Religious Freedom in the Philippines Essay

I. IntroductionBased on Dr. Jose Rizals symbolisms on the roll up page of Noli Me Tangere, worship is a big influence with the perspective of the masses. However, in the future, thither go out restrained be the influence of religion, but people atomic be 18 then educated. People stop continuing the old pr serveices because they clams to question the logic in doing these practices. This is only proof that even though the Filipino mind is deeply influenced by Christianity, universe open to amend and revealing of aneself is not that far a focus. We mint never change history or force almostone to change their whims, but let the early days be the ones to disc all over it themselves. The Filipino youth must be tout ensembleowed to convey their religion. If not, they end up organism confused, lo infernog the proceedion of religion during wedlock, and continuously discriminated receivable to take awayensive stereotyping. Inclining their personality with the appropriate feelings allow result to a relegate perspective for living and to discovering their self-identity. Infant Baptism body politics that it wipes away original sin this is a sacrament organism practiced almost to the full in the Philippines. Their p arnts ar already binding them to be devoted to a belief that may or may not be suitable for their child. This is the simplest act of violation to the liberty of religion.What pass on happen to those children who refuse to confide in the practices that their parents taught them? These children end up being outcast to their society, causing depression that sometimes leads to suicide. Majority of the Filipino population are Christian Catholics. At present, the essence of Christianity has been continuously forgotten by these Catholics themselves. For Christians, the Ten Commandments take on a whole new perspective. But it seems that the Ten Commandments are not surveiled, cover signs of unfaithfulness or betrayal to their owl religio n. Then what is the logical accounting for being baptised as Christians if they are not devoted or loyal to Christianity? Based on their actions, they are clearly violating the Ten Commandments. The first base Commandment states that I am the Lord your God. You shall not rent some other gods beside me (Ex 202-3 Dt 56-7), but to be loyal to their God is to follow His commandments. Unfortunately, thither are violating the first commandment without them k presentlying it. At the homogeneous time, the Filipino population has a young population, meaning majority of the biotic community are minor league.And in lieu with the majority of Christians in the Philippines, majority of these minors are Christians. Since Filipino Christians are mostly unfamiliar to their religion, they do not practice their religion fully despite that they are born Christians. They are growing to be to a great extent confused about their religion, and end up losing the essence of it as they grow older. Marr iage is a part of adulthood, and marriage is a holy sacrament practiced by Christians to bond their kindred with the opposite sex, declaring them husband and wife, in the name of God. But do the Christians being wedded nowadays even recognise the essence of being hook up with? Most of them get married to have the right to experience versed intercourse legally, property rights of the mate, and in the name of love. Not knowing they are already forgetting the essence of getting married in the name of God. The personality provides for freedom of religion, and the political science generally respected this right in practice.Although Christianity was the preponderant religion, at that place is no state religion, and under the Constitution church and cite are separate. Moslems were the largest minority spiritual convention in the country. in that location was general debate over the exact size of the Muslim population, as some officials and observers claimed that security conce rns in western Mindanao prevented census takers from conducting accurate counts outside urban areas. Estimates ranged from 3.9 million to 7 million, or 5 to 9 % of the population. Muslims resided principally in Mindanao and nearby islands, but there were Muslim communities passim the country. Historically, Muslims have been discriminated from the Christian majority. The national culture, with its emphasis on familial, tribal, and regional loyalties, forms informal barriers whereby access to jobs or resources is provided first to those of ones own family or group net play.Muslims describe difficulty renting retinue in boarding houses or being hired for work if they used their real name or wore classifiable Muslim dress. As a result, some Muslims used a Christian pseudonym and did not wear distinctive dress when applying for housing or jobs. The Governments crackdown on the terrorist ASG has led some human rights NGOs to charge up the police and military of unfairly targeting Musl ims for arrest and detention. However, most observers believed that discrimination against Muslims was grounded on cultural differences, not phantasmal beliefs or practices. There also were reports of Muslim discrimination against Christians in areas where Muslims were the majority.In conclusion, freedom of religion must be strictly implemented in the Philippines. And the first step to continue practicing the freedom of religion is to let the youth have the freedom to choose their religion. As a result, Filipinos possibly will be more productive and will have a better point of view in life. This may be a solution to the major crisis of the Philippines with the economy. Workers, videlicet Filipinos, play a big part in the economy. So having better and devoted workers will help produce a greater economy for Philippines, and resulting to rise of the Filipinos from poverty.II. import of the Study godliness is a system of belief that a group of people practice. It involves devotion an d ritual observances. And oftentimes contains a honourable work out governing the conduct of human affairs. Religion is something that virtually all humanity have in common. In all corners of the world and in all eras of history, people have wondered about the meaning of life, how to make the best of it, what happens afterwards, and if there is anyone or anything out there. Nowadays, ghostly devotion is being practiced by Filipinos. Sudden devotion to the Black Nazarene is being observed. But still, there are devotees to other spectral groups who stay loyal. The freedom of religion is liberation to benefit majority of Filipinos because of the importance of religion to the Filipinos. The freedom of religion is vainglorious Filipinos the right to practice their religion and still belong to the community without being discriminated this will unite the Filipino community.Freedom of religion stool improve quality of education and man power. Children who are free to choose their belief will have a better perspective in life, and this will help increase man power. Man power is a primary element to greater economy which will be beneficial to the community. It is better to have a better set of generations to educate and nurture for the progress of our country. Those who will be working or earning money can have a better life. Fewer crimes will be commit due(p) to devotion to what you really want to believe. Democracy will be more effective, because even though there is a law including freedom of religion, namely phrase III, section 5, stating free usance of religious worship shall be allowed, we are not fully practicing freedom.III. BodyA. Religiona. Religions in the dry land1. Major ReligionsReligion is a belief where in people sometimes uses it as a way of life or a perspective. There are many, long conventional, major world religions, each with over cardinal million pursual. These religions that are considered as major religions include Christianit y, Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism, Bahai Faith, Jainism, Judaism, Shintos, Sikhism, and Paganism All from different countries of the world. If we had been born in a peculiar(prenominal) place, we are most likely to adapt the most common religion in the place. Given that you were born in Saudi Arabia, you would almost sure as shooting hold Muslim beliefs. In much of Europe, there is Christianity. And in the Philippines, you are most likely to be Catholic except if you were born in ARMM, you are to be a Muslim.2. NeopagansThis religion is a modern-day reconstructive memory of ancient Pagan religions from various countries and eras. Majority of the followers of the Neopagans refer to themselves as Pagans. But the term Neopagans is used because the followers and the religion itself is less perplexing compare to the Pagans. Neopagans include Asatru or Norse Paganism, Druidism, Wicca, and Witchcraft. But some followers of Asatru regard themselves as Heathens rather tha n Neopagans.3. AtheistAn Atheist is seldom referred to as agnostic or infidel. Atheists are people who do not believe in the existence of a supreme being. They deny to be committed to the belief of creation of the universe by a particular deity. They dispersed free thoughts, sceptical inquiry, and subsequent increase in criticism of religion. wiz of the most famous groups of Atheists is the Scientology. b. History of Religions in the Philippines1. Early PeriodIn this period of time, the Philippines were invaded by the Spaniards. The Spaniards were the ones who introduced Catholicism to the Filipinos. Specifically, Ferdinand Magellan was the one who introduced it to Lapu-lapu. The Spaniards were off on a search for Marianas Island, it is said to be rich in different spices. They got off the chart and accidentally went to the Philippines. Their goal was the three Gs God, gold, and aureole God, to introduce Catholicism, gold, to be able to get a lot of resources, and glory, to inva de the islands. They were successful with this because until now, most of the Filipinos practice the religion they introduced to us, Catholicism.2. Revolutionary EraIn 1898, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United avers. By February 1902, the United States defeated the forces of Spain. They established an independent state for the country. The Philippine Organic Act of 1902 was declared stating that no law shall be made to prohibit free will, and that free exercise must incessantly be allowed.3. Late American PeriodThe Americans established a religious freedom by declaring the separation of church and state found on the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Filipinos still show signs of anti-friars therefore, the Americans replaced the Spanish friars for Filipino ones to take over. The Marcos regime continues to rein the country and compel military Law, which some of the bishops opposed, trying to win back the hearts and loyalty of the country.4. Post-Independenc eCorazon Aquino took over Marcos presidency and brought back the unity of the government with the Catholic church. This made way for church officials to make an impression on the 1986 Constitutional Commission.B. Freedom of Religion in the Philippinesa. Constitutional Laws1. Benevolent NeutralityThe dogmatic Court of the Philippines, established the doctrine of benevolent neutrality-accommodation. The 2006 ruling, imposed by former Chief arbitrator Puno, explained benevolent-neutrality in the context of U.S. jurisprudence. It states that religious practices is a unanimous right and does not privilege the society to discriminate anyone who accommodates their religion under some circumstances.2. obligate II, Section 3The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable. With the warranty of religious freedom in the Philippines, the Roman Catholic Church clergy by and by remained in the governmental background as a source of moral influence for many voters during elections unt il today. Political candidates generally court the clergy for support, although this does not endorsement victory for a candidate. The Philippines was placed under martial law by Dictator Ferdinand Marcos and relations changed dramatically, as some bishops opposed the martial law.3. Article III, Section 5No law shall be made respecting an foundation of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights The former Philippine Organic Act of 1902. This law is now imposed in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. But the right to act in conformism with ones belief cannot be absolute. Conduct remains assailable to regulation and even prohibition for the protection of society.It may not be used to justify an action or refusal inconsistent with general welfare of society (Peopl e vs. Diel, CA 44 O.G. 590, August 22, 1947). One of the regulations imposed in its exercise is the compliance of government employees to Section 5 of the Omnibus Rules relative to the number of working hours. While government employees of Muslim faith are excuse from work between the hours of 10 oclock in the break of day up to 2 oclock in the afternoon both Friday, they are obligated to compensate said lost working hours by adopting flexible time schedule to complete forty hours of work in a week.4. Republic Act No. 3350This was intended to serve the exercise of advancing the constitutional right to the free exercise of religion, by averting that some people be dismissedfrom work, or be dispossess of their right to work and of being impeded to pursue a modest means of livelihood, by reason of union security agreements.b. spectral Conflicts1. Religious Freedom in the Government Offices ActKabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino has withdrawn House business relationship 6330 otherwis e known as the Religious Freedom in Government Offices Act, which seeks to ban religious images and ceremonies in government offices. The fact that one legislator rattling had the guts to file a bear down like this in a country where the Roman Catholic Church holds considerable influence in politics is already an achievement in itself. As Palatino said in a statement,We are encouraged by the fact that despite the misunderstandings, the bill initiated relevant discussions on freedom of religion as one of the ingrained rights enshrined in the Constitution.2. Muslim DiscriminationMuslims were the largest minority religious group in the country. Muslims resided principally in Mindanao and nearby islands, but there were Muslim communities throughout the country. Historically, Muslims have been alienated from the predominant Christian majority. The national culture, with its emphasis on familial, tribal, and regional loyalties, creates informal barriers whereby access to jobs or resour ces is provided first to those of ones own family or group network. Muslims reported difficulty renting rooms in boarding houses or being hired for retail work if they used their real name or wore distinctive Muslim dress. As a result, some Muslims used a Christian pseudonym and did not wear distinctive dress when applying for housing or jobs3. Separation of Church and StateThe First Amendment is about the right to free exercise of religion. Its interaction with non-discrimination law based on sexual orientation and sexual activity identity. The right of a non-church-related employer to discriminate against gay employees based on religious belief is against a law prohibiting job discrimination. The enactment of employment protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity, opponents of such laws have often raised concerns about the infringement of the religious freedom of business owners.C. online Religious StateIs religious freedom being practiced fully in the Philippine s? Based on other researches, even though there are many laws regarding the separation of church and state, the Catholic Church still has a lot of influence in the system of the government. And in the minds of the Filipino community, they are not practicing this siren democracy and the simple act of baptism to a child is a form of violation. Baptism is a form of surrendering yourself to a autocratic Being and you are already making a sin to that Supreme Being whenever he has doubts or decide to choose their own religion. This is gift pressure to the youth and sometimes lead to social discrimination and suicide.IV. decisivenessThe Filipino youth is the foundation of the future of the Philippine community. Thats why we must nurture the youth and continue to educate them and guide them towards a life with more purpose. In our country, religion is one of the major factors that affect the societys perspective. That is why as early as now the youth must be guided properly and taught ac cording to their pick of religion. Religion is a way of life, a system of belief wherein they give knowledge of peoples lives importance. And it will be an advantage for everyone in the way they behave. This will lead to a better community, the one that can provide a safe environment for Filipinos and foreigners. And freedom of religion can help produce educated people, and this results to greater man power and greater economy.V. BibliographyAgoncillo, Teodoro Guerrero, Milagros (1970). History of the Filipino People. Malaya Books.Bacani, Teodoro (1987). The Church and Politics. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines Clarentian Publications.Schumacher, John (1976). Church and State in the Nineteenth and TwentiethCenturies. Loyola School of Theology, Quezon City.de la Costa, Horacio John Schumacher (1976). Church and State The Philippine Experience. Quezon City, Philippines Loyola School of Theology.