"Uphold Our Rights, But No One Else's"

Dashing in white.  So pretty.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is at it again.  They never cease to amaze.

In typical style, the CBCP is busy panicking over the prospect of all Filipinos being treated with equality.

Senate Bill 2814, the "Act Prohibiting Discrimination, Profiling, Violence and All Forms of Intolerance Against persons based on ethnicity, race, religion, belief, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, disability, or other status," is making the bishops grip their rosaries even more tightly than usual these days.  Their fear is that, if it passes, SB 2814 will open the Philippines up to same-sex marriage.  Oh how they love to push those religious fear buttons!

The bill recently passed its third reading in the Senate, and now the House and Senate will have to meet jointly to harmonize the Senate bill with the various anti-discrimination bills that have been mulling around the House for years.

One of the CBCP's lawyers, Ronald Reyes, said the Church leaders supported the bill until discrimination based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity was added.  Awwww, how sweet of the loving bishops.

What a wonderful Christmas message to the nation:  "Our religious rights are worthy of protection, but ditch the human rights of LGBTs because we think they're icky."  Wouldn't Jesus be so proud of them?

Reyes also tossed the fear net far and wide, saying that the bill will force Catholic priests to marry same-sex couples or else they'll be thrown in jail.  How ignorant can you get, Reyes?  Did you get your law degree off the internet or something?

Jo Imbong, another of the CBCP's virtuous and holy lawyers, said that LGBTs must not be included in any anti-discrimination protections.  "[T]he third sex, they choose this.  How can you give protection to a choice like that?"

This man is an attorney?  A professional?  Try picking up an updated science reviewer, Imbong, and learn what sexual orientation is.  Obviously you haven't a clue.  I feel embarrassed for you. You think you're being brave and smart, but you don't realize how ignorant you sound.  Seriously.  And by the way:  religion, unlike sexual orientation, is a choice.  You've got the two turned around, poor thing.

One thing that "attorney" Imbong said that I actually agree with is this:  "Government should not meddle in religious doctrine and faith."  Ironic, isn't it, how the Church says stuff like this yet constantly sticks its nose into the affairs of the state.  It's a two-way street, baby.  You're under the government just like everyone else, so deal with it.

I do, however, agree with Imbong here.  The government shouldn't meddle in doctrine or faith.  It should be completely, unequivocally impartial to faith, treating all faiths -- as well as persons with no faith -- exactly the same.  That's why marriage should and must be extended to all Filipinos, respecting everyone's faith and personal beliefs by remaining neutral and allowing freedom of conscience to every citizen.  And it will happen, eventually.  It's unstoppable.  Right-wingers may be able to slow it down, but they cannot stop it.

Sorry CBCP, you can't have it both ways.  The government cannot meddle and neither can you.  No longer can the state shower you with the favoritism you've always craved and enjoyed.  The days of Church-sponsored bigotry are numbered, and I say thank God for that.