From the Facebook page of Pro-Life Philippines:
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Furnishing you some of my postings in my FB account. Feel free to share.
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ABSCBN News: "President Aquino has decided to certify the reproductive health or responsible parenthood bill as urgent. Aguino told reporters that he would like to see an end to congressional deliberations on what he called as a divisive issue before the year ends."
As the RH Bill is now certified as urgent, may I cite the following with urgency...
Art XV, Sec 2 of our Constitution says, “Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family AND SHALL BE PROTECTED BY THE STATE.” The Constitution acknowledges that Marriage is a SOCIAL institution. It is therefore not the property of any religious group. However the Roman Catholics are majority in the society, they do not own marriage. The State takes it upon itself as stated in the Constitution to PROTECT marriage. Marriage is NOT a matter of the church but of society - as acknowledged by the Constitution... "it is a SOCIAL institution." Any law therefore, or bill for that matter, in this case the RH Bill, should be consistent with the Constitution. In essence, there should be a clear indication that the RH BILL must PROTECT marriage, especially since the RH Bill claims to deal with parenthood, family and sexual relationship/health. All these things are issues of the family AND THE CONSTITUTION SAYS, MARRIAGE IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE FAMILY. THE WORD OF GOD ALSO TEACHES THE SAME THING. MARRIAGE CAME FROM GOD. HE HIMSELF OFFICIATED THE FIRST WEDDING IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN.
Is it wrong to strongly propose for the RH Bill to have stipulations that would clearly PROTECT marriage as what the Constitution says? Protecting marriage is synonymous to protecting health, reproduction, women, family!
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Representative Lagman: "Let us have children by choice and not by chance."
Such is a statement from one who shows he is void of spiritual understanding. The Word of God teaches that children are a heritage (gift) of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is His reward (Ps 127:3).
I have extended counsel to a number of couples who came to me for advice and prayer for the reason that early in their m
arriage, they initially "chose" not to have children for a couple of years. This they did through the use of contraceptives. When they thought it time to have children, they could not. They had to beg the Lord in tears to give them children..some even endangered their marriage because of this.
Is the RH Bill really an "informed choice?"
Prov 1:28-29, "Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord."
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MARRIAGE: THE BIGGEST LOSER IN PASSING THE HB 4244 AND SB 2865 (RH BILL)
According to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) report released in June of this year, the number of registered marriages in the country had dropped by 13 percent from 559,162 in 2001 to 482,480 in 2010. This represented an annual compounded decline rate of 1.5 percent during the period.
Art XV, Sec 2 of our Constitution says, “Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family AND SHALL BE PROTECTED BY THE STATE.”
I DO NOT APPRECIATE HOW THE STATE CAN PROTECT MARRIAGE WITH THE PASSAGE OF AN RH BILL WHICH SAYS NOTHING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE. They are those who do not value marriage who generally contract HIV/AIDS, undergo abortion, maltreat women and do irresponsible sex. And now, we are faced with an RH Bill which intents to distribute condoms and contraceptives without regard to the importance of marriage.
I have long aired this concern.. and even wrote individual letters to all our legislators to AT LEAST STIPULATE IN THE BILL THAT ALONG WITH THE INFORMED CHOICE THEY PROMOTE, TO ALSO PROMOTE MARRIAGE BECAUSE THIS IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE FAMILY.
Is there no one among our legislators who value marriage as to have the courage to mention this in the Bill? What then is the use for having the Art XV, Sec 2 in our Constitution?
Lumalabas nito, bibigyan pa ng ating Pamahalaan ng gamit ang mga pasaway sa ating lipunan na walang respeto sa Kasal na magpatuloy sa kanilang pagiging pasaway! Sino pa ang gugustong magpakasal?
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This was posted on Aug 6. The same letter was submitted to all members of Congress.
Our dear Honorable Legislators:
In a few days, you shall be called upon to take a stand on the proposal to legislate Reproductive Health. Your decision shall have lasting repercussions on the future of our country. It is my fervent prayer that, on that fateful day, you shall do right by the trust laid upon you not only by our people but by the Almighty.
I am writing your Honors not only for and on behalf of the churches that come under my leadership, but also on behalf of the thousands of Biblical Baptists and Christians in the country who follow closely the Bible, the Word of God, in all matters of faith and practice.
The Bible says in Heb 13:4, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” In paraphrase, what the Word of God says is, “Marriage is honorable in every respect; and, in particular, sex within marriage is pure. But God will indeed punish fornicators and adulterers.“
It is in this light that I raise to you this issue. Please know, that Biblical Christians in our country, especially the Bible Baptists, cherish what our Constitution so provides, “No law shall be made respecting an establishment 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…” (Art III, Sec 5, underscoring supplied).
Your Honors, it is a matter of religious exercise for us, Biblical Baptists and Christians, not to extend or dispense specifically, contraceptives, condoms and related supplies EXCEPT to the married. Outside of marriage, we believe that sex, even how 'safe' it may be with the use of 'medically safe contraceptives' is sin before God.
While I understand that this should be a matter of choice for the couple or individuals, to make this a law and to adopt punitive actions against those whose religious convictions are otherwise is clearly a curtailment of our religious freedom.
I write this also on behalf of the many Christian medical practitioners, social workers and employers who will be forced against their religious conviction (should HB4244 become a law) to extend or dispense "full range family planning methods and supplies" to everyone regardless of their "marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, personal circumstances, or nature of work..." (HB 4244, Sec 28 para a.1-3).
I propose the following as an alternative to the HB4244: Amend and include marriage as a requirement for the enjoyment of reproductive health services . Needless to say, Art XV, Sec. 2 of our Constitution says, “Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family AND SHALL BE PROTECTED BY THE STATE.”
I therefore pray that as it is, you reconsider and reject the HB4244.
For our country’s betterment,
Bishop REUBEN M. ABANTE, DD
Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church!
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