Skip to content

Suicide, Media and Mariannet Amper

suicide preventionI am disappointed in the lack of balance on how media (and some blogs) are treating [tag]Mariannet Amper[/tag]’s death. Even the Catholic Church, for goodness sake. Today is Mariannet’s burial but our beloved [tag]Catholic Church[/tag] in St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church in Barangay Ma-a is in a dilemma. She might not be given funeral rites despite being a devout Catholic because of some old-fashioned priest.

Is it because he or some of us are still living in the dark ages where [tag]suicide[/tag] is taboo? Or are we in denial, uncomfortable or just limited in our knowledge that some young kids like Mariannet may suffer from [tag]depression[/tag] or chemical imbalance which may have pushed her to die by suicide?

Much of this stigma is is a carryover from the Middle Ages. Victims were forbidden traditional funerals and burials, and suicide was considered both illegal and sinful by the laws and religions of the time.

Today, we understand that most suicides are the result of biochemical illnesses such as clinical depression. Yet, the stigma associated with suicide often forces family members to choose between secrecy about the death and social isolation. Even media avoids talking about it except for a few radio stations that invited a doctor to speak on depression and suicide.

I will emphasize my points below:

1. Focus on poverty situation is one-sided. Almost all the news and blogs talk on poverty or blaming the government (except for news reported here and here). What about the suicide awareness and prevention? We do not know for sure what caused Mariannet to die of suicide. For all we know, Mariannet may have suffered severe depression, which is not the same as merely sad or something that you can snap out of it in a second. Depression affects both the wealthy and economically disadvantaged individuals.

Media needs to address a balance of both the poverty and Suicide Prevention and Awareness as well.

2. Suicide is an illness, not a sin.. Fr. Zenon Ampong, their parish priest in Davao is uncertain about the request of the family of Mariannet for her to be brought to the church for funeral rites citing the policy of the Catholic Church on suicide. Not all Catholic priests are like Fr. Ampong. I bet he is the same type of priest who refuses to bless the dead if the death is caused by suicide but bless cars, pigs, houses…what hypocrisy! May Mariannet rest in peace even without that priest’ blessing.

(Update: November 11, 2007: Fr. Ampong’s gives funeral rites but his sermon shows his ignorance on depression and suicide.. How simplistic his reasons are! But then understanding suicide is not an easy matter either.)

He said that the Mariannet’s death was the result of the sins of other people….The world has been overwhelmed by the sins of the people against others, and this has been paid by Mariannet’s own life, he added.

3. Cluster Suicides or copy-cat suicides. Television, newspaper or radio coverage of suicide (or exposure to a recent suicide or suicide attempt in the community) can serve as a trigger for vulnerable adolescents to act on suicidal thoughts and plans. This is what is termed as ““cluster suicides.” Media reports that concentrate solely on the method used and ignore the emotional backdrop behind it can tend to encourage copy-cat suicides.

“Wish Ko Lang” hosted by Vicky Morales is coming out with a segment on granting Mariannet’s wishes as a final tribute. (View video of “Wish Ko Lang” (Part 1) and Part 2) Vicky Morales said that “Mariannet had put so much hope in us. We don’t want to let her down”. I cannot imagine how this is helping someone in Mariannet’s situation out there. Let’s give hope to other young kids through suicide awareness and prevention.

… studies have shown that ““some forms of non-fictional newspaper and television coverage of suicide are associated with a statistically significant excess of suicide,” with the impact appearing to be strongest among young people.

(Source :Reporting Suicide)

4. Suicide is not an individual problem. . . it is a community problem and requires a community response.. You save another life, if you are able to better identify causes and symptoms of suicide. Most suicide victims are crying for our help. We need to know how to listen.

That’s why I have to emphasize on the need for parents, teachers, educators and government to be aware on Suicide Prevention. Educate our community that suicide is a preventable public health problem.

5. Spiritual Faith and Desperation What if you know someone who is feeling down and out for days on end? As parents, we should know when to detect if it is just temporary sadness or depression. Most importantly, feeling gloomy, and desperate is not a sign of weak spiritual faith. It might help to have God in our lives but remember, a chemically imbalanced brain isn’t wired well. ““You will get over it . Don’t lose faith. Keep praying.” are often the words given to the desperate person. But God asks us to help ourselves and seek medical help.

6. Approve the Student Suicide Prevention Act of 2005 (Senate Bill No. 1946) filed on March 3, 2005 by Miriam Defensor Santiago. The act to empower the Department of Education , Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development to require school heads to report all the incidents of student suicide in their respective schools…and to provide a program for Student Early Intervention ad Prevention. Bill is still pending. WHY?

We honor Mariannet’s death by tackling both the poverty and suicide issues. Sure, there is a positive side on this. More focus on poverty alleviation and providing help to Mariannet’s family but the media attention is quite high and it might send the wrong signals to the public that suicide is a way out. This isn’t leaving her memory any sense of dignity at all.

Let’s save more lives by educating ourselves not only on anti-poverty measures but on suicide prevention. Suicide should no longer be considered a hidden or taboo topic, and that through raising awareness and educating the public, we can SAVE lives. (Read more on Suicide – Frequently Asked Questions.)

News Reports/blogs that show balanced reporting as of November 14, 2007

1. From gmanews.tv- The tragic life of Mariannet Amper, or why children commit suicide

2. Rina Jimenez-David wrote column on how Media Reporting Suicide

3. Tess Termulo Her Choice Killed Her

4. Michael Tan on Suicide has no Heroes

6. Michael Tan on Lifelines

For Suicide Prevention Hotline in the Philippines
Call Crisis Line of In Touch Community Services! (free and confidential)
+632-8937606 or +632-8937603 (Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm)

Mobile Text messaging: type hello crisisline and send to 2333 (Globe) or 211 (Smart)

Photo Credit: Youth Suicide Prevention Poster Contest Winner Artwork courtesy of Attorney General’s Office

47 thoughts on “Suicide, Media and Mariannet Amper”

  1. eh ano naman kung walang final rite ng pari? sa palagay ko as long as the family prays for the dead.

    hindi man middle age ngayon, pero if we think of it, regarless of what the catholic church teaches, sin o violation ang pag-suicide. life is a gift, kahit di ka naniniwala na may Diyos, so kung ikaw mismo ang puputol sa sarili mong buhay, mali eh, kahit saang anggulo tignan.

  2. Re: Comment 4.

    Yup, it’s not an absolute truth. 🙁 It’s weird that someone would argue that way.

    For Muslims for example, dying for one’s faith (suicidal to a certain extent), is viewed by their god as something that merits reward.

    It’s just unfair to impose your beliefs on others, gloria. Your comment is so sweeping it encompasses the whole debate on self-determination and even euthanasia. tsk tsk

  3. it’s issues like this when you cannot stand in the middle eh. sa exposure ko eh kasalanan ang suicide. whether it is the belief of the catholic church o batas lang ba ng tao na wag kumitil ng sariling buhay. i do not believe kasi than when all hope is gone, suicide is the only option. wala naman akong first hand na kakilala na nag-suicide, pero most often eh dahil nawalan na sila ng pag-asa. sa context ng suicide sa entry na ito eh dahil nawalan na nag pag-asa. iba yon sa dying for one’s faith na sinasabi ni benj.

    i am not imposing my belief on others. it just that i am entitled to my belief. kahit alisin ang context ng simbahan, mali pa rin ang mag-suicide, and i believe that from my very core.

  4. @Gloria- I am glad you have no first hand experience. It’s the most excructiating experience to hear their stories. I have met many families who have lost family members through suicide. I cannot write their stories in my blog without permission. I feel their pain, their shame and their guilt.

    We who have never lost a family member through suicide will NEVER understand their pain.

    Once you meet these families,maybe your opinion may change. You will be exposed to suicide as an illness. You will understand the symptons and causes. Hence,I am pushing suicide prevention as a preventable public health problem. I hope you take time to read my suicide prevention page.

    https://aboutmyrecovery.com/suicide-prevention/

    The news alone shows young kids who do suicide attempt and death by suicide.

  5. Thank you for promoting suicide awareness Ate Noemi. It’s about time that someone did in the blogging world. The person who committed suicide needs all the rites and prayers he/she needs and the Catholic priests should realize that the family experiencing this tragedy need the support of the church for guidance now more than ever. What happened to the idea of forgiveness? They church should be the beacon in this darkness.

    I had an uncle who committed suicide. He was a functioning alcoholic and had severe depression despite the fact that he was successful in his career. We really don’t understand why he did it but at least the priest from the Baguio Cathedral granted him his burial rites.

  6. @Tina- thanks for sharing your story. Not many family members share a death by suicide or even say the S word. Some call it an accident. Not that I am saying it’s wrong . It’ just we save more lives if we reach out and promote suicide awareness and prevention. It’s reality.

  7. I am Catholic, too, but I struggle with staying faithful to the religion as there’s so many things I disagree with–their blatant discrimination against the gay community, their warped beliefs about birth control and abortion, and the horrible way they handled sexual abuse accusations against priests in the states.

  8. Hello Noemi,

    I also think that suicide is something that we should all strive to understand. I stumbled upon your blog from Sonnie’s Porch. It is now known that severe depression is caused by chemical imbalance and therefore can be returned to “balance” again through therapy and medication. I appreciate your take on this issue since you have presented another side of the story, that this is just not about poverty.

    Everytime I hear about a suicide, on media or from acquaintances or relatives of suicide victim, i just cant fathom the depth of their depression and desperation and as such reached an extent of taking their own lives. I think of their families, and how it would mark them for life (psychologically and socially). Since it is common that relatives of suicide victims feel that they are directly responsible. They lament not only the death but also that they may have had a chance of saving their family member from suicide, “if only…”

    Will be back often.

    ====
    To valley girl. Hi! May I suggest that you talk to a priest so that all these doubts and concerns about the Catholic faith can be addressed directly. Because what you cited-

    their blatant discrimination against the gay community, their warped beliefs about birth control and abortion, and the horrible way they handled sexual abuse accusations against priests in the states ..

    — have a basis. But please examine how you came about these. Most likely, it is through media, which sad to say can present one side too strongly, and forgot to present the other as firmly. Just a suggestion 🙂

  9. this is one reason why i’m not a die hard religious fanatic. it’s quite sad, especially for a child like her even after her death. let’s just remind ourselves, that even without the proper “catholic” funeral rites, it doesn’t make anyone anything less.

    gloria might hate me for this, suicide has been viewed in two ways: one as a disease or something that is honorable. and for people, both views are wrong. regardless of what people see suicide as, we can agree that every death is a loss for society. right or wrong, disease or not, let us not condemn those who decide to cut their lives short. let us not judge this young child and i will not judge this child. that’s all.

  10. @deb- I am glad you understand the depth of this illness. I am happy to see that Rina Jimenez David, a columnist wrote about how media should report suicide in today’s papers. She even lists guidelines.

    Here is her column- Reporting Suicide

    @issai- yes we will never know her reasons so it’s not good to judge. I am not condeming Mariannet though. I just want to save more lives if we start educating ourselves on Suicide Prevention. What I fear most is copy-cat suicides especially on how media and other blogs have written one-sided views on the cause of death.

  11. great post noems. look out for my column next sunday. it’s sad no one is really discussing this. i wrote a piece in pdi a few years back on “dying young”. it’s about time to open the topic again before any more young lives are lost.

  12. second hand lang ang aking experience sa suicide. but i know their pain alright.

    -the pain and the regret that they could have done something to prevent it but was not able to.
    – that perhaps if they paid more attention, sought professional and medical help, hindi magsi-suicide ang anak nila.
    – and if simply they did not leave that person alone at any time, any where eh nasa napigilan yung sad event.

    all that and the shame why suicide happened in their family. iba-iba lang ang circumstance at intensity pero pareho pareho ang guilt at regret, pain and shame nila.

    granting that suicide is the act brought about by extreme depression, let us be realistic, sa mundo na struggle ang paghahanap nang kakainin sa araw araw, wala sa ulirat nila ang terms na chemically imbalanced brain at clinical depression. sa mundong ito, kung hindi nakakatatak sa utak at puso mo na kasalanan ang mag-suicide eh talagang gagawin mo na. mali man ang teaching na yan o hindi depende kung sino ang mag-de-decide, it is something that will keep you going and perhaps turn things around later in your life. ika nga eh habang buhay may pag-asa.

    so sa ganitong situation (na kinalakihan) ko, wala akong nakikitang masama sa paniniwalang kasalanan ang suicide, because my faith and beliefs alone are things that will keep going through difficult times.

    and i know what difficult times are like…

    medically aside, i think that depression is something that anyone can pull themselves from if they choose to, with full moral support of their families. and with faith and hope that this too will pass. kaso yung mga umaabot sa suicide, pinipili na nilang malunod sa depression nila o baka nagkulang yung pamilya sa pag-akay sa kanila.

    ang advocacy mo noemi eh sana makarating sa mga pamilya na kulang sa education at walang access sa resources like good doctors and healthcare, yung mga walang access sa internet at other resources to understand this issue. yung mga hindi nakakabili ng diyaryo perhaps.

    sana lang yung pag-labas ng media sa balitang ganito eh wag maging para gino-glorify yung act of suicide dahil mahirap o naghihirap sa buhay. na para bang okay lang magnakaw dahil walang kakainin. no end justifies the means.

    that’s what i know and believe in anyway.

  13. @Cathy- I remember that article in the course of collecting articles for compassionate friends. It’s good you will write about it in traditional media. We need public awareness. I also wrote Pia Cayetano to follow up on that pending bill on Student Suicide Prevention Act of 2005 (Senate Bill No. 1946)

    @Gloria- we will never know their pain because we never lost anyone through suicide.

    You and I feel that suicide is never a way out because we have not been depressed to the point of taking our own lives. Sure I have felt temporary depression when my son died but not to the point of killing myself. But clinical depression is very real for others. It is a biological illness that one can’t pull through without family support, therapy or medications. Just read up on it more because suicide and depression is not a simple topic to comprehend in one sitting. I am exposed to it because I have relatives who are psychiatrists and first hand experience in talking to suicide survivors.

    You’re right, I am appalled at the way media is reporting suicide . Hence media education is important as well. Rina Jimenez-David wrote column on how Media Reporting Suicide in today’s newspaper (November 11)

    I am doing something about the education part which needs the help of senators. I hope that Student Suicide Prevention Act of 2005 will be approved.

  14. Noemi,
    Having watched Wish Ko Lang, I get to thinking, would this not create a stream of “Last Wish” letters to them? Some may even go as far as saying that they have reached the end of their ropes and giving up, unless their wish is granted. I have always admired the program, since they have helped many people individually. But each time I watch, I am curious as to how many would actually be helped in the long run? Are these kinds of assistance sustainable? Just thinking out loud…

  15. @deb- Though it was nice for the family to receive these wishes, i felt it wasn’t right to give these gifts through the show. They could have done it privately. Reeks of commercialism =ratings.

  16. What the media is doing is fueling some ideas in some people’s mind about this as a last resort to help their families. It also seems to have been a ground to make brownie points for some people. This was discussed in the homily yesterday when we went to hear mass in UP. Father Jboy explained how changes and perceptions on suicide are changing, regarding the Catholic faith.

    I made a quick survey with my older students if this was discussed in school.Most said no, it was not. The school should play a big role when things like these happen. I did some counseling to several students about some points in what happened.

  17. @Julie- what a good start counselling your students. It’s a start. Thanks.

    anyway, nice to know Father Jboy is progressive. I read in Manila Bulletin about another progressive priest:

    “Lingayen-Dagupan City Archbishop Oscar Cruz, for his part, said there has already been a change in the church discipline on suicide victims due to the advancement of behavioral sciences.

    “After years of the advancement of behavioral sciences, the church is convinced that those who commit suicide are not themselves, and, consequently, the presumption is that they lack the necessary deliberation to commit a mortal offense against the giver of life and, therefore, there is now a relaxation of the law of funeral blessing and burial for those who commit suicide,” Cruz, a Canon Law expert, said.

    “If formerly they were denied the funeral rites and even the burial in a Catholic cemetery, now those practices no longer hold true. I think all experts of psychology and psychiatry are one in saying that all those who killed themselves were not in their right mind,” he added.

  18. talaga, that priest refused to bless? hay naku, tumataas ang presyon ko! buti na lang, the Bible says Lord loves all children. regardless of the circumstances of the girl’s death, regardless of whether or not she gets doused with holy water, im pretty sure the Lord will welcome her with open arms in heaven.

  19. If you can no longer take the suffering, it is your choice to end it yourself. Not everyone can be as polyannic and idealistic like other people. Suicide is the ultimate expression of self-determination.

    Why continue the suffering?

    Is non-existence really that worse compared to an existence filled with suffering? I beg to differ.

    This will make for an interesting entry *forms evil pyramid of concentration*

  20. Who cares about catholic priest’s attitude towards blessing cadavers of suicide victims? It will not do any good for the poor girl anyways because that cultic practice is not biblical anyways. The catholic church has been around for almost 400 years in the philippines and majority of filipinos are catholics yet our government is heavily infested with graft and corruption. Cory Aquino and Imelda Marcos are catholics yet they have not forgiven each other up until now. The catholic faith is full of hypocricy and deceit, from being idol worshippers to infant baptizers which are very much AGAINST the Bible. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS BEEN VERY INEFFECTIVE IN PRESERVING HIGH MORAL STANDARDS IN THE PHILIPPINES. I am very sorry but that is the truth.

  21. @benj- If presented with a choice, then it’s an informed decision. I believe Mariannet thought this was her only way out. She didn’t think she had a choice. She had no support or intervention. See, these people who feel depressed, hopeless are really asking for help. Young kids are vulnerable and need to be guided. Now if they are adults and have gone through the intervention, meds, and other choices in life, they should know better. Until then, I believe in suicide intervention and prevention. Suicide is a preventable public health problem.

    @Quiel- I believe that a few Catholic priests are more progressive now. Except that priest in Davao.

  22. Hi Miss Noemi and I wish you good health,

    First of all, I really like your blog because of it’s very interesting format and I would like to commend you for that.

    You said and i quote(capitalizations mine);
    “@Quiel- I believe that a few Catholic priests are MORE PROGRESSIVE now. Except that priest in Davao.”
    MAYBE YOU COULD ELABORATE MORE ON WHAT YOU MEAN BY YOUR STATEMENT “a few Catholic priests are MORE PROGRESSIVE now”. PROGRESSIVE IN WHAT CONTEXT AND WHY USE THE WORD “FEW” WHEN YOU COULD USE THE WORD “MANY”?

  23. @Quiel – I said few because I only 3 priests so far. THe first is my parish street in my old residence. Second, see comment no 21 where Julie heard the sermon of Fr. Jboy in UP Chapel and third, in comment no 22, I quoted Lingayen-Dagupan City Archbishop Oscar Cruz, where he said that there has already been a change in the church discipline on suicide victims due to the advancement of behavioral sciences.

  24. Pingback: Her Choice Killed Her | Prudence and Madness

  25. I hope you don’t mind Miss Noemi but I would like to share a little tought to you and all the readers of your interesting blog what my views are regarding this issue about children committing suicide.

    According to you and I quote (capitalization mine), “I quoted Lingayen-Dagupan City Archbishop Oscar Cruz, where he said that there has already been a change in the CHURCH DISCIPLINE on suicide victims due to the ADVANCEMENT OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.”
    The derivative question is CAN THIS (CATHOLIC)CHURCH DISCIPLINE AND ADVANCEMENT OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES REALLY IS THE BIBLICAL SOLUTION TO ALL THIS PROBLEM ABOUT JUVENILE SUICIDES? WHAT DOES THE GOD OF THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY REGARDING THIS MATTER?

    Catholics accept the bible as a fundamental reference regarding matters of faith right? As a matter of fact there is a section in a catholic mass about Bible reading so I will safely assume that it is just absolutely proper for us to consult the Bible. I don’t see any problem if we consult the word of God.

    Let us ask an analytical question,
    IN THE BIBLE, WHAT SHALL WE REALLY DO TO DETER IF NOT TOTALLY ELIMINATE JUVENILE SUICIDES? IS IT REALLY (CATHOLIC)CHURCH DISPLINE OR ADVANCEMENTS IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM AS WHAT CATHOLIC PRIESTS BELIEVE ACCORDING TO THE STATEMENT OF LINGAYEN-DAGUPAN CITY ARCHBISHOP OSCAR CRUZ ?
    Let us now read the Bible,
    In the book of Proverbs chapter 22 verse 6 it reads;
    “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
    THE BIBLE IS THEN CLEAR THAT A CHILD MUST BE TRAINED IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO RIGHT?

    Let us ask the Bible another question,
    WHAT SHALL WE TRAIN A CHILD WITH? ARE WE GOING TO USE ADVANCEMENTS IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES AS YOU ARE SAYING OR THOSE (CATHOLIC)CHURCH DISCIPLINE MAYBE?
    Let us now read the Bible,
    In the book of Ephesians chapter 6 verse 4 we can read;
    “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but BRING THEM UP IN THE NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD.”
    OBVIOUSLY, WE WILL NOT USE ADVANCEMENTS IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES NOR (CATHOLIC)CHURCH DISCIPLINE ACCORDING TO THE VERSE THAT WE HAVE JUST READ, WHAT PARENTS MUST DO IS TO BRING THEIR CHILD UP IN THE NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD ACCORDING TO THE VERSE.

    Let us now ask another logically valid question,
    WHERE CAN WE FIND THIS NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD THAT PARENTS OR ANY RESPONSIBLE GUARDIAN MUST USE IN PROPERLY BRINGING UP A CHILD IN THE RIGHT WAY OR PATH WHERE HE MUST GO?
    Let us again consult the Bible,
    In the book of II Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 we can read this;
    “All SCRIPTURE [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for INSTRUCTION in righteousness:”
    SO THE BIBLE HAVE ANSWERED OUR QUESTION, WE MUST INSTRUCT AND TRAIN UP A CHILD NOT USING (CATHOLIC)CHURCH DISCIPLINE NOR ADVANCEMENTS IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES BUT BY INTRUCTING THEM USING THE SCRIPTURES ACCORDING TO THE VERSE. WHY THEN WILL WE RESORT TO (CATHOLIC)CHURCH DISCIPLINE AND ADVANCEMENTS IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES IF GOD CLEARLY TELLS US WHAT WE MUST DO? IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT LINGAYEN-DAGUPAN CITY ARCHBISHOP OSCAR CRUZ IS GROSSLY MISLED.

    If we will then use the Holy Scripture in instructing or training up a child in the way he should go instead of (catholic)church discipline and advancements in behavioral sciences according to the biblically unsound statement of Lingayen-Dagupan City Archbishop Oscar Cruz, CAN THE HOLY SCRIPTURE BE SUFFICIENTLY ENOUGH OR COMPLETE TO RIGHTFULLY INSTRUCT A CHILD? ARE (CATHOLIC)CHURCH DISCIPLINE AND ADVANCEMENTS IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES NEEDED TO SUPPLEMENT AND COMPLETE WHAT THE HOLY SCRIPTURE HAS TO OFFER?
    At this point let us now directly consult the REAL GOD OF THE BIBLE on what does he have to say regarding his scriptures,
    In the book of Isaiah chapter 34 verse 16, God himself solidly declares this pronouncement and we read;
    “Seek ye out of the BOOK OF THE LORD, and read: NO ONE OF THESE SHALL FAIL, NONE SHALL WANT HER MATE: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.”
    DO WE STILL NEED (CATHOLIC)CHURCH DISCIPLINE AND ADVANCEMENTS IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES? GOD SOLIDLY DECLARES IN THIS BIBLE VERSE THAT HIS BOOK CAN STAND ALONE AND WE DO NOT NEED (CATHOLIC)CHURCH DISCIPLINE AND ADVANCEMENTS IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES ANYMORE!

    I have been with this issue about juvenile suicides and I personally don’t like how Philippine media put the blame SOLELY on the government. WHAT THEY DON’T SEE IS THE BIGGER PROBLEM UNDERLYING ITS CAUSE. Its not poverty nor the government as they are only incidental to the REAL AND FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM which is THE MORAL BANKRUPTCY OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE CAUSED BY INEFFECTIVE AND FALSE RELIGIONS DOMINATING THIS COUNTRY. MAYBE ITS TIME FOR US TO DEEPLY ANALYZE AND EVALUATE WHAT KIND OF MORAL STANDARDS DO WE HAVE.

    Thank you very much Miss Noemi and I wish you good health and more success. Godbless….

  26. Hi Miss Noemi and I wish you good health,

    I still strongly believe that what happened to the poor child is not a GENERALLY EPHEMERAL issue because IT ENCOMPASSES ALSO A VERY VALID PREMISE ON OUR MORAL AND RELIGIOUS STANDARDS. It is true that the government is somehow INDIRECTLY accountable for such unfortunate event BUT WHAT WE DON’T SEE IS THE BIGGER AND DEEPER PROBLEM which is THE MORAL ACCOUNTABILITY OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN RIGHTFULLY PREACHING THE MORAL VALUE ABOUT CHARITY AND LOVE OF FELLOWMEN. Our government is run by human persons or individuals because IT WILL BE ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE FOR OUR GOVERNMENT TO FUNCTION WITHOUT THEM. I am absolutely certain that ALMOST ALL of those human persons or individuals running our government HAS SOME SORT OF RELIGION, they could be CATHOLICS or IGLESIA NI CRISTONG TAO NI MANALO, etc.

    In the Bible, we can SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFY a distinguishing character of THE TRUE BIBLICAL RELIGION and at this point I just want to share a Bible verse;
    In the book of James chapter 1 verse 27 it reads,
    “PURE RELIGION and undefiled before God and the Father IS THIS, To VISIT THE FATHERLESS AND WIDOWS IN THEIR AFFLICTION, [and] TO KEEP HIMSELF UNSPOTTED FROM THE WORLD.”
    IT IS THEREFORE CLEAR FROM THE VERSE THAT THE BIBLE REALLY TEACHES A PURE RELIGION OR TRUE BIBLICAL RELIGION UNDEFILED BEFORE GOD AND THE FATHER. IF IT IS PURE AND UNDEFILED BEFORE GOD AND THE FATHER, THEN, IT MUST REALLY BE THE TRUE RELIGION WHICH IS OF GOD!

    Let us now then ask an analytically crucial question,
    ACCORDING TO THE VERSE, WHAT ARE THE DISTINGUISHING QUALITIES OF THIS TRUE AND PURE RELIGION?
    Let us again read the verse for us to answer the question,
    “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To VISIT THE FATHERLESS AND WIDOWS IN THEIR AFFLICTION, [and] TO KEEP HIMSELF UNSPOTTED FROM THE WORLD.”
    Let us now list down those DISTINGUISHING QUALITIES supplied by the bible verse;
    1. VISIT THE FATHERLESS AND WIDOWS IN THEIR AFFLICTION
    2. TO KEEP HIMSELF UNSPOTTED FROM THE WORLD
    The bible therefore supplied two distinguishing qualities of a true and pure religion which is CHARITY and CHASTITY and at this point I want to concentrate the discussion to this biblical doctrine called CHARITY.

    I know of MANY wealthy catholics in this country. Many of whom can never deplete all their wealth in their entire lifetime, THEY ARE REALLY VERY WEALTHY ACTUALLY. One example is Mr. Augusto Zobel de Ayala, owner of a very influential business conglomerate and one of the wealthiest in the country. Another is Sen. Manny Villar, owner of the Villar group of companies and I could go on and on for me to just enumerate them which means that THERE ARE REALLY PLENTY OF EXTREMELY WEALTHY CATHOLICS IN THIS COUNTRY.

    Let us now ask a logically valid question,
    IN THE BIBLE, WHAT IS THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRUE BIBLICAL RELIGION FOR ITS WEALTHY MEMBERS? IS THERE ANY?
    Let us now get the answer from the Bible,
    In the book of 1 Timothy chapter 6 verses 17 to 19 we can read this,
    “CHARGE THEM THAT ARE RICH IN THIS WORLD, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things
    to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, READY TO DISTRIBUTE, WILLING TO COMMUNICATE; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
    In the King James Version of the Bible 1611 English Edition the word “communicate” is used in verse 18 but if we will look up the original greek word used in the original greek manuscripts we will find the greek word “koinwnikous” or if we will formally translate it to its closest english word translation we will come up with the word “CONTRIBUTORS” or “CONTRIBUTE”.
    ACCORDING TO THE VERSES THAT WE HAVE JUST READ, THE RICH IN THIS WORLD ARE CHARGED BY THE BIBLE TO BE READY TO DISTRIBUTE AND TO BE WILLING TO COMMUNICATE OR CONTRIBUTE. Obviously, THIS BIBLICAL DOCTRINE IS NOT WELL THOUGHT BY CATHOLIC CHURCH LEADERS AND ALL RELIGIOUS LEADERS PRETENDING TO BE AUTHENTICALLY CHOSEN BY GOD TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD! Had this doctrine only be thought by religious leaders very effectively, THE CHANCES OF A CHILD COMMITING SUICIDE BECAUSE OF EXTREME POVERTY WILL BE GREATLY AND SIGNIFICANTLY AVOIDED IF NOT TOTALLY ELIMINATED AT ALL.

    THIS ISSUE IS BASICALLY A MORAL ISSUE. IT IS ALL ABOUT MORAL STANDARDS AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AS A MAJOR RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION IN THIS COUNTRY. THE POOR GIRL IS A CATHOLIC AND SO ARE HER PARENTS. HAD THEIR RELIGIOUS LEADERS BEEN EFFECTIVE IN TEACHING TRUE BIBLE DOCTRINE THE POOR GIRL MIGHT STILL BE ALIVE NOW. POOR GIRL SHE HAS A VERY INEFFECTIVE RELIGION…..

    I am very sorry Miss Noemi if my statements are a bit strong and hurting but I have no intention of hurting anybody. SOMETIMES WE MUST BRAVELY FACE THE HONEST TRUTH EVEN HOW IT HURTS FOR US TO EFFECTIVELY MOVE ON AND GROW AS A WHOLE PERSON. THE TRUTH MAY HURT BUT THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE…….

    May you have a good day Miss Noemi and I wish you more successes and good health.

  27. I like you blog, although I guess it is in danger of being hijacked by bible quoting bible as the be all and end all of everything type of argumentation. Keep it up though and may you be blessed always

  28. A certain idiot said this blog is in danger of being hijacked by bible quoting bible as the be all and end all of everything type of argumentation. Apparently this idiot was refering to me because as far as I know I am the only commentator in this blog article to quote the Bible. I dont know if this unfortunate creature HATES the bible or what. This idiot refers to quoting the Bible as hijacking! I cant believe these kinds of lowlife exist.

  29. @quiel- oops I thought it was a double post. Good for you that you know the bible passages. I really need to brush up on it.

    @regor- it’s good to have a variety of readers. As commenters in my blog, we agree to disagree.

  30. I understand the agreeing to disagree part but the assumption that the only truth is the truth in the Bible or stated another way, that salvation can only be through Christ, that is another matter though and that is what, essentially, the bible quoter is doing. What I said was merely an observation or argument against what she is doing and she calls me an idiot? That reflects very well on her beloved religion. May your God bless you with more understanding and the grace of uncertainty regarding matters of faith so that you will understand more the human condition than the certainly you feel about your untested faith.

  31. Like what I said, this idiot commentator accuses the commentator who quotes the Bible as ASSUMING that the only truth is the truth in the Bible or stated another way, that salvation can only be through Christ, that is another matter though and that is what, essentially, the bible quoter is doing. NEVER IN ANY AND ALL MY COMMENTS HERE THAT I ASSUMED SUCH AS HE IS ACCUSING ME OF! If it just so happen that I made Bible quotations here, IT IS IN SUPPORT OF MY ARGUMENT THAT THE ISSUE ABOUT JUVENILE SUICIDE, WHICH IS THE TOPIC OF THIS ARTICLE, CAN BE VERY MUCH LINKED TO THE INNEFECTIVENESS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN PRESERVING HIGH STANDARDS OF MORALITY HERE IN OUR COUNTRY THEN OUT FROM WHEREVER HERE COMES THIS DESPERATE IDIOT ACCUSING ME OF SOMETHING I DID NOT EVEN CLAIM NOR INSINUATED WHATSOEVER! MAYBE ITS HIS RELIGION THAT REFLECT WHO HE IS BECAUSE HE IS A BIG FALSE ACCUSER AND A VERY BIG DESPERATE LIAR!!!

    Miss Noemi, I am very sorry if my statements are too strong and frank. I just cant take this desperate commentator FALSELY and MALICIOUSLY accusing another commentator. Im very sorry Miss Noemi….

  32. Hi Miss Noemi!

    I would just like to share with you and all the intelligent readers of your very informative blog a certain Bible passage and please let us read.
    In the book of Proverbs chapter 6 verses 16 to 19 we can read this;

    “These six [things] doth the Lord HATE: yea, seven [are] an ABOMINATION UNTO
    HIM: A proud look, a LYING TONGUE, and hands that shed innocent blood,An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A FALSE WITNESS [that] SPEAKETH LIES, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

    ACCORDING TO THE VERSE THAT WE HAVE JUST READ MISS NOEMI, GOD HATES LIARS AND FALSE ACCUSERS and I cant help but to think of a certain desperate commentator of yours who is a VERY BIG DESPERATE LIAR and also A VERY BIG FALSE ACCUSER. I pity these kinds of people because biblically speaking, GOD HATES THESE KINDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE LIARS AND FALSE ACCUSERS. NO WONDER THIS COMMENTATOR OF YOURS COMMENTED AND I QUOTE HIS STATEMENT, “I guess it is in danger of being HIJACKED by bible quoting bible AS THE BE ALL AND END ALL OF EVERYTHING TYPE OF ARGUMENTATION”. OBVIOUSLY, THESE PEOPLE ARE VERY MUCH TO BE CATEGORICALLY CLASSIFIED AS ENEMIES OF GOD’S WORD OR THE BIBLE AND THESE PEOPLE REALLY ARE NOT AFRAID OF LYING ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB!! NO WONDER THE GOD OF THE BIBLE HATES THESE KINDS OF VERY UNFORTUNATE CREATURES.

  33. To further prove that this desperate commentator is really A BIG DESPERATE LIAR, he said and I quote him, “…..but the ASSUMPTION that THE ONLY TRUTH IS THE TRUTH IN THE BIBLE or stated another way, THAT SALVATION CAN ONLY BE THROUGH CHRIST, that is another matter though and THAT IS WHAT, ESSENTIALLY, THE BIBLE QUOTER IS DOING….”
    WHERE IN EVERY CORNERS OF HELL DID HE READ IN ANY AND ALL COMMENTS OF THAT BIBLE QUOTER THAT THE BIBLE QUOTER HAS IN ANY WAY ASSUMED THAT THE ONLY TRUTH IS THE TRUTH IN THE BIBLE AND THAT SALVATION CAN ONLY BE THROUGH CHRIST? WHERE IN HELL DOES THAT COME FROM?
    The bible quoter that he is refering to DID NOT EVEN MENTIONED the word “CHRIST” in ANY AND ALL of his comments! Can you now blame me why I called this commenter IDIOT when the honest fact is HE IS NOT ONLY AN IDIOT but a very big desperate LIAR!!

  34. To Regor:

    I strongly disagree to your false accusations against Quiel, one of the commentors in here. I know why you´re reacting that way for I believe that it´s just your very nature drives you to say that acertain Bible quoter is a “hijacker.” You are an authentic-liar-of-a-kin, dont you know that? I say that because your very nature Regor is the very authenticated-true-copy of the nature of your “father” (John 8:44)
    ______________
    “44YE ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a LIE, he speaketh of his own: for he is a LIAR, and the FATHER OF IT.” (KJV)

    You are really a copy-cat of your father. Have you not learn a little respect of yourself and to the Holy Scriptures which we highly regard as the Holy Words of God even the God of Israel? Do your religion have not teach you a little faith on God´s words written in the Bible. I presume you weren´t because of your idiotic devilish attitude and unbecoming towards the Bible verses that Quiel has quoted on his comments above. Huh. I pity you regor! I really pity you for you´re such an ignoramus and heretics on God´s words.

    Remeber this very principle in thsese very verses: (Matthew 7:16-17)
    ________________
    “16YESHALL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
    17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a CORRUPT TREE bringeth forth EVIL FRUIT.” (KJV)

    You are what your religion is. When your a liar, your religion is like what you are. When you hate the verses of the Bible, truly that your religion hates them too for your person manifested what your religion is, a Bible-hater and a God-hater too (Romans 1:29-31)
    ___________________
    “29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
    30Backbiters, HATERS OF GOD, despiteful, proud, boasters, INVENTORS OF EVIL THINGS, disobedient to parents,
    31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:” (KJV)

    for you are not of God (John 8:47)
    ___________________
    “47He that is of God heareth God’s words: YE THEREFORE HEAR THEM NOT, because YE ARE NOT OF GOD.” (KJV)

    Now that in the same way with Quiel, I am quoting verses of the Bible will be calling me a hijacker too? Oh com’ on, go ahead!

    xian

  35. Hello Miss Noemi,

    I wish you sound mind and good health

    First and foremost, I would like to commend on your blog for its veriloquence and interesting format and style. Please allow me to post these Comments and Reactions (I may sound reactive but anyways) of mine as follows:

    1. Focus on poverty situation is one-sided. Almost all the news and blogs talk on poverty or blaming the government (except for news reported here and here). What about the suicide awareness and prevention?

    * I strongly agree that its a one-sided thing to focus only on poverty situation. Most of our media are biased and partial contrary to what their banner´s theme and flags are saying like “Walang kinikilingan, walang pinoprotektahan, Serbisyoung totoo lamang…” of GMA7 and “Panig sa Katotohanan, Panig sa Bayan…” of ABS-CBN. The reality is they are protecting their very interests for profits and also some other organizations and personalities in showbiz and politics. What they are bringing out are erzats public service and superficial public information. These two competing giants in Broadcast are in several times proved for their partiality and biases in the death of FPJ, Rico Yan issues, the Ultra Stamped for instance. What they have provided to the public are the sensationalized news, views and opinion, features and programs.

    2.Suicide is an illness, not a sin.. Fr. Zenon Ampong, their parish priest in Davao is uncertain about the request of the family of Mariannet for her to be brought to the church for funeral rites citing the policy of the Catholic Church on suicide. Not all Catholic priests are like Fr. Ampong. I bet he is the same type of priest who refuses to bless the dead if the death is caused by suicide but bless cars, pigs, houses… what hypocrisy! May Mariannet rest in peace even without that priest’ blessing.

    ** It is very useless if we still believe on the blessing things of the dead. Dead is dead anyways. Dead people can´t do nothing nor the living can´t do favors for them nor could be of help to the dead peoples´ salvation. It is for the reason that the dead people´s history ended at their respective tombs. They know nothing nor the place they are going. They are of realm of oblivion. They have no awareness nor consciousness on the things under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6)
    ____________________
    “5For the living know that they shall die: but the dead KNOW NOT ANY THING, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
    6Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.” (KJV)

    Prayers for the dead, flower offerings, even praises, appreciations , absolution to them and for them and best presents and tombs made for them are all useless for those things are of no value for them that are lifeless and at peace. Those things offered and done to the dead are acts of HYPOCRISY (Matthew 23:27, 29-30)
    ____________________
    “27Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
    29Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
    30And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.” (KJV)

    and UNGODLINESS and ABOMINATIONS to God Almighty.

    ** With due respect to everyone, I frankly assert that such statement and I quote saying “Suicide is an illness, not a sin..” is a misinformation and a disinformation statement. It is a big misinformation because it misleas the people to believe the things that are contrary to the Biblical doctrine s on the sanctity of life. God as the giver of life in no way give us the reason or the right to take away our very life nor other peoples’ life. Instead, everyone is impel to value and protect LIFE in all its meaning and to live life to the fullest that everyone can do and have. The sixth of the Ten Commandments says (Deuteronomy 5:17)
    ___________________
    “17Thou shalt not kill.” (KJV)

    This God´s pronouncement is a general principle. It doesn´t just cover the taking off the life of other people/s but also of one´s life. This principle was enhanced by Jesus Christ on the highest level and grounds on his second great commandment (Matthew 22:39)
    ___________________
    “39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as THYSELF.” (KJV)

    Loving oneself is tantamount to loving one´s life and protecting it from any danger, pain, discomfort, etc. not unless your a sadist. It is very illogical to think that killing oneself due to severe impoverish is an act of loving oneself and is a noble act of freeing oneself from miseries, difficulties, sacrifices, etc. Even our Constitution backs up the Biblical principle on the life´s sacredness (Art. III Sec. 1 of the Bill of Rights)
    _________________
    “Section 1. NO PERSON SHALL BE DEPRIVED OF LIFE, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.” (1987 Philippine Constitution)

    It´s only God – the giver of life – (Genesis 2:7)
    _________________
    “7And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of LIFE; and man became a living soul.” (KJV)

    alone can take the life of a person (Deuteronomy 32:39)
    _________________
    “39See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I KILL, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.” (KJV)

    3.Cluster Suicides or copy-cat suicides. Television, newspaper or radio coverage of suicide (or exposure to a recent suicide or suicide attempt in the community) can serve as a trigger for vulnerable adolescents to act on suicidal thoughts and plans. This is what is termed as “cluster suicides.” Media reports that concentrate solely on the method used and ignore the emotional backdrop behind it can tend to encourage copy-cat suicides.

    *** Many people nowadays resorted to suicide due to their unbelief, ungodliness and the absence of Biblical God to their life. They do not even know what really is the true definition of life that´s why they committed suicide. Many scholars and the so-called great authors of the best-selling books existing in the face of the globe attempted to explain and answer the rudimentary queries of man on the essential and true meaning of L-I-F-E but they all failed. There are recorded accounts and biographies of considered intellectuals and learned institutions and societies by the human societies and standards who spent their lifetime to find for the satisfying and concrete meaning of life but ended their very life frustrated. Many of them went on hermitage, pilgrimage and scientific experimentation, inventions of sophisticated technological gadgets and formulation of the so-called “wonder medicines” to prolong or somehow extend man’s life but they were all total disappointed with the repercussions of their feat and quests. Most of their answers in the form of theories, concepts, theses, hypotheses, antitheses, syntheses, analysises and considerable facts are found erroneous and considered baseless, impractical, contradicting, controverting and assumptive when compared to the Biblical Truths written in the Bible which are now being disclosed to His people and to the world by the Heavensent.

    If you want to know and understand deeper the real essence of life in its entirety, please visit this posted article on the best BLOG I´v ever known that makes a breviloquent presentation of the general worldviews on life and the concise Bible truths:

    http://esoriano.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/what-is-the-true-meaning-of-life/ or
    http://esoriano.wordpress.com/category/life/

    Such post delves deeper on life’s ultimate meaning and purpose, and how could someone achieve the common phrase “living life to the fullest.”

    *** What people drive to take suicide is more on the spiritual than mental problems. I would rather believe and obey what the God of the Bible has said and commanded than believing and obeying men, (Acts 5:29)
    __________________
    “29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (KJV)

    their man-made philisophies and traditions. (Colossians 2:8)
    __________________
    “8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ..” (KJV)

    I say more on the spiritual aspectc because Satan, the prince of all evil spirits is the greatest murder since from the start of the immemorial times. (John 8:44)
    ___________________
    “44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a MURDERER FROM THE BEINNING, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (KJV)

    Satan is like a roaring lion that seeks his possible victims 25/8 (twenty-five hours a day,eight days a week). (1 Peter 5:8)
    ___________________
    “8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (KJV)

    He is on his greatest anger to the humakind that is why he is on his overtime working and operations for he knows that his shortest time is at hand. (Revelation 12:12)
    ___________________
    “12Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the DEVIL is come down unto you, having GREAT WRATH, because he knoweth that HE HATH BUT A SHORT TIME.” (KJV)

    and made more and more victims. One of his deceiving devices is suicide. And after finding his probable victims, satan will now blind the mind of his victims that will lead to suicide. (2 Corinthians 4:4)
    ____________________
    “4In whom the GOD OF THIS WORLD hath BLINDED THE MINDS the minds of them which BELIEV NOT, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (KJV)

    Evil spirits are the intruders of suicidal attitude of those suicidals. And believe it or not, spirits are reality. Many people don´t believe the existence of the spirits and the spirit world. They are everywhere, in all places in this world (Ephesians 6:12)
    ___________________
    “12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES.” (KJV)

    4.Suicide is not an individual problem… it is a community problem and requires a community response.. You save another life, if you are able to better identify causes and symptoms of suicide. Most suicide victims are crying for our help. We need to know how to listen. That’s why I have to emphasize on the need for parents, teachers, educators and government to be aware on Suicide Prevention. Educate our community that suicide is a preventable public health problem.

    **** I believe in the first place to the idea stated above saying, “Suicide is not an individual problem… it is a community problem and requires a community response..” At the first glance, it sounds correct. But if you will take a closer look at it, you will realize that it is a half truth. WhyI say HALF TRUTH? Because the most responsible and acountable concern to this epidemic concurrence and menace in our society is the religious affairs. Allow me to quote and reiterate the statement of one of the commentor name Quiel and I quote saying;

    _______________________________________________________________________
    “I still strongly believe that what happened to the poor child is not a GENERALLY EPHEMERAL issue because IT ENCOMPASSES ALSO A VERY VALID PREMISE ON OUR MORAL AND RELIGIOUS STANDARDS. It is true that the government is somehow INDIRECTLY accountable for such unfortunate event BUT WHAT WE DON’T SEE IS THE BIGGER AND DEEPER PROBLEM which is THE MORAL ACCOUNTABILITY OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN RIGHTFULLY PREACHING THE MORAL VALUE ABOUT CHARITY AND LOVE OF FELLOWMEN. Our government is run by human persons or individuals because IT WILL BE ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE FOR OUR GOVERNMENT TO FUNCTION WITHOUT THEM. I am absolutely certain that ALMOST ALL of those human persons or individuals running our government HAS SOME SORT OF RELIGION, they could be CATHOLICS or IGLESIA NI CRISTONG TAO NI MANALO, etc. (Please refer to the posted comment by Quiel, post # 36.)
    ______________________________________________________________________

    For more information about Suicide and what the Bible speaks of it, please feel free to click and visit the links provided below:

    http://esoriano.wordpress.com/2007/06/30/stop-suicide-is-never-a-solution-period/ or http://esoriano.wordpress.com/category/suicide/

    5. Spiritual Faith and Desperation. What if you know someone who is feeling down and out for days on end? As parents, we should know when to detect if it is just temporary sadness or depression. Most importantly, feeling gloomy, and desperate is not a sign of weak spiritual faith. It might help to have God in our lives but remember, a chemically imbalanced brain isn’t wired well. “You will get over it . Don’t lose faith. Keep praying.” are often the words given to the desperate person. But God asks us to help ourselves and seek medical help.

    ***** For the above statement, the most valid question that a logical and sensible person to ask is, “Who is that God that we should call, pray and ask for help? My statements would be as frank and hurting as those would be but I couldn’t hold on my fingers intact and unmoved. I hate to say these but I should. The God of the Catholics, the Protestants, the Muslims, the Buddhists, Iglesia ni Manalos, etc. and are greatly different to the God of the Bible. Because if they are of and have the same God, they should be in one flock united and undivided. (1 Corinthians 3:3)
    __________________
    “3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you ENVYING, and STRIFE, and DIVISIONS, are ye not CARNAL, and walk as men?” (KJV)

    remember that carnal or earthly things are of the devil (James 3:15)
    __________________
    “15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is EARTHLY, SENSUAL, DEVILISH.” (KJV)

    where confusion reigns ( James 3:16)
    _________________
    “16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (KJV)

    and not God. For in the place where confusion reigns, God is absent. It is for the reason that the God of the Bible has delicadeza. He hates confusion, division, strifes, and all evil things. (1 Corinthians 14:33)
    __________________
    “33For God is not the author of CONFUSION, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (KJV)

    It would be a long discussion to tacke these matters here. If you wanted to know the GOD OF THE BIBLE, then feel free to visit these links provided below:

    http://esoriano.wordpress.com/2007/07/06/the-spirit-god-has-a-spirit/
    http://esoriano.wordpress.com/2007/09/28/not-everything-is-possible-to-god/

    6.Approve the Student Suicide Prevention Act of 2005 (Senate Bill No. 1946) filed on March 3, 2005 by Miriam Defensor Santiago. The act to empower the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development to require school heads to report all the incidents of student suicide in their respective schools…and to provide a program for Student Early Intervention ad Prevention. Bill is still pending. WHY?

    ******* Well, such move can somehow do a little help for the massive information on suicide issues although it is not the cure of this menace to our innocent youth. What we need to rehabilitate and recover is the Biblical faith that each should possess according to the will of the Father Almighty. (Matthew 6:10
    ____________________
    “10Thy kingdom come, THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH, as it is in heaven.” (KJV)

    But sad to say that His will doesnt prevail to the major populace of the world save the few. Another sad reality is that COMMON SENSE is NO LONGER COMMON to our peoples nowadays. Huh. I´m saddened after realizing this saddest realm of reality in our world today.

    Xian

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *