relihiyon. Oo, vocal sila about their beliefs, but if you have yours, does that really matter? I mean, kaya nga itinuturo sa values education na “you should live in harmony with those who have different beliefs”, di ba? Kahit sabihin pa nating may “influence” na pwedeng mangyari, well, kung maiimpluwensiyahan ka, hindi talaga buo ang paniniwala mo bilang atheist na walang Diyos.
Ang malaking tanong ko lang sa nagsulat nito, why did you not include in your essay your “attempts” to tell your teachers that you do not believe in such? That would have made the essay more convincing. Maybe because the attempts did not exist?
I mean, you even want to be an “unknown” rather than tell the whole world that this is what you believe in. Kung gusto mo nga talagang bigyang puwang ka ng eskuwelahan sa mga paniniwala mo, e di ipahayag mo kung ano ang pinaniniwalaan mo at PANINDIGAN mo. Hindi yung magpapaka-unknown ka. Para mo kasing ipinapalabas na ikinakahiya mong maging atheist. Be proud that you are one if that’s what you believe.
Last, non-sectarian pa rin ang Pisay. Minsan kasi, nakakalimutan nating tingnan ang mga bagay sa isang mas malawak na perpektibo kaya nagiging kawawa tuloy ang mga inaakusahan natin.
yun lang.
I have to agree with Noir. People view atheists as evil, cult-ists who have no respect other people’s faith. Well, not only students have this narrow perspective of liberal theists. Teachers also have this at a far more compromising level.
“sigurado naman ako (at kagagraduate ko palang sa eskuwelahan na iyan) na WALANG TEACHER sa pisay na namimilit na makisama ka sa isang relihiyon.”
To Kuya Ryan, I know you remember me from Himig. I have encountered teachers in some subjects who never took my academic performance into much consideration when they found out I was an atheist in my first half of HS. That particular teacher never gave me a grade of more than 1.75 in her subject, despite the fact that I had deserved, meritocratically speaking, much more. She also didn’t open as much opportunities, both within the school and outside, for me in that subject, simply because I was vocal about my being an atheist.
When she found out that I had toned down and had chosen a particular sect of the faith, she finally gave me credit for my academic performance.
Now tell me that isn’t a teacher forcing a student into a particular faith?
paula: aray, that’s fucked up.
That just underscores the need for Pisay to be a safe space to all kinds of creeds. I mean, on a personal level, atheists might be accepted by their equals, but obviously there’s some form of institutional discrimination that has no place in a non-sectarian school.
Ano nga ba ang mawawala sa mga Kristiyano kung walang dasal sa flag ceremony? E di dasal na lang kayo on your own.
I agree with Ryan.
Well, every dollar bears the words “in God we trust.” Now how about that?
When I was in Pisay what I actually appreciated from the prayer was how students were able to say express concerns for themselves and for the school in through the public utterance of their own prayer — be it a prayer to the Catholic God, the Evangelical God, the muslim God or (if it happens, to Huitzilopochtli, to the moon, or to the devil). The most memorable one was the prayer after the whole poisoning incident. Gee, even if I were atheist, I would have appreciated the prayer for our schoolmate-victim.
I don’t think they’re forced into embracing a belief in God through the routine prayer. Hello??? How many students do I see not listening to what’s going onstage! And most of the time, what enters the left ear, exits through the right… hahaha. Okay, that’s not so funny.
It’s sad that atheists have a bad rep, it really shouldn’t be that way. Well, I was an ORI volunteer for a few years and I never saw atheists as evil or inferior. Different doesn’t mean evil or inferior. My students of both ORI and English would know that.
If prayer would be abolished from the flag sem and any other government routine, I would have no problem with that as long as we are still allowed to practice our own beliefs on campus.
Paula: As your former teacher, I think there are many factors to consider when it comes to grading you– it depends on the subject and your performance. You are really one of the most colorful personalities in your batch! Anyway, what was the subject of that teacher ba? Kung totoo na may discrimination yan, please write a letter to that teacher and the admin so that she can learn from this even if it’s in retrospect.
[...] Filipinos have their own issues with separating Church and State, as Brad Fults pointed out, they are miles ahead in some other [...]
in the UP college of law, a professor used to open every class with a prayer.
so we sued him.
To “micketymoc”:
Bakit, ano nga rin ba ang nawawala sa inyo kapag may dasal sa flag cem? I mean, kayo nga dapat yung hindi maapektuhan dahil hindi naman kayo naniniwala dun eh? eh di don’t pray. you guys can opt not to naman eh.
To Paula:
What I’m really very proud of about pisay is the fact that the teachers show you their grading sheets everytime you’d ask them why you’re grade turn out the way it did. Seriously.
There are many ways on how a teacher grades. Sa pisay, most of the time, objective yun. ikaw gagawa g grades mo. i’m sure you know that. pwera na lang yung mga recitation parts. tama si ate frances, maraming factors sa paggrade. malamang hindi dahil sa paniniwala mo kaya ganun yung grade niya sayo. or hindi lang dahil dun. tama si ate frances, kung feeling mo may discrimination nga talaga, write a letter to her or to the admin. address the problem. tapos baka maliwanagan ka pa ng lalo sa kung bakit ganun yung treatment niya sayo.
This is an interesting article on “science†high school. I am an alumnus of PSHS (just 25 years ago) and if the article does refer to Pisay or of any high school based in our “secular” country I can only express my disappointment. What bothers me is how it seems that we are still afraid to even mention our real names and real schools. Is there really someone out there to get us? I want to hear more stories of actual discrimination against atheist or even differing beliefs by authorities and/or school administration or of those in power. Does this site have a poll of closet atheist?
Regards to all,
Dr. Iggy Agbayani
The reference to “imploring the aid of Almighty God” in the preamble of the Philippine Constitution should also be considered.
Religion or God is not necessary for Morality. Maraming tao ang takot gumawa ng masama kasi takot silang masunog sa impierno for all eternity. all Theistic religions are all the same not necessarily on the outcome like Muslim Terrorism but on the Level OF RATIONALITY. 9/11 happened because those bombers thought that they could have 72 virgins if they kill those people. Theism is Stupid because there is no evidence If there is evidence pwede mawawala na ang doubt sa mga puso ng atheist. Science is Great. The Bible shouldnt have the Authority to Rule our lives. Bakit di pwede magpakasal ang same sex?Lalaki at babae lang ang pwedeng ikasal kasi nasusulat sa Bible??? sino ba gumawa ng bible? mga propetang may Private revelations? you cannot disprove it but it doesnt mean its true . we are a Secular nation but it doesnt appear so. im really against indoctrination of children because they are not mature enough to have a specific view of the universe. let them decide what to believe. Science must be thought at school because its much more rational than believing somebody died because of your sins. If youve done something good Thank yourself not a big bearded white man in the clouds with his big book.
But many aspects of secularism can be seen as religious, such as capitalism and the argument that human beings are inherently good (which is part of the law), and one can be indoctrinated into various beliefs like equating freedom with a free market system, maximization of profits, or the claim that science is “great,” when the truth is that science can be used for good and for bad (just like religion).
My Science High School X does a prayer every monday as part of the flag ceremony, has mass every month, and is probably 100% christian. It once had a Muslim student, though he/she probably attended the masses with his/her friends. Students that are not Catholic are not required to come. It even sometimes celebrates Methodist masses.
‘…my God-given talents… the love of God, country…’
I still couldn’t believe I ended up commenting to this after looking for the school’s hymn score!
I think the imposition thing is not because of religion but because of character and personality. There will always be catholics, christians who will impose their faith just as there as muslims who impose their faith (kaya nga may jihad) just as there are atheists who impose their beliefs.
Come on there are also several teachers in SHS-X and in UP who impose their beliefs and call it scientific beliefs even if such theories were never really proven and even if some of the scientists who formulated such theories took back what they said before they died. (I’ve made a research on this.) Its disappointing to see professors and teachers who sneer down at students just because they believe in creation.
Bottom line is there will always be a bunch of opinionated people who think that they are always right.
Funny thing is some of them are here. I see your names in a lot of blogsites and boy you sure have opinions for everything. :p