Catholic Apologetic Site for Filipinos

[Pons]

There’s a curious translation quirk in some of our Bible versions. St. James is called “Santiago” - so in Tagalog “James and John” is “Santiago at Juan”. But “Santiago” is derived from “Santo Iago”, Saint James - “Iago” being a Spanish form of “James”. “Jaime” is another Spanish form of James. James, Jaime and Iago are all derived from “Jacob”(!). So why don’t (or didn’t) our Bibles use “Jaime”? James and John, Jaime at Juan. Makes more sense and looks better. (Edit: Some do.) Or what if they used “Jacob”?

 

[agangbern]

It is sad. :sad_yes:

The Senate’s version of the Reproductive Health Bill has already been passed. It is only the House version that is being debated now. Although the signs are not promising with the bishops refusing to show up in any more talks with the congressmen as the Catholic Church’s opinion are just being “noted”, giving some the impression that such talks are just a formality. Once this has passed Congress, it will only take the signature of our President to sign it to law.

As a newly graduate Nursing student I am concerned about Section 21A of this proposed bill which will punish healthcare professsionals who will refuse to teach promote and disseminate information on various artificial contraception. With many Catholic medical schools also being pro-Life, do they plan to punish these schools too?

There is also the problem of the bill mandating that children Grade 5 and above will be taught by the state on these matters. This will remove the right of parents to teach their children on what they think is moral and responsible sexuality.

For example, I had a pro-choice professor who taught us that certain artificial contaception causes the fertilized ovum not to be implanted (in Catholic thinking, this is already abortion). She also said that a certain contracption can affect the child of a mother who takes it. She also asked the class what will we do if we get pregnant despite having an IUD implanted in us. At least she was willing to tell us that such things can happen.

We had another teacher (Teacher #2) who said that it was completely safe without explaining further on possible consequences.

What if children end up getting a teacher like Teacher #2?

I pray that this bill never be approved by Congress as it encroaches on many people’s rights.

Even if that bill would become a law, I am confident that that law would be declared unconstitutional, except if these people succeeds in revising the Philippine Constitution and delete section 12 of Article II thereof. This section specifically states that, “The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life the mother and* the life of the unborn from conception**. The natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support the government.”*

Our congressmen are playing blind to this provision, maybe hoping that they would soon delete it by constitutional amendment. That is why every Filipino who believes in the sanctity of life should exert all efforts that the Philippine Constitution would not be amended or revised during the incumbency of these congressmen.

 

[Ma.Eugenia]

That is why every Filipino who believes in the sanctity of life should exert all efforts that the Philippine Constitution would not be amended or revised during the incumbency of these congressmen.

Any movement that supports this…I’m in!

Even if that bill would become a law, I am confident that that law would be declared unconstitutional, except if these people succeeds in revising the Philippine Constitution and delete section 12 of Article II thereof. This section specifically states that, “The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life the mother and* the life of the unborn from conception***. The natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support the government.”

I think we have a rare and beautiful constitution that protects life from the time of conception. I don’t there is another constitution like it in the world. Why try to fix what is not broken?

An example: This constitution protected citizens of the Philippines some people in our own government who tried to sign away parts of Mindanao without consulting the people affected (when they almost signed the MOA but stopped by our Supreme Court in the last minute). Didn’t they make this agreement turning a blind eye to the constitution, in hopes that it will be subsequently amended too? In short they try to put out these things without checking with the constitution first if it is ok.

This constitution has withstood so many attempts to change it ever since it was approved by the people decades ago.

Let us pray that God to continue to help us protect our constitution from elements who try to undermine the dignity of human life and rights of Filipino citizens.

 

[Ma.Eugenia]

The Senate’s version of the Reproductive Health Bill has already been passed. It is only the House version that is being debated now.

I stand corrected on what I said here.

The senate version hasn’t been passed yet, but still also being discussed.

Still, in what Senator Biazon said in this article:

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=442761&publicationSubCategoryId=63

“I can understand their right, their duty to (defend the Church position), but we have to listen to the other stakeholders,” Biazon said.

Problem with this is that the stakeholders have positions that are polar opposites. Its either you are pro-choice or pro-Life or pro-artificial contraception or not. There is no in-between. What compromise solution can there be here?

 

[Dhugz]

Help us here in the Philippines, there are so many False teachers and prophets here, they are attacking the True Church, the Holy Church of Christ-Catholic Church… . . .

 

[Ma.Eugenia]

That is why every Filipino who believes in the sanctity of life should exert all efforts that the Philippine Constitution would not be amended or revised during the incumbency of these congressmen.

Hmmmm…just this week, the headline of Philippine Daily Inquirer is that these congressmen are 20 votes shy of getting votes to change our charter.

We should really pray that they will not succeed or else they will be able to make the RH bill and the dreaded MOA (which will put certain Christian-dominated areas in Mindanao under Sharia Law) constitutional.

Lord, please help the people of the Philippines who loves You and Your Mother very much, to protect our constitution from those who want to change it for self-serving interests, to do what is against your will. Help us to remain faithful to you. Please protect life at every stage. Help us to protect our rights and to respect the rights of others always. Amen.

 

[propagandist]

Note: Please post in English.
I am well aware that Filipino society is bilingual (at least! ), but Tagalog posts deny non-Filipino members of the benefit of your posts.
Thank you for your cooperation.
MF

we are free in this website in the part of terms of agreement, the agreement never said that there is only one language that we should use.

 

[patrick457]

we are free in this website in the part of terms of agreement, the agreement never said that there is only one language that we should use.

Yes, the rules does not say it explicitly, but it is encouraged that one post in English for the sake of those who do not know Tagalog (and since this forum is US-based and has a lot of members coming from other countries, they are numerous indeed). Let’s read between the lines.

 

[iwantobelieve]

there was a magazine called “know the truth” which can be found in St. Paul’s here in the Philippines, its author was an indian priest named Fr. Paul who was here to study masterals in theology…i just don’t know why he stop publising more magazine or more editions of the magazine despite the fact that the 2 editions of the magazine were very popular in the Philippines. Iglesia Ni Cristo even spend a lot of air times in their TV programs trying to denounce these magazines. Maybe they stop producing it because Fr. Paul already went back to India… Anyway, i recommend every filipino catholic to grab a copy of that magazine whenever they see it…

i was fortunate enough to have a copy of both magazines and it helped me a lot in rediscovering my catholic faith, too bad fr. paul stopped publishing a follow up issue,
i wonder what happened? i also discovered a wonderful book called ‘THE FAITH EXPLAINED’
by leo trese available at national bookstore, the book illuminates the central elements of
the catholic faith- the creed, the sacraments prayers and the commandments in light of vatican ii and the catechism

 

[iwantobelieve]

i listened to many catholic debates in the internet like the debates of karl keating,
john martignoni and ben douglas… i wonder are there any debates with any filipino
apologist specially against the iglesia ni kristo and eli soriano that i can listen to…
and the debate between catholic apologist ben douglas and church of christ patrick
donahue on “sola scriptura” is really good, you can listen to it on www.pugiofidei.com
(ben douglas) or www.bibledebates.info (patrick donahue)
GOD BLESS AND GOOD DAY

 

[rtibs]

Help us here in the Philippines, there are so many False teachers and prophets here, they are attacking the True Church, the Holy Church of Christ-Catholic Church… . . .

False teachers and prophets are everywhere dhugz, and they had been attacking the Church since the day of the Pentecost. I suggest you join any Catholic organization such as Couples for Christ where the “True” Christ is taught, lived and shared. If “talking” or defending the Catholic doctrines and/or the Bible is not your cup of tea, join Gawad Kalinga where physical prowess is most welcome.

 

[jaaraf]

Anyone here know the bible passage that can refute “we are saved by faith alone”?

 

[Lapulapu]

Anyone here know the bible passage that can refute “we are saved by faith alone”?

Non-catholics got their perception of being saved by faith alone from the following scripture verses:
Romans 3: 28 and Galatians 2: 16.

But, let me remind you that the original text of these verses do not have the word “alone” or “only”. For your information, it was added during Martin Luther’s time, or maybe by his followers. It 's hard to accept that it is found in the dynamic translation of our bible, in concurrence to Vatican II’s Ecumenism.

 

[Pinoy_Katoliko]

i listened to many catholic debates in the internet like the debates of karl keating,
john martignoni and ben douglas… i wonder are there any debates with any filipino
apologist specially against the iglesia ni kristo and eli soriano that i can listen to…
and the debate between catholic apologist ben douglas and church of christ patrick
donahue on “sola scriptura” is really good, you can listen to it on www.pugiofidei.com
(ben douglas) or www.bibledebates.info (patrick donahue)
GOD BLESS AND GOOD DAY

Yes, there is! I’ll inform you if it is already posted.

My orientation in apologetics for the last 3 years was based on American style of apologetics. It was only last year when I learned the top caliber Filipino apologist by the name of Mayor Soc Fernandez, former National President of Catholic Faith Defenders Inc. and veteran debater.

I had the privileged of meeting, talking, and listening to him. This guy’s memory and understanding of the bible is far better than Eliseo Soriano! I saw his debates with INC and other denominations back in the 90’s and BOY ARE THEY NOT HAPPY! Despite his greatness as an apologist, what I like best about him is that he remains to be humble and live a deep spiritual life.

Here are some pictures of Bro. Soc Fernandez during last December’s first National Catholic Apologetics Gathering.

Part 1

thesplendorofthechurch.blogspot.com/2008/12/defensores-fidei-foundation-sponsored.html

Part 2

thesplendorofthechurch.blogspot.com/2008/12/defensores-fidei-foundation-sponsored_19.html

Part 3

thesplendorofthechurch.blogspot.com/2008/12/defensores-fidei-foundation-sponsored_20.html

 

[w_stewart]

Anyone here know the bible passage that can refute “we are saved by faith alone”?

James 2

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, offering up Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou, that faith did co-operate with his works; and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled, saying: Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him to justice, and he was called the friend of God. 24 Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith only? 25 And in like manner also Rahab the harlot, was not she justified by works, receiving the messengers, and sending them out another way?

26 For even as the body without the spirit is dead; so also faith without works is dead.

 

[jaaraf]

Thanks for the help. I actually already stumbled upon that passage in St. James on my own a couple of days ago, when I was thumbing through my copy of the New Testament (translated from the Latin Vulgate.)

 

[Joero]

I have a book " The New Jerome Biblical Commentary " which was given to me by my American son-in-law and I have been reading and studying it at present. I happened to read the commentary about 1Cor. 3: 15. I was surprised that the author of that particular topic said that “there is no reference to Purgatory”. I am really embarrassed by that statement, but who am I to oppose to that.

You know I’ve been using this scripture verse as one of the verses I’ve known in explaining about Purgatory for many years since I became a Catholic Faith Defender here in Cebu City, Philippines.

Does anybody in this forum could give some enlightenment to why this author happened to say such thing, because 1 Cor. 3: 15 had been used in defending and explaining about Purgatory by many Apologists, not only Filipinos but also the Americans and Europeans and others?

 

[jamil_joseph02]

I have a book " The New Jerome Biblical Commentary " which was given to me by my American son-in-law and I have been reading and studying it at present. I happened to read the commentary about 1Cor. 3: 15. I was surprised that the author of that particular topic said that “there is no reference to Purgatory”. I am really embarrassed by that statement, but who am I to oppose to that.

was the book really designed for Catholics? could you find any nihil obstat imprimatur there? just asking

 

[Joero]

was the book really designed for Catholics? could you find any nihil obstat imprimatur there? just asking

Yes, there are.
For the Nihil Obstat: Raymond E. Brown, S.S.
Joseph A. Fitzmyer, S.J.
Roland E. Murphy, O. Carm.
Censores Deputati

For the Imprimatur: Reverend William J. Kane
Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Washington
November 15, 1988

 

[jamil_joseph02]

Yes, there are.
For the Nihil Obstat: Raymond E. Brown, S.S.
Joseph A. Fitzmyer, S.J.
Roland E. Murphy, O. Carm.
Censores Deputati

For the Imprimatur: Reverend William J. Kane
Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Washington
November 15, 1988

ohh… i see… there’s nothing more i could say about that… i’m sorry i could not give you some “enlightenment” about this matter. To hear a Catholic saying there’s no reference to purgatory in 1 Corinthians3:15 is shocking.