The Three Ways

    There are three ways to look at a certain situation. It may either be positive, negative or neutral. According to BBC news, the Philippines and the Vatican are discussing whether or not the legalization of divorce will push through. The Philippines is the only country in the world where divorce is seen as a grave sin. It is seen as something unethical, immoral and improper as a Christian and as a Filipino that is why they have approved annulment. Even though laws and regulations are implemented by the government, there is a strong influence coming from the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church’s stand on this issue is that it is strongly “non-Filipino”. The church sees divorce as a grave sin and it should not be implemented. Since it is instilled in the hearts of the Filipino people that Catholicism should come first, the Church assumes that divorce will not prevail in their hearts. This is the pessimist way of looking at divorce. Marriage is considered to be a holy sacrament and is not meant to be rejected in the form of divorce. For the church, marriage is supposed to be a bond between two people that is not meant to be broken forever. As cliché as it may possibly sound, this has always been the case ever since Christianity prevailed the Philippines. The legalization of divorce will bring about a change in the status quo, a change in the values engraved in their hearts as Filipino Christians. The church clearly strongly opposes the legalization of divorce in the Philippines. The positive way of looking upon divorce is the way the government looks upon it. They say that it is an “easy way out” for abusive relationships and such. They want to go with the flow and take away the Philippines from the “dark side” the traditional way of living. They said that we are the only country not being able to go with what is new and what is accepted in other countries. The acceptance of Malta in the legalization of divorce heightened up the urge of the Philippine government to approve of the Divorce Bill. They say that this is an acceptable way for married couples to “find their light” and find what they are really meant to be for. This will assumingly help abusive marriages and marriages that are facing certain problems to build their walls against repetitive abuse and tolerance of abuse which is clearly against human rights and violation of their dignity. Not only do they want to legalize divorce, but they also want to make it easier for poor people financially to file a divorce case instead of tolerating the pain of their marriage. According to BBC news Asia's Kate McGeown, "The bill would make violence, infidelity and abandonment all grounds for annulment". The bill will clearly provoke those people who are unfaithful, who are violent and who are insensitive towards their marriage held accountable and making it possible for their spouses to file a divorce. The last reaction stated would be the neutral one. Most people in the Philippines are being very passive when it comes to the issue of divorce. This passiveness may lead to further damage as it may bring about chaos when in times of regret by the government of legalizing such bill. Passiveness means having no voice and having no “say” about the situation. This makes the government all powerful and the Philippines less democratic. This is actually a democratic society which promotes individuality and equality, where is individuality and equality in being passive?

     The Philippines will not be able to rise above these stereotypes and these issues if they will be passive. One has to clearly choose as to where he/she stands. To accept divorce in the Filipino culture or not? That is the question. 

Source:

McGeown, K. (2011, June 1). Philippines debates divorce law change. BBC News, Manila, Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13611795