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| Spiritual Revolution? By Antonio C. Abaya Written Nov. 16, 2004 For the Manila Standard, November 18 issue My friend Ramon S. Orosa outdid himself with his long peroration on what ails the Philippines, as published in the Nov. 11 and 12 issues of the Manila Standard. I agree with some of his points, and disagree with others. Many will concur when he writes that �today people are asking just what is happening to our nation and how we should go about solving some of our most vexing problems. We seem to be caught in a vise from which we have succeeded only in making our situation worse.� Indeed, introspection and self-flagellation compete with badminton as the favorite indoor sport of the Filipino middle-class, which may soon be an endangered species if our political leaders are unable to craft, and soon, a solution or solutions to our ballooning economic, social and political problems. After detailing the development of mankind through the Industrial Revolution and the post-industrial age, after lamenting the world�s dependence on fossil fuel and heralding the coming of the hydrogen era, after drawing some lessons from the turmoil in the Middle East and warning of the coming economic collapse of the US, he calls for �a very major paradigm shift� in our thinking. He repeats what many have suggested, that �we need some kind of soul-cleansing catharsis and that, considering our conditions, there is little choice except to have one, terrible as the price might be, God forgive us, but we are grossly addicted to some of the worst patterns of social behavior�.� Among these abominable flaws are the crab mentality, the loss of the capacity to dream, the shame of being a �nation of constantly unfulfilled promises,� the fading of civility and decency from our everyday lives. But what is the solution? Orosa advocates �a moral revolution, a spiritual revolution, the likes of which we have not seen in this nation before�.I suspect it is time to really get on our knees and pray since nothing else by way of our self-seeking efforts seem to work�.Yes, let us pray, but it is so we can get our act together and figure out a way out of our current dilemmas�.� The title of his second article seems to sum up his thoughts: �We�ve tried everything but a spiritual revolution.� Not quite. We haven�t tried monarchy, or a communist dictatorship of the proletariat, or an Islamic theocracy. But, seriously, this is a let-down as it does not offer any concrete proposals on how to generate more jobs, or how to improve agricultural productivity, or how to attract more tourists, or how to generate more tax revenues, or how to feed, clothe, and house a family of six on the daily minimum wage of P256. But then, Ray being a Born Again preacher, could he have prescribed anything else? I mean no offense to those who believe in the power of prayers, but no president in our history prayed as often and as hard as President Cory Aquino did during her watch, but prayers did not save her government from the messianic mischief of one Gringo Honasan. Two unmarked US Navy F-4 Phantom jets did, in December 1989. But then she�s only a misguided Catholic, from the Born Again perspective. But my real issue with Ray is the idea of a Spiritual Revolution. I agree that we need a catharsis of some sort to rejuvenate us from our collective malaise. But what would be the parameters of this Spiritual Revolution? In a multi-cultural society like ours, to which deity do we address our spirituality? And who determines which prayers are appropriate and which are not? These are not idle questions. To achieve the goals of moral cleansing and nation-building, a Spiritual Revolution must lead to political action. Otherwise, we all might as well just be Trappist monks and Carmelite nuns and collectively retire from this vale of tears and live the rest of our lives beating our breasts. So what models can we look at of a Spiritual Revolution that led to political action? I can think of only three recent ones: Iran in 1979 under Ayatollah Khomeini, Afghanistan in 1989 under the Taliban, and the continuing transnational jihad of the al-Qaeda under Osama bin Laden. In all three cases, the faithful were directly exhorted by their spiritual mentors to reject the materialism, the secularism, the hedonism of the modern (read, Western) world and to return instead to the traditional values, to the purity of thought and deed, to the clear and unambiguous diktats of Islam and the Holy Quran. And in all three cases, the Spiritual Revolution led directly to political action. The Shah of Iran and his corrupt and profligate regime were overthrown and replaced with a theocracy. The Soviet invaders were driven out and their secular surrogates in Kabul shot dead in their offices (by Quranic scholars who knew how to operate Russian T-61 tanks!). And the al-Qaeda, grown to multinational status even without a fixed address, managed to terrorize the most powerful country in the world, the fountainhead of the materialism, the secularism and the hedonism that the faithful have learned to despise and reject. My point is that, in all three cases, the Spiritual Revolutions succeeded in transforming the societies in which they operated, not only because they filled a moral void felt by their true believers, but also because they operated in environments of total control, where the spiritual mentors enjoyed absolute political powers and dissenting opinions were not tolerated. My question is, does Ray envisage such a Spiritual Revolution for this country? I am sure he does not. But would his Spiritual Revolution prosper and take root in a liberal, wide-open, secular and free-wheeling society like the Philippines�? I doubt it. There are just too many visual and aural distractions in our environment, too many voices proclaiming too many different messages, too many forces pulling in too many different directions, too many gods residing in too many different temples, for any one single spiritual message or messages to embody the Spiritual Revolution that will lead to the political action that will transform society. Some will be take comfort in the re-election of George W. Bush in the US partly through his faith-based conservatism that rallied his troops in his so-called red states. But if this was an incipient spiritual revolution, then it is not an attractive model either, based as it was/is on layers of lies, mixed with ignorance, and stirred with bigotry. As recently as September, 41% of American voters still believed that Saddam Hussein was responsible for 9/1, according to a Newsweek survey, a lie encouraged by the Republican campaign which consistently connected the two. I had written in my article �What Moral Values?� (Nov. 09) that in some of Bush�s red states �Darwin�s Theory of Evolution, one of the pillars of Western scientific thought, is not yet accepted as science, and law suits are still filed against anyone who dares teach it in the public schools�.� No sooner written than repeated. An AP news story dated Nov. 11 says that in the (red) state of Georgia, the head of the education department �tried to take the word �evolution� out of the state�s science curriculum,� and that in one county a law suit was filed in federal court over stickers appended to biology textbooks that call evolution �a theory, not a fact.� One of the complainants testified that �I think the (evolution) theory is atheistic�.It�s an insult to (students�) intelligence that they�re taught only evolution.� Bigotry? Listen to Lt. Gen. William Boykin, deputy defense undersecretary for (of all things!) intelligence in the Bush administration, and a Born Again white evangelical: �the war on terror is a spiritual battle between a Christian nation and Satan.� And referring to a Muslim militant in Somalia who had claimed Allah�s protection, Gen. Boykin said: �I knew my God was bigger than his. I knew that my God was a real God and his was (only) an idol�..� (Oct 27, 2003). ***** DEUTERIUM HOAX. Ray also erred when he wrote that �Maybe there will be redemption for us because it is bruited about that the Mindanao Deep contains deuterium, the heavy hydrogen ideal for hydrogen-fueled engines or machines�� The deuterium hoax has been around for more than a decade. There is actually a firm in Quezon City selling shares to gullible people who expect to get rich from deuterium. Those who slept through chemistry class should know that deuterium is present as deuterium oxide (D20 or heavy water), along with H20, in seawater all over the world, deuterium being a heavier isotope of hydrogen. That there is heavier concentration of D20 at the bottom of the Mindanao Deep is based, not on empirical evidence (no one has scooped a sample liter from a depth of 10,000 meters) but on the purely logical assumption that heavier will always settle lower than lighter. But this would hold true for all trenches in the ocean floor all over the world, not just in the Mindanao Deep. Heavy water is used in some nuclear fission reactors as moderator, to slow down the nuclear chain reaction so that the nuclear energy released can be tapped to generate electricity. It is not used as fuel. Deuterium can theoretically be used as fuel in nuclear fusion reactors (it is the active element in hydrogen or thermonuclear bombs), but this is still in the laboratory stage and is decades away from actual use. In the meantime, fuel cells, which use ordinary hydrogen from natural gas or, in theory, even from the tap water in your kitchen to generate electricity, will likely overtake nuclear fusion as the energy source of the future. In fuel cells, the only exhaust or by-product is water and, if tap water is the starting fuel, no pollution at all. If the source of hydrogen is natural gas, then the carbon has to be expelled as CO and/or CO2, which are pollutive greenhouse gases. There are already several hundred cars, vans and buses running on experimental fuel cells in the US, Canada, Europe and Japan. And there are also a few dozen stationary fuel cells generating electricity in these countries, plus operating fuel cells on board NASA�s space ships. On the other hand, nuclear fusion reactors using deuterium as fuel still do not exist except on the drawing boards. ***** Reactions to [email protected]. Other articles in www.tapatt.org. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Reactions to �Spiritual Revolution ?� What filipino need is to be honest to ourself. Let us accept we are not inteligent people, so that we improve ourself and not to be contented what we have in our brain now. I'm dissapointed with abs-cbn showing the talented filipinos in the philippines and abroad, but in what area? Singing and Dancing. So every young kids want to be in showbiz. Thats our problem. I feel disgrace with abs-cbn for their 50 years in business what they give us is otso-otso, not even international competittive song that we can proud of which can generate dollars to our country. they are proud of MS. Jazmin Trias shes a filipino but adopt and shape by U.S. and we claim shes ours? Why not try other things for a change, try to have contest int their show a practical science contest so they can build young scientist to contribute to our country and not an intertainer. Alexander Carranceja, [email protected] Kuwait, November 18, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi, Tony. Just a couple of comments. We could find common moral values among different religious beliefs that may help the Filipino people become a great nation again. After all isn't it the character of the people of a nation that determines to a large extent its destiny? Let me cite a few values that should be changed. 1. The belief in the merits of hard and honest work is a belief shared by Christians, Muslims, Confucius and Buddhists. This should take the place of faith that gambling, corruption, smuggling, and prostitution is the better way to success. 2. The power of faith in a loving God, faith in one's race, and faith in oneself is another common belief. This should take the place of the low esteem, negative mental attitude, colonial mentality that is prevalent among Filipinos. 3. The belief that helping your neighbors will redound to you a hundred fold is both found in Christian belief and in the "karma". With this moral value, politicians would put the interests of the country above their own. 4. The confucian value of delayed gratification and thriftiness is also found in the Christian belief of denying oneself and carrying your cross and later becoming victorious in your endeavors. With this moral value, Filipinos will be able to overcome the excessive dose of western commercialism, and spend their money wisely and more productively. These are just a few examples of change in values that will bring a long way to make our nation a great nation. But to be able to have this change in values, the easiest way would be through prayer. Have a nice day! Bobby Tordesillas, [email protected] November 18, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya, I don't believe Spiritual Revolution is the solution to our problems. The situation today is basically the result of not implementing the laws of the land. Too many crooks and scalawags openly steal and cheat and get away with it. In Philippine society where cheating or lying is hardly censured, many educated Filipinos are now being drawn to the side of dishonesty. They think they are smart when they spend their youthful energies finding innovative ways of stealing from the government , or screwing the other fellow. Do we still have people who work in the background cracking their minds to create something new, say a better product out of the coconut, or automotive fuel out of sugar cane. Thailand is now exporting large quantities of products to the United States that are produced from their farms, the same products that are indigenous to our land. But money is hard to get from honest labor, and our educated sector has seen that money is easier found in the coffers of government. This misguided orientation, I believe, is also the reason for our economic problems. What we need is not Spiritual Revolution but a firm, single-minded leader who will enforce the laws at all levels, from the national all the way down to the Barangay level, no matter who gets hurt. Remember the first few months of Marcos rule, the public execution of the drug lord Lim Sing by musketry and the punishment that awaited curfew violators exacted discipline that was unknown to the Filipinos. If only Marcos persisted and looked beyond money and power, we would have been a greater nation than what we are now. Anyone who visits the United States will not fail to compare the order that reigns in the roads and freeways of that great country. The reason for this is not because Americans are more spiritually oriented, no sir! The fact is many churches are now closing down. I believe the reason for the order in their thoroughfares is the fear of getting a "ticket". Not only will a traffic violator pay the fines, but his insurance premium goes up, or he might even lose his license and find it difficult to go to work . The penalty for violating the laws in the United States is immediate and can be felt in the pockets, where it hurts most. I am a strong believer of the adage, "spare the rod and spoil the child." Spiritual Revolution is not the solution. The country cannot wait until our people have submitted themselves to the Supreme Being and sworn to become good citizens. I would rather have law breakers go to jail now, so serve as examples that crime truly does not pay. Sincerely, Virgilio Leynes, [email protected] November 18, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony, As always, a brilliant piece that I have to print for a hard copy. Bravo! Rick B. Ramos, [email protected] November 19, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I dare you to keep a straight face. See also below: An Apt Analysis [email protected] November 21, 2004 This message was found on an AOL message board. The topic was the debate over gay marriage. There was a lot of conservative vs.liberal bashing and Christian vs. non-Christian bashing, message after message after message. It was getting pretty boring. And then along came this clever gem, posted by [email protected]:[email protected]. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear President Bush, Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination...end of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them. 1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians? 2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her? 3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev.15: 19-24). The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense. 4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev.1:9). The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them? 5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it? 6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination? 7. Lev.21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here? 8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die? 9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves? 10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them (Lev. 24:10-16)? Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws (Lev. 20:14)? I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging. Your adoring fan, Homer J. Simpson _________________________________________________________________ Fw: An Apt Analysis In a message dated 11/15/2004 11:04:26 PM Pacific Standard Time, [email protected] writes: Here's something that aptly sums up our current political state. "As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their hearts' desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron." H.L. Mencken (1880-1956) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya: I would subscribe more to a spiritual revolution that is incarnated--"takes flesh" in concrete daily living. Best regards, Sal Teleg, [email protected] December 01, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww |
| Tony, I visited the Daimler-Chrysler website yesterday because I am proposing a project for them. The Good News is that Daimler has delivered its First Batch of Fuel Cell A-Model Benz to two companies in Berlin. By the end of the year, there will be 60 units sold. Also, there is already a Service Station for Fuel Cell Cars. Isn't it great? So you are right about the future of fuel cells since 10 years ago pa. Congratulations. Rick B. Ramos, [email protected] November 22, 2004 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO |