ABROGUENA, Alexa 3-Febuary-2020

‘National Bible Day’: Discriminatory towards other religion?

President Rodrigo Duterte, by the power vested in him by the law, declared the month of January
every year as a ‘National Bible’s Month’; in which the people of the Philippines will celebrate its
essence of inspiring and moving a nation towards the “betterment of their fellow human beings even
at great cost to themselves”; this was stated in executive order 124 section 2017, signed last January
2017. This executive order, then, backed with Republic Act 11163 which stated that this law is made
for, to, “… encourages development of the Filipino people’s “moral character and spiritual
foundation.”” which was signed last December 2018. This shows how important the law is, as a
predominantly Christian country for us to remember our beliefs and faith that may help us be a better
citizen. For us human beings, an institution where we spend the majority of our time, influences us-
consciously or unconsciously, they play a big part of how we act, now, by this law, the institutions are
encourage to have a ‘Bible Day’ both for the public and private institution where they are mandated to
observe this special working holiday. These institutions can now participate on this said event for
observance of the Holy Scripture. With this, we as Filipino citizens, strengthened by our faith can now
discern, to participate in making just and rightful law for the betterment of our nation.

In one of the article published by Johny Natad, a citizen of the Philippines, he expressed his delight
and appreciation to the law that the Philippine State has approved. For him, this law will make the
Christians listen to the voice of the Lord- the voice in the Bible that matter. As for him, this is an
instrument of the Lord to make his people listen to His voice. He just hopes that the people will
adhere to the advocacy to read the bible and really understand it. Natad, as a firm believer of the
Lord, also hopes that, if we were called by the Lord, through reading of the Bible, we would answer
his call- his call to follow his commandment and choose the right path for ourselves, our neighbors,
and our beloved nation.

For most of us- students, teens, young adults, the Bible is a requirement especially for us who studies
Religion. This piece of literature is only to be read when needed or when asked by the teacher. Now,
with this law, and by the help of the institutions- to emphasize more the importance of this scripture in
helping us become a better version of ourselves for us to be able to help our nation in any way we
can. I can only hope that everyone will participate in observing this special holiday, because at the
end of the day this is for our own good, and the good of all. This may also seem like discrimination
towards other religion, but as stated in the executive order 124 section 2017 that this has a valid
objective- given that our nation is dominated by Christians, in nation building, this has nothing to do
with discrimination or being superior over other religions. This law was made for the purpose of
helping our government build a better nation for us all, forsaking others but not limited to, religion,
race, culture.