freedom of religion philippines essay

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How the Philippines restricts religious freedom

The issue of religious freedom is an important part of Philippine governance seldom discussed in the larger culture outside academia. This may be due in part to the perception of equality in issues, including divorce. Note that Christians cannot get a legal divorce in the Philippines, while Muslims can. Many would perceive this as equal representation according to these religions’ concepts, but a closer look reveals major flaws in this thinking.

The application of the Establishment Clause of the 1987 Constitution also grants freedom of religion, in that the government cannot enforce a particular spiritual belief system on its citizens.

How does the issue of divorce violate the Establishment Clause? Firstly, it creates a divide between major belief systems in the Philippines. It is rather clear that the Philippines has no divorce for Christians in mimicry of the Catholic Church doctrine. However, Catholics are not the only Christians in the Philippines. Protestants tend to hold similar beliefs as Muslims regarding divorce, in that it is discouraged but viable when parties in the marriage are wronged.

Technically this is true for Catholics as well, but in the Philippines this is problematic because only annulment is allowed for all Christians, and there is no divorce encoded in civil law. This effectively makes the Catholic Church the de facto church of the Philippines despite having no such position legally. Annulments are also prohibitively expensive for the average person, which leads to people being bound to each other regardless of whatever problematic issues arise, such as spousal abuse, child abuse, and many other terrible circumstances.

Additionally, the lack of a divorce law creates a discriminatory state. People seldom acknowledge that this exists in the Philippines, but it does. If there are separate divorce laws for Christians and Muslims, then that is discrimination on the basis of religion which is a violation of the Constitution’s freedom of religious expression provision. Just because people are Catholic does not deny them the right to divorce, just as being Muslim does not mean having a right not granted to others; the civil law should be equally applied to all citizens, leaving religious beliefs to practitioners in their personal life.

Religion is a fundamentally personal issue. What the majority of Filipino legislators do not seem to understand is the idea that they cannot impose their beliefs on others; that is in fact illegal. No matter how sacred you personally find marriage, you cannot impose this belief on others as a state official. This violates both the Establishment Clause and the freedom of religion and freedom of expression components of the Constitution.

It should also be noted that not all Filipinos are religious. Why should a nonreligious Filipino need to follow what is unambiguously a religious doctrine put into law? This should extend to Filipino society as a whole: if you believe that no divorce is allowed in Christian doctrine, then that is great. You never have to get a divorce if you do not want to. But what gives you the right to control someone else’s life based on your personal interpretations of doctrine? Or for that matter, your church congregation’s or denomination’s interpretations?

This is a question that people need to ask themselves. Why does their opinion matter more than others’? Why does their spiritual disgust matter more than that of another? The Philippines has long been noted as an example of unconsolidated democracy. American sociologist Larry Diamond has defined democratic consolidation as, “a process where the rules, institutions, and constraints of democracy become ‘the only game in town.’” What this means is that regardless of conflict, there are no significant attempts to achieve objectives by illegal or undemocratic means.

In consolidated democracies, the rule of law and fair, accessible elections are also held in high regard. Democracy, in a sense, has become a part of the fabric of society, a part of the culture. Issues such as the normalization of political violence, and in this discussion, infringement of the Establishment Clause, contribute to the continued uncertain fate of democracy and freedom of expression in the Philippines.——————–

Sterling V. Herrera Shaw received his master’s degree in Philippine Studies from the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he specialized in sociocultural and development studies.

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Essay on Religion In The Philippines

Students are often asked to write an essay on Religion In The Philippines in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Religion In The Philippines

Introduction.

The Philippines, a country in Southeast Asia, is known for its rich culture, which includes diverse religious beliefs. Religion plays a significant role in the lives of Filipinos, influencing their daily activities, traditions, and values.

Major Religions

The most followed religion in the Philippines is Christianity, with Roman Catholicism being the largest denomination. Other Christian groups include Protestants and Philippine Independent Church members. Additionally, Islam is the second largest religion, mainly practiced by the Moro people.

Influence on Society

Religion greatly impacts Filipino society. It shapes their moral values, traditions, and festivals. For instance, the famous Sinulog Festival is a religious event honoring the Santo Niño, or the child Jesus.

Religious Freedom

The Philippines respects religious freedom. The country’s constitution allows everyone to practice their religion freely. This respect for diversity contributes to the peaceful coexistence of different religious groups in the Philippines.

In conclusion, religion is a vital aspect of the Philippines’ cultural identity. It influences societal norms, traditions, and festivals, and promotes unity and respect among diverse religious groups.

250 Words Essay on Religion In The Philippines

The Philippines is a country with a rich mix of cultures and beliefs. This is mostly due to its history of being a part of different empires and colonies. Today, the country is known for its strong religious faith, with the majority of people practicing Christianity.

Christianity in the Philippines

Christianity is the most followed religion in the Philippines. It was introduced by the Spanish in the 16th century. Now, more than 80% of the population are Roman Catholics. This makes the Philippines the third-largest Catholic country in the world. People go to church every Sunday and also on special holidays. Christmas and Easter are the most important celebrations.

Other Religions

Islam is the second most popular religion in the Philippines. It is mainly practiced in the southern region. There are also other religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, and tribal religions. These are followed by a small number of people.

Religion and Daily Life

Religion plays a big part in the daily life of Filipinos. It guides their actions, decisions, and how they see the world. It is also seen in many festivals and celebrations. These events are filled with music, dance, and lots of food. They are a way for people to show their faith and thank their gods.

In conclusion, religion is a very important part of life in the Philippines. It shapes the way people live, think, and act. Even though there are many different religions, they all teach people to be good and kind to others.

500 Words Essay on Religion In The Philippines

The Philippines is a country rich in history and culture, and religion plays a big part in shaping its identity. The nation is known for its deep faith and religious diversity. It is a melting pot of different beliefs, with a majority of the population practicing Christianity, while others follow Islam, Buddhism, and indigenous spiritual practices.

Christianity is the main religion in the Philippines. It was introduced by Spanish colonizers in the 16th century. Today, about 80% of Filipinos are Roman Catholics. They have many traditions and rituals like attending mass, praying the rosary, and celebrating festivals. One famous event is the Sinulog Festival, a colorful celebration in honor of the Santo Niño, or the child Jesus.

Islam in the Philippines

Islam is the second largest religion in the Philippines. It arrived in the country before Christianity, through Arab traders in the 13th century. Most Filipino Muslims live in the southern part of the country, in Mindanao. They are known as Moros, a term given by the Spanish. They have their own unique traditions and customs, such as observing Ramadan, a month of fasting, and celebrating Eid al-Fitr, a feast marking the end of Ramadan.

Other Religions and Beliefs

Besides Christianity and Islam, other religions also exist in the Philippines. Some Filipinos follow Buddhism, Hinduism, or other Eastern religions. There are also indigenous tribes who follow Animism, a belief in spirits and natural forces. These groups have their own unique spiritual practices and rituals that are deeply rooted in nature and their ancestors.

Religion’s Role in Society

Religion is a big part of Filipino life. It influences their values, traditions, and way of life. It is common to see religious symbols in homes, schools, and public places. Religious events and holidays are widely celebrated, like Christmas and Holy Week for Christians, and Eid al-Fitr for Muslims.

In conclusion, religion in the Philippines is diverse and deeply ingrained in the culture. It shapes the country’s history, influences its society, and adds color to its celebrations. Despite the differences in beliefs, Filipinos are known for their respect and tolerance towards other religions, showing the world a beautiful example of religious harmony.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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Weaponising Religious Freedom: Same-Sex Marriage and Gender Equality in the Philippines

2019, Religion and Human Rights

This article spells out the ways in which religious freedom has been deployed against proponents of same-sex marriage and gender equality in the Philippines. While the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community and allies have appealed to religious freedom to gain equal rights under the law, conservative Christian entities have fought back by invoking the same notion. They have appropriated religious freedom, which has historically been interpreted by the courts in favour of individual liberties, to defend majoritarian values surrounding sexuality. This article describes this move as the weaponisation of religious freedom in defence of the dominant religion and an assumed majority of Filipinos whose moral sensibilities are purportedly under attack. Towards the end, the article relates this weaponisation to the experience of the Catholic Church in the contemporary public sphere and the militant character of Christianity that continues to view the Philippines as a Christian nation.

Related Papers

Mayrll Louise Santos

The ever-changing trends in the world brought by the growing ideas and modernization indeed limited the faculty of conservatism. Various actions and styles that were behind the bars before were apparently free and accepted in the society. However, there are still cases where conservatism prevails causing conflicts between the traditionalists and progressive individuals. An exemplar to this is the issue of homosexuality. For the longest years, the issue of gay rights has been subjected to a number of heated debates. Such issue had not only touched the social, religious, and cultural aspects, for it also crossed the boundaries of politics. Currently, the LGBTQ, an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning community, shares the plight for greater social acceptance and their struggle to practice their constitutional rights as humans too. Included in these rights is their right to marriage.Same-sex marriage sparked a long controversy leading to the dividing views of citizensand involved institutions, fervent debates within the social and cultural norms, and the question of being a political issue were prevalent. However, despite these various contentions against same-sex marriage, there were 21 recorded states where gay marriage is legal nationwide. These countries are Netherlands (2000), Belgium (2003), Canada (2005), Spain (2005), South Africa (2006), Norway (2009), Sweden (2009), Argentina (2010), Iceland (2010), Portugal (2010), Denmark (2012), Brazil (2013), England and Wales (2013), France (2013), New Zealand (2013), Uruguay (2013), Luxembourg (2014), Scotland (2014), Finland (signed 2015, effective 2017), Ireland (2015) (Time, 2015). Thus, the issue of same-sex marriage paved the way for debates and researches in several states. As such, this paper attempts to study the possibility of same-sex marriage in the case of one Asian country, particularly the Philippines. The rationale behind this preference originates from the 21 recorded countries where same-sex marriage is legal. And of these 21 countries, none of these is from Asia. The subject matter of this study aims to provide the contrasting views of the involved institutions, particularly the state actors, church, and agents of political socialization in the issue of same-sex marriage. The existence of these varying oppositions relates to the significance of the study. The significance of this study is to determine the influences of state, the church, and other possible agents of political socialization to the legalization of same-sex marriage in case of the Philippines.

Carolina S. Ruiz-Austria

Jean-Noël Sánchez Pons

This paper explores the interactions between male homosexuality and the Catholic Church in the Philippines today. It pays particular attention to the different identities and social positions of cross-dressing transgender women, on which discourse and imagination on Philippine homosexuality long time exclusively focused, and the growing gay movement which currently leads the struggle for LGBT empowerment against the Catholic based moral status-quo. However, it also shows that frontiers and divisions are complex and ambiguous both on the side of the Church as institution as well as that of the male homosexual community and that norms and conformism strongly weight on the positions adopted by the different actors and their agenda.

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Same-sex marriage in the Philippines remains a highly contentious issue due to the influence of religion in this predominantly Catholic country, where it is often framed as an issue of morality. However, the psychological underpinnings of this religious influence still merits further exploration. Thus, we examined the role of religious behaviors and moral foundations in predicting attitudes toward same-sex marriage among Filipinos. Data from 385 participants revealed that the particular behavior of reading the main sacred text of one's religion, rather than the often-used predictor of religious attendance predicts negative attitudes. Beyond these religious variables, the moral foundation of Purity/sanctity also predicts negative attitudes. Recommendations for further research and possible implications on attitude change are discussed in light of these findings.

Marl Jeric A Robillos

The struggle to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons is a global challenge, and one that is central to the United States’ commitment to promoting human rights.” -United Stated President Barrack Obama (2011)

Review of Faith and International Affairs

Jayeel Cornelio

Religious freedom has been a key facet of its various Constitutions since the day the Philippines became Asia's first democratic republic in 1899. The immediate religious context of the Philippines, however, renders these provisions difficult to uphold consistently. The Catholic Church remains influential to politics and policy formulation, and at the same time the religious landscape is increasingly diverse due to immigration. Past academic discussion on religious freedom in the Philippines has been mainly among legal scholars. In the future greater attention should be focused on the subjective and everyday experience of religious freedom.

Alfonso Suico Jr

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS)

Timothy John D C Libiran , Michael Jo Guballa

The Philippines is renowned for its deep religiosity, providing hope and support to its citizens. However, this religiosity presents a paradox, as some church teachings openly oppress and stigmatize LGBTQ+ individuals, branding homosexuality as morally wrong. This study explored the complex conflicts experienced by LGBTQ+ Filipinos with strong religious ties and how their faith either supports or exacerbates their challenges. Prior research consistently shows that LGBTQ+ encounter discrimination and degradation within their religious communities, driven by unjust treatment. Employing a phenomenological qualitative approach with in-depth interviews, this study examines Filipino LGBTQ+ individuals aged 18 and above. The findings unveil the multifaceted conflicts participants face, notably inequitable and oppressive treatment within their religious communities. Ecclesiastical dilemmas emerge, primarily due to discrimination, humiliation, and exclusion from the church and its members, stemming from flawed teachings categorizing LGBTQ+ individuals as morally wrong. Perceptions of support from their religion reveal a dual nature. Participants find positive support within their faith, receiving solace from select individuals who encourage focusing on the positive aspects of their religious experience. Conversely, they report negative effects from the church's problematic teachings, leading to isolation and a lack of support that significantly impacts their well-being. This study contributes to understanding the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, especially within religious contexts, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and correction of misguided beliefs and teachings. The research strives to create a more inclusive and safer environment for all individuals, irrespective of gender or identity, fostering a more accepting and understanding society.

North American Journal of Psychology

Marc Eric S . Reyes

The Philippines is a religious nation and most Filipinos share a collective religious view stemming from the predominance of Catholicism. This view includes traditional opinions on gender roles and prohibition of behaviors associated with non-heterosexuality. Lesbians and gays who deviate from this traditional norm, tend to become targets of discrimination and prejudice. Using a correlational design, the present study aimed to investigate whether religiosity and gender role beliefs predict attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. A total of 633 Filipinos who identified themselves as non-LGBT completed the Centrality of Religiosity Scale, the Gender Role Beliefs Scale-Short Version, and the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale-Revised. Correlational results revealed a significant relationship among religiosity, gender role beliefs, and attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Moreover, regression analysis showed that higher religiosity and more traditional gender role beliefs predicted significantly higher homonegativity among Filipinos who identify themselves as non-LGBT. Additionally, participants have more negative attitudes toward gay men compared to lesbians. Keywords: Filipinos, religiosity, gender role beliefs, attitudes, LGBT

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Religious restrictions around the world

For more than a decade, Pew Research Center has been tracking global patterns in restrictions on religion – both those imposed by governments and hostilities committed by individuals and social groups. Scroll down to explore restrictions in 198 countries and territories, and see how each country’s restrictions have changed since 2007.

For more details on restrictions on religion around the world, read our latest report on the topic, “Globally, Government Restrictions on Religion Reached Peak Levels in 2021, While Social Hostilities Went Down.”  

Note: Government restrictions include laws, policies and actions by authorities that impinge on religious beliefs and practices, while social hostilities involving religion include actions by private individuals or groups in society that limit such practices.

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