‘Thanks’ to PRRD

Given his “Stupid God” remark, readers might be surprised and question why I’m suggesting we thank President Rodrigo Roa Duterte alias PRRD for actually blaspheming God. Whatever his motives were, PRRD has done more for reawakening people’s faith and feelings about God in the Philippines this month than any sermon or recent evangelical crusade I can think off. Thanks to PRRD’s “Stupid” statement, many believers and church leaders have found enough reason to step out of their stupor or comfort zones and publicly take a stand in media, Facebook or pulpits and declare: “MY GOD IS NOT STUPID.” More than that, PRRDs solitary statement has made it politically correct to talk about God, the Bible, and Christian doctrine and history.

The situation reminds me of a scene in the Bible where Joseph (the kid with a coat of many colors) who was sold by his brothers as a slave, ultimately becomes Prime Minister of Egypt, years later comes face to face with his brothers who no longer recognize him and are half starved due to a famine. He reveals himself to them, but instead of seeking revenge, he tells his brothers: “What you meant for evil, God has meant for good” (Genesis 50:20). Like I wrote in a previous column, I maintain that PRRD’s “Stupid ” remark was probably all part of a series of statements meant to spark controversy and provide distraction from the more serious challenges being faced by our government and our people. While I will not suggest that PRRD is “wicked,” his choice of words and action does reveal how disconnected and shallow his “Lone Ranger” spirituality or religion is.

The Bible also shows us how God can use even a donkey to give a message or save someone from disaster. In Numbers 22:21 to 39, Balaam a prophet was riding on his donkey not realizing that at the end of the path an Angel stood with a drawn sword ready to kill him for his disobedience. The donkey stopped several times trying to get away from the angel, but Balaam who could not see the Angel, kicked or beat the donkey every time it backed up until the donkey actually spoke pointing out that he the donkey, was actually trying to save his life from the angel about to kill him. Balaam finally sees and talks to the angel and realizes his foolishness. If anything, the public response to the “Stupid” statement certainly gave the Duterte administration a pretty good idea of what to expect if they pushed people too far. So in effect, God has certainly used the insult hurled at him to benefit and cause a momentary revival of sort.

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Now that PRRD has succeeded to inflame many Filipinos’ spiritual passions while appointing a committee of apologists, what can or should the faithful be doing about their newfound appreciation and defense of God? Allow me to share a beautiful song that challenges and encouraged Christians to be more vocal, visible and pro active about their faith and passion for God. The song is entitled “Read All About It” by Emile Sande and the lyrics have long haunted me as a journalist and Christian. The song has also pushed me to be more public about my faith, the Bible, Jesus Christ and especially God.

Read All About It

You’ve got the words to change a nation

but you’re biting your tongue

You’ve spent a life time stuck in silence,

Afraid you’ll say something wrong

If no on ever hears it,

how we gonna learn your song?

So come on, come on. Come on, come on

You’ve got a heart as loud as lightning,

So why let your voice be tamed?

Maybe we’re a little different,

There’s no need to be ashamed

You’ve got the light to fight the shadows,

So stop hiding it away

Come on, come on

I wanna sing, I wanna shout,

I wanna scream till the words dry out

So put it in all the papers, I’m not afraid

They can read all about it, Read all about it,

At night we’re waking up the neighbors

while we sing away the blues

Making sure that we’re remembered,

yeah cause we all matter too

If the truth has been forbidden,

Then we’re breaking all the rules

So Come on, come on. Come on, come on

Let’s get the TV and the radio to play our tune again

It’s ‘bout time we got some airplay

of our version of events

There’s no need to be afraid

I will sing with you my friend

I wanna sing, I wanna shout,

I wanna scream till the words dry out

So put it in all of the papers, I’m not afraid

They can read all about it, read all about it, oh oh

Yeah we’re all wonderful people, wonderful people

So when did we all get so fearful?

Now we’re finally finding our voices

So take a chance, come help me sing this,

Yeah we’re all wonderful,

Wonderful people

So when did we all get so fearful?

And now we’re finally finding our voices

Just take a chance, come help me sing this.

I wanna sing, I wanna shout

I wanna scream ‘till the words dry out

So put it in all of the papers

I’m not afraid. They can read all about it

Read all about it.

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