Disobeying Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown, the cartoon character, once “shared” the three things he learned never to discuss with anybody: “Politics, Religion, and the Great Pumpkin.”

- CITO BELTRAN

Last Monday, my dear friend and “kuya” among Philippine STAR columnists, Mr. Boo Chanco, sent me a copy of his opinion piece where he shared the views of a disgruntled “taipan” and a sociologist about Christianity and corruption in the Philippines.

Both individuals basically passed judgment on Christians and Catholics in the Philippines simply because religion and church could not contain or confront corruption in the Philippines.

In their view, corruption should not exist in the Philippines if both church and Christians truly practiced their faith and exerted influence. Since corruption in the Philippines is so endemic and has evolved into an incurable disease, therefore Christianity is weak, false or cowardly.

I say: why stop at blaming Christians, believers and churches, why not blame God as well? Why not use the name of God and Jesus Christ in vain to have a holistic rant?

Before and after the birth of Jesus Christ, mankind has been a corrupt, wicked and sinful lot and God made no exceptions in dealing with all.

He torched Sodom and Gomorrah; he flooded the entire world to exterminate the wicked and sinful. God got so exasperated with the sinful nature of man that he decided to stop contending with them on an extended period by shortening human lifespan.

In spite of so many signs and warnings, the Pharoah of Egypt chased the Israelites across the Red Sea and drowned. The coniplauning: belligerent Israelites suffered 40 years in the desert as part of God's discipline.