WITH the election of new members of Congress, concern is now high as to whether the population bills will finally be passed into law. People behind them are campaigning hard to get the numbers to pass them.
These bills are highly contentious. They have provoked a truly sharp clash of positions not showing signs of easing up. Philippine society has been painfully divided as a consequence.
The focus of contention has long shifted from the text and content of the bills, obviously written to sound harmless and benevolent, to the kind of people, institutions and ideologies behind them.
We have to understand that the whole shebang is only a thumbnail of a much larger picture, a mere shadow of a much graver conflict, just one more front in a frontierless war between faith and ideology, between good and evil.
Just the same, the battle in Congress is crucial, for its outcome can significantly transform the complexion of our society. It can open a Pandora’s box. It can be a wedge through which many others more corrupting elements can ruin marriages and break up families.
Whatever relief or help the bills can give seem to be only temporary and shallow. But relief can also be provided by other more acceptable sources. What is clear is that these bills can inflict a deeper and more serious and lasting damage to our culture and ethos.
This is no exaggeration. In fact, I hope I am exaggerating. I know that those promoting these population control and family planning bills will cry that this way of looking at the situation is uncalled for. I understand them perfectly.
But while it is good to be trusting, it is better to be prudent. And in this case, prudence is a result of extensive experience and consistent data gathered worldwide indicating a systematic plan to subvert the very Christian sense of morality.
The issue is not really poverty and overpopulation. If it were just poverty and other social problems, then by all means, we have to go all out in finding the most effective, most practical and cheapest means.
But the issue is not that. The issue is morality. It is our understanding of freedom, responsibility, truth, etc. that is at stake here. There is a most treacherous attempt to undermine morals, using the most seductive arguments.
We are told that we should just be practical, and leave aside the luxury of considering the moral aspects. Why, is it not very moral to be able to eliminate poverty and curb overpopulation? It’s a tired yarn, but many still fall for it.
That is why it is important that everyone is vigilant and generous in helping to clarify the issue. For what is before us is a big challenge, requiring tremendous effort and resources.
We cannot exaggerate the problems and difficulties involved. In defending the truth, what is basically used is also the truth, the truth about us as persons, as children of God, and as responsible social beings and citizens of a certain country.
But it is also truth that can only be given in charity. This is the teaching of the Church, the example of Christ. It cannot be any other way. The goal is not to find out who is right and wrong, who is more clever or practical or popular.
The goal is to convert all to Christ. And this can only be reached through grace, through prayers, through faithful adherence to the doctrine of our faith, through the sacraments and virtues.
This cannot be done by use of force or tricks. No matter how stubborn and dense, no matter how wrong we are, we need to be respected in our freedom.
This approach, of course, is not easy at all. But neither is it an impossible one. As long as one is really with God, he will be with the truth, and he will manage to live, affirm and defend it in charity, no doubt about that.
Bottom line: use more the supernatural and spiritual means without neglecting any human means available to us.
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