Our problem is really great. The churches in our country are not united in instilling what is good and bad in our society. Just look at the problem of lascivious dressing -- do we hear or see or read a united stand to curb it? No, in fact in religious schools, it is even tolerated. Hence, the boys in those schools are confused -- should they concentrate on their studies or enjoy the views of the parade of thighs and legs in their midst?
Then the question of the interpretation of the Bible, the basic book of all Christians. Are we united in how the Bible should be taught at all? Not really. So many pastors wallow in repetitive sermons on loving Christ, in revering his past -- his crucifixion, his sufferings (for our sins? We were not born yet at that time. How could we possibly be part of the sins of that era?) So instead of studying which teachings of Christ are really worthwhile remembering to heart and mind, we are fed with teachings that are detached from the realities of our lives.
This is why we have half-baked Christians. Just listen to that corporate moralist broadcaster: could you believe and follow everything he says? In between his sentences, he mentions the name of the relative of the publisher of his columns five times and more, giving her a free propaganda, as if to utter her name was reaching the heavens. But I find his acts highly hypocritical -- he purports to be a Christian but he misuses the broadcasting medium to show his canine loyalty to his publisher.
I believe in Christ, but I don't believe in how it is taught here in our country. I believe more in what Christ taught the people and how to realize them -- for example, feed the hungry. Love the children. Don't commit adultery. Love your neighbor. Love the creations - the earth and everything in it.
Then there is another Bible leader who claims to be a leader but discriminates against the poorer member of her group, picking out the sessions that she should join. Another leader claims to be passionate about Christ but refuses to answer telephone calls when she is busy with her family tasks. Supposing that was a frantic call for help, would a supposed leader ignore it? Is the family over and above one's pastoral tasks? What kind of image is she projecting to the world -- that she is a special leader who has only a few moments for dealing with members?
Then in another Christian group, I was confronted by the pastor, not really very old, who did not recognize me at all whereas when I used to attend the masses, I used to approach him and congratulated him as to how relevant his sermons were to life. I stopped attending because of that. Pastors are not gods to be put up in the pedestals. They are still human -- fallible and probably approaching second childhood or developing amnesia- in which case, the powers-that-be have to check on their capacities to lead.
Folks, I think Christian and Catholic leadership should be checked now and then, if we are hewing close to shaping a morally upright society. Maybe the problems of society are repetitive because even our own political leaders are confused as to how they should direct their offices.
For example, year in and year out, departments are given budgets for the implementation of programs and projects. But are they checked at all if they have diligently spent the money and that all the people of the Philippines have enjoyed the benefits due them? How long does it take before action is done on complaints of the people?
Look at this, they are building the skyway. What do the construction companies do?They hammer and pound at night when we are already supposed to be asleep. The noise even penetrates our dreams. Can we complain? Does the DPWH have any means to know what the people feel, or do they care at all?
I rode the jeep Project 2-3 yesterday and from Tomas Morato, it took more than 45 minutes to reach EDSA. Is that humane to the jeepney drivers? 1.) The trips they can take is lessened; instead of ten, it is down to 6 or so; 2) if being in that traffic makes them lose half a liter, then times 7 days = P140 (if per liter costs P40) and times 365 days=P7,300.00 per year;3.) the residents in the areas passed by, the passengers and the drivers suffer from the polluted air along the way; which is why many drivers suffer from cough, colds, and TB; 4.) the drivers control their urinating while on the way which could make them suffer from kidney problems. I advised the driver the pros and cons but he said their leader has gone. No one has taken over. Leaders of workers' movements really develop burn-out.
Everyday, as I ride the jeepneys and get out, I have to walk 100 steps in order to reach my destination. The jeepney and bus stops are so far from my destination. There are no elevators in many overpasses. I counted the steps in going up and going down -- they reached 40 to 50 steps. For an elderly and a PWD that is Agony with a capital A. And as I carry my things in two bags, climbing up and down is like being up in the mountains of Abra. Why does the MMDA make the commuters suffer so much? Are we not paying taxes so that they can get a decent salary? Every 15th and 30th they earn their salaries, assured of food to eat in their homes; and yet they do not care about the welfare of pedestrians and commuters. All they think about is how to make people and vehicles move. NO, DEVELOPMENT IS NOT LIKE THAT AT ALL.
Only inside malls -- if we have moolah- do we experience a better treatment. Cool temperature, clean surroundings, and sometimes cheap food.
I think we should think of alerting those departments that fail to give a decent service to the people. If they receive a complaint, then Congress and the Senate must withhold P1 million from their budget per complaint until that is addressed and solved. If so, then the P1M may be restored. But if not, sorry na lang, walang tongpats.
Let us think of tit for tat. For Kuwait, let us bring home all our domestic helpers.
Only when receiving countries are ready with their dormitories for the workers, which means workers well be sleeping every night in them, and not in their employers' homes. In this manner we could always check the condition of our workers -- whether they are being treated humanely or oppressed. DOLE, huwag ka nang magpatumik-tumpik pa. Marami nang namamatay na mga kababayan natin. Move Secretary, move.
Let us welcome 2020 with a brighter idea of how to see what is good for our people, what is right and wrong. And I would bat for the strongest position we can have in the international scene.
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