Think

When tempted to judge or condemn someone, don't rush to put the person's light out by landing your knuckles right on his/her chin (so to speak). Rather, press your knuckles on your own chin; it shuts your mouth and it helps you turn your mental light bulb on -- and your dark thoughts will vanish.

           

Respect is greater than tolerance. Therefore let respect be rooted in God's Truth and Love

The issue on the clamor by a mix of supporters from different sectors of our society for the legalization of same-sex union should perhaps not just be centered on the theme "human rights and anti-discrimination". There are things surrounding the issue that must also be given due consideration and importance because of the ramification that this particular issue could bring about.

Perhaps we simply don't mind people we don't know or who are not close to us having same-sex relationship. But what if one of them or both of them are our close friends? Or, one of them is a member of our own family? Or, what if both of them are members of our own family?

Citing just some sort of possibilities surrounding this issue perhaps would trigger something worthy of careful consideration. Now let's experiment with our tolerance and let's try to see how deep is the extent of our "relative morality". Most people simply don't mind gay people having same-sex union. That depth of tolerance let's designate as "A1". Below are given different situations of relationships. Be honest with yourself and try listening to the voice of wisdom of the totality of your inner human being and try gauging your tolerance as to how deep can you go down the scale.

A. People in a same-sex relationship:
1. Both persons you don't know
2. One is or both are your best friends
3. One is or both are your relatives
4. One is a member of your own family
5. Both are members of your own family

B. People in a brother-sister relationship:
1. Both persons you don't know
2. One is or both are your best friends
3. One is or both are your relatives
4. Both are members of your own family

C. People in a parent-adult child relationship:
1. Both persons you don't know
2. One is or both are your best friends
3. One is or both are your relatives
4. Both are members of your own family

D. You yourself are in a "not-permitted" relationship:
1. Your partner is not related to you
2. Your partner is your best friend
3. Your partner is a close relative of you
4. Your partner is a member of your own family

Tolerating something doesn't necessarily equate to agreeing with that thing or accepting it. But when is tolerance a virtue and when is it a vice?

If same-sex union has to be legalized for the sake of human rights and anti-discrimination, then what reasons would there be left for the government as its defense to continue upholding its prohibition on other "unlawful" unions?

If it is insisted that same-sex union must be given equal rights under the law, then brother-sister union and parent-adult child union must likewise be given equal rights under the law when the time comes that people would insist on their legalization, otherwise limiting legalization to same-sex union only would be grossly dicriminatory to the other two prohibited unions.

How did the prohibition of these particular relationships came about? Are the norms of this prohibition based on religious beliefs or scientific beliefs? In the long history of human civilizations all over the world, how are the societies doing as they prohibited or allowed such said relationships among them?

[To be continued]

          

Between equality and social justice

Only when a society reaches a certain level of social maturity that it is able to prioritize the least and the weakest among them.

         

和平与你同在 -- Peace Be With You

On this yet another Chinese new year, once again wishing everyone and specially China the "big brother" of Asia, Ping Pa Ho -- Peace Be With You. May understanding and cooperation among nations prevail that would usher in true and lasting peace in the Asian region.

Our prayer is for China to become not a big bully but a caring big brother. We want to support a big brother China become a world power and a force for good, not a world power that is stepping on every small country. A big brother who not only looks after his own prosperity but will also help us grow and prosper together as brother nations.

            

Live a life full of meaning and value

"To live a life full of meaning and value, you don't follow your passion... your passion follows you." --Terri Trespicio

"Do what's valuable. Focus on getting good at something that genuinely helps others and makes the world a better place." --Benjamin Todd

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For the Christian, to live a life full of meaning and value is summed up in this short verse: 

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)