A Biblical Perspective Concerning the Anti-Terrorism Bill and the Communist Party's Desire for Legitimization

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Political correctness makes you stupid, doesn't it? Recently, Filipino Communist groups have been going together with rejecting the anti-terrorism bill entirely. Then you've got fools who are now advocating to get rid of the anti-terrorism bill and suggesting that the Communist Party of the Philippines should be legitimated as a legal political party and have a voice. There's the need to voice out against such foolishness because what they want is detrimental to the welfare of the Philippines or any country.

A biblical perspective on the anti-terrorism bill

The Anti-Terrorism Bill would be good if it's only meant to execute wrath against them who do evil. Some people have expressed their concern on arrest based on suspicion which should be addressed since it's a misuse of one's authority. Some people went all the way from the desire to junk the said bill into correcting whatever flaws are in it prior to submission. Soldiers and policemen are ordained by God to help punish evildoers. That's why they must be held accountable if ever they abuse their posts because they were entrusted with the duty for public safety.

Now, it's time to tackle the anti-terrorism on how Paul the Apostle would have responded to it.
Romans 13:1-5 
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

What is the work of the government? The government was ordained of God to be a terror unto evil and not unto good works. The authorities are ordained to be the minister of God to do good and not evil. The only people who should be afraid of government by default are those who do evil.  The government's main function is to punish evil. It's a valid concern that evils in the government do exist. The Bible's exhortation is to pray for those in authority that they do their jobs. Also, the Bible has examples of wicked kings that eventually get pulled down because they fail to do God's mandate. The ungodly Saul became king yet David refused to strike him. David knew that God anointed Saul. God placed Saul in power and it's God who will remove him. Later, we read in Daniel 4 that Daniel's three friends refused to do King Nebuchadnezzar's command. Did they disrespect the king? Instead, they politely disobeyed him and accepted whatever punishment to be a testimony. The Apostle Paul wrote Romans during the reign of the godless Emperor Nero. Nero wasn't anything savory yet Paul wrote that letter. Eventually, Nero suffered the consequences of his actions that led to a revolt that caused him to commit suicide. Nero is still in Hell right now waiting for judgment day to answer for everything wicked he did. Hell is more than hot enough for wicked rulers. Meanwhile, Paul never encouraged the Christians in Rome to commit sedition against Nero. Then they refused to call Nero as a god - it was because it was against their principle. However, they never were told to raise arms against Nero and the sedition charges against them were false.

You've got today's Socialist-misled youth who are fearful of their mere presence and it looks like they would rather entrust their safety to criminals. They fear soldiers and policemen out of a wicked heart. Unfortunately, mankind is also filled with disobedient people. The Bible already prophesied about it so why be surprised?
2 Timothy 3:1-5
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

When we consider the people in the last days then consider how people are described. Why do you think that we've got the youth today who are hating the mere presence of policemen and soldiers? Why are there screams from people who want to defend the police and the military? It's because of their wickedness. If they can't be obedient to their parents then how do you expect them to be obedient to authority? They are people with a huge sense of self-worth. The same can be said with the rise of terrorism as a sign of the last days. Terrorism usually happens because of narcissism, greed where its members want to have plenty of money for themselves, they want to brag about how great they are, they have a severe lack of humility (evidenced by their hatred for authority figures), they are abusive (and yes, you can ask their detainees how they were abused), how often they take revenge, how often they slander people by any means possible, many of them tend to do vices without control, they have a long history of brutality, and they hate to follow laws. For them, the laws are repressing their freedom hence the anarchy movement. You also have the Anarcho-Communism movement which tries to put everyone an equal footing where the state is abolished. How godless can you get?

Meanwhile, there is a valid fear that the bill can be misused and abused. Not all fear is invalid such as the fear of the LORD makes you respectful of Him. Fearing danger is needed like you wouldn't definitely face it unprepared or purposely put yourself in danger. Fear itself in moderation is a defense mechanism that keeps you from hurting yourself unnecessarily. Laws can be misused and abused which makes the need for safety nets a necessity. Some people are against the anti-terrorism bill because of certain faulty provisions that need to be corrected. That's a healthy kind of fear in contrast to people who fear law and order because they want to indulge in wickedness. A good example is that Section 26 of the said law where people can be arrested on mere suspicion. It can be triggered by false witnesses. In the Bible, people have the right to due process and false witnesses were to be executed. 
Deuteronomy 18:15-19 
15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. 16 If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; 17 Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; 18 And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; 19 Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.

The anti-terrorism bill needs to have that principle of dealing with false witnesses too. Anybody caught falsely accusing someone to be a terrorist should be treated as a terrorist. I would suggest that such people would go to jail or even get executed depending on the crime accused. Perjury is no small crime yet you've got people who cry out for innocent people wrongly executed while excusing it. The statement, "You shall do to him as he had thought to do unto the other." should be applied in the anti-terrorist bill. Just think how perjury is a much deadlier offense than petty libel. I could understand if there's the call to decriminalize petty libel but any malicious false accusation that endangers another's life must remain a criminal offense.

Not surprisingly, some of the people who want to get rid of the Anti-Terrorism Bill are members of the Roman Catholic clergy with their faithful duped into going against it. It's not surprising that the Roman Catholic institution has had a very long history of violence and inciting sedition. Are the Roman Catholic organizations (such as the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines or CBCP) in the Philippines that desperate to hide the long-hidden and well-documented violent and scandalous history of the Vatican? Do they want us to forget about the long history of sins of the Crusades and the Inquisition? Today, the Inquisition tends to be dispelled as "just another myth" and the average Roman Catholic believes that lie. While valid concerns are indeed raised (such as a violation of the right to privacy) but didn't the Inquisition also violate the rights to privacy? It's a really bad case of a double standard. They will most likely only support any flaws of the bill if it conveniences them. Otherwise, they're probably just against it because it won't work in their favor. They would probably still go against the bill even if all necessary adjustments are made because it won't be convenient for them.

A biblical perspective on legalizing the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)

 The rationale that the CPP must be legitimized as a legal political party to defeat them is just foolish. The stupidity is equivalent to the desire of wicked men to legalize narcotics and prostitution. The rationale is that when you legalize narcotics and prostitution and tax it then the government can control it. The legalization of abortion didn't stop abortion - instead, it encouraged it. When the government legalizes what is wrong then it encourages it. China's legalization of persecution of Christians encouraged it. Nazi Germany's legalization of persecuting the European Jews encouraged it. When sin is legalized then it is encouraged. If you legalize the CPP then you are encouraging Communists from having their legal ground.

From a biblical perspective, a government's job is to punish evildoers and not to legalize their cause. The CPP itself should not even be considered a legal front given its long history of subversion. Otherwise, it would mean that they would have access to government assets to do their wicked deeds. It's not that every government should deal with terrorists violently all the time like what George W. Bush did. Peace talks to get terrorists to surrender might be a better solution whenever possible to avoid civilian casualties. Force must always be used defensively since it's the sacred duty of soldiers to protect civilians. Protection of civilians is the utmost priority which means that soldiers should be careful in firing shots, vacate civilians properly in times of war, and put the rights of civilians first over defeating the invading force. It would mean that any action done to apprehend invasion must be done out of the desire to protect civilians from terrorists.

The principle of not giving Communists a legal front anywhere around the world is based on righteousness and wickedness. God ordained the government to punish evildoers and not to be evil. Any government that fails to do so should be held accountable. Remember how God would raise up judges to get rid of the oppressors? Remember how empires of the ancient world eventually crumbled because of their cruelty? Remember how God judged Jeroboam sometime later after the latter was made king over the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the divided kingdom era? Amos 3:3 says that the two can't walk together except if they agree. Ephesians 5:11 says that no one should have anything to do with the works of darkness but to rebuke them. If the government legalizes them then they are failing to do their duty. The government's function is to set society in order and to teach right from wrong. We have rules and regulations from households to schools to the government to keep things in order. How can things be kept in order if we don't teach right from wrong? A good example is the necessary existence of traffic rules. How do you know it's wrong to cross the street or to drive your car forward? It's because there's the pedestrian light and the traffic light. Many times, many of us have actually violated those rules at least a few times if you're a law-abiding citizen. Sometimes, we only end up knowing we did something wrong after we get punished. It's like how often we learn what we did is wrong the hard way when the teacher crumples your test paper or when your parent spanks you. Communist organizations are anything but law-abiding. Many times, they have violated many rules just to get where they are now.

The perspective of Communism also relies on Vladimir Lenin's quote, "The best revolutionary is the youth void of morals." Consider the Communist youth revolutionary movement in many countries one way or another. Everywhere you go, the youth are being brainwashed by Communist revolutionaries with empty promises. Why should Communists who are recruiting the youth worldwide for their illicit activities be given legal ground? Proverbs 22:6 that a child must be trained up the way that he should go. Communism knows that principle and recruits minors as much as possible. If Hitler had his mandatory Hitler Youth movement then Communists too are no different from the corruption of the youth. Empty promises by Communists towards the youth are already dangerous enough. Give them a legal voice then more youths will soon walk away from their parents in hopes Communism will give them a better future. This also puts parents in question if they did also fulfill their role as parents. If their children are so easily dissuaded by Communism then how did they do their parenting? Were they abusive or were they too lenient with very little to no discipline? Both extremes are also fertile grounds for Communist recruitment.

Besides, Communism is built on delusions. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 says the following:
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

How often has Communism has made empty promises of progress to its followers? The promise for a safe and secure society where people can be lazy all day is just one. The promise for basic universal income is another. They also seek to "equalize" society by saying that nobody will be rich and nobody will be poor. They have also gotten rid of any measures that will give people a better life (such as allowing foreign investors to do business in their home countries) which will grant competition and more customers for their local businesses. Communism is very much against capitalism yet why do we see Communist officers hypocritically have their expensive iPhones and luxury cars? It's once again the double standard. Communism has always been consistent with Adolf Hitler's book "Mein Kampf" which means "My Struggle" even if the Nazis and Communists were rival forces. It has always been all about their desire for power. People subscribe to the delusions and God allows it to happen for a good reason. It's because such people reject the truth and love to do evil. Communism is nothing more than a huge scam where people who promote its lies enrich themselves at the expense of others. It's proof of the selfishness of the human heart and that man isn't basically good as they want us to believe. So why should any Communist party get legitimated as a legal political party if most of their promises are just empty? If you wouldn't want abusive soldiers and policemen then you should also reject the legitimization of any known Communists in the government. They will be no better than the corrupt authority figures that Communists protest against. Just think policemen and soldiers in a Communist government are granted permission to use abusive measures to enforce the law for their masters. Aren't these violations also against the principle of honesty to begin with?

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