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welshy
Member
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Posted: Wed Dec 6th, 2006 12:21 am |
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i just read in the u.k press that 75% of work places have banned christmas decorations in fear of being sued by non christians, yet non christian religions get to celebrate all their festivals with money from local councils to set up the decorations and no fear of being sued.
my question is this: in the philippines does each religion enjoy it's own freedoms to celebrate festivities? or do certain religions have to tone down theirs so as not to offend minority religions?
i just got curious about this coz in the u.k we have shot ourselves in the foot by pampering everyone but ourselves. MINORITY RULES IN THE U.K.
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Sirena
Moderator
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Posted: Wed Dec 6th, 2006 01:43 pm |
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Personally, though I'm not christian (or affiliated with any other religion) but I do get a bit annoyed by all the fuss. I wish they would just start celebrating it when the time actually comes around (perhaps two weeks before the event would be sensible?) - not in October or November! It's the fuss, the crowds in the shops and the commercialism that annoys me, not xmas itself. My local supermarket had already put away ALL their birthday cards by the end of October! They were locked away in a drawer under the display of christmas cards! I did manage to find one which said "Happy Valentines Day Cousin" though. I kid you not! There's a market for that????
Ah well, live and let live, I guess. Just don't hassle me for money!
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sanjuanboy
Member
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Posted: Thu Dec 7th, 2006 03:23 pm |
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welshy wrote: i just read in the u.k press that 75% of work places have banned christmas decorations in fear of being sued by non christians, yet non christian religions get to celebrate all their festivals with money from local councils to set up the decorations and no fear of being sued.
my question is this: in the philippines does each religion enjoy it's own freedoms to celebrate festivities? or do certain religions have to tone down theirs so as not to offend minority religions?
i just got curious about this coz in the u.k we have shot ourselves in the foot by pampering everyone but ourselves. MINORITY RULES IN THE U.K.
The Philippines is a Christian country, there's no arguing that. There is separation between church and state, but the Church's influence on politics and government is significant.
Also, there's only two types of religion in the Philippines: Christian and Islam. There are a few religions other than those two, but they're so minor they don't count.
Freedom of religion is in effect, you can choose whatever religion you want without any consequences and prejudice. Believe it or not, as big a Christian country the Philippines is, there's a significant number of atheists there.
To answer your question: Yes. Every religion are free and welcome to celebrate their festivities publicly. But since Christianity is the most prevalent religion, most festivals/celebrations are Christian-related. Although Islam can be considered a minority religion (Christian 88%; Muslim 5%) the whole country recognizes it and respects it. As long as Christians don't force their religion on muslims and vice versa, everyone's a-ok.
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welshy
Member
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Posted: Thu Dec 7th, 2006 11:05 pm |
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well it's nice to see somewhere that doesn't alienate one religion for another, i'm not religious myself but still like to see the town centres lit up for a couple of weeks with all the decorations, but in britain it's seen as offensive to all the other ethnics, yet we have to put up with ramadan and diwali etc, i just can't understand how i'm not meant to be offended by becoming a second class citizen in my own country, if you ask me all that does is create more intolerance of ethnic minorities, i'm not racist but when you hear these radicals mouthing off it makes you want to put them on the first plane out!!!
anyway nuff said, live and let live, but that means everyone
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Patric THEPHILS.COM
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Posted: Thu Dec 7th, 2006 11:20 pm |
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welshy wrote: well it's nice to see somewhere that doesn't alienate one religion for another, i'm not religious myself but still like to see the town centres lit up for a couple of weeks with all the decorations, but in britain it's seen as offensive to all the other ethnics, yet we have to put up with ramadan and diwali etc, i just can't understand how i'm not meant to be offended by becoming a second class citizen in my own country, if you ask me all that does is create more intolerance of ethnic minorities, i'm not racist but when you hear these radicals mouthing off it makes you want to put them on the first plane out!!!
anyway nuff said, live and let live, but that means everyone
Well it´s like this in most Euro countries....unfortunately..... not to mention the US...
Lucky enough the Phils is different & hopefully we´ll continue to see christmas decorations & hear carols/jingles when walking through the Malls ! 
Cheers !
Last edited on Thu Dec 7th, 2006 11:21 pm by Patric THEPHILS.COM
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Sirena
Moderator
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Posted: Wed Dec 20th, 2006 08:39 am |
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Nothing wrong with carols & jingles - it's the commercialism that pisses me off! The people asking if I know the' real meaning of christmas', or asking for money and the endless pressure to buy expensive things.
People celebrating Ramadan, Diwali etc wuldn't offend me in the slightest. It would just be nice if the general public didn't allow themselves to be hoodwinked by the shops into starting xams in October. Aren't you sick of xmas musc already?
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Patric THEPHILS.COM
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Posted: Wed Dec 20th, 2006 08:56 am |
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Sirena wrote: Nothing wrong with carols & jingles - it's the commercialism that pisses me off! The people asking if I know the' real meaning of christmas', or asking for money and the endless pressure to buy expensive things.
People celebrating Ramadan, Diwali etc wuldn't offend me in the slightest. It would just be nice if the general public didn't allow themselves to be hoodwinked by the shops into starting xams in October. Aren't you sick of xmas musc already?
Yeah, of course there is the $$$$ aspect of it all & i guess it kind of goes to some kind of hysterical buying frenzy...... Be that as it is.
I could personally care less how people celebrate Holidays...BUT, as it is in the US where businesses & some politicians want to (& do) decide that their employees can´t say "Merry Christmas" but have to say "Happy Holidays" just cause it´s not politically correct..... That´s just bullshit !
Now if Filipinos want to have/hear carols in SM & so in October.....well, that´s up to them.... what ever makes them happy. It doesnt bather me (even if it feels kind of....early )
I´ve noticed that Christmas is MUCH more important to Filipinos than it is for Swedes.... that´s for sure.
Cheers !
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Sirena
Moderator
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Posted: Sun Dec 24th, 2006 10:06 am |
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| I'll just be glad when it's all over. I don't feel much like celebrating after all the damage the typhoon did. Plus living near the church I haven't had much sleep due to their nightly 3am bell ringing sessions...
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Patric THEPHILS.COM
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Posted: Sun Dec 24th, 2006 11:30 am |
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Sirena wrote: I'll just be glad when it's all over. I don't feel much like celebrating after all the damage the typhoon did. Plus living near the church I haven't had much sleep due to their nightly 3am bell ringing sessions...
What´s with the 3am bell ringings ?? 
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Carabao Kevin
Super Moderator
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Posted: Sun Dec 24th, 2006 02:38 pm |
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Sirena wrote: I'll just be glad when it's all over. I don't feel much like celebrating after all the damage the typhoon did. Plus living near the church I haven't had much sleep due to their nightly 3am bell ringing sessions...
"Get out of town" (that's just an expression we have around here) , are you serious?  What are they doing, looking for another "donation" to make them stop? 3am, who is awake in the PHILIPPINES at 3am. I guess everyone, after the bell-ringing. I think I would have to find a new Island to live on. Maybe that's why so many laws get passed in other countries. 3am....THAT"S JUST CRAZY.
The one great thing about a month or 2 month long "celebration". I usually (but not always) wait till the end of the year to buy new gadgets, cameras and things. That's the best time to buy, Of course they always ask, "do you want this in a gift box?" I answer, "Nope, it's for me."
The other nice thing, my children and wife, they all have their birthday the last 5 weeks of the year. From November 29, the last one on Christmas day. Great time for shopping for gifts, bad time for birthday card shopping.
Patric THEPHILS.COM wrote:
I´ve noticed that Christmas is MUCH more important to Filipinos than it is for Swedes.... that´s for sure.
Cheers !
It seems to me that many of them will celebrate ANYTHING, if they can get drunk while celebrating. I have NEVER heard of a country of people that are constantly celebrating something. Its like they rest up a week and start planning for the next one. OK, maybe Mexico could give them competetion in drinking and celebrating. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, I just don't understand it. The Philippines is a third world country, if they would think about "moving ahead" more and less on the next fiesta-celebration, I dunno.....it just seems strange to me.
Funny thing, Around Christmas time, I Filipina I worked with a couple of years ago told me..."Americans are too serious, they don't celebrate enough. All they do is work" I made the reply "Maybe that's why the PHILIPPINES is a third world country, they celebrate too much and don't work enough" She didn't know what too say.
To sum it all up, I enjoy Christmas, but I do miss the way things were 30 years ago, when it was less of a money maker and more of a time to get together. I miss the stores and city streets being decorated.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL! (That's a freebie, I won't make a dime profit from that!  )
-Mabuhay-
-Kevin
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Carabao Kevin
Super Moderator
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Posted: Mon Dec 25th, 2006 05:50 am |
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Well, I just had to ask my sweet wife if she had ever heard of a 3:00am bell ringing (she is from MINDANAO).......she looked at me as if I was crazy not to have ever heard such a thing. She explained it is to wake everyone up (i guess it works , ehh Sirena) so they can get ready for the 5:00 am mass. It only happens for the 10 days previous to Christmas.
That's the story I get on it.
Sleep well Sirena, it's almost over...
-Mabuhay-
-Kevin
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Sirena
Moderator
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Posted: Tue Dec 26th, 2006 07:48 am |
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Phew! Am I glad thats over! Yes, it lasts for the 10 days leading up to xmas, and drives much of the neighbourhood nuts! they start bell ringing at 3am, have an hour of prayers (endless, droning "Santa Maria's" - I'm guessing the local version of Hail Marys), then an hour of mass followed by an hour of caterwauling, ahem, I mean singing. It's only a little chapel and not that many people attend, so it irks the neighbours that they insist on using a loud PA system to wake up all the surrounding residents and tourists. It's not even a melodious bell - it sounds like someone banging a metal cooking pot with a stick! At least, that's what they do at OUR local church, most inconsiderate of them!
So glad it's finished - SLEEP, WONDERFUL SLEEP!
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maven
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Posted: Tue Dec 26th, 2006 10:15 pm |
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what's it like in Boracay now Sirena? everything back to normal after the storm?
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HeyJoe
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Posted: Wed Dec 27th, 2006 09:52 pm |
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There's been a backlash of sorts over the secularization of Christmas here in the states. For example, many stores that jumped on the generic "Happy Holidays" bandwagon are now returning to "Merry Christmas". Personally I'm glad to see it. I hope the Philippines never changes in that regard. Call me a bigot or whatever, but I don't have much respect for Islam. I think it is an evil religion which subjugates its own followers, and does worse to anyone who is not a Muslim when given the chance.
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Patric THEPHILS.COM
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Posted: Wed Dec 27th, 2006 09:58 pm |
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HeyJoe wrote: There's been a backlash of sorts over the secularization of Christmas here in the states. For example, many stores that jumped on the generic "Happy Holidays" bandwagon are now returning to "Merry Christmas". Personally I'm glad to see it. I hope the Philippines never changes in that regard. Call me a bigot or whatever, but I don't have much respect for Islam. I think it is an evil religion which subjugates its own followers, and does worse to anyone who is not a Muslim when given the chance.
Hear hear !!!
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Sirena
Moderator
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Posted: Thu Dec 28th, 2006 10:37 am |
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For tourists it's mostly back to normal. My house still isn't fixed yet though!
Here some more info about the 3am Misa de Gallo (mass of the rooster) if anyone is interested:
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cynthia/festivals/philippine_christmas.htm
Last edited on Sun Feb 11th, 2007 02:26 pm by Sirena
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tommygurl86
Member
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Posted: Sun Feb 11th, 2007 05:40 am |
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Im scared that time will come there will no more prayers at all. Thats not right, everyone should respect one another's religion. Now, schools dont have prayer anymore even when you ride a plane. I know and i can feel theres something going on in today's world, satan is just so smart he made them all happen little by little. You may think Im sick for telling you that what had written in the book of revelation is happening now, my husband studies about the endtime and the propecy, and everything is now happening. war in iran, there will be one world government, the mark of the beast will be soon implemented which is the 666, i dont know if you are familiar about this. many people dont believe in it anymore because it didnt happen many years of guesing , but so many christians who are faithful in God thats why God didnt let it happen yet, thats why satan made move to stop the prayer....
I hope you get it...
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Sirena
Moderator
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Posted: Sun Feb 11th, 2007 02:31 pm |
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I'm sure the reason many schools don't have prayors any more is because not everyone is a christian, or even religious at all. It is not the schools' job to indoctrinate children into religion. If I were a parent I would like the choice as to whether my kids become catholic or not, and many schools are teaching religion as though it is a fact and not a belief system.
Of course Christians are free to say as many prayors as they like whenever they like - boarding a plane or whenever. But not everyone wants to have religion forced down their throat! It's perfectly possible to be a good and decent person without being christian you know!
Last edited on Sun Feb 11th, 2007 02:32 pm by Sirena
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tommygurl86
Member
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Posted: Sun Feb 11th, 2007 03:55 pm |
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| Im still against not having a prayer. They should respect that as we respect them. If they want to pray to there God after we made our prayer, then they can pray to there God also, no ones gonna bother them. We respect them Last edited on Sun Feb 11th, 2007 03:59 pm by tommygurl86
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Carabao Kevin
Super Moderator
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Posted: Sun Feb 11th, 2007 04:01 pm |
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Sirena wrote: I'm sure the reason many schools don't have prayors any more is because not everyone is a christian, or even religious at all. It is not the schools' job to indoctrinate children into religion. If I were a parent I would like the choice as to whether my kids become catholic or not, and many schools are teaching religion as though it is a fact and not a belief system.
Of course Christians are free to say as many prayors as they like whenever they like - boarding a plane or whenever. But not everyone wants to have religion forced down their throat! It's perfectly possible to be a good and decent person without being christian you know!
I had a HUGE reply, changed my mind...... I disagree this time.
Science has been wrong MANY times, but thats ok I guess. I still remember the WRONG things that I was taught when I was in school. I even had the chance to re-educate my Biology class, the teacher was wrong, I questioned him on it, he made me prove my "theory", I did, he felt silly.
Feedom to pray is like Freedom to smoke, it depends on where you are at & who is watching! No, I'm not a smoker. I hate it actually, but people just are not being treated right on that issue either.
It was the christians that started the first schools here in the States, now the government is trying to regulate the private christian schools.
I respect your opinions though.
Like I always say.....1 of the things I love about THEPHILS.COM is we can disagree, but we all still show respect & get along, I don't see that much on other boards!
-Mabuhay-
-Kevin
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