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Mixed reaction over drag queen’s performance
Senators on Thursday gave mixed reactions about the controversial performance of a local drag queen which ignited debates on social media. Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri expressed his disgust over a performance of a local drag artist, describing it as “extremely blasphemous” and “offensive.” “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the extremely blasphemous and offensive video that has gone viral showing people in a club making a mockery of the Christian faith and disrespecting The Lord’s prayer,” Zubiri said in a statement. “In my opinion, this is the height of the misuse and abuse of our freedom of expression that borders on criminal activity,” he added. “It offends the sensibilities of our Christian brothers and sisters, deeply demeans the faith of millions of Filipinos, and dangerously scales the boundaries of protected speech and expression.” The Senate chief is referring to the video clip of Pura Luka Vega’s performance where she was seen lip-synching in a Jesus Christ-like costume to the tune of the upbeat and remixed version of the Christian song “Ama Namin,” the Filipino version of “The Lord’s Prayer.” According to Zubiri, a criminal charge may be filed against Vega under Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which punishes those who “offend any race or religion in the performance of obscene or indecent plays, scenes, acts or shows in theaters, fairs, or any other place.” “We urge the authorities to look into this matter,” he said. “We are still tracing the venue. We are also studying the possible violations of law that was committed here.” “Nevertheless, this act merits condemnation not only by Christians but people of all religions whose practice of their faith should not be mocked for private gain or for a few theatrical laughs,” he added. He continued: “My first reaction when I saw the video was extreme disappointment and anger.” “For billions of Christians, The Lord’s Prayer is one of our most solemn prayers during the Holy Eucharist, and to take it out of this context of worship, and use it as material for a comedy bar, is highly insensitive.” The lawmaker, who described himself as a devout Catholic, called on the public to respect one another’s beliefs. “I hope that this behavior will not be repeated in the future. Again, let us respect each other’s beliefs, religious or otherwise, because that is how we build a kinder and gentler society,” he said. ‘Exercise discernment’ Echoing the same sentiment, Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito agreed that the performance was “blasphemous.” On his Twitter account, Ejercito cried foul at the drag queen’s act. “This is blasphemy. This disrespects my faith. This went overboard,” he said. In a separate statement, the lawmaker urged artists to “always exercise discernment” in their craft, stressing that it “may inspire division or worse, aggression.” “While art is generally covered by the freedom of expression, one of the most cherished rights in the Constitution, the extent of such freedom is limited by the exercise of other rights and freedoms, such as the right to practice one’s religious faith in peace and without fear of intimidation,” he said. “In the case at hand, the said performance has stirred hostile feelings towards the Catholic faith. Instead of prompting sober discussions on art and religion, the performance has nudged ad hominem attacks against Filipino Catholics,” he added. Ejercito said that he agrees with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ statement that that objects of faith “should not be used for entertainment purposes, more so, to mock God and his faithful.” “Ama Namin (The Lord’s Prayer) is sacred to us Christians; using it for humor is extremely offensive and disrespectful. Artists should always exercise discernment, as their craft may inspire division or worse, aggression. We should learn to respect each other’s faith and religion,” he said. In a tweet, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also gave his opinion about the incident. “This is exactly what will destroy our society,” he said. ‘Regrettable’ Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros, a known ally of the LGBTQ+ community, said she found the drag queen’s performance “regrettable.” “As a woman of faith, I admit I personally find this regrettable. I know that many members of the LGBTQIA+ community, persons of faith among them, also find this regrettable,” Hontiveros said in a separate statement. She, however, stressed that the incident should not be used to “deny the rights and protections to a community that has long been marginalized and excluded.” “I wish for self-reflection, compassion and healing for both the religious and LGBTQIA+ communities. Our platforms should build bridges,” she said. “The struggle for SOGIE Equality continues,” she added. The video, which was uploaded by Vega on Twitter on 10 July quickly circulated on social media and garnered mixed reactions from netizens. As of writing, the video has gained a total of 17.3 million views. The post Mixed reaction over drag queen’s performance appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pat Robertson, who made Christian right a political force, dead at 93
Pat Robertson, the soft-spoken televangelist who helped make America's Christians a powerful political force while demonizing liberals, feminists, and gays as sinners, died Thursday at the age of 93, his organization announced. The longtime host of "The 700 Club" on his huge Christian Broadcasting Network and one-time presidential candidate died at his home in Virginia Beach, according to a network statement. Robertson promoted "a worldview that believes in the inerrancy of the Bible," CBN said. "Today, his influence and legacy crisscross interests and industries that have broken barriers for countless Christian leaders and laypeople." Broadcasting "The 700 Club" daily since 1966, the avuncular Robertson promoted a literal belief in "end of times" prophecies of the Old Testament Book of Ezekiel that forecast the destruction of the world to become a Christian paradise. In practice, he advocated for an extremely conservative Christianity focused on "traditional" families and a country founded on the Bible, rejecting the longstanding US principle of separation of church and state. He defined the world as riven by an epochal fight between Islam and Christianity, and meanwhile spearheaded US Christian support for Israel as the land of the "chosen" Jewish people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once called Robertson "a tremendous friend of Israel and a tremendous friend of mine." But he also drew loathing from progressives with his condemnations of feminism and LQBTQ culture as destroying America. His powerful support in 2016 for Donald Trump -- arguably helping seal Trump's presidential victory -- further widened the cultural chasm dividing the country. Marine, lawyer, minister Robertson was born on 22 March 1930 in Lexington, Virginia, the son of a conservative Democratic member of the US House of Representatives and then the Senate for 34 years. After graduating from Virginia's Washington and Lee University, in 1948 he joined the US Marines, serving in Korea. He then graduated from Yale Law School, was ordained a Baptist minister, and in short order launched in 1961 what became the massive CBN empire from a small television station in Tidewater Virginia. After CBN's early financial struggles, he named "The 700 Club" for an early core of 70 supporters who pledged $10 each month. The program mixed news, spiritual and lifestyle stories along with interviews of public figures, and became a hit, especially in rural communities across the country. That made it a mainstream stop for political candidates courting Christian voters: guests included Republican Ronald Reagan and Democrat Jimmy Carter. Robertson expanded into other media businesses, launching what became the popular, conservative "Family Channel" on cable television, and the influential Christian-based Regent University in Virginia Beach. Push into politics In 1987, he launched the Christian Coalition, seeking to bring together different Christian denominations as a force for the conservative values he espoused. Ever since, the organization has been at the forefront of the US culture wars, pressuring Congress and the White House on moral and religious issues such as abortion and the separation of church and state. In 1990, he launched the American Center for Law and Justice, a legal lobby to advance Christian religious rights against secularism in the courts. Robertson himself sought political office, running unsuccessfully in the Republican presidential primary in 1988. But what he built had a lasting impact: a conservative Christian voter bloc instrumental in bringing Trump to power and still exercising enormous influence over the Republican Party. "He shattered the stained glass window," TD Jakes, a Dallas pastor said in CBN's statement. "People of faith were taken seriously beyond the church house and into the White House." Controversies But there were controversies along the way. He courted Democratic Republic of the Congo dictator Mobutu Sese Seko and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, hoping to convert their countries to Christian states where gay people were banned -- while investing in diamond mining in a deal with Mobutu. In 2001, as America reeled from the September 11 attacks, Robertson endorsed the view that tolerance for lesbians, gays, and doctors carrying out abortions had drawn God's wrath on the country. In 2005, he called for the United States to assassinate then-Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. "It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war," he quipped on "The 700 Club." And last year, he said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "compelled by God" to attack Ukraine because it was predicted in the Book of Ezekiel as a step toward the end of times. Washington's political establishment was remarkably quiet Thursday in response to Robertson's death. Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor, said Robertson "touched so many lives and changed so many hearts." "He stood for America -- and more importantly, for truth and faith," she said. But on the left, there was little sympathy. "Robertson's death doesn't mean we must overlook his long record of extremist rhetoric," wrote Rob Boston of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "Robertson spent most of his time spreading hate, conspiracy theories, and lies," he said. The post Pat Robertson, who made Christian right a political force, dead at 93 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
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