If He Loves Me, He Should Love My God too

2011-10-12T11:23:00.006-07:00

The recent Miss Universe pageant left Filipinos with several worries and uncertainties. And among these considerations is whether English-speaking candidates have an advantage over those who cannot speak or comprehend languages other than their native tongues. As the most recent beauty contest shown, it seems there is none. Due to the fact that our representative, who is the only one of the final five who can speak and comprehend English, placed second-to-last in the most recent beauty contest, despite being one of the two audience favorites, along with the winner, Miss Angola.

The question-and-answer component of the competition, which decides if the contestants are attractive and intelligent, is one of the most anticipated aspects of the contest. At this point, the last five beauties are considered as the most attractive of the whole group, they are the best among the rest. All of them have the face and physical appearance of a queen; the only issue is whether they also possess the intelligence and perspective of a worldwide monarch.

"Would you change your religion for the man you love?" This is the question, which, according to Miss Shamcey Supsup, suited her well. And she was not taken aback by the question. In addition, her response came from her heart; it is who she is; and as the world saw and heard, she responded quickly and articulately.

"No" is the obvious choice for a response to this question. If she said yes, it would be the same as being openly hostile toward her parents and the religious group to which they belong. And why fight for someone who does not yet exist? Even if he does exist, he will not be such a fool as to ask or demand such a thing from a woman who is as beautiful, pious, and clever as Miss Shamcey Supsup. Why fight for someone who does not yet exist? Nevertheless, the question that has to be answered is why not?

Religion is a universal topic that is related to the Supreme Person, perceived by many to be the creator and controller of the whole universe. The word "religion" is from the Latin verb "ligare", which means "to bind." According to religious scholars, religion means our unchangeable eternal bond or connection with God. In India, it is called sanatan-dharma; the eternal man’s personal relationship with the Supreme Person. It is not sectarianism, which is what most of us, including Miss Supsup, believed it to be.

God is without a second or rival. In the classic song "One God", it states, "Your God and my God are one". It seems that Miss Shamcey’s faith is strong and unshakeable, but her realization of God is imperfect and not universal. She should have said that she would not change her religion because there is no need since there is only one God and if he is a true believer, he would know and respect her faith. Her answer, "If he loves me, he should love my God too," indirectly implies that there are many Gods and her man should abandon his God in favor of hers.

A simple but tricky question, not only it is about God and religion but also about universality by which what the pageant is all about. A universal question calling for a universal answer, unfortunately, Miss Supsup’s reply was not broad and cosmic. Rather, her respond was contained, partisan, divisive, and functionalist one of the main reasons why the world is in chaos. -ArlenKali-121011

Nevertheless, Miss Universe 3^rd runner up Shamcey Supsup is my Miss Universe, “Siya Ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko” , and, I believe, of every Filipino.

On The Question Of Religion

If He Loves Me, He Should Love My God too