Ranao and Mindayen

Women and Christianity

2006-03-15T22:52:00.000-08:00

I recalled when I was once with a Born Again Christian Family (The Samaniegos)
I showed to them my story of Princess Ranao and boasted about being an adventure where the lead female character stood up against evil and a self enamored macho warrior king.
One of the children looks up to me and commented:
“Why did you make a lead female character for your story?
Don”t you know that women were cursed, and by doing so you let the curse flow though your story?”
This little incident etched into my mind that Christians looks down on women in a very disparaging way.
There are passages in the bible that are very derogatory to women, but I was shocked to learn that I’m just scratching a small portion on the top of the iceberg when I’ve read an article from the internet made by Jennifer Drouin:

For almost the last two thousand years, there has been one single institution which has had a significantly powerful realm of control and oppression over the everyday lives of the majority of individuals, especially women, in Western Europe and subsequently North America. This insidious institution is the Roman Catholic Church, or, in fact, Christianity in general (henceforth written xianity). [1]
Xianity has always been an institution run by men solely for the benefits of men. Priests have always been men, and even now, in the 1990s, it is an uphill struggle for women to begin to change the minds of most men to accept women as priests. Thus, since the institution of xianity has never had the benefit of the insight or opinions of women because of their total exclusion from it, it is logical to assume that there could potentially have been some abuses of the power which this system grants to men. In addition, the exclusion of women from this sort of "boy’s club" has provided the opportunity for the existence of a conspiracy of silence as to the specific activities which its members could possibly conduct behind closed doors, for which man would betray the confidence of another by speaking out the sometimes unpleasant truth.
I propose that the leaders of xianity did, in fact, often abuse the unlimited power to which they had access. This organization is, in my opinion, guilty not only of crimes against humanity, but also of hideous offenses specifically aimed at women. In addition, these crimes have taken on numerous forms, such as, crimes of silence and/or propaganda as well as physical crimes. While these charges may seem unfounded, and while I am by no means denying the existence of any positive accomplishments by xianity throughout the course of history, in this essay I will set forth the evidence on which I base these accusations of crimes and I will attempt to prove their validity. I believe that if one specific institution has been oppressing women for nearly two thousand years, it is time for women to finally examine this issue with a critical eye, and if the evidence points towards culpability, then women should stand up for their rights and condemn this unacceptable behavior.
Crimes of Xianity
The Effects of the Virgin Myth
In examining the crimes of xianity and how these acts have oppressed women, it is extremely important to consider the following fact: since women make up more than fifty percent of the population of humanity, any act which directly or indirectly has an adverse effect on the development of humanity will play a role in the oppression of women, for they are half of humanity which would otherwise be more highly developed without the influence of this act. It is for this reason that the following evaluation of the crimes of xianity may not specifically deal with women in all cases, but rather, occasionally, with the general population of which women form an equal part.
The worst and most influential crime by xianity, and one that has caused massive repercussions specifically for women, is the virgin myth. The virgin myth is the phenomena created by a translation error. The "Virgin Mary" was not actually a virgin, but became known as being so only when the Bible was translated in Greek. In the original Biblical version in ancient Hebrew, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a young woman, not a virgin, as explicitly indicated by the Hebrew word "almah" which has no connection whatsoever with the idea of virginity. In Hebrew, the word "bethulah" could have been used to express the virginity of Mary; however, this word was never used. The meaning "virgin" was never denoted until the Bible was later translated into Greek, at which time the word "parthenos", which in Greek does literally mean virgin, was used. The reason why this mistake occurred is unknown, but considering that the ancient Greeks highly appreciated virgins as a sort of precious commodity and an object of worship, it is possible to hypothesize that this error was a result of romanticism on the part of the Greeks who may have wanted to render the Bible more exciting and romantic to read. In any case, it is nevertheless an undisputed fact that the mistranslation came about well after the original transcription of the Bible and xian scholars widely accept this fact.
The problem is therefore the following: if most xian scholars, priests, etc. are well aware of this fact, and a few Bibles have even been changed to correct the mistranslation so that "young woman" is correctly stated, why does nobody speak of this fact? The answer is simple: these men want to continue, rather than condemn, the oppression of women which has come as a direct result of this error.
It is true that the ancient Greeks and Romans worshipped in a certain way virgins in that they were offered as sacrifices, and for something to be sacrificed it must have some worth, and that they were the guardians of certain religious sites. However, until the time of the "Virgin Mary" the concept that being a virgin as an ideal which all women should hope to always maintain was not nearly as profoundly exaggerated. It was only after the wondrous tale of this one specific virgin that the tendency toward the worship of this ideal was solidified. As a result, a snowball effect was created in which the pureness of the "Virgin Mary" became so increasingly respected that a standard for all women to follow developed, forcing women to always try to maintain the same level of impeccable pureness as that of the "Virgin".
The influence of the idea of the Virgin is still very powerful in current society. In order to prove this theory, only the very simplest of experiments is required. It becomes evident that the myth of the "Virgin Mary" has had an effect of incredible magnitude on North American society as soon as one asks a small child of only six or seven years of age the following question: "What does the word "virgin" mean?" The first response that an innocent child will give is a reference to the "Virgin Mary", even though the child is too young to understand the general significance of the word. This image has so cunningly entered society that it is impossible for anyone, even a child extremely well sheltered from the media, to avoid seeing or hearing about this image. For example, even if children come from totally secular families who would deliberately protect them from this image, after only four months in elementary school, these children would be subjected to the idea in the form of a xmas play or xmas carols for a school concert. Even supposedly non-religious organizations such as the Boy Scouts and the Girl Guides (who, incidentally, now refuse membership to any child whose parents openly declare to be atheist), or for that matter any other extra-curicular activity, are not at all conscious of the sexist images that they are instilling in young children’s minds. It is for this reason that the image of the "Virgin Mary" has so effectively infiltrated into current society and popular culture. Thus, without any longer deliberately seeking to propagate these stereotypical images of women, xianity has successfully instilled these images in the minds of innocent children who, still to young to properly judge for themselves, may one day grown up and continue to believe in the validity of this myth.
One of many possible repercussions could be that of young girls believing than being anything less than a perfect model of female pureness would devalue them as an individual person. Young boys could be equally influenced and subsequently begin to exhibit contempt or disdain for any woman who wasn’t a virgin, as is already usually the current situation now (i.e. the stud/slut paradox). In adults, the results of the stereotypical images implanted in young minds becomes obvious. Often men, and sometimes other women, fail to accept that the true nature of women does not exclude sexuality. This denial of reality can theoretically lead to many other problems for women, such as, but certainly not limited to, being labeled as sexually promiscuous for nothing more, and often much less, than having the normal sexual habits which men are permitted. In fact, because of the intrinsic genetic need to procreate, it would be going against almost every atom in a woman’s body to blindly resist the natural desire for sexual activity, and as this would be quite difficult for most, it could only lead to unhappiness. The virgin myth is partly responsible for these complications to the natural order of humans, and by setting standards so high than few women can resist the natural urge to not follow these ideals, and this myth has caused women to be oppressed both sexually and emotionally.
It is thus obvious that xianity has a wide influence on everyday lives, even unintentionally, all because of the absolute refusal of xian leaders to take the initiative to correct openly and persistently a common falsehood of which they are aware. This conceited denial of their responsibility to correct the lies which they willingly spread is an obvious example of their unwillingness to change the stereotypes of society in order to stop denying women the equality which they so rightly deserve.
There are many other ways in which xian leaders have condoned stereotypical images of women with their reluctance to correct the common misconception of the virgin myth. Simone de Beauvoir, in her book The Second Sex, explains how men and women are often falsely compared as binary opposites, such as, sky/earth, strong/weak, breadwinner/housecleaner, etc. The same method of judgment can also be applied to individuals who fall within a common category, and, unfortunately, this is what has happened to women. In creating the almost unattainable ideal of perfection, that of being a virgin for all of one’s life, xianity has created one element of a binary opposition, and has also started the process of labeling individuals according to this ideal. All those who do not meet the high standards of this ideal must, according to xian logic, be categorized as the opposite of it. And so began the heightened disdain attached to those who were not virgins and the extremely commonplace use of the word "slut".
In the film Les terribles vivantes, renowned feminist Nicole Brossard addresses this issue. She states, " On dit toujours que le patriarcat a proposé trois images de femme : la Mère, la Vierge et la Putain. Mais il ne faut jamais oublier cette autre image de la femme dont on ne veut pas entendre parler et qui est très importante, qui est celle de l’Amazone, qui est celle de la sorcière, et dans le fond, c’est le féminisme, c’est la femme qui remet en question un système ". [2]
The first three of these categories, that is Mother, Virgin, and Slut, can also be separated into two higher divisions: before and after marriage. Until just recently, in the history of women, the life of a woman was always centered around marriage in that, until puberty the education of a girl was mostly a development of those skills necessary for running a household and once puberty was reached, the girl was expected to be married. There was very little choice in the matter on the part of the girl, and even if she had had the choice, she would have probably in most cases chosen marriage anyway because she was raised to believe that this was a logical, necessary step in her life.
The classifications of Mother, Virgin, Slut are therefore divided as follows. Virgin or Slut are two binary opposite categories in which girls are placed before marriage, and once she has reached the age at which she can marry, she quickly becomes a Mother. Once she has become a wife and mother the status of Virgin or Slut is no longer discussed by society with such criticism for the village gossips wouldn’t want to destroy the stability of a family in which the husband may not be aware of any possible promiscuity by his wife.
With this classification neatly and tidily wrapped up by society, the only problem left to deal with was that of how to classify those women who did not fit into these categories, that is the Amazon and the Witch. The Amazons were warrior women from Greek mythology and didn’t even exist during the time when xianity sprung forth. As for the so-called witches, xianity found a simple, efficient, and absolutely brutal way to resolve its problem of women who refused to conform to traditional stereotypical ways of life, such as staying single as an "old hag". Xians killed them. The number of people (80% women) estimated to have been burned at the stake or tortured to death for supposedly being witches is over 235 000, and this does not include the millions also killed for being heretics. All of these deaths were executed in the name of xianity and deemed necessary for its survival. Evidently, it was the innocent women, not xianity, who were in danger of extinction.
Another lack of respect for women as humans can also be seen by examining the "Virgin Birth" in respect to the very base on which xianity is founded, the "Holy Trinity". The xian religion portrays itself as coming directly from three figureheads, all of which are male and which are not even assisted in any way by women. As Mary Daly illustrates, in the "Virgin Birth", Mary did nothing to contribute to the birth of Jesus but was merely a "vessel" used by a male God (henceforth written Q) [3] and the male "Holy Spirit" for their own self-serving purposes of producing a male son. While some xians may argue that Mary contributed to the birth, Daly interestingly points out that the "Holy Spirit" which impregnated Mary and the painless and effortless birthing process took away any contribution which Mary could have given. This whole process could be compared to that of a scientist artificially growing a plant. The scientist can simply create the germination of a seed in a test tube, put the seed into a flower pot, and when the flower has started to grow take the plant out of the pot and transplant it in a garden or wherever is desired. What real contribution does the pot make? If there is no pot, the flower can still be grown in any other container such as an old, plastic ice-cream container or even a coffee cup. The flower pot is not necessary and doesn’t stimulate the growth of the plant, the scientist does. In addition, if Mary doesn’t experience the pain of childbirth, there is no difference between her as a vessel and the flowerpot from which the scientist removes the plant. So, because of the 'Virgin Myth", the role of women as the bringers of life is also demeaned for she does nothing which could not be done without her by male Q’s.
Silence, Propaganda, and Flawed Logic
Besides the biggest crime of the silence concerning the virgin myth, xianity is also responsible for many other wrongs caused by silence, propaganda, and a failure to correct flawed logic. For example, one case of failure to correct flawed logic is that of the myth of "Eve’s Original Sin". Xian leaders insist that the pain women endure from menstruation and pregnancy is a punishment from Q. This lie is easily disproved by science and logic, yet xian leaders continue to tell the story and insinuate that all women are guilty of the mistake of one fictional woman. There is much scientific evidence which disproves the misconception that Eve was the first woman on Earth. For example, Louis Leakey’s 1948 discovery of Lucy, a 20 million year old female hominid, greatly predates the time of Eve as suggested in the Bible. In addition, Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution which is accepted by most scientists eliminates the possibility of Eve as the sole female from which the world’s entire population originates, as other near-human species preceded the humans of biblical times (and the females of these species would have to menstruate and become pregnant in order for the species to reproduce and eventually evolve into human form).
Another example of xian faulty logic and promotion of an unfounded truism is the ceremony of baptism of infants. In this ritual, the priest excuses infants from their "sins". Since infants at this time are often too young to even speak or feed themselves, it is extremely illogical to accuse them of sins for they are capable of nothing more than lying helplessly, dependent on others. The possible results of this ceremony which may still seem innocent and harmless can have strong ramifications for children. If the parents believe sincerely in the words of the priest, they may continue to wrongly accuse children throughout their childhood for having misbehaved when, in fact, the children would be innocent of any real wrongdoing. These accusations, both those of the priests and/or those of the parents, if repeated often enough, could severely damage the confidence and the self-esteem of many children. They instill feelings of imperfection and culpability in both male and female children which could, later in life, be responsible for hesitation on the part of the children to attempt to accomplish certain tasks or goals due to these feelings of unworthiness. The progress and natural development of children could be greatly hindered.
One of the most reprehensible crimes of propaganda perpetrated by xian leaders was the 5th century declaration that women did not have souls. Here, one could easily enter into the philosophical debate as to what a soul actually is, but even by avoiding this issue, the xian argument which lacks any proof at all can still be refuted by asking how their conclusion is reached and by what method they actually proved that men themselves have a "soul". In any case, the decidedly sexist conclusion of the xian leaders shows clearly their total disrespect for women as these men equate them with the soulless animals of the time rather than with humanity.
As well as spreading lies as to the nature of women, male xian leaders may be responsible for the crime of deliberately hiding manuscripts which would have greatly elevated the status of women in society at the time of the writing of the Bible. Shortly after W.W.II, Coptic texts were discovered in Upper Egypt which were written at the same time as those of the twelve apostles described in the Bible. These texts were apparently written by seven other apostles who were all female. Could it really be just a coincidence that all the texts written by women were hidden from the world in a cave for almost 2000 years while the texts of the male disciples all survived? It would not be illogical to assume that it is possible that these texts were purposely omitted from the Bible by male xian leaders who wanted to protect their (im)balance of power over women. Not surprisingly, these texts have been most easily recognized by those churches which have the most open attitude towards the rights of women to become priests, etc. The other churches who refuse to recognize the authenticity of these texts are those which obviously still support the oppression of women and wish to keep a veil of silence over the fact that women were important leaders at the time of Jesus, not deserving the awful treatment that their church sanctioned against women. This whole affair just helps to further prove the suggestion that xian leaders did, and still would if possible, effectuate a conspiracy to degrade the status of women in society. They could not allow the existence of documents in which women were equal to men as disciples so they had no choice but to conceal these documents.
In addition, these same xian leaders of the same time period who might have concealed or edited documents promoting women, did absolutely nothing in order to edit those biblical texts which degrade women and which were later used as justification for abusing them. Many Biblical passages promote the subjugation and abuse of women. While the worst of these passages are mostly in the Old Testament to which most modern xians no longer adhere, these passages were followed during the majority of the history of xianity. As well, there are still several other degrading passages in the New Testament in which xians still believe today. For example, the Bible states that man was made in the image of Q whereas woman was merely made from a man. According to the Bible, women should be silent in church and learn about their religion from men outside of church, should be governed by men, and should submit to their husbands. In addition, Mary is unclean after the birth of Jesus, Jesus scorns his mother and refuses to bless her, Eve is considered sinful while Adam is said to be blameless for destroying paradise, and Biblical heroines are admired for their obedience. Early church writer Tertullin described women as the "gate of Hell" and Martin Luther, creator of the Baptist faith, said that "if a woman grows weary and at last dies from childbearing, it matters not. Let her die from bearing, she is there to do it."
Physical, Financial, and Sexual Abuse
In addition to the crimes of silence, propaganda and faulty logic, xianity is responsible for many other physical, financial and sexual crimes against both women and humanity as a whole. As was already briefly mentioned, the biggest physical crime by xianity was the Inquisition and the witch hunts. Xian leaders organized a secret police to hunt down and to torture anyone who appeared to even slightly disagree with xian dogma. Often these were innocent people, but even for those who really did disagree with the xians, what right did the xians have to torture and execute those who peacefully practiced their own different religion in the privacy of their own homes hurting nobody? The xian leaders created a reign of fear and terror which hindered the development of humanity, not only by the millions of deaths, but also by the uncertainty which citizens living during this time would have felt. Who would be brave enough to experiment scientifically or try to invent a new tool to improve everyday life if everyone was afraid to be different for fear of execution?
Xian leaders also created that which would be called today a get-rich-quick scheme. This was the plan of indulgences. When St. Peter’s cathedral was being built in Rome, the present Pope wanted to raise money to pay for the cost of construction. He exploited the people’s fear of death by selling insurance to eliminate past sins guaranteeing that anyone who bought an indulgence would go to heaven upon death. After producing huge revenues and profits with this scheme, he created five other indulgences in which he sold, for example, insurance for relatives, future sins, and dead relatives already in hell. This plan became an easy means to exploit people’s fear of death in order to personally benefit financially.
Another physical exploitation of humanity by xian leaders was, and in some countries still is, the practice of holy wars in which many xians and non-xians lost their lives fighting simply because their religious leaders told them to do so. In the Middle Ages alone, there were four Crusades to "defend" the "Holy Land" (i.e. exploit and rob others, as well as rape the women that they met along the way ) and two Children’s Crusades. In all of these crusades many thousands of innocent people were blindly sent to their deaths believing that they were protecting their faith. The xian leaders were not ashamed to send many people to their certain deaths just so that the church could feel reassured in their conceit that they were superior to the Muslims.
In the ninth century, xian leaders actually encouraged the rape and abuse of women. Noblemen had a "natural right" to rape peasant women and to deflower the brides of their vassals. Sex without values (rape, prostitution, sadism) was not a serious crime; however, according to xian leaders, sex with love was a sin. The more serious xian sin was not sex but rather pleasure. Xians encouraged this attitude and thus condoned the practice of raping and abusing women. If the xian church preached that this was acceptable behavior, what protection did women have at this time and how could they resist or protest? The xian dogma placed them in an inescapable, perilous situation.
In modern times, the xian leaders whom society is supposed to trust have continued to betray those who are helpless to defend themselves. For the first time in history, sexual abuse by priests is being made public and the perpetrators are finally being held accountable for their heinous crimes. For example, sexual abuse of young boys by priests in Newfoundland at the Mount Cashel orphanage has recently come to the attention of the public and compensation is finally being awarded to the men who suffered as young, defenseless boys. While the blame must be rightly placed on the individual priests who committed these acts, society must not forget that it is the xian religion in general which is also greatly responsible. The xian faith forbids that priests marry or have sex (so they won’t be corrupted by "awful" women) which is an unnatural condition to place on any human. As a result of unnatural conditions, these priests logically commit unnatural acts such as forced sex with young boys. Besides hindering the development of many potentially positive contributors to society, the acts of these priests also have large impact on the lives of many women. Of all the boys abused by the priests, 80-90% grow up to abuse others that they meet in the course of their lives, and most of their victims are women. If the priests had not abused the boys, these same boys would not be likely to abuse women and a certain percentage of women victims of violence would have been spared the aggressive treatment that they suffered.
Today, it is the religious fundamentalist groups that fight most vehemently against the improvement of women’s rights. Religionists defeated the American Equal Rights Amendment of the 1980’s. In 1995 at the Beijing United Nations Conference on Women, REAL Women, an anti-choice, "pro-family", xian political lobbying group, fought against the promotion of rights for lesbians and urged women to refuse reproductive health and fertility regulation fearing that these might lead to abortion as a right. In Langley, BC, the "family values", anti-homosexual group "The Promise Keepers" have established their national headquarters in order to lobby for building strong marriages through Biblical values. They promote the image of women as "wanton, devious, unclean, treacherous, ignorant, and singularly responsible for the sins of the world."
Conclusion
It should be obvious that xianity has committed a serious crime in that it has severely limited the development of humanity over the past two thousand years, especially the development and equality of women. These crimes have taken on several forms, from the promotion of religious catechism with no scientific basis to the real rape and destruction of the lives of innumerable young boys. The support of dogma that xian leaders knew to be false, such as the virgin myth, has been directly responsible for the subjugation of women and their unequal status in society. In fact, much of the Bible, especially the Old Testament is a "handbook for the subjugation of women", and xian leaders have done nothing to correct the falsehoods written in this "holy" text.
Why has this patriarchal, oppressive institution survived for so long and successfully continued its immoral activities without opposition? The answer to this puzzling conundrum is simple: for the same reason that xian leaders successfully profited from its subjects by selling indulgences. Xianity is based on the exploitation of people’s rational fear of the unknown, their fear of "the undiscovered country, from whose bourn no traveler returns". Xianity abuses the natural, human fear of death in order to maintain its reign of power over the general population. Women have never revolted and risen up united against this oppressor because they are also afraid of death and "hell". "The fear of Q will therefore repress any impulse towards revolt in the downtrodden female."
It is obvious today that most women are reluctant to openly speak out against xianity and its treatment of women. It must not be forgotten, however, that of the 50% of humanity that is female, only 10% are atheist (i.e. critical of xianity), thus only 5% of the entire world’s population would perhaps consider this an important issue. Fortunately, many men are also recognizing the crimes of xianity against women and are publicizing articles on this subject. However, women should not leave this task, this battle which is rightfully theirs, to the men to accomplish. It is time for women to stand up and openly defy the most powerful institution in the history of their subjugation. The backward, anti-women views of right-wing, religious fundamentalists will continue to gain growing support if action is not swiftly taken to contradict and condemn their sexist, dogmatic voice of oppression. Since the public’s ignorance is the greatest weapon in xianity’s attempted conquest of women, women must make the general public aware of the sordid past this dangerous, dogmatic institution has tried so hard to conceal. Xianity does not strive, as it might claim, for the betterment of man, but rather for the subjugation of women.
Notes
[1] In researching this subject, it became apparent to me that the majority of secular groups or individuals widely prefer the use of xian for Christian (and its derivatives, etc.). This modification is effectuated in order to eliminate the name Christ from these words so that there is less emphasis placed on his importance as a religious and/or historical figure to be worshipped. The origin of the use of the letter "x" to replace the name of Christ actually comes from 12th century xians who placed more value on the "x" than on the name Christ; however, because most xians are generally unaware of this historical fact, most secular scholars opposed to the hold which xianity has placed on society have adopted it for the specific purpose of eliminating the name Christ. In keeping with the views of those scholars who have adopted this particular orthography, I also will henceforth spell these words using the "x". Return to text
[2] "We always say that the patriarchy has proposed to us three images of women: the Mother, the Virgin, and the Slut. But it is important to never forget also this other image of women which we don’t want to hear about and which is very important, that of the Amazon, that of the witch, and in the end it is feminism, it’s the woman who is questioning the system. "
Nicole Brossard, interviewed in the film: Les terribles vivantes. Directed by Dorothy Todd Hénaut, Office national du film Canada, 1986 Return to text
[3] The use of the name Q to replace the name God is justified by the same explanation used in the describing the use of "xian" (see note 1). "Q" like the letter "x" is a neutral name which does not only invoke in the reader’s mind the tradition image of a gray haired man with a long beard wearing a long white robe, as does the name God. The use of another name thus helps in eliminating this sexist image of an almighty being that is male rather than female or androgynous. In Gyn/ecology, Mary Daly also chooses to change the name of God to another name, in her case a "gynomorphic" being. In my case, I have chosen to borrow the term "Q" from Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the television series Star Trek, because he uses this term to denote an omnipotent, alien being, but one that does not necessary exercise control over the lives of humanity on Earth, thus allowing in the use of this name for the possibility of the existence of human free will, a concept which is often not expressed by traditional religious dogma. As well, I believe that the modification of the traditional language created by men is, in this case, in keeping with the current feminist trend of changing language to reflect what women might or should want to express by using new, modified words that help serve this purpose.
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Feminist theology develops through a three-stage dialectic. First, women recognize the male-centered and antiwoman biases in the tradition and begin to analyze these patterns throughout its history. They develop articles and books documenting this bias, showing how extensive it is, revealing its underlying assumptions, and denouncing it as wrong. In short they identify this bias as a serious ethical and theological error, not a verity to be accepted. Mary Daly's 1968 book, The Church and the Second Sex, is an example of this first stage of feminist theology.
In the second stage of feminist theology women search for alternative traditions that provide positive symbols to affirm women. The quest for alternatives draws feminist theologians in different directions. Some feminists interested in theology conclude that the classical tradition of Christianity (or Judaism or Islam) is incapable of affirming women as equals of men. The tradition itself is a religious reflection of patriarchy and cannot be significantly reformed. Mary Daly came to this conclusion in her thought, beginning with Beyond God the Father, in 1973.
Other feminists remain committed to their historical religious communities and believe that the original or essential message of the religion affirms women as equals of men, but the message has been distorted by its social context in patriarchal societies. These feminist theologians engage in a historical quest to surface the alternative traditions within the early beginnings and the wider development of the tradition to show these affirmative themes. The 1982 book by New Testament scholar Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, In Memory of Her: A Feminist Theological Reconstruction of Christian Origins, belongs in this second stage of feminist theology.
Having searched out what they see as the authentic teachings of the tradition, separate from the cultural misogyny, feminist theologians begin a third stage of constructing a new theological system, reinterpreting the theological symbols of divinity, human nature, the origins of the world, good and evil, revelation, salvation, and redemptive community in ways that not only affirm women's full participation but also call for a transformation of the religion and society as integral to the redemptive mission of the religious faith. This author's 1983 book, Sexism and God-talk: Toward a Feminist Theology, reflects this third stage of feminist theology.
Other feminist theologians who may have left Christianity or Judaism in search of more feminist religions also move toward a presentation of their options for new communities of faith and practice. Rita Gross, who moved from Christianity to Judaism to Buddhism in search of a more woman-positive religion, has presented her reconstruction of Buddhism in 1993 in Buddhism After Patriarchy. Starhawk, of Jewish background, has been a leader in developing Goddess religion, beginning with her 1979 work, The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess.
In addition to the increasing feminist reflection across traditional religions, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism, and new alternatives to historic religions in Goddess worship, Black, Latina, Native American, and Asian American women are also contextualizing feminist theology in their racial/ethnic community's experience. African American women speak of their distinct feminism as "womanist theology," while Latinas speak of "Mujerista theology." Asian American women are finding their distinct voice, apart from their particular national communities. Native American women also are reclaiming women-centered traditions within their communal religious world-views and practices.

This, and other documents I’ve read, plus the things I’ve seen, heard and feel with my very own senses proves to me time immemorial that there’s no point of being with Christians. These so-called blessed ones are nothing but hypocrites and back stabbers; as hypocrite as their bible and their so-called “messiah”. ("Back stabbers" as in the case of that "Christian" who turns around to comment at the people I assosiate with about my recent blog, rather than e-mail to me personally so I can defend myself.)

I'd rather talk with Goths, Wiccans, comic book artists, other secular writers, Buddhists, Taoists, Pagans, than talk with Christians and Politicians.
I am not an atheist, I am also a theist, only I prefer to believe in the ancient Philippine Gods and Goddesses that inspired me more and tickles my creativeness even further.
I don’t need a foreign God to tell me who to love, who to hate, what to do and what not to do with my life; To tell me that I will be damned in hell, a hell that will burn my soul in greater pain, a hell He puts there to delight himself! I don’t need a so-called Almighty to teach me to trash women or put them in the lowest position.
I admit, I admire female physical beauty, their sensual images so mysterious, but I also go deeper than that; I believe that in every woman, there is a hero, a leader that was and still is repressed by the abominable might and power of Yaweh…The celestial dog spelled backwards!

An article from Jaime Licauco

2006-02-09T19:43:00.000-08:00

O.K. here’s another write up from the famous Filipino psychic Jaime T. Licauco from his book “Exploring the Powers of Your inner Mind.”

I will try to ‘minimize’ my OWN point of view regarding the topic said.

A "friend" barged into MY own blog and wrote to the group where I am belonged to, saying how I trash talked this gentle and beautiful ‘messiah’ he so in loved with.
To this "friend", please if you got something to say, e-mail me personally. Don’t go around hitting me from behind by writing the people that I am associated with.

Just like the old soul song goes…

“Don’t ask my neighbors; don’t ask my friends who I hang around…Uh oh.
Don’t be afraid, to talk to me…”

The Modern witch hunt begins…

Those who see in the New Age and its adherents nothing but evil that must be exorcised at all costs reminds me of the frenzied witch hunts by the dreaded inquisition which began in the 13th century and went on unabated until the 17th century.

Without really trying to find out for them selves what the New Age is all about, these modern witch hunters have already pronounced its adherents guilty. New Agers never really had a chance of exonerating them selves, the same way that the innocent victims of the Inquisition during the medieval period were never given a chance to properly defend themselves. Only the method of extracting a confession and determining the guilt of the accused seems to differ in the modern version, but the wild accusations are the same.

“Torture was the foundation stone of the great witch hunts of the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries,” (Published by Grolier Enterprises, Inc.) “Prisoners with their limbs wrenched from their sockets, or the bones of their legs and fingers crushed to a pulp, or suffering other atrocities, would finally admit to the accusations put to them by their interrogators.
When ordered to name their accomplices, other ‘servants of Satan’, they name people at random rather than submit to the torture again. These others, equally innocent, would then be arrested and accused. The only evidence a person could offer was confession – and that was evidence of guilt.

In the modern version of the witch hunt, merely being seen attending a harmless New Age meeting or merely reading a New Age book, say on holistic healing, is enough to be labeled “anti-Christ” and “a disciple of the devil.” That is enough proof of guilt.

“In the Inquisitional courts” continued Kingston, “the dice were cruelly loaded against the accused. Judges invariably assumed that an accused witch was guilty until proven innocent, and there was virtually no chance to prove innocence. No lawyer for the defense was allowed, since any one who defended heresy would be guilty of it.
People were brought to trial on the merest hearsay, and once convicted were usually burned alive.”

Does this sound alarmingly familiar? Christian Fundamentalists, the new Inquisitors and new witch hunters of the 20th century, already pronounced anybody engaged in any activity identified with the new Age as already guilty of Devilish and anti-Christian acts.
Even if this New Age adherent is a very good practicing Christian who goes to mass and receive Holy Communion every Sunday, he (Or She) still regarded as guilty “because the devil can wear many disguises and can invoke Christ. So the poor, innocent individual, just like his (Or Her) medieval counterpart, is damned if he (Or she) does, and damned if he (Or she) doesn’t. There is no way of proving his (Or her) innocence.

Now, that’s a very “enlightening” piece of information…
Christian Fundamentalists or “Fundies” are guilty of the same crimes the old Inquisitors are known through out history.

Why, those “Beeeeeeeeetttt” and those “Bleeeet”!
If I can only get my hands on those “Bleeeettt!”
I’ll “Bleeeeettttt” and “Bleeeetttt” and “Bleeeeeettttt” them again!

“Bleeeetttt” you!

A darling named KAENA

2006-01-19T21:39:00.000-08:00

“Nadia the Secret of Blue Water” was very disappointing. Nadia in her own series was not the true star. So my search for a movie or a t.v series with a strong, female central character continues.

Then, I saw “Final Fantasy”; The Japanese 3D animated movie based on the Playstation games. The story is the “same o’l thing” It’s the story of Cloud Strife and his exploits, I’m sick and dead tired of such fantasy shows, where male characters are tend to be leaders, and the female characters are there just to follow, or to show people how desirable the male characters are…

Is there any show out there that promotes female leadership and desirability at the same time?

Suddenly, from out of the blue, there is this 3D computer graphic movie that answered my call like the roar of a great lion; KAENA!

Kaena, a savage sounding name!...A name that answered my inquiry. Kaena and Kaena it is!

The movie was made by a French cinematic company called Studio Xiliam and the French director Chris Delaporte… And it took them 5 years to make!

The story centered around Kaena (voice over by Kristine Dunst) she is this 17 year old native girl who lives in a strange uber-sized tree her people called Axis. Now, her people collect the sap of this mutant tree to feed their gods. Kaena is sick and tired of this routine and dreamed to venture into the outer realms.

The movie had good points…NO!...Very GOOD points, that I never saw from other shows, specially newer Japanese inspired shows…

One The title is KAENA, and it’s all about Kaena.
She’s the one brave enough to venture into the unknown…Not even the male character, had the guts to take on monsters and giants that threatens their village.
She’s the one who DARE question the gods!
She is also the one who unravels the mystery of the story
She is not love sick like most stereo type female heroes.
She is the chosen one, she is the very one picked by destiny to right the wrongs of her world.
And last but not least, she stood up like a leader for her people!

The 3D feature had elements that befits both Ranao and Mindayen;
Kaena's female leader like personality and her fearless venture to the outer realms, topped with the fact that the young male character is not a "scene stealer, fits Princess Ranao's adventures.
Meanwhile, the issue of going against the gods and their preist, was aimed at Mindayen's theme and adventures.

That’s it!...That’s the kind of shows I’ll cherish for the rest of my days!!!!

So let the other’s glorify Cloud Striffe and his cronies!
Pity are those who still wallow in the puddle with James Bond.

For me, there will always be Kaena…
And I do hope someday, Kaena will be followed by others…

Wanted: Female heroes who can stand on their own.

2005-12-16T17:31:00.000-08:00

I remember the time I was conceiving both Ranao and Mindayen back in Negros. I told myself “My heroines are strong, resolute, and resourceful and they never had to have a bossy leading man to help them through their adventures.”

Like I once said, perhaps it’s the influence of two Hayao Miyasaki’s animation films, “Nausicaa Of the Valley of the Wind” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service” respectively. Plus, the all-Filipino legend of Princess Urduja! (MABUHAY!!! Those feisty and beautiful ancient Filipinas before the coming of the Spanish colonizers!)

Well, okay, even if I pulled both my pseudo-legendary stories together. I can’t help but wonder why do female characters in many stories, even though they were titled after them, ends up being merely a follower of the lead male character counter part?

I remember back in Negros, “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” was such a hit. The title is true as morning; The Little Mermaid-So that means “Ariel” must have been the central character…Right?

I really don’t know, Prince Eric was the first of the characters to appear and he seems to steal the show and to top it all, he ends up killing Ursula!
Ariel is just that, a helpless little mermaid…

Now, more recently, I’ve seen an anime titled “Nadia-The Secret of Blue Water” Well, the so-called “central character” named Nadia is supposed to be this dark-skinned darling with an enigmatic blue crystal pendant, and a mysterious past. Now, we may say “Hey…It’s her NAME on that title right?”

Yeah but here comes mister young inventor Jean…Jean is the very first character introduced in that show.

A contrast to that of Milo and Princess Kidda of Disney’s “Atlantist: The Lost Empire” where a very young Kidda was the very first character introduced in to the movie, which in my point, accentuate her importance to that story.

Jean…perpetual rescuer of Nadia, Jean the guy with planes, plans and stuff, Jean the rescuer of the Nautilus, Jean the beholder of the Nautilus’ heart.

And what become of poor Nadia?

The last time I watched, she’s with this Gratis lady cooking in the galleys.

I told myself “enough” and decided to stop watching the series.

Nadia is just this girl so Jean can take someone with him in his adventures.

Nadia is nothing more but good looks,
A companion, a talkative complainer, added comedy.
A teenaged girl for Jean to look her small developing boobs at.
A girl that goes to shower so Jean can have a peek.
A girl who’s only there for panty shots…the girl who can kiss Jean to show the viewers how adorable Jean is…

Nadia is nothing more but a follower for the leader-like, know it all Jean…

Gainax should never have titled it “Nadia” in the first place…they should have called it “JEAN-The Secret of Blue Water…”

Well, I felt like I’ve been drenched by cold ice water. I though Nadia can be an inspiration for “Mindayen”, just like Nausicaa, being an inspiration for “Ranao”…I was wrong. And the only thing that I derived from Nadia for “Mindayen” was her dark skin color, her age and her usual silent moments. Nothing more…

Okay, let’s say the show came from Japan and Japanese women were treated as secondary citizens…

Well, how about the two aforementioned Hayao Miyazaki animes?
They too, came from Japan, don’t they?

Why can’t there be shows or stories with the male character on the title, yet the leading lady does the entire major stuff?

Can you imagine a show like “Indiana Jones”, “James Bond” or “Harry Potter” but the leading girl character takes all the action, the mysteries and the lime light?

Why can’t there be shows, anime, animation or live action where the female heroines act as “Leaders” and not merely followers?

Well, there’s “Tomb Raider” for once. (Yeah, right…)

In Western animation there’s “Ferngully-The Last Rainforest, and in anime…Yep “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.”

But these are still just a handful…Hmmm…Maybe if I wait a little longer…
Who knows…Maybe someday, Ranao and Mindayen can level the scores…

Monsters, demons, and other ethereal beings of ancient Philippines.

2005-09-13T20:37:00.000-07:00

The world of both Ranao and Mindayen are filled with evenly dark and light ethereal creatures that will serve as friends or foes of our heroines.

Character like “Hiraya” which is a young erring “Ada” (Elf Enchantress), “Daluyong” a talkative tree demon (Tikbalang) and “Alik-ba” a wise craking wind spirit are creatures from the enchanted realm.

Even Princess Ranao and Mindayen themselves are kataws or native mermaids.

In ancient times, people believed that dark, mysterious, night living creatures exist. They were thought to cause bad harvest, misfortunes, sickness and death.

So great care was taken not to displease them.

Sadly, there are still those who believe in them, especially from the countryside, and remote areas where the march of progress is a bit slow.

However in these times of computer age, such creatures were fast being forgotten.
Maximo B. Ramos; a scholar has classified these night dark beings into twelve groups: Demons, Dragons, dwarves, elves, ghouls, giants, mercreatures, ogres, vampires, werebeasts, viscera suckers and hexers.

The demons are tall, dark men or men-like creatures.
Some were large bodied and smokes giant cigars (Kapres) some had the head of horses (Tikbalang) others could perform self-segmentations.(Pugot)
These demons can take on various shapes such as carabaos, horses, pigs or even a ball of fire or they can disappear at will. A person who is frightened by these creatures goes insane.
These creatures live in huge trees with thick, oval leaves like the Calumpang tree or Balete tree.

Dragons are said to have combined images of other creatures like snakes, fishes, crocodiles and bird-like. The legends told stories about giant serpents (Marcupo), island size monster birds (Bawa) and the monstrous Baconawa of the sea.

Dwarf and dwarf-like creatures are small and their features are all out of proportions. They were said to have potent powers and at sunset, they roam the countryside.
Because they are invisible, people were extra careful not to step on or brush off any of these supposed beings as not to rile them. Dwarves like the “Nuno sa Punso” are said to release a murderous curse at their oppressors.

Elves are handsome and beautiful beings said to have albino-like characteristics. Some of these creatures turn ugly after they married a hapless victim.
Elves are said to live in trees and they forbid the climbing and cutting of their tree home.
They are said to retaliate by releasing powerful hexes at the trespassers.
Some elves are said to communicate to people by whistles and making prank jokes and stealing food.

Ghouls (Aswang) are animal-like with curved nails that they use to dig the grave. They are also notorious snatchers of living people especially children and they also victimize old ailing people.
Because of what they do, ghouls are terribly smelly. And fire, garlic, loud talking, sharp bamboo poles and copper knives scare them away.

Giants in Philippine folklore seldom hurt people. They were even legends about them helping farmers and fishermen. They are said to live in crude houses, and were said to be very stupid.

Ogres are man-eating giants said to live in crude houses. These creatures are extremely ugly and can change unto beasts.

Mandurugo are Philippine vampires who seduce a victim and gives him a kiss. This “kiss” is actually a blood sucking were the fiend uses her pointed tongue to bore hole inside the victim’s mouth where she can suck blood.

The self-segmenting viscera suckers (Mananangal) are said to be the flying variety of the land ghoul (Aswang). They eat the unborn fetus, the internal organs and the phlegm of tuberculosis sufferers.
These looked like ordinary women by day, but at night, they sprout giant bat wings and separate their lower half, to fly out in search of victims.

Hexers are like Voodoo Witches. They have small wax or straw dolls of their victims that they prick needle with.
Another type of hexer, called the Mamalarang (Mambabarang) uses hard-shelled insects to enter the body of the victim with excoriating pain.

The “Kataw” are Philippine mermaids said to abduct young boys where they can play with in their undersea domain. They will give their victim trick questions and if they heard the wrong answer, they will drown their said victim. If they heard the right answer, they will keep him alive.

A Christian's reply

2005-09-02T20:37:00.000-07:00

A funny thing happened after I published the last article.
A Christian wrote to Mr. Dave De Angelo about my views regarding Jesus Christ and Christianity. Here is what he wrote:

Cornel Bongco wrote:> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2006 22:28:09 -0800 (PST)> From: Cornel Bongco > Subject: Re:Project Redondo Komix> To: Dave D'Angelo > >

Dear Dave,> >

I tried to view the Project Redondo Komix. I liked> the graphics but the message> is something else because of its Jesus/Christianity> trash talk.

The proponents> may be right and I agree with them that some> Christians are not representing> Christianity well because of the havoc some> missionaries have done to our> culture. But to trash talk Jesus may speak of> ignorance.

Ignorance about who> Jesus is, the gospels, about other Christians who> are living a Christ like> life, restoring the destruction that foreign> missionaries did to our culture by> what we call cultural restoration and redemption.>

And ignorance or bigotry does> not have a place in sustainable development.

The> experience of the writers> about the whole "religion bit" may be really bad but>

I ask them to see and> experience other Christian groups because there are> some Christians that will> make them feel the real deal.

Jesus may not be real> to them because those who> are supposed to represent Him may not be> representing Him as well as He should> be represented.

If He really thinks Jesus and the> gospels are a lie, I hope> they would read it with the challenge of proving the> gospels wrong.

I did and> found myself being amazed at the Bible because the> more I tried to read it and> compare it with archeological findings the more it> proves itself true. >

I hope I did not sound like a Bible thumping> preacher. I'm just in love with> the carpenter "Jesus" whose nailmarks have set me> free from a life of despair> and hopelessness. > > >

Now, THIS is my reply:

Dear Mr. Cornel Bongco,

I was wondering why you wrote Mr. De Angelo on behalf on MY OWN OPINIONS regarding Christianity. In the first place Mr. De Angelo has nothing to do with my personal point of views about Christianity.

If you got something to tell me, tell it infront of my face like a real man!

Well mas mabuti suguro kung tayong dalawa ang mag-uusap. What I have just said hindi ko babawiin tol alam mo bakit? Because the truth hurts. Now who is ignorant about this Jesus H. Christ ha? Me? Oh come on, if you think it is ignorance that I know for sure that this Jesus thing is a Roman ploy, what am I being ignorant about? If you call me an ignorant because I know Christians uses this so-called “messiah” to conquer and enslave a lot of people, destroy other cultural traditions then by the gods I am guilty and proud of it.

You see, your religion, your Christ and your doctrines were just handed down by the conquering Spaniards. It is not yours in the first place. Your ancestors have been worshipping our own gods and goddesses long before the Spaniards use the cross and the guns to oppress us. If you are proud of it, well I’m not.

Now you are blabbering about the Judeo-Christian Bible? Is this Bible for real? Hmmmm..Real in what sense? Do you say it is real because it says that there was once a time that Israel exists? If you read Spiderman, well it says that there is New York, The Bronx and Manhattan. Those places are also existing in real life, but is there a web slinging crime fighter today dangling in the sky scrappers of New York City? Where the heck he was last September 11, 2001? It’s just like your so-called miracle worker. Israel exists, but according to Matthew 27:52 a lot of corpse (or zombie if you want to call them) rose up in the time that your Jesus died in the cross. Now can you give me a historical collaboration of that event please….WHAT! No collaboration?

ANO YAN COMICS?!

Remember that we are talking about Roman times. Can you give me any historian who wrote during the time or within a century after that time like Philo Jadaeus, Plutarch, Lucian, Pausanias, Seneca and others that have a good full report of walking dead people in Judea? (Ala George Romero).

I have read your gospel. Now let’s take a good look at it if you don’t mind.

Your Jesus told his disciples that who ever say fool is endanger in hell fire. That can be seen on Matthew 5:22. Now, if you continue to read all the gospel narratives, there are a lot of times Jesus called other people a fool (Example: Luke 11:37.) Now we know for sure where your messiah is going diba?
"And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out unto the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled" (Luke14:23). In this parable the lord, who represents God, compelled people to enter his house. Would God compel people to enter heaven? The just and peaceful Jesus is sanctioning compulsion?
"Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them" (Luke 11:47). Jesus is condemning people for having ancestors who killed prophets, yet, he had such ancestral killers as David and Solomon.
"Jesus said, ... `Thou shalt not steal... (Matt. 19:18) versus "Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?" (Luke 19:30-33). Are we to believe this isn't theft? Imagine seeing a stranger driving your car away while claiming the lord needed it.
" And Jesus said, 'Go to the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples"(Matt. 26:18). Jesus should have displayed better manners. You don't invite yourself into someone's home. First you receive an invitation.
" If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true" (John 5:31) versus "Though I bear witness of myself, yet my record is true" (John 8:14).
And who will forget the story of the poor fig tree. Now that strengthens my contempt to this false messiah. Just imagine cursing a poor, defenseless fig tree because it’s not fruit season. Now why does instead of cursing the tree why not heal it so it can bare fruit regardless of season? Why will you use a defenseless tree as an example of your tyranny and impatience?

Is this the Jesus you want me to worship? As I always say, there are better gods and goddesses out there.

Yes that Bible is really amazing. Here is an example of a book that tells the story of a barbaric tyrannical bully you worship as God. Now this bully created evil and punishes people on his own mistakes at the first place. To appease his anger, he needs a lot of blood. YEP! You read it right. BLOOD! His priests become butchers and his temple a slaughterhouse. You can even use your own children as Burnt offerings. So it’s just obvious that the next offering is his own son. Talk about fatherly love.
Sa iyo na lang yan. I’m not interested with your horror story.

And hey before I forgot, here’s a good passage from your good book:
Ezekiel 23:20 There she lusted after her lovers, whose GENITALS were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.
With these kinda pornography, I better read the I Ching instead.

So that’s all about your Bible for now, we can talk more about it in the future. For the meantime let’s talk about your so-called conversion with Jesus H. Christ. Or maybe your’re just talking about subjective experience. Ahhhh…ganoon nga lang pala. I really met a lot of dopes who claim to know Jesus and was change for the better. Hmmm…the likes of good ol’ Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker sometimes come to my mind, diba? Do you remember those guys ha? Well…do you think ol’ Jimmy was reciting his daily prayers when he met Debra Murphy…inside his car? And you call me ignorant.

There is a saying, Ignorance is their best weapon. So in where I stand, I know I’m well armed. When your Bible came into my hands, I would like to thank Siring for giving me the light of understanding the foreign venomous book. I would also like to thank Apo Laki for arming me with knowledge against the foreign tyrant you claimed to be god.

Good bye and thanks for visiting the “Ranao and Mindayen Blog”.

All I can say for you is, may Bathala forgive you and His curse doesn’t fall down on you and your next generation.

Prejudice against native beliefs

2005-09-02T20:12:00.000-07:00

I once opened the T.V looking for something interesting and inspiring in this medium.
Well, I stumbled on a filler feature called Japan Video Topics. This filler feature is quite inspiring as you could see how the Japanese people loved and adored their culture. You could just stop and think that someday, Filipinos can be the same. I remembered also seeing a National Geographic article about Hawaiians preserving their culture even though they were under the wings of Uncle Sam.
As my search for something inspiring continues, I stumbled onto two local Filipino fantasy series shows titled “Eteria” and “Sugo”.

There’s nothing “Filipino” in these shows. “Eteria” looks like a Lord of the Rings, Ragnarok, and Clash of the Titans wannabe. The names of the characters, the costumes, even the title is NOT Filipino. On the other hand, “Sugo” had some-Filipino stylized characters. But most often, these characters are portrayed as scheming evil doers. And the main hero characters are inclined to be Chinese-like, evident on the T.V. Show’s logo. (The Yin and Yang)
Aside from these, I remembered seeing the movie “Lapu-Lapu”. (Starring Lito Lapid)

I don’t care much about the shows inaccuracy, although the Chinese marauders do not looked anything like Chinese. (Perhaps if the show depicted them accurately, it will send uproar from the Chinese community and business people.)

What bothers me is that Lapu-Lapu was killed in the end by Humabon’s people ala “Braveheart.”
There are no accounts that said Lapu-Lapu was killed right after the battle of Mactan.
(Although some may say, there are no accounts that Lapu-Lapu wasn’t killed after the Mactan battle either.)

His death in that movie seems to imply that Christianity carried by the invaders, slowly make its way through the heart of the natives. Then here comes this heathen ruler, Lapu-Lapu with his sword and cut Christianity off its tracks.
For punishment, God uses His divine powers and killed this pagan king by making his rivals kill him!
Lapu-Lapu is a noble warrior, a chief to all his people. He is also the first Filipino to spit God in the face by vanquishing the barbarian Spaniards, and kicking their butts off our sacred shores!

But finally, Christians and all their wide influences and their guns, goons and gold prevailed…This lead to the burning of most of the Philippines’ indigenous beliefs and cultural religion.

Now, the old gods and mythological icons like the Bulul and Likha, were replaced by the images of foreign saints’ or of a so-called foreign bible that was not even written by Filipinos. These foreign faith icons do not even have a trickle of native blood to begin with.

Now, Filipinos believe in this wonder maker named Jesus H. Christ who wallowed in the death of persecuted heretics who were killed by Christians because they never believed in him and his so-called Father God!

This Jesus Christ is nothing more but a fable, an instrument handed down by the “Prayles” to instill terror and fear among the earlier natives so the conquered people will be kept in line.

In his book, Exploring the Powers of your Inner Mind, local psychic Jaime T. Licauco
Had this to say about the Prejudice against Native beliefs:

“I have often wondered how the strong prejudice of many modern-day Filipinos against native or indigenous beliefs and practices originated. Only recently, I found the answer from an old manuscript of a famous American anthropologist, the late H. Otley Bayer, who married a native Ifugao maiden. His grand daughter, Julie Bayer Bagatsing, showed me Mr. Bayer’s unpublished manuscript written in 1921, entitled The Philippines Before Magellan. Julie told me that Celso El. Carunungan was editing the book before he too, passed away.
The following passage in that manuscript provides an insight into the origins of this religious prejudice.

“Spanish Colonization both in the Americas and the Philippines was characterized by one feature very painful for the historian. The seal for the Christian faith and corresponding hatred for all other forms of beliefs, led them to regard the native writings and art as the works of the devil, and their destruction as a pious act. In Mexico and Peru, many old records were preserved in more or less modified form in the writings of native Christians and Spanish half-castes. In the Philippines, the destruction was more thorough, and only a few, isolated documents and fragments of others have survived.
It cannot be said that such writings did not exist, since the Spaniards themselves tell us that the early Filipinos were even more literate than the Mexicans. They used syllabaries of Indian origin, and one Spanish Priest in Central Luzon boasted of having destroyed large numbers of scrolls written in the native character.”

Obviously, this prejudice of native beliefs and practices have survived throughout the ages and now extends beyond religion. What is propagated by our modern purveyors of culture often the borrowed culture from the west masquerading as Filipino culture. Has anyone ever heard of the Cultural Center of the Philippines sponsor a formal symposium on the native beliefs in anting-anting, oracion or duwendes?
Has there been a program on the native gods of the Filipinos or such native practices as bare handed psychic surgery and other natural healing practices? No, for these are not considered as culture. But there are many shows featuring western music, plays, ballet and other similar foreign cultural forms in that venue.
Filipino writings on native beliefs and practices such as beliefs in the supernatural, in the preter-natural creatures, and in the paranormal which are essential ingredients of Philippine culture, are often not considered parts of Philippine literature. They are not regarded as cultural writings but as curiosities. But when one writes in a manner and style of western writers, his works were at once labeled as “literature”.
The prejudice against esoteric, orthodox culture parallels the prejudice against native beliefs. And while hundreds of western-inspired literary and cultural works are being published every year in the Philippines, the very valuable works of anthropologist H. Otley Beyer on native lore and beliefs are gathering dust and are slowly being destroyed by time in the attic of the Bayer family’s home, waiting for some enlightened philanthropist or government agency to fund their publication. Sadly, with the strong prejudice of the ruling class against our indigenous culture, these writings may never see the light of day.”

Now I understand why secluded ancient societies from the past called foreign outsiders “Barbarians.” Now I understand that these foreign invaders are here to conquer not only physically, but also the ever lasting identity of a people and their culture.
Perhaps, If the Filipinos were not so hospitable, perhaps we’ve grown and nurtured our identity as a people just like Japan and the Hawaiians.
Perhaps, were not trapped watching “foreignized” Filipino shows like “Eteria” and “Sugo”…

Ancient Alphabets of the Islanders.

2005-09-02T20:04:00.000-07:00

The system of writing used by the islanders of Ranao and Mindayen’s story, were based to that of the ancient writing system of the early Filipinos.

Before the introduction of the Roman Alphabet, the ancient Filipinos had their own system of writing called “Baybayin” and later was known as the “Alibata” (said to be coined by some U.P. professor.)

The Baybayin is a form of syllabary with three vowels sounds (a, e-I, o-u) and approximately fourteen consonants.

Samples of this syllabary were recorded by Spanish missionaries and utilized in the country’s first printed book Doctrina Christiana.

It is said that everybody, both men and women knew how to read and write using this script.

The ancient Tagalogs wrote on a piece of bark or bamboo, and the symbols were etched using a sharp stick or stylus.

A dash or dot sited above the consonant signifies the “e” or “i” sound; the same marking below signify the “o” or “u” sound.

There is no record of how expansively the Baybayin was used.

The only archeological substantiation of its existence is from an inscribed pot found in Calatagan, Batangas.

Up to now, the Mangyangs and Tagbanua tribes have preserved a inscription system similar to that of the Baybayin.

They still use it for writing short poems, songs, recording debts and assorted personal messages.

Ships and Boats of the Islanders.

2005-08-06T18:53:00.000-07:00

In the days of Princess Ranao and Mindayen, the adventures focus on inter islands settings. That's why most of their travels are done with boats and ships.

The islanders revert back in using ships, pirogues and canoes utilized from the ancient times.

Balanghai (or Balangay or Barrangay): Large boats used for inter-island travels and about 10 meters in length. Accounts said that back in the 16th century, Manila was doing barter trades with China. And people from Manila regularly sent traders in these boats.

Baroto (or Banca): a canoe carved out of a single piece of wood called “Lawaan”- A strong hard wood. Used for near-shore fishing.

Birok (or Biroko): a high raised, cargo-carrying boat that requires oars instead of paddles.

Caracoa: Largest of the plank-built boats. These are basically warships used on raiding expeditions called “mangayaw.”

Joanga: The largest warships, said to carry 300 warriors on its voyages.

Vinta (or Lepa-Lepa): Sleek, outrigger canoes used by “Badjao” sea gypsies and pearl divers. These boats had colorful sails that invoke romance and adventure.

Saphit: A large houseboat or cargo-carrier used for crossing the high seas.

Kumpit: Modern day motorized boats used by pirates and smugglers.

Parao (Indonesian): Another modern day fishing boat that use “Volvo” engine.

Coconut Palm: The Islander's tree of life.

2005-07-20T00:48:00.000-07:00

Trained in the most perfected form of island fighting, young Mindayen uses everything her hands could lay on. One of her most used object is the coconut.
Cocos nucifera the Coconut is a palm tree, whose flowering starts when the tree is five to seven years old and continues subsequently.
In tropical countries where this palm is abundant, the coconut is considered a “tree of life”. Aside from the edible meat and water obtained from the still green nut, the oil from matured nut, the coconut husk can be used as a floor scrubbing material and this also yields coir.
Coir is a fiber material that resist salt water, thus this material is used for making ropes, mats, baskets and brooms. Coir dust is also used as a peat use for agriculture.
The coconut shell is used to manufacture charcoal and the fibrous trunk is used as construction materials like beams and posts. Mature leaves were used for thatching and woven to make baskets.
The young inflorescence yields a sweet sap when cut. The toddy produced from this is made into Tuba:A native wine made from coconut, which is also a source of sugar as well as alcohol.
The pith found in the core near the top of the tree called Ubod, is eaten as a vegetable salad, or put into egg rolls for a delicacy called Lumpiang Ubod.
The coconut attains great commercial value as Copra. Then, the dried extracted meat from mature nuts can yield oil then further; it can produce products such as alcohols, acids. It is estimated that 60 percent of the world’s coconut oil is destined for industrial use. The remaining 40 percent is used as cooking oil, margarine and vegetable shortening.
From coconut oil, fatty alcohols and acids are extracted, which in turn are used in many chemical and pharmaceutical products such as soaps, detergents, shampoos, synthetic rubber, glycerin, hydraulic break fluid and plasticizers.
Another prospect being done is mixing coconut oil with diesel fuel. They said the mixture had some potential as supplementary fuel that will reduce the dependence on crude oil.
Copra meal and cake left over when the oil is extracted, serves as livestock feeds and fertilizers. Shredded coconut is used as an ingredient in confectionary.
Surely, young Mindayen had no knowledge regarding the use of coconut for chemical and or pharmaceutical matters. Sufice for her to know that you can eat, drink, sleep, make a raft, make a house with it and sometimes, use it as a weapon.

Ancient Deities of the Islands...

2005-07-13T19:04:00.000-07:00

The future reverts back in Princess Ranao and Mindayen’s universe.
So does the belief in ancient gods and goddesses which were once observed throughout the islands.

Before the Muslims and the Spaniards had set foot on Philippine shores, the ancients had their sets of deities and other supernatural beings whom they fear, pray to or worship, and called on their assistance through their walks of life.
The Dictionario Mithologico (Second Edition, 1895) written by Ferdinand Blummentritt, provides a list of unworldly beings respected by various natives.

The Leader God was known by many names, Apu to the Igorots, Banua to the Bataks of Palawan, Kabunian and Lumawig to the tribes of Northern Luzon, Kaptan to the Visayas, Apo Malyari to the Zambal, Mananahahut to the Kiangans and Magnisda to the Tagbanuas. But the leader god was popularly known by his Sanskrit name as Bathala or Bathalang Maykapal.

Creation stories were best attributed to the Leader gods. But the Bagobos tribes believed in the joint venture of three gods:

Makakoret: who created the sky.
Makaponget: who created the waters
Mamale who created land.

The goddess Lalahon was believed to reside in a remote volcano called Malaspina, located somewhere in the islands of Negros.
Sida-pa, another island goddess, was believed to reside on the top of a legendary mountain called Madya-as somewhere in the island of Panay. Legends tell about Sida-pa and her own tree of life. She was said to make notches on the tree that said to regulate the life time of all people.

In agricultural areas, the natives prayed to the gods for good harvest and to protect the fields. For the Tagalogs, Idianale was the god of agriculture and Lakanpati was the protector of their fields.
On the other hand, the Zambals call upon Dumagan and Damolag, before planting thewir crops to protect their fields from storms and typhoons.

The Bagobos tribe calls on Dimakolem, god of the mountains for their well being.
Taguibanua was the agriculture god in some areas in Mindanao while in the Visayas, she was also a goddess for house hold benefactors. Sedumunadok was the god of their planting fields. In the Tagalog fishing villages, they call upon Aman Sinaya for aid. On the other hand, Poko, was the Tagbanua people’s sea god.

In the story of Ranao and Mindayen, the prevalent sea goddess is Abyang Ghinbinitan.

There are also fighting and warrior gods that said to boost moral among different combatants. The tribes of Pangasinan had Apolaki as their war deity. The Visayan people once offered sacrifices to Wataugo for victory in battle.

Deities of welfare also played important roles in ancient Filipino lifestyle. Ang them were Lakambini of the Tagalogs who was said to be giver of food and Lakambakad as healer of sickness. The goddess of love among the Tagalogs was Dian Masalanta.

There were evil gods, said to live in hell-like places for the damned.

The Tagbanuas had Basaud as their hell-like abode, while the Ilocanos had Kasamaan.

The Visayan people called the god of hell, Sumpoy (Siguinaguran or Suinuran) who was aided by his demon armies called Yawa or Panulay.
The gods and goddesses who resides on Eden-like places were the ones worshipped and often called by the natives for help and blessings.

Kadungan was the paradise-like site for some tribes in Northern Luzon. The Bicolanos called such a place as Kamburagan. The Visayans call their paradise as Ologan.

The people of Panay once believed that Paradise was located on top of the mysterious mountain Madya-as. (Something similar to Mount Olympus)

Characters and Native epics that influenced the character of Princess Ranao.

2005-06-29T03:53:00.000-07:00

Note:Part of this article also apears in Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Epic_Poetries)

The creation of Princess Ranao starts from the concoction of several fictional characters.
Hayao Miyasaki's Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind was one of them. Nausicaa's head strong personality was a model for Ranao's character.

The other one is Princess Urduja: An ancient Philippine legend from Pangasinan, Urduja was a princess said to challenge her suitors in a fight before she can have them for a date.

Then there is that charming mermaid princess, Ariel of Disney's The Little Mermaid. Basically, Ranao is a psedo-ancient legend story, set in a future world that reverts back to the ancient times.

But the basic story was based on ancient Philippine legends: Centuries before the Spaniards came; the Filipinos already had their own cultural traditions, folklore, mythologies and epics. There were substantial writings by early natives that Jesuit historian, Fr. Pedro Chirino noted: “All of the islanders are much given to reading and writing. And there is hardly a man, much less a woman who did not read and write.” (Relacion de las isles Filipinas-1604)

Stories of epics, done in poetry displayed tremendous vitality, color and imagination. Tales of love and adventures about native heroes, endowed with powers from the gods, battle monsters, and triumphs over formidable armies, rode the wind, traveled in flying shields and protect the earliest communities of the islands. Established epic poems of notable quality and length blossomed. And early historians like Padre Colin, Joaquin Martinez de Zuniga and Antonio Pigafetta have all attested to the existence of these epics.

There were even reports of a dramatic play given by natives at the arrival of Don Miguel Lopez de Legaspi in 1565. Epic poems and songs about the exploits of enchanted folk heroes were performed during festivities and proper occasions. Most often, these epic poems (folk epics or ethno-epics) were titled after the names of the hero involved, except for some which carry traditional titles like the Kalinga Ullalim; the Sulod Hinilawod; the Maranao Daragen; or the Bicol Ibalon. Stories about folk heroes of long ago were described as “Old Time History” because; they can be used to study the lifestyle and beliefs of the people who produced them.

They were also referred to as “Lost”, because they were soon forgotten by natives influenced heavily by Spanish and “western” colonization. The famed orientalist, Chauncey Starkweather , stressed that : “These epic romances are charming poem in the Malayan literature.” But there are those who perpetuated myths that in the early days of Spanish intrusion, priests in their zealous rage against paganism destroyed all existing records, as well as all forms of writing and art works, regarding ancient Philippine folk heroes. This is a blatant Christian crime against a rich and noble culture! There was even a Spanish priest who arrogantly boasted of destroying more than 300 scrolls written in native characters.

But this is not true. The colorful and fascinating literature of pre-Hispanic Filipinos are still here. Giving the new generation, an over view of a heritage that is an unusual and invaluable source of joy and information. Regarding the life style, love and aspirations of early Filipinos. It is from these, wonderful epics, where a Filipino can find his or her national identity. It is from these that a Filipino can feel heroic, truly pulsating with splendor of a magnificent and authentic cultural force.

Ifugao Epic Poetries.

Noted for their construction of the famed Rice terraces, the Ifugaos also produced two epic poems: Hud-Hud and Alim. Both were long epics which require two hours of non-stop recitation. The Huh-Hud tells about the lives of native Ifugao heroes. The most notable was about Aliguyan (Aliguyon) of the village of Gonhandan. Aliguyan was endowed with supernatural powers and limitless energy. He could travel long distances without food and rest. He could even arrive at his destination as perked up as he made his first step. Aliguyan was invincible in battle; he could catch spears in mid flight and fought overwhelming combatants. At first, he was obsessed in killing his father’s enemies. But it turns out that his old man had no enemies and suggested for him to marry a worthy girl instead. One episode tell about his duel with Pumbakhayon, a warrior of equal strength and agility from a village called Daligdigan . They fought for about a year and a half, rested and fought again for another year and a half. Then, the two reached a compromised deal and Aliguyan married Pumbakhayon’s sister Bugan. Likewise, Pumbakhayon married Aliguyan’s sister Aginaya. The Alim on the other hand, deals with the legends of Ifugao gods and goddesses. One of them was Punholdayan who lives in “Kabunian” the Ifugao heaven. (Note: Some write-ups say “Kabuniyan IS a god himself and not just a heaven-like place.) This epic had some similarities to that of the Hindi’s Ramayana.

Mindanao Epic Poetry

The people of Mindanao had rich literatures that exist only in their minds and memories. Only recently that these epic poetries were put in writing, so these can be studied by the public. Locally called “Darangan”, these epic poetries were similar to those of that Homer’s Illiad and Odyssey The Darangan tells of the sentimental and romantic adventures of noble warriors, one of them, is about a warrior-prince called Bantugan.. Prince Bantugan was the brother of the chieftain of a village called Bembaran. Bantugan owned a magic shield, was protectedby devine spirits called “Tonongs” and was capable of rising from the dead. Once his enemies attacked Bembaran, thinking he was dead. In the nick of time, Bantugan’s soul was recovered and he saved the village. There is also an episode, where Prince Bantugan was on a quest and fought his enemies with his magic Kampilan (Native sword). Soon, he got tired and fell on to the water. A crocodile delivered him to his enemies, but he regained his strength, escaped his captors, and commands an oar less ship and won the battle. There were also “Darangan epic poetries that relates stories of wars about abducted princesses. Just like the chronicles of the Trojan War. The Darangan is one of the oldest and longest Philippine Epic poetries. Several nights were needed to recite the twenty five beautiful chapters. The Darangan, sung in it’s original, possessed a sustained beauty and dignity, it might be studied for it’s esthetic values alone.

Maranaw Epic Poetry

The Maranaw people have their own heroic epic, Indarapatra and Sulayaman. It tells about the heroic exploits of Emperor Indarapatra of the kingdom of Mantapuli: The emperor had a magic spear, which he can use like a boomerang. There was a huge monster, terrorizing his kingdom and he killed it in defense. Frank Lewis Milton published and English translation of the epic through “The Philippine Magazine in 1929. These are some of the lines that shows the beauty and vividness of the epic:

The Flight of the Magic Spear – (Hinagud)

Far above the sun set clouds, In an arch of flaming splendor, Hinagud cleft the sky, And fell upon a summit, Of angry Budmatutun; And thunder crashed, And rumbled, Through the sullen hills, And the mighty mountain split, Throwing high a horrid vomit, Of burning rocks. And the tortured land, Rocked and trembled.

Ilocano Epic Poetry

The Ilocanos had their own, pre-Hispanic epic. Believed to be the work of many poets from various generations, the epic is called Biag ni Lam-Ang. (Life of Lam-Ang.) For the first time, the father of Ilocano poetry named Pedro Bukaneg put down the epic poem in writing around 1640. The hero, Lam-Ang could talk immediately after birth. He picked his own name, chose his own sponsor and asked for his father’s presence. Barely 9 months old, Lam-Ang fought against the headhunters who killed his father. He was also eaten by a sea monster, but was reborn from his retrieved bones. He also journeyed to get the beautiful Ines Kannoyan accompanied by his pets; a rooster and a dog. (This reminds us of an old Japanese tale titled Momotaro the Peach boy.) Ines Kannoyan’s place was filled with suitors, Lam-Ang’s rooster flap it’s wings and the long house toppled. This amazed every body, especially Ines. Then, Lam-Ang’s dog barks and the long house rose to it’s former. Lam-Ang gave Ines two golden ships filled with treasures, and then he married her.

Bicol Epic Poetry

From the Bicol province comes the Ibalon. The Ibalon relates the mystical origins of the first man and the first woman of Aslon and Ibalon, which are current provinces of Camarines, Albay, Sorsogon, catanduanez and Masbate. Hiandong, one of the heroes of Ibalon (The others are Baltog and Bantong) was a great leader of warriors. He fought against a giant Cyclops for ten months, defeated the winged Tiburon and the fierce Sarimao and won over the seductive serpent Oriol before starting a village. His Village prospered and soon, others invented the plough, harrow and other farming implements. Events in this epic also had a flood story similar to that of the Biblical Genesis.

Visayan Epic Poetries

The Visayan people had their own epics. These include the noted Maragtas Chronicles of Panay. It’s a history of rulers of that island from the time of the Ten Malay Datus (rulers) that settled from Borneo.

“Legend of the Ten Datus (chieftains)” Believed to be the fore fathers of the Filipinos, this legend tell us about the story of ten Bornean chieftains who escaped the cruel regime of Sultan Makatunaw. Datu Puti along with other nine chieftains plans to leave Borneo. Riding their native boats, they ventured into the night and across the wide ocean. At first, the ten rulers and their families were afraid that they might perish in the middle of the sea. Soon, they have reached the islands of Panay and befriended with the natives called Aetas. The Aetas are quite friendly and decides to sell a piece of their land to the ten chieftains. The chieftains gave the Aetas leader, Marikudo a golden Salakot (Native head piece) After this; the chieftains and Aetas lived in peace and harmony. The Haraya. The Haraya is another epic poem from Panay. It is a collection of rules of conduct told in the form of heroic tales. The “Hari sa Bukit” of Negros island is a mythical epic of Kanlaon (Kan comes from a Persian word “Khan” meaning “King” and “Laon” from a Malay word meaning “Ancient.”) and “Hinilawod” an epic poem made by the early inhabitants of Ilo-Ilo, Aklan and Antique also from Panay.

The hero of Hinilawod, “Humadapnon” was of divine ancestry. He had super natural powers and guardian spirits to protect him. His most exciting adventure was his search for Nagmalitong Yawa: A beautiful maiden whom he saw in his dream. He boarded his golden boat, sailed amidst dangerous seas, and was captured by an enchantress. Finally, he found and won the love of Nagmalitong Yawa.

The Bagobo Epic Poetries

The Bagobo tribe had their epic hero named Tuwaang (Tatuwang)
Tuwaang was a brave and strong warrior with various powers. In one story, he rode a lightning to the land of Pinanggayungan and later, met the maiden of the Buhong Sky who was running away from the young man of Pangumanon: A giant with great vigor.
Tuwaang and the giant fought but it was an even match. So the giant used his magical powers and threw a flaming bar at the hero. Entwining itself at Tuwaang, our hero escaped this ordead and used his own magical ability to call the wind to fan the flames and let the giant be engulfed by the flames.

Other Epic Poems.

Dr. Jose Panganiban, in his book on Philippine literature mentioned that “Old Folks” in the Batangas area which anciently covered part of the Rizal province up to Morong, all of Laguna, Batangas, Quezon , Marinduque and the Mindoro Priovince, mentioned an epic that their elders used to chant but can’t remember. These are not definite stories. Only war songs and war dances accompanied with music on the “Kulintang”.
The “Kulintang”, it should be noted, is a native ”Tom-Tom” consists of a bamboo reed with “strings” raised up from its own fibers. Josue Soncuya mentions the epic that Dr. Jose Panganiban calls “Kumintang”, in Chapter XIX of the Boletin dela Sociedad Historico-Geografica de Filipinas.

There was a tale around the 14th Century: King Soledan sent his sons Bagtas, manduquit and Likyaw of the house of Madjapahit to mai and Lusong which were then, part of the kingdom of Lontok. The conquest of the northern territories through singing and dancing of warriors form the integral part of the “Kumintang.”

Other Epic poems being written and chanted are:

The Sud-Sud of the Tagbanuas from Palawan
The Dagoy, also from Palawan
The Parang Sabil of the Sulo Muslims
The Ulagingen and Selch of the Manobos
The Panglima Munggona and Jikiri of the Tausugs
The kalinga Banna
Bidian of the Ibaloys
The Sulod labaw Denggen
…and, Agyu of Bukidnon.

Eulogio B. Rodriguez, former director of the Philippine national Library said that “Anonymous vernacular writers of past ages had no thought of bringing glory to their own, but labored with the central idea of transmitting to prosperity in a concrete and permanent form, the great mass of Philippine legends which was only preserved by word of mouth…With their work as corner stone, later writers have been gradually adding block by block to the literary edifice to approximate something similar to a national literature of our own.

When the late American Noble prizewinner William Faulkner visited the Philippines, he was impressed by our epic poems.

He said:

“The Filipinos have their own traditions of poetry in their folklore, in their language and dialects. This must be recorded and that’s the job of the writers. In doing that, he gives a pattern of hope and aspirations for the people to advance not merely as a nation of people but as a member of a family of nations, the human family.”