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Silence is Consent to Evil
First Published: Reflections - Philippine Daily Inquirer Publication Date: 1st December 1994 Author's Name: Father Shay Cullen SSC Advent is the time when we prepare for the coming of the Lord into our lives and our community. Christmas is not just the birthday celebration of Jesus Christ but a reminder of the purpose of his coming; to invite us to God's eternal friendship and establish the rule of God's love and justice as a replacement for the corrupt rule of men. John the Baptist and Jesus reminded the rich and powerful, corrupt politicians, tyrants, autocrats, dictators and despots that they are but as grass that will wither and flowers that will wilt, but God's word of truth will stand forever. The prophets interpreted the signs of their times in the light of God's revelation. They were rejected as John and Jesus were ignored, denounced, reviled, spat upon, and eventually murdered. The Christmas story is overshadowed too by the slaughter of the innocents by the despotic Herod. Many Christians today fulfill prophetic roles when they struggle against violence and corruption, stand against abuse and speak and write against evil. They are reviled, denounced and falsely accused. Some like Christ have been jailed and murdered for their beliefs. Those who claim to be Christian but remain silent and cover up wrong-doing help the tyrants gain power and share his evil deeds. A dictator is usually disguised as a economic saviour, a disciplined leader, a dispenser of promises, a giver of hope. He becomes an anti-Christ. The past dictatorial regime promised a New Society, a new Filipino, a paradise on earth through discipline. Some are staging a come back now, rising to political power on the wings of a personality cult boosted by a carefully manipulated media campaign and funded by ill gotten gains. We must remember that only the Truth will keep us free and would be tyrants will try to buy and bury the truth. They bribe editors, pay off journalists place their cronies in strategic positions, cultivate influential people with flattery and privileges spy and collect dossiers on them and then from untouchable positions of power they steal all around them. People empower themselves through knowledge and they empower others when they share that knowledge. Martial law was the era of silence how we hungered for the truth and signs of hope. We can learn so much from the example of Jesus Christ. The corrupt officials then as now tolerated no criticism as they served only themselves. Jesus taught the weak that love would bind them together and make them strong. Dictators have tried to silence that message. While John denounced the evil of Herod's corrupt regime and Jesus denounced the officials as hypocrites and a brood of vipers. He challenged the rulers to serve the poor but they hated him for his efforts and for being an "foreigner" and outsider from Galilee (Lk.23;59. Mk.6:4) ) they spied on him gathering evidence against him.(MK.11;18 Mk. 14;1) They said he spoke lies, distorted the truth, they twisted his words against him and accused him of destroying the nation, (Jn...12;48) They denied the good he did and build false charges against him and brought him to trial. Jesus was branded an enemy of the people. Christians today who stand for what is right can expect no less. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials (PDI 30/11/94) said I have declared "war' on their regime at the Subic Freeport. How can one person be a threat to such a powerful well armed agency? With a clutch of fawning columnists singing their leader's praises, and a publicity machine that passes out largess they are it seems; untouchable and above the law, unanswerable to anyone, like a nation unto themselves. More likely they could declare war on the public. The SBMA is better armed that Herod or Pilate with 20 million pesos for arms, millions for security vehicles, manufacturing tanks, fielding combat teams and helicopters. "Reflections' cannot match that fire-power so we only tell it like it is. The SBMA has a spy network that puts their critics under constant surveillance. Perhaps even their investors and employees too. With simple surveillance gadgets they could bug the private houses, even the President's rest house at the SBMA recording private conversations The intelligence documents from the SBMA's secret file which I quoted previously are evidence of invasion of privacy and other skulduggery. Even the Intelligence agents will probably deny it's existence to escape punishment for losing it. All of this is bad news for Filipinos who believed that fascism had failed. But it is alive and active. For a Olongapo resident to get a duty free ration card they must give detailed personal information even their precinct number and voters ID and pay P135 for the privilege. The SBMA chairman has nothing to fear he claims close presidential connections. ""Reflections"" only efforts at making "connections" are with God and even God is not writing to the Inquirer. So what is there for the SBMA to fear?
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