Inviolable Separation: For The State and Church

           To spread Christianism was one of the reasons why Spain invaded the pearl of the orient. The Spaniards also organized Government headed by a Gobernadorcillo with the influenced of the priest. This is a brief feature on how the government flourished in our country; no separation of state and church. Now, our government evolved into democratic and republican state, wherein the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The government recognizes the separation of church and state as inviolable constitutional mandate under Section 6, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. But how can we secure its inviolable separation?

            Previously the country was shaken by different protests of the different churches against the passage of the RH Bill. They said that it violates the right to life of the unborn. The leaders of the churches used their authority to influence the leaders of the land and its people against its passage. This is an act of interference of the religious sector from the governmental duty of our leaders to create law that would regulate a better life for the Filipinos. The preamble mentioned that the Filipino implores the aid of Almighty God to build a just and humane society and so on. Our Constitution was crafted magnificently beautiful for the people. We have three great branches of Government with separation of powers but each action is guarded by check and balances. So if the RH Bill is unconstitutional the Judiciary will not uphold its validity because if they will, it is a grave abuse and discretion on their duty which is tantamount to the betrayal of public trust.

           Religious sector honors the word of God engraved into the bible. As a Christian we really have to. The carrier of these words is entrusted to the church. But if the church says ‘no’ and the state says ‘yes’, who should we follow? If we go with the state then the church would look at us as   dirty Christian, and if we go with the church then we don’t honor or respect the authority. So which is which? Who is right?

           The bible says that one way to honor God is to honor the authority of the land. Therefore, we should let the Government do their constitutional duty for the cause of the people and as their Christian duty in serving God. In Serving God’s people is like serving God if we based on the bible and the religious sect must support. The Constitution is our Supreme law of the land which gives respect to the separation of church and state. The state doesn’t use its authority to influence the organization of the churches. Thus, the church should do the same to preserve the inviolable separation of the church and state and to secure to ourselves the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law.

Reference: Preamble, 1987 Philippine Constitution and Bible