February 2012
9 posts
11 tags
Confessions of an Impeachment and RH Bill Fiend
By Sylvia Claudio
Sin number 1: My productivity is much diminished these days because I am addicted to watching the impeachment. Every boring detail. I seethe at every bone-headed move by the prosecution, at every legal victory of the defense. I think Juan Ponce Enrile is a vampire. He can’t be that good. Especially as I hated him during martial law. I think Serafin Cuevas is brilliant. But I...
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PETA, Sex, and Shock: A Note on Misguided...
by Marguerite de Leon
Over the past few years, I’ve evolved from a staunch carnivore to someone a bit more understanding of why some people shun eating meat. In fact, I was able to stay more or lesspescetarian for the good part of a year, up until I got sick of my very limited choices when eating out (bangus sisig, bangus sisig, calamares, bangus sisig, shrimp tempura, sizzling squid, bangus...
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Filipino Freethinkers February 19 (Sunday) Holy...
The last Starbucks meetup had so many people that the staff tried to kick us out saying that we had essentially gotten a free function room and that the spirited discussion of fifty odd people was bothering the customers.
With no regular source of funds and no desire to require people to support Starbucks’ global empire by buying some minimum amount of overpriced coffee while there, we began...
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More Important than the God Question
by Jong Atmosphera
In The Bottomline episode aired last February 4, Red Tani agreed with Boy Abunda that no one actually wins in debates on the existence of God. And I concur because the god concept has too many facets lumped together and discussions often shift from one facet to another.
For example, in order to prove the existence of God (or at least the high probability thereof), apologists...
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Science By the Wayside: DepEd’s Wrong Choice
The DepEd decided to remove Science subjects in Grades 1 and 2. This was reported in the January 24, 2012 Manila Bulletin article entitled, “DepEd drops ‘Science’ for pupils”. Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro, FSC explained the rationale of dropping Science subjects in Grades 1 to Grade 2 by saying that such a move was to “decongest (the) Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) and to make learning...
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Filipino Freethinkers Turns Three
by Red Tani
3 years ago, 26 freethinkers met for the first time in Shangri-la Starbucks to talk about reason, science, and secularism. Since then, we’ve been pretty busy:
We’ve spread freethought on social media through Twitter (over 3,000 followers), Facebook (over 3,000 group members and almost 10,000 fans), and our website, which has almost a thousand posts, has been viewed more than half a...
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The DOH: Does the ‘H’ Stand for Health or...
by Jeiel Aranal
Image from Instructables
Yesterday the Department of Health (DOH), the institution that is supposed to be raising the standards of health for Filipinos, caved in to an institution that is very adamant on lowering the standards of health for Filipinos: the CBCP. It seems that when the bishops say “jump,” the DOH asks “how high?”, instead of doing their job for the Filipino...
mula-kay-anne asked: Hi! I am watching BottomLine right now. I was surprised to see that there is an organization (if that's how you call this po) that have the same beliefs like me. Super tinulungan po ako ng interview of Mr. Tani to convince my parents not to force me into the 'believe God' thought. Though grabe padin ang sermon na nakukuha ko, ok lang naman. Btw, I want to learn more din po about...
January 2012
14 posts
5 tags
DepEd “Drops” Science? What Science?
By Garrick Bercero.
A recent report by the Manila Bulletin said that the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) will be dropping science classes for public schools from the first and second grades. This was supposedly “in line with its efforts to decongest the Basic Education Curriculum and to make learning more enjoyable to young learners.” DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro says, however,...
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January 29 (Sunday) Metro Manila South Meetup
Location: Don Henrico’s, Festival Mall – Alabang, Muntinlupa Date: Sunday, January 29, 2012 Time: 4pm – 7pm
RSVP on Facebook
Proposed Topics:
-DepEd curriculum which introduces Science as a subject only by Grade 3 -Secular Camp: A proposed project to promote science, secularism, and reason -French Secularism (Facilitator: Ryan Amparo) -Should euthanasia be legalized? (Facilitator: Marx...
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Why I Do Not Have School Spirit
By Marguerite de Leon
There’s this blog entry that’s been making the rounds lately, entitled “What Ateneans Do Wrong after Graduating,” and the further I read the piece, the more dismayed I felt. And it’s not just because the author drops more cliches than Paolo Coelho writing Rick Warren a yearbook dedication. While it is grating to read someone dispensing advice like achieving success by...
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Freethinking: More Fun in the Philippines
By Tania Arpa
Thanks to the Department of Tourism’s new campaign, people all over the world now know how much fun everything is in the Philippines. But beyond the wonderful marine life, historical sites, food and parades, our country has also become a shining beacon of freethinking and secularism. What better way of looking back at our struggle for reason, freedom and secularism than through...
culturalcenterphils asked: Mabuhay! Hope you follow us. Maraming salamat po.
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A New Genetic Code?
By Garrick Bercero
An old Discovery News article has recently been making its rounds on Facebook, which was claiming that “new nucleotides” were identified in human DNA. Users were quick to rant and rave about how game-changing this piece of news is. I read claims about how they’d need to retake biology courses now and how this could have implications on artificial life.
DNA is composed of...
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Dear Princess Celestia…
By Antonio III
They got Lot drunk and did WHAT!?!?!?!
One classic rhetoric the Catholic Church loves to throw around is that “secular media” is a leading cause of moral degradation in kids today. This includes just about everything on TV that isn’t treating their priests and bishops with outright adulation, or isn’t airing on EWTN.
You’ve seen the effects of this mindset on Dan Brown’s films,...
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Black Nazarene, Black Opium
By Garrick Bercero
As the dust settles from another year of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, we again hear numerous reports of stampedes and injuries. Just shy of 1000 people were injured during the feast.
The feast is characterized by literally millions of devotees (largely comprised of children dragged along by relatives, the elderly, the infirm, the disabled, and the poor) moving along with...
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The Artistic Merits of 90′s Sexy Cinema (and/or...
By Dustin Celestino
Disclaimer: Apologies to all the women in the world for the potentially misogynistic contexts that may emerge from my usage of the loaded term “warat” in this article.
Warat is a common Filipino expression often interchanged with “wasak.” It means “broken” or “destroyed” in English, but is also a slang word for “drunk and high on an assortment of drugs” or a devirginized...
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What Would a True Catholic Philippines Look Like?
By Garrick Bercero
It is quite clear that in an allegedly secular nation, politicians here in the Philippines are largely guided by their religion, which is more often than not Roman Catholicism. This is evident from the chapels in public institutions such as Philippine Science High School to the President’s “advisers” that invariably include at least one man of the cloth. And, there is truly no...
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Filipino Freethinkers Taft Meetup, January 22
Google Maps: http://g.co/maps/cyf7b Hi folks! We’re heading to Taft this meetup! We’d like to invite people from around the area to come and join us, especially the students! Discussion Topics: -SOPA/PIPA Blackout (Wikipedia, Reddit, and other sites go down on January 18 in protest) (http://goo.gl/V01aN) -Patronizing slave labor -Department of Tourism “More Fun in the...
RT @ryanbalisacan: @ffreethinkers richard dawkins,philip zimbardo,robert sapolsky =)
New Post: What Would a True Catholic Philippines Look Like? http://t.co/GsjY1i8Q
December 2011
48 posts
RT @neiltyson: FYI:NewYear celebrations begin 6hr too early per yr, relative to Earth’s orbital return spot. The 4yr leapday corrects for it
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Mother Teresa: Blessed Billionaire, Holy Hypocrite
by Red Tani
Mother Teresa was not a friend of the poor. She was a friend of poverty. She said that suffering was a gift from God. She spent her life opposing the only known cure for poverty, which is the empowerment of women and the emancipation of them from a livestock version of compulsory reproduction.
– Christopher Hitchens
The Catholic Church is in a position to truly help the poor. If...
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Beauty, Life, and Death through a Macro Lens: Is...
by Jong Atmosfera
I’ve been dabbling in macro photography recently and it’s like having a new set of super eyes, one that allows you to appreciate the beauty of flowers and insects by seeing their vibrant colors and intricate eye patterns, like the weevil above and the fly below.
Such beauty compels some people to conclude that there must be an Intelligent Designer, a Loving Creator who...
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Ten Commonly Used Fallacies Against LGBT Rights...
by Ron de Vera
Logical debate is a necessary part of every activist’s life. But before engaging in a debate, make sure you ask yourself the following questions:
1. Do I know the subject? – For seasoned activists, this should be a given. But for newbies, it is normal to romanticize passion and equate it with victory. If you don’t think you can pull it off, leave it to the experts. If you think...
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Typhoon Sendong and the Necessity of Scientific...
by Pecier Decierdo
Typhoon Sendong: An Avoidable Tragedy
With the death toll recently going over 1000 deaths, the number of human lives ended by Typhoon Sendong is heartbreaking. What makes it more tragic, however, is the fact that many of these deaths could have been avoided.
It is good to see that the government is doing its job of helping the survivors of the calamity in the cities of...
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CBCP: Church of the Poor or Conference of...
by Red Tani
Following the way of the Lord, we opt to be a Church of the Poor which demands evangelical poverty of us all, and harness the transformative power of the poor among us towards the justice and love of God in this world.
– Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines
I recently wrote an open letter to the CBCP, asking them to donate a billion pesos to the victims of Sendong.
Many...
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Of Heroes and Hoaxes: Painting a CNN Hero in a...
by Marguerite de Leon
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not out to demonize a woman who has obviously done loads for maternal and reproductive health. At 54 years old, Robin Lim has helped thousands of poverty-stricken Indonesian women to experience a healthy pregnancy and to safely give birth, and for that, she most certainly deserves to be hailed as this year’s CNN Hero.
As a rabid supporter of the...
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Billionaire Archbishop Holds Second Collection for...
by Red Tani
Last night, Archbishop Luis Tagle ordered all priests, rectors, and chaplains in Manila to hold a second collection for the victims of Sendong:
“In the spirit of Christian solidarity, I request that a second collection be made at all Masses in all parishes, shrines, and communities in the Archdiocese of Manila from today until Christmas Day,” he said.
This is good news. But when...
ephephurray asked: Hi. Is it possible that I submit an article for the FF? :) How could I do it? I couldn't find a link in the wordpress site. :))
Who were the worst peddlers of psuedo science in the public eye for 2011? Top list here: http://t.co/4OOO4y4s
Would the army be asking Muslim rebels next to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas? http://t.co/9VX4pB7r
RT @BishopDamaso: @ffreethinkers Evidence is only for fools! Pray,heathens! ;)
RT @ianaji: RT @Pranzoonan: Merry tilting! RT @ffreethinkers: As we all celebrate tonight, let’s remember the true reason for the season …
Bishop Baylon against giving toy guns coz of possible bad effects on children. Scare kids with hell instead eh, CBCP? http://t.co/uRg7JiEP
Today marks the anniversary of Carl Sagan’s death: “For small creatures such as we the [universe’s] vastness is bearable only through love”
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Open Letter to CBCP: Donate One Billion to the...
by Red Tani
Dear CBCP,
Yesterday, your Pope prayed “for the people without homes and for the many missing,” assuring the victims of his “closeness” to them. I don’t know what he prayed for, but surely he didn’t just ask God for more people to pray for the victims. In addition to spiritual assistance, the Pope probably asked God for people to give material assistance, too.
One of your priests,...
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“He knows the Truth now”
by Pecier Decierdo
So Long and Thanks for all the Hitch
Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011), the spice and sting of the Four Horsemen, will be sorely missed. Hitchens did not have a deathbed conversion and his statements during the months before his death guaranteed that nobody is to take advantage of his death and sickness to further their personal agenda.
Hitchens the Dionysian.
But why expect...
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The Most Powerful Force in the Universe (Part 2)
by Pecier Decierdo
The RH Bill and Exponential Growth
In my article What the Debate on the RH Bill Should Not be About, I argued that overpopulation is a non-issue in debates over the passage of the RH Bill. There I reasoned that the battle over the RH Bill is a women’s rights battle and that overpopulation has little if anything to do with it. While I am still convinced that the RH Bill is a...
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Christopher Hitchens, 1949—2011
Christopher Hitchens died on December 16 at the age of 62. The man faced cancer head-on without, what he called, the false consolation of religion. He was a steadfast opponent of “mind-forged manacles” and “celestial dictators.” He had a legendary wit that he wielded with deftness against “elderly villains” such as Henry Kissinger and Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI). He was a champion of...
RT @FakeCBCP: Kim Jong-Il has died. He ran an entire nation based on delusion and dictatorial oppression. Nothing like our own dear lead …
New Post: The Most Powerful Force in the Universe (Part 2) http://t.co/FngKxjig
The Most Powerful Force in the Universe (Part 1) http://t.co/K7sR2i1e
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The Most Powerful Force in the Universe (Part 1)
by Pecier Decierdo
A Tale of the Two CEOs
One day, two bold CEOs decided to play a game of chess where the winner gets to ask anything he wants from the loser. After the game, the winning CEO asked the losing CEO to choose between two payments. The first payment involves the losing CEO giving half of his company’s assets to the winning CEO. The second payment involves placing 1¢ in the first...
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13 Comments that Put dboncan in My LGBT Spotlight
by Ron de Vera
Thank you for reading my article “Why LGBT people must get personal with the Catholic Church.” I read through the comments you made on the Filipino Freethinkers site and picked out 13 that I thought I could address immediately. The rest of your comments were clearly opinions that I know you will hold on to dearly so I will treat them with respect by setting them aside.
Let me be...
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To the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Re: Article on...
Dear Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer,
Having relied on The Philippine Daily Inquirer as an essential source of information on Philippine politics, lifestyle, and business, I would like to commend the newspaper for continuing to cover stories that matter to Filipinos both in the Philippines and abroad, often with exceptional depth and quality.
Thus, given my past admiration, it is with...
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LGBT Pride March 2011: Putting the ‘Fun’ back in...
by Marguerite de Leon
The LGBT Pride March is one of the happiest days of the year for me.
Last year’s march, when my boyfriend and I suited up as Buttman and his Ladyboy Wonder, was great. It was one of my first major events with the Filipino Freethinkers, and the first time I ever photobombed a fundie and made out in public. FF even won Best Theme that night, although what our theme...
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December 18 (Sunday) Starbucks Anson’s Ortigas...
Location: Starbucks, Anson’s (across The Podium), ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City (Google map) Date: Sunday, December 18, 2011 Time: 2:30pm – 5:30pm
RSVP on Facebook
This week’s topics:
Chief Justice Renato Corona’s Impeachment
Piolo Pascual, Homosexuality, and Pinoy Celebrity Culture
President Noynoy Aquino Urges Congress to Vote on RH Bill
Holiday Plans for Heathens
After the...
RT @TaniaArpa: Hey @ffreethinkers . What say we get some scotch and do a toast at the next meetup in memory of the Hitch? #godisnotgreat