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Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Panata

It’s been years and until now I couldn’t understand why there are thousands of Filipinos who would risk their lives just to touch the Black Nazarene’s image on its feast day. It’s quite amazing that a lot of Filipinos are dedicated to their faith in God. But I just couldn’t understand a lot of things.

Would “God” be happy to see people pestering over his image just for a touch? Would “he” be happy to see people being hurt and even some dying just to succeed over touching the image (believing that a touch could heal them or answer their prayers)?

I cannot understand why parents would bring their children (toddlers and even babies) to such kind of gathering – where there’s a greater chance of a stampede. I cannot understand the belief that being there and touching the image would heal or make their prayers come true.

But who am I to judge? I know I have to respect what these people believe. And I respect their belief. I am just venting out the things I don’t understand about this belief. I’m just trying to point out what I find unnecessary and dangerous. But that’s just me.

From Bernal and Lee’s “Himala”:

"Walang Himala! Hindi totoong may Himala! Tayo ang gumagawa ng Himala! Tayo ang gumagawa ng mga sumpa at ng mga diyos! Walang Himala!”

Miracle may not exist. But I hope that every belief (and non-belief) will make us good persons.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

You only need to respect their RIGHT to believe. The belief itself is subject to your own evaluation. Personally, I don't respect beliefs like those.

alwaysanxious said...

Yes, that's a more appropriate way of respect. And they must also respect my right to believe that such kind of practice doesn't make much sense (at least for me).

Di ko maintindihan kung bakit kailangang halikan iyong imahe ni Hesus as baby (every Christmas) maging iyong imahe ni Hesus na nakaburol (every Holy Week). Anong meron dun? Anong kabutihan ang maidudulot nito kung meron man? Haay