“This denial of motherhood or fatherhood takes away our humanity,” says the Pope.
Pope Francis risked the ire of the world's childless dog and cat owners Wednesday, suggesting people who substitute pets for kids exhibit certain selfishness."
"Today... we see a form of selfishness," said the Pope.
"We see that some people do not want to have a child. Sometimes they have one, and that's it, but they have dogs and cats that take the place of children. This may make people laugh but it is a reality."
WATCH A VIDEO ABOUT POPE FRANCIS ON HAVING A PET.
WHY DID I LEAVE CHURCH?
I grew up in a Catholic family in Bohol, wherein the church is the main basis of morality – totally conservative. I was forced to go to Church by my religious grandparents to attend such repetitive rituals which I really don’t understand how positively affect the world – boring sermons (without energy), criticizing politicians, and eating/drinking rituals. In the span of my existence, I have never seen any single moment that religion helped me to understand better about God. But instead, I find religion as business, (a non-taxable business); and it can manipulate humanity by using the words of God easily.
When I was in college, I accepted God in my life, it was unplanned, and I didn’t see it coming. I became Christian and I can feel the real joy, faith, and feel HIM - which I’ve been searching for so long. I understand HIM better, but later on, I felt not happy attending the church when I noticed that they’re trying to change me inside. My gayness is something that is in question when it comes to teaching. I feel that their God is different from my God and so I detached myself and never return to church since then. It was not a happy moment. It affects me, why accepting God requires me to belong to a group that is not welcoming who really I am. I am not a bad person t start with. It was traumatic.
Since then, I stop going to Church. I became more observant. Truly, religion is poison. There are killings and wars because of religion. There are separations, marginalization, and discrimination – mainly because of religion. Competition of Churches over churches is happening, not bluntly but it is discreetly happening. There is no difference in running a business.
In a study, from BARNA, the Number one reason why many young people leave the church is "Churches seem overprotective".
A few of the defining characteristics of today’s teens and young adults are their unprecedented access to ideas and worldviews as well as their prodigious consumption of popular culture. As Christians, they express the desire for their faith in Christ to connect to the world they live in. However, much of their experience of Christianity feels stifling, fear-based, and risk-averse. One-quarter of 18- to 29-year-olds said: “Christians demonize everything outside of the church” (23% indicated this “completely” or “mostly” describes their experience). Other perceptions in this category include “church ignoring the problems of the real world” (22%) and “my church is too concerned that movies, music, and video games are harmful (or I might include pet)” (18%).
PARENTHOOD IS NOT FOR EVERYONE.
“We see a form of selfishness," said the Pope. This is a remark associated with the pet parents. Which for me - it is bluntly unfair.
What about those couples who can’t bear their own child because of fertility issues? Is adopting a child from random irresponsible parents who kept producing children and were not able to raise their own – is the only option? Indeed, Parenthood is a responsibility. Don't bring a child into this world if you cannot give him a better life.
What about those who chose not to have one because they’re not ready yet in raising a kid? Is having a kid is mandatory as a passage to maturity?
What about who is single for life? Do they really need to have a kid just be labeled as selfless?
My Dear Pope, not all of us has the privilege of being a parent. Not even you as a Pope.
Instead of reprimanding those who choose to not have kids, I believe it Pope’s duty to use his influence and position to castigate those, who are actually abusing their own families—and pets. We have come to realize that animal family members such as dogs are more empathetic and caring than human family members. They help us recover from the years of trauma that those human family members have caused. You should condemn those who cause trauma and abuse in the family instead.
OVERPOPULATION IS A PROBLEM.
Having pets and not kids will help us control overpopulation; overpopulation leads us to scarcity of foods, and later on, leads to inhumane acts for survival. Pope, with due respect, be realistic. The world evolved, the Bible won't.
“Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Genesis 1:28
More questionable is the tendency of the major religions to encourage large families. Churches are even against birth control. But remember, the bible was written before the world is congested. More people means an increased demand for food, water, housing, energy, healthcare, transportation, and more. And all that consumption contributes to ecological degradation, increased conflicts, and a higher risk of large-scale disasters like pandemics.
MY PET SAVED ME FROM THIS PANDEMIC.
It has been two years now, since the Pandemic hit the Philippines back in March 2020. It was mentally disturbed and the lockdown affects me negatively. I didn’t share this with anyone because I might get prejudged as Over Reacting. But I notice my behavior changed, I get easily irritated, frequently looked at the infinity, fear of uncertainty, and got scared I might get lost my job due to economic downfall.
As a coping technique; I tried growing indoor plants, buying stuff online, cooking, and decluttering my old belongings during the lockdown. Those were working but only for a short period. I still feel anxious about the uncertainties that might be heading up to me.
Until I got my American Bully Dog. I named him after the famous drug lord in Colombia, Escobar - which associates toughness. When I called his name, this always reminds me that I have someone who is strong living with me. Dog's sweetness and sensitivity are similar to a young kid, he can feel when I am stressed, in pain, or when I am angry. He reacted to me accordingly. Undeniably, my life became better when I got a dog.
đŸ“ş WATCH THE VIDEO Depression is a widespread issue not only in the Philippines but the whole world due to this recent COVID19 Pandemic. Talking to a licensed psychiatrist can make a huge difference and there are so many effective medications out there however, not everyone is open to it. Some might spend more time with family members, close friends, or make themselves busy to forget the sufferings, but not all have the courage to do it.Studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and improve your all-around health. Dogs can play an integral part in your emotional well-being. Research says that taking care of a dog offers reassurance that you can care for another creature and for yourself.
Pope, go outside from your room, immerse and you'll see the reality of humanity nowadays. Dogs bring happiness into our life, and depression is often no match for the unconditional love they provide. The unconditional love that you can’t find from any religion.
#PweraGaba, I believed in GOD, but never to a Human -i.e. a Pope, a Pastor or even to a Priest - they all use their clouts to impose their moral compass as a norm which is not applicable anymore to the real world - outside.
