Secularization - Lessons on Rizal PDF

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Over the last few centuries, and especially in the last few decades, Western society has become increasingly secularized, meaning that religion plays a less and less prominent role. The shift represents a dramatic cultural change whose effects are still widely debated. Secularization Definition Secularization is a cultural transition in which religious values are gradually replaced with nonreligious values. In the process, religious figureheads such as church leaders lose their authority and influence over society. In the field of sociology, the term is used to describe societies that have become or are becoming modernized—meaning that features of society such as the government, the economy, and schools are more distinct, or less influenced by religion. Secularization in the Western World Secularization in the United States is a hotly debated topic. America has been considered a Christian nation for a long time, with many Christian values guiding existing policies and laws. However, in the last few decades, with the growth of other religions as well as atheism, the nation has become more secularized. In the United States, there have been movements to remove religion from government-funded daily life, such as school prayer and religious events in public schools. Further evidence of secularization can be seen in laws overturning prohibitions on same-sex marriage. While the rest of Europe embraced secularization relatively early, Great Britain was one of the last to adapt. During the 1960's, Britain experienced a cultural revolution that reshaped people's views on women's issues, civil rights, and religion. Over time, funding for religious activities and churches began to wane, reducing the impact of religion on daily life. As a result, the country became increasingly secularized. Religious Contrast: Saudi Arabia In contrast to the United States, Great Britain and most of Europe, Saudi Arabia is an example of a country that has not experienced secularization. Almost all Saudis identify as Muslim. While there are some Christians, they are mainly foreigners, and they are not allowed to openly practice their faith. Atheism and agnosticism are forbidden, and such apostasy is punishable by death. Because of strict attitudes toward religion, Saudi Arabia's laws, customs, and norms are closely tied to Islamic law and teachings. The country has religious police, known as Mutaween, who roam the streets enforcing religious laws regarding dress codes, prayer, and the separation of men and women. Daily life in Saudi Arabia is structured around religious rituals. Businesses close several times a day for 30 minutes or more at a time to allow for prayer. In schools, approximately half of the school day is dedicated to teaching religious material. Almost all books published within the nation are religious books. The Future of Secularization

Secularization has become a growing topic as more and more countries modernize and shift away from religious values toward secular ones. While there remain many countries that are focused on religion and religious law, there is increasing pressure from around the globe, especially from the United States and its allies, for countries to secularize. Nevertheless, some regions have actually become more religious, including parts of Africa and Asia. Some scholars have argued that religious affiliation itself is not the best measure of secularization. They believe that a weakening of religious authority can occur in certain areas of life without a corresponding change in the religious identities of individuals.

he Opening of the Suez Canal The Suez Canal, which connected the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, was inaugurated in 1869. It was built by a French engineer named Ferdinand de Lesseps. By passing through the Canal, vessels journeying between Barcelona and Manila no longer had to pass by the Cape of Good Hope, at the southern tip of Africa. Thus, they were able to shorten their traveling time from three months to 32 days. Thanks to the Suez Canal, trading in the Philippines became increasingly profitable. More and more foreign merchants and businessmen came to the colony, bringing with them a lot of progressive ideas. The Filipinos not only gained more knowledge and information about the world at large; they also gained the desire for freedom and improvement in their lives. The Secularization Controversy Two kinds of priests served the Catholic Church in the Philippines. These were the regulars and the seculars. Regular priests belonged to religious orders. Their main task was to spread Christianity. Examples were the Franciscans, Recollects, Dominicans, and Augustinians. Secular priests did not belong to any religious order. They were trained specifically to run the parishes and were under the supervision of the bishops. Conflict began when the bishops insisted on visiting the parishes that were being run by regular priests. It was their duty, they argued, to check on the administration of these parishes. But the regular priests refused these visits, saying that they were not under the bishop’s jurisdiction. They threatened to abandon their parishes if the bishops persisted. In 1774, Archbishop Basilio Santa Justa decided to uphold the diocese’s authority over the parishes and accepted the resignations of the regular priests. He assigned secular priests to take their place. Since there were not enough seculars to fill all the vacancies the Archbishop hastened the ordination of Filipino seculars. A royal decree was also issued on November 9, 1774, which provided for the secularization of all parishes or the transfer of parochial administration from the regular friars to the secular priests. The regulars resented the move because they considered the Filipinos unfit for the priesthood. Among other reasons they cited the Filipinos’ brown skin, lack of education, and inadequate experience.

The controversy became more intense when the Jesuits returned to the Philippines. They had been exiled from the country because of certain policies of the order that theSpanish authorities did not like. The issue soon took on a racial slant. The Spaniards were clearly favouring their own regular priest over Filipino priests. Monsignor Pedro Pelaez, ecclesiastical governor of the Church, sided with the Filipinos. Unfortunately, he died in an earthquake that destroyed the Manila Cathedral in 1863. After his death, other priests took his place in fighting for the secularization movement. Among them were Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora.

What is the difference between secular priests and religious priests? Answer:

Secular—or better, diocesan—priests are priests who are ordained for a particular diocese and who serve ordinarily in parishes. This is their main work, although some are engaged in other ministries as well. At their ordination as deacons they incardinate (affiliate) with a particular diocese or archdiocese. At this time they make a promise to obey their bishop and, in the Western Church, to remain celibate. Religious priests are not necessarily more spiritual than diocesan priests. The word refers in this case to the form of life these priests live. All men and women who make public vows in a religious order are called religious. It means that by their vows of poverty, celibate chastity, and obedience, their lives are oriented in a special way to the virtue of religion so that all they do becomes a continual act of the worship of God. This is true of all religious, sisters and brothers as well as priests. Ordinarily they live and pray in community. Many of them wear a religious habit. Often they are engaged in a specialized form of ministry.

Propaganda is information that is not objective and is used primarily to influence an audience and further an agenda, often by presenting facts selectively to encourage a particular synthesis or perception, or using loaded language to produce an emotional rather than a rational response to the information that is presented.[2] Propaganda is often associated with material prepared by governments, but activist groups, companies, religious organizations and the media can also produce propaganda. In the 20th century, the term propaganda had often been associated with a manipulative approach, but propaganda historically was a neutral descriptive term.[2][3] A wide range of materials and media are used for conveying propaganda messages, which changed as new technologies were invented, including paintings, cartoons, posters, pamphlets, films, radio shows, TV shows, and websites. More recently, the digital age has given rise to new ways of disseminating propaganda, for example, through the use of bots and algorithms to create computational propaganda and spread fake or biased news using social media. In a 1929 literary debate with Edward Bernays, Everett Dean Martin argues that, "Propaganda is making puppets of us. We are moved by hidden strings which the propagandist manipulates."

Welcome to our Propaganda period topic! Propaganda period is a turning point in our Philippine literary journey. This period marked the beginning of the awakening of our sense of nationalism. The seeds of liberty, equality, and fraternity are well starting to germinate from the many failures experienced by the early waves of armed insurrections which were largely self-contained, isolated and doomed from the start. The adage, “the pen is mightier than the sword” will be pitted to good use here, too. So, what are you waiting for, join me as we take a closer look at the Propaganda period, some of the major members of the propaganda movement, and their salient contributions to the Philippine literary tradition.

Intended learning outcomes At the end of this topic, you should be able to: 1. 2. 3.

Recognize notable selections during the Propaganda period; Identify significant writers during the Propaganda period; and Discuss the theme/message of the literary texts written during the Propaganda period.

Historical background  



The emergence of the “principalia” paved the way to the rise of the intellectual indios called “Ilustrados”. The sons of these middle class indios were able to study abroad and gain knowledge on other countries, ideas and concepts of freedom, equality and democracy. They, in turn, looked back at the deplorable condition of the Philippines and sought for much needed reforms and improvements.

The awakening of nationalism The proven and tested formula of Spanish subjugation and colonization was institutionalized in the doctrine of “divide et sempera” (divide and rule) seemed to be invincible. The Spanish colonial authorities succeeded in quelling and suppressing the budding ethnic and regionalistic rebellions and insurrections by pitting one ethnic group against the other ethnic group. For instance, when the Ilokanos rebelled when their beloved “basi” (sugarcane wine) was taxed heavily; the colonial masters send in the Kapampangans to fight them. This pattern has to be repeated time and again until sporadic rebellions were silenced and the indios were “pacified” with the whip, the sword and the cross.

However, as nothing remains forever on this earth, the long slumber of Filipino nationalism is destined to be awaken. There were several events led to the awakening of the Filipinos’ spirit of nationalism, namely: 1. 2.

Opening of the Philippines to World Trade. The coming of liberal leader Gov. Gen. Carlos Ma. dela Torre.

3.

The Secularization Issue.

4. The Cavite Mutiny. 5. The Execution of Gom-Bur-Za If we are to add a sixth one, that would be the emergence of the Propaganda Movement.

What is the Propaganda period? Propaganda period was a period of Philippine history and literature when the “Ilustrados” (intellectual indios) started calling for reforms, equality and improvement which lasted approximately from 1868 to 1898 although most of their activities happened between 1880-1895. The propaganda movement was spearheaded mostly by the intellectual middle-class like Rizal, del Pilar, Lopez-Jaena, Ponce and among others. There were also other writers and persons who, through peaceful means, advocated for reforms such as: 1.

To get equal treatment for the Filipinos and the Spaniards under the law. 2. To make the Philippines a province of Spain. 3. 4. 5.

To restore Filipino representation in the Spanish Cortes. To “Filipinize” the parishes. To give the Filipinos freedom of speech, of the press, assembly and for redress of grievances.

The Propaganda stalwarts

Jose Rizal (The National Hero)     

His full name is Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Alonzo y Realonda. He was born June 19, 1861 at Calamba, Laguna. He studied at Ateneo, UST, Universidad Central de Madrid, Univ. of Berlin, Univ. of Leipzig, and Univ. of Heidelberg. Executed by musketry of sedition and rebellion.

on

Dec.

30,

1896

with

Pen names include Dimasalang, Laong-Laan and P. Jacinto.

charges



His major works include: 1. Noli Me Tangere – the novel that exposed the evils in society. 2. El Filibusterismo – the sequel of Noli which exposed the evils in the government and in the church. 3. Mi Ultimo Adios – a poem written by Rizal in his prison cell in Fort Bonifacio. 4. Sobre La Indolencia de los Filipinos (On the Indolence of the Filipinos)– an essay defending the Filipinos on the accusation of laziness of the Filipinos and the evaluation of the reasons behind it. 5. Filipinas Dentro de Cien Años (The Philippines within a Century) – an essay predicting the future colonizer of the Philippines is America. 6. La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth) – a prize-winning poem dedicated to the Filipino Youth. 7. El Consejo de los Dioses (The Council of the Gods) – an allegorical play manifesting his admiration for Cervantes. 8. Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig River) – an idyll he wrote when he was 14 years old. 9. Sa aking mga Kababata (To my fellow children) – a poem he wrote when he was 8 years old. 10. Me Piden Versos (They asked me for Verses) – written as requested by his compatriots during a reunion of Filipino expatriates. 11. A Las Flores de Heidelberg (To the Flowers of Heidelberg) – written while he was studying at the Univ. of Heidelberg. It shows Rizal’s depth of emotion in outpouring his love of his native land. 12. Notas a la Obra Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas for El Dr. Antonio de Morga (Notes on Philippine Events by Dr. Antonio de Morga) 1889. 13. P. Jacinto: Memorias de Un Estudiante de Manila (P. Jacinto: Memoirs of a Manila Student) 1882. 14. Diario de Viaje de Norte America (Diary of a Voyage to North America)

Marcelo H. Del Pilar Journalist/Propagandist)   

(The

Consummate

He used pen names such as Plaridel, Pupdoh, Piping Dilat, and Dolores Manapat. He attended Colegio de San Jose and UST and took up Law. He established Diariong Tagalog where he exposed the evils of Spanish Government.

  

He succeeded Lopez-Jaena as editor of La Solidaridad, the official newspaper of Propaganda Movement. To escape Spanish wrath, he self-exiled in Barcelona, Spain, where he died of tuberculosis. His major works include: 1. Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa (Love of Country) – he translated Rizal’s Amor Patria. 2. Kaiingat Kayo (Be Careful) – a humorous and sarcastic dig in response to Fr. Jose Rodriguez’s attack on the Noli of Rizal. 3.

Dasalan at Tocsohan (Prayers and Jokes) – similar to catechism but sarcastically done against the parish priests.

4.

Ang Cadaquilaan ng Dios (God’s Goodness) – it contains a philosophy of the power and intelligence of God. 5. Sagot ng Espanya sa Hibik ng Pilipinas (Answer of Spain on the Plea of the Filipinos) – a poem pleading for change from Spain but that Spain is already weak and old to grant any aid to the Philippines. 6. Dupluhan, dalit, mga Bugtong (A poetical contest in narrative sequence, psalms, riddles) – a compilation of poems on the oppression by the priests in the Philippines 7. La Soberania en Filipinas (Sovereignty in the Philippines) – shows the injustices of the friars to the Filipinos. 8. 9.

Por Telefono (By Telephone). Pasiong Dapat Ipag-aalab ng Puso ng Taong Babasa (Passion that should Arouse the Hearts of the Readers).

Graciano Lopez-Jaena (The Greatest Orator)     

He wrote 100 speeches in Spanish, and published by Remigio Garcia. He escaped to Valencia, Spain to avoid arrest due to his “Fray Botod.” Moved to Barcelona, Spain and established La Solidaridad, as its 1st Editor-in-Chief. The La Soli became the official paper of the Associacion Hispano de Filipinas, and the official newspaper of Propaganda Movement. His major works include: 1.

Ang Fray Botod – he exposed some of the friars were greedy, ambitious and immoral. 2. La Hija del Fraile (The Child of the Friar) and 3.

Everything is Hambug (Everything is a mere Show) – here he explains the tragedy of marrying a Spaniard. 4. Sa mga Pilipino – a speech aimed to improve the condition of the Filipinos to become free and progressive.

5.

Talumpating Paggunita kay Columbus – speech he delivered in Madrid on the anniversary of the discovery of America. 6. En honor del Presidente Morayta de la Associacion Hispano Filipino – he praises Gen. Morayta for his equal treatment of the Filipinos. 7.

En honor de los Artistas Luna y Resurrecion-Hidalgo – a sincere expression of praise for the paintings of Hidalgo on the condition of the Filipinos under Spain. 8. El Bandolerismo en Filipinas (Banditry in the Philippines) – he refuted the existence of banditry in the Phils. and how laws and reforms were needed. Honor en Filipinas (Honor in the Philippines) – the triumphant exposition of Luna, Resurrecion, and Pardo de Tavera. 10. Pag-alis sa Buwis sa Pilipinas (Abolition of Taxes in the Philippines). 9.

11.

Institucion ng Pilipinas (Sufferings of the Philippines).

Antonio Luna (The pharmacist, writer and general)       

A pharmacist who was banished by the Spaniards to Spain He became contributor of La Soli His pen name was Tagailog He wrote about Filipino customs and how Spain mismanaged the Philippines. He became a general of the revolution against Spain. He was murdered by Aguinaldo’s men at the age of 33. His major works include: 1. 2.

Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) – pictures true Filipino life. Se devierten (How they Diverted Themselves) – a dig at a dance of the Spaniards where the people are very crowded. 3. La Tertulia Filipina (A Filipino Conference or Feast) – depicts a Filipino custom which he believed was much better than the Spanish. 4. Por Madrid (For Madrid) – a denouncement of Spaniards who claim that the Philippines is a colony of Spain but who think of Filipinos as foreigners when it comes to collecting taxes for stamps. 5.

La Casa de Huespedes (The Landlady’s House) – depicts a landlady who looks for boarders not for money but in order to get a husband for her child. Mariano Ponce (The secretary) 

He became an editor-in-chief, Propaganda movement.

biographer

and

researcher

of

  

He used Tikbalang, Naning and Kalipulako as pen names He wrote about the values of education and how the Filipinos were oppresed by the foreigners as well as problems of his countrymen. His major works include: 1. Ang Alamat ng Bulacan (Legend of Bulacan) – contains legends and folklores of his native town. 2. Pagpugot kay Longinos (The Beheading of Longinus) – a play shown at the plaza of Malolos, Bulacan. 3. 4.

Sobre Filipinos (About the Filipinos). Ang mga Pilipino sa Indo-Tsina (The Filipinos in Indo-China).

Pedro Paterno 

He is a scholar, dramatist, researcher and novelist.



He is also a mason ...