Sex and reproductive health bill

The debate on the Reproductive cheap cialis bill continues because of the Church's opposition, and largely because of Carlos Celdran's theatrical performance at the Manila Cathedral a few weeks ago.



I remember when I attended an interfaith symposium on reproductive cialis way back in November 2008, Rep. Edcel Lagman was harsh in his statements against the Catholic Church. By the way there was no Catholic representative in that symposium, so it's not really interfaith after all.



Lagman said that the chief oppositor of the bill must stop meddling in politics and that the Church should engage in a rational argument rather than imposing on the State theological speculations. Such idea was largely supported by Protestants who attended the symposium.



The problem is, there was no constructive dialogue.  The points where a dialogue should begin are blurred.



Now, where to start a constructive dialogue is a major challenge.  Certainly we cannot interact constructively if we begin with the idea of population control. Neither the debate will be fruitful if we include abortion in the discourse as legitimate.



Why can't we start on the idea of human development? With human development both the Church and the State care for the welfare and development of every Filipino. Both must be concerned about the sexual health of the people -- not to encourage promiscuity but to promote responsible parenthood.



Now if the Church insists on the theological and philosophical question of the beginning of life, then science must also be considered. Why not ask an expert to join in the debate and provide a constructive solution? The Church must also humble itself that there are issues that it cannot keep on moralizing. Sexual health is as sacred as faith.



I think public discourse must continue. People should know the content of the bill. Priests and bishops who oppose the bill must read and understand it. They must reflect on the implication of faith and reproductive health on the well being of the Filipinos.