Not my God — not my religion

A number of devoted Catholics have started to speak out against the “tirade” or “attack” of President Duterte against religion, God, the Bible and Genesis. A well known columnist even told me that there are things he can put up with regarding Duterte’s style and penchant for stirring up controversy, but he will not let Duterte ridicule or dishonor his God, Jesus Christ or his faith. From the looks of it, Duterte has finally pissed off a number of Catholics and Christians who had for some time tried to turn the other cheek or simply shut out his vulgarity. This very same lot is now challenging believers on both sides of the political divide to stand up for their faith, religion and GOD.

I guess it’s easy to pick on or prick believers of a faith that preaches humility, submission to authority particularly in a nation where many have become Sunday worshippers instead of potential warriors, terrorists or jihadists. Why worry about retaliation if their Bible teaches them to pray for leaders unconditionally, even if they may be corrupt, wicked or violent. Duterte might be tempted to think that Catholics or Christians are not the type to fight back especially in the face of Duterte’s presumed popularity and strongman projection.

To be honest, I think the President is goading the church and the critics therein either to annoy them or to push them into making mistakes that can give Duterte a reason if not an excuse to have them arrested for breaking laws. I’m sure that Malacañang was not happy when 200 priests and supporters marched on EDSA to the EDSA shrine to bring attention to the killings of several priests. The fact that there are now at least three well known women alongside the priests who are openly critical of Duterte directly, has most likely become a cause for concern.

If President Duterte wants to pick a fight with God, let him. Don’t try to do God a favor by joining in because God is well able to deal with his critics and those who hate him or disrespect him. Remember what God said in the Bible: “Leave room for vengeance is mine says the Lord.” The Bible also says: “God is not mocked” Just pray for the President so that he could have a “Damascus encounter” like St. Paul who was transformed from a killer to a preacher! Praying for leaders is also not always about heaping blessings upon someone, it can also be for divine intervention so that we may live peaceful lives.

*      *      *

Now that an arrested “Tambay” has been murdered during detention, will President Duterte step up and take responsibility? Will he take the blame instead of letting his cops go through public and media scrutiny or will they all simply distance themselves and blame two gang members and disregard the fact that it was the arrest of a “Tambay” that cost him his life.

Remember the many times President Duterte reassured his security forces that he will protect and defend them in case they face charges or possibly go to jail for following his orders. President Duterte always tell them that he will accept responsibility or simply pardon any cop who ends up being sentenced to go to jail for fighting the war on drugs. Well, now is his chance.

*      *      *

While Malacañang tries to figure a way of preventing the murder of a Tambay in custody from escalating into a serious political and PR disaster, the rest of us everyday Filipinos ought to spend a few minutes reflecting on the fact that last week there were a series of controversial and combustible ideas in terms of PR that the President, the PNP, the PDEA and government talking heads ordered, floated or endorsed. Aside from the order to arrest Tambays, there was the talk of arming Barangay Captains that was quickly followed by the “suggestion” of the PDEA that there should be “mandatory drug testing of school children beginning at grade 4!” Then, when people started debating on the “Death of a Tambay,” the President turned religious as in criticizing religion, God and Genesis!

Looking back at the series of ridiculous and poorly thought out ideas, I could not find an actual and credible trigger for the Anti-Tambay order. The idea to arm Barangay chiefs was apparently recycled material and the PDEA suggestion for drug testing of grade 4 kids does not have clinical, police or school based data and incidents to support or justify just the idea itself! Attacking and provoking religious sentiments and beliefs was just so whacked I spent the weekend figuring out what was the trigger?

Is it related to the resurgence of Extra Judicial Killings that have once again piled up? In spite of those killings, there have been more drive-by hold ups and shootings so the use of deadly force against criminals has not deterred them. Last week the fall of the peso to the dollar was coffee shop talk along with the runaway inflation, the serious imbalance in our Balance of Payments, a raise in interest rates, how the local stock market has been going down everyday that it’s beginning to look like a slow flushing toilet bowl.

Call me suspicious, but I can’t help but think that last week’s four publicity missiles were all meant to distract people and media from focusing on the high crimes, the economic hiccups and speed bumps that the so-called fastest growing economy has been suffering. On top of that, Malacañang must surely be feeling the pressure from critics and experts alike, who have all continued to comment and criticize the Duterte Administration’s policy and attitude regarding Philippine islands and territory being ruled over by the Chinese Coast Guard.

Obviously, all of last weeks PR missile launches were intended to redirect fire from Malacañang. As Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying: “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time. But you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”

*      *      *

E-mail: [email protected]