“A cheerful poverty is an honorable state.” – Epicurus
I have to be honest, it is hard to catch up a freethinker’s lifestyle. Most freethinkers here in the Philippines belong to the class “A” affluent families and as a person belonging to the…eh down right dirty, I’m having a hard time coping with it. As a freethinker I have to be realistic and here’s the fact: LIFE SUCKS!
We always held our meetings in this classy mall, surrounded by stores and restaurants that only the privilege can enjoy. We do it in Starbuck…WOAH! A cup of coffee in Starbuck cost …eh is it 175.00 Pesos ($3.74) per cup? I can only afford a coffee in a styrophor cup worth 10.00 Pesos (that 21 cents for you American readers). They eat sandwiches and novelty foods I only dream of eating, they have gadgets like cell phones with videos, Nintendo Wii, Videocams, sleek cars, cute dogs, beautiful and sexy girllfriends…the whole shebang!! Just think what that does to me? Boy…if you want to start feeling sorry to yourself and indulge in self-pity.
Many of these guys are armed with shelves full of books! There are those who owned about 400 to 600 volumes. Well…I can only dream about it. Being financially deficient is a hindrance. I lack the finances to buy books. And to top it all, most freethinkers’ books (or May I say “all”) are foreign made. Geewizz! Foreign books are too costly! Thank Darwin that I have a photographic memory when reading books. There is this bookstore here in Manila, yep Power Books…that is the name of the shop. Luckily, for me, this bookstore allows shoppers to read the books off their shelves.
Sometimes I feel that I should stop attending this “yuppie club”, fearing that people might think that I’m just a “pabigat” (weighting them down financially) or worst, that I’m a freeloader.
Therefore, it made me thinking. Is freethought only for the affluent? Is freethought synonymous with people who graduated from prestigious schools and universities, to those who are successful in life, for those people with cars and are able to dine on fancy restaurants? Is freethought only a vice of well-off individuals just to exercise their bored minds? How about the poor, the destitute, the miserable and the hopeless, can they afford to be freethinkers?
I sometimes wonder why I become a freethinker in the first place?
Pragmatism is the philosophy of the poor man. He seems to believe things that have uses for him. Don’t get me wrong, my freethought was not fueled by hate of life. Life is not fair, but I do not blame it to a so-called “Supreme Intelligence”. Maybe I am a different case…one in a million perhaps. Nevertheless, not every poor people in Manila share my enthusiasm with philosophy and science.
It is impossible to philosophize with an empty stomach. Do you think a poor man will have the luxury of time and money to do some research regarding science and philosophy?
Speaking of research, books are expensive and education is too costly. Poor folks will use their resources more on food. The sad news is that majority of people in the Philippines is below poverty line, and because of the worldwide economic crisis we are now facing, it is expected to double.
In this situation, what’s use of freethought?
For some people, and especially the poor, this is where religion sets in. Religion thrives in a world of crisis. When people become desperate, they start to look and cling to any support they can find – even invisible ones. So how can you tell them that people who mastered the art of selling God are using them?
I still believe that somewhere in Payatas, Tondo or those shanties in BASECO Compound, there is a freethinker like me. He may now be writing his thoughts on a piece of paper…he doesn’t have a computer, he can’t afford it. I wonder if people in his community listen to what he says? Christians in his community may even accused him of just being angry to God for giving him a miserable life. People will not take you seriously when you are poor.
I imagine him getting his information from books that sold cheap in Recto, books that were published in the 60’s and 70’s, too obsolete in modern standards.
Does he sometimes stop from his backbreaking labor to wonder if his arguments are correct or if there’s a new idea that entered his mind? Does he also look in the Internet if he can spare P15.00 from his small salary? Does he also analyzed religious revelations if they are true? How does he handle the idea of having no after-life, with the thought that he is doom to live in a miserable existence without any means of escaping? Does he also think he’s alone?
Freethought may be expensive but thinking is priceless. Maybe that is why I keep on attending this yuppie club.
I believe that social stratification is not a hindrance especially if the Filipino freethinkers’ vision also caters love and camaraderie.
As a freethinker my goal must be realistic so I can reach my hand on a different world- the world without luxury, where false hope thrive. This is the world of the impoverished where self-pity becomes a thick haze that blocks the vision of progress. Where pragmatism narrows objective world-view, where minds are clouded by distrust and apathy and where poverty limits dreams and aspiration.
Unfortunately, there are freethinkers trapped in this kind of world, and these are freethinkers I would like to reach out to. It is a matter of cooperation within the Filipino freethinking community to reach to such sad individuals.
it's kinda true what you say, We sorta look like Elitists when you take a look at it.
Tried to find a better paying job instead of spending money on Internet time to bitch online?
I understand where the author is coming from. With dignity and class.
Mabuhay ka PinoyAthiest.
*not even in school right now.
knowledge *or high education
Gods, I need to sleep. Point is, stop glorifying poverty. Everyone deserves information. If a person wants something bad enough, he/she will find ways to get it. Likewise a rich person can slack off. Money isn't much of a problem really.
Wow, romanticizing poverty much! I'm poor too – I'm not even in school for that right now.
Free-thinking is cheap. At least as cheap as the internet or the library. You learn from everything anyways. You don't need thick-ass books to be an intellectual because knowledge and high education doesn't make up for wisdom. You don't even need to be an "intellectual." K.I.S.S.
No need to rationalize or tell everyone about your battle or how far you've come because to me it only looks like fishing for credit. And it's trite. "Ohh the world on my shoulders!"
I'm fine with how I am. A little more money would be nice, but I'm not much of a consumer-type to even label myself poor or incomplete. Rich, poor – big deal.
To robelyn,
To appriciate the positive, one must first tackle the negative.
Godless!
why pinoyatheist? obvious ofcourse,. yeah clouded mind.. your thoughts are agreed. but seems so negative. well, i believe that everything happens, negative or positive, for the best things to come. be inspired man.. godbless!
haha, I even sacrificed my meals to search for articles in the net when I was in my early college years… I could have bought a lap top computer with the money by now…
A freethinker, a rational free thinking person will NOT remain poor financially and intellectually. Thinking is our tool of improving our life financially as well as spiritually. If you consider yourself a thinking man and still remain poor then there must be something wrong in the way you use to think or perhaps your unknown premises deep inside your mind. A poor man living in squatters area can even hate and question the existence of God and eventually disbelieve in God who remain poor and even went to jail. You don't need books to questions the existence of God; what you need is to learn by yourself how to use your tool–your mind along with your sense perceptions of your surrounding.
Great post! I have a friend here in Davao with similar situation with you John. He don't have access to books and pays 15php to access the internet yet he still ends up as an atheist (he once was an agnostic).
I like the idea of the Kariton Klasrum. Maybe we should have one. We could teach science (evolution), or reach out with other freethinkers, or promote freethinking. I also like innermind's suggestion of Filipino Freethinkers Party List. I think with FF's vision and mission, FF would have a good and better shot than with Ladlad's Party List (i'm not quite sure though with their vision and mission and i think that their concerns are already covered by some departments).
I already read this article looong ago at your blog John. Friendster days pa yun.
freethinking is not only for the affluent.
situation here in our place is even more miserable.I'm from Negros, an island ruled by the feudal lords. The island of Negros is divided among a very few extremely rich families like the Ledesmas, Cojuangcos,Arroyos,lacsons, Montelibanos, etc.
The "sakadas" are laboring under the scorching heat of the sun for hours para sa seventy pesos a day na sahod.There are lots of potential freethinkers here, but how can you think when your stomach is empty? How can you think when you have no time to think, kasi iniisip mo pa ang kakainin mo the next day.hacienda system is a cruel system.
Child labor is very much alive here in our place.These people are definitely not lazy, they just lack the opportunity.
ah coolness! this essay was the very first entry I read from your blog, John. brings back memories. When I met you guys on the first FF meetup I attended, I checked your blogs and this particular essay struck a chord.
Its not whining at all, as some might view it. Freethinking is always a struggle against the status quo, whether it be economic, social, or philosophical. And John's personal experiences captures the progress one is capable of given a strength of character to go beyond your current lot in life.
Great article. You will always be cool in my book John. Money is finite but personality and smarts are infinite.
On the question, is freethinking only for the affluent? I think not, in the same way that ignorance is not only for the poor. While affluence can be an advantage it can also be a hindrance in seeing the world for the way it really is. We were actually discussing how a lot of very affluent people I have met through work are actually more religious and superstitious than middle-class people I know. Perhaps examining the reasons for their affluence (hard work, pure luck, illegal means?) proved more difficult compared to just attributing it to God?
Excellent post as usual, John. Speaking as a so-called rich, educated yuppie in Makati, I should say we have never viewed you as a "pabigat" or freeloader. Rather, your contributions to FF are the largest in certain respects, such as the excellent quality (and quantity!) of posts. And you are regarded as a veritable walking Wikipedia when it comes to information on religion. Needless to say, you have made yourself quite indispensable to the Filipino freethinking community. =)
That said, I concur that poverty is a hindrance to the freethought movement. Perhaps not so much that it prevents people from thinking freely (though it makes it difficult to make philosophy a priority, I agree), but it does give religion a strong foothold among the masses. When the hand that feeds you tells you there is a God, and that He blesses the poor and the meek with rewards after death, I guess you tend to listen, and you tend to believe.
Can you follow up this post with another one containing suggestions on how to preach reason and free thinking to the less financially capable, less technologically reachable and the less educated?
To tell you the truth @ Frank, may nagsabi sa akin nyan…hmmmm hindi ko na lang sasabihin ang pangalan and it's not an FF issue…let us just say, medyo mag-iingat lang muna ako for now.
Speaking of projects…sayang at naunahan na tayo ni Mr. Efren Peñaflorida and his Kariton Klasrum. I'm trying nga to locate him para sabihin na tumulong sa pag-tulak ng kariton nya sa Manila area eh. I hope if everything went well we can have a similar project.
Oh? Someone actually told you? What a godless bastard. >.<!
Well anyway, whoever it is clearly does not speak for the group, so I would consider it mere individual assholery.
One of these days let's have a meetup at Luneta. I'm sure a lot of our regular members wouldn't mind, and I've always wanted to see what the freethinking scene of the place looked like.
Ha ha at last you have the heart din pala pinoy I thought your head is the only active joke:)
You are rich I must congratulate you! haven't you feel it? don't compare and see the external things. I am truly convince that the cause of unhappiness is incomplete relationship either to yourself, family, society and environment. Money, fame? small factor lang yan na conditioned lang tayo so be free my brother!
*Sigh* The article is not about me…It's my way of expressing things as a writer (yung bang tipong nilalagay ko ang situation sa sarili ko para maisadamdamin ko ang presentasyon.) Anyway, hindi mo ako kilalang masyado @ wanderer. I'm more a Jedi eh (all these strict rules, no marriage, no possessions, no bad feelings and I must always overcome my feelings)
There is no passion, there is serenity.
(There is no chaos, there is harmony.)
There is no death, there is the Force.
—The Jedi Code (Based on the meditations of Odan-Urr)
So you are right, my head is the only active.
Hmn madrama pala ha. Mahirap magsalita ng patapos…. Yep I admit I dont know you. And I must admit also that I dont even know myself. Kung kilala mo na yong sarili mo wow pare I will salute you!
Your still in duality you should embrace ALL, by saying "I must always overcome my feelings" then there is a struggle! there is an effort!
Then again I must say BE FREE. Why I say this? because your still imprisoned ikaw nagsabi niyan ha "all these strict rules"
This is for you, Jedi!
Peace is a lie; there is only passion.
Through passion; I gain strength.
Through strength; I gain power.
Through power; I gain victory.
Through victory; my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me.
I think being poor matters a lot. There is a long socio-economic behavioral history to how poverty relates to education, options, and cruicial decisions.
there are principles of irrational behavior studied that figure strongly in this conclusion as well.
sir phil u and pinoy atheist are rare for a reason. the narrowing options of poverty does affect if one should adopt a rational vs traditional behavior. in the equations of option, the poor has too much to lose in gambling on the mindset of the few, the outcast, and misunderstood.
the way many non-free thinkers have to say about free thinkers are proof enough of the psychology that governs their options – how can you cope? the stigma of heresy, being viewed as a deviant, an outcast, etc all are clear indications of what they stand to lose.
You've got a point there @justinaquino.
There are indeed studies that relate poverty, education, options, and decisions. But relation doesn't necessarily mean causation, as I mentioned in an earlier post here in FF. Perhaps they were uneducated not because they were poor but because they were lazy. Or they were poor not because they were uneducated but because their landlord stole money from them. Lots of variables I think. It's like blaming the bad educational system in this country for the amount of poverty we have. Bad educational system is most probably a factor, but it's just one among many factors.
But I think the more positive side of all this is to just work hard, get your determination going, and try to achieve a realistic goal depending on your skills, talents, environment/milieu, and what you're willing to risk (risks can be positive too). One doesn't have to be a high/middle class, starbucks-coffee sipping person to be a freethinker.
I hate the term lazy. Lazy is what the Spanish Elites and the Friars used to term on Filipinos for 300+ years. Even to day, many businessmen I talk to say it is because filipinos are lazy. I don't like judging people as lazy just because they have a different work ethic as my own.
As a leader I've learned that many times its never the lazy, its the unmotivated. Reading up on history, psychology, and connecting to many people has taught me that lazy is the last reason, because self interest is the most fundamental motivator of all people. Personally I never use it to judge because, because as I see it judging people as lazy is basically being too Lazy to have considered and eliminated all the other probabilities.
As for the root matter and how poverty affects peoples choices, I can't forget the those details that are lost to our educational system.
I know the difference between the correlation and causation, but one underlying matter that makes the two different is time. Time for proof and further studies. The initiative needed to carry out the decision is based on the limits of information. Since no information can be entirely perfect, and opportunity is always unpredictable then it is in one's own best judgment how to act.
Debating Correlation vs Causation in neccessary to a point, accuracy is always something useful and important But so is time. Speculating, and getting stuck at it, like LOOONG Philosophical debates, particularly in reasonable information and correlation vs causation kills initiative.
Its often better to say sorry after, than to be paralyzed with indecision.
The decision to wait and see for the times to act should be carefully weighed as well. How much of the waiting is really fear, and how much of it is really caution. Often enough, missed opportunity is evidence of it being Fear and quite too often in history of this country it has been Fear.
The same type of fear that governs those shackled by poverty from being rational, is the same type of fear that paralyzes rational people to do what needs to be done.
@justinaquino
I think perhaps we got on a bad start, and from my experience with these kinds of discussions, this could take an indefinitely long route.
I agree that 'lazy' is not the best word to describe some people in this case. I also think that 'poor' is not a good choice of word either, since it's pretty ambiguous (poor in what aspect? Intelligence? Self-esteem? Financial matters?).
I don't doubt that poverty has an effect, as we've been mentioning here, with regards to freethinking. But how large an effect, as you say, I can't be quite certain or objective about it, especially in our country at the very least. At the very least I think it's not as huge a factor as the articles leads some of us to believe.
Nakakalungkot isipin na may mga tao na ang pino-problema ay kung paano lulustayin ang kayamanan nila, (casino,luxury cars, hi-end gadgets) habang ang karamihan ay halos magpakamatay na sa trabaho pero kulang pa rin para maitaguyod nang maayos ang kanilang mga buhay.
Tulad nang sabi ni Justin, hindi tamad ang pinaka-tamang salita para sa mga mahihiirap. Tamad ba ang mga magsasaka na wala pang pagsikat ng araw ay nasa palayan na para magbanat nang buto? tamad ba ang mga construction workers? Hindi siguro. Hindi simple lang ang lahat lalo na sa usapin nang ekonomiya at pamumuhay.
Karamihan pa nga sa mga mid-to-upper class level na kilala ko ay mga anak nang mga mayayaman. Iilan lang yung mga "self-made" na tao. Ang tanong tuloy, gaano ba kalaki ang chance ng isang mahirap na pinoy na yumaman sa bansa natin?
Kung nasa mundo tayo nang pantasya tama siguro yung "anything is possible" na motto, pero wake up, wala ngang Diyos eh, so hindi determined ang mga happy endings.
Kung taga UP, UST, La Salle, o Ateneo ka, swerte mo, pero yun lang yun. Hindi ibig sabihin agad na masipag ka rin. May pang tuition ka lang.
(Sadyang tagalog ito para "i-alienate" yung mga rich kid na hindi fans ni Bob Ong)
I'm not moved at all by this article. If life sucks for the writer that is mainly his own choice and perspective; he should not connect it to freethinking. And I don't agree that being poor is a hindrance to freethought. I was poorer than the poor life he described. When I was studying I had no shoes to wear, had no 'baon', had to skip lunch oftentimes, had only 2 pants and a few old worn-out t-shirts. But I never got depressed nor turned to religion. In fact, poverty convinced me more about atheism and the falsity of religion. And with more determination, hard work, and improving my qualifications my financial status got better.
Our company driver completed only high school. He supports a family of five, and would often borrow money for his children's tuition. During our more casual conversations he never sound bitter about his life. When I asked whether he believed in heaven, hell and afterlife he simply smiled and, in a jovial tone, answered that heaven and hell are here on earth; that when he dies his ashes would simply merge with the earth forever. Now, that's a more intelligent answer than many of your so-called rich, educated yuppies in Makati could muster.
I quite agree with your statements @Phil. As pinoyatheist mentioned in the post, self-pity blocks the vision of progress. If one can't go on being a freethinker just because one can't buy 100 peso refreshments, and then say that life sucks, that's one's prerogative. But don't let self pity stop you from doing what you think is right, or achieving your goals in life.
There are still people whom we consider poor (economically in this case) but are still very much happy and contented in their lives. They overlook the fact that they have tattered clothes, but instead look for something else that give meaning to their lives such as family, friends, love, and so on.
The post/article can be somewhat moving and perhaps guilt inducing to some who are more 'fortunate', but it seems to me to be a rant nonetheless. The telenovela type struggle of 'I carry the burden of the world on my shoulders' ('pasan ko ang daigdig') is I think a cliche we should all put aside and thus become more productive as a result.
Another Great post John. I've always been thinking about this, particularly because of the guilt and reality of the situation.
It is a real problem you've brought up, and I hope no one will want to sit this one out trying to solve on their armchairs.
pinoyatheist, I must say that was a very genuine, heartfelt post. We have many articles on rationality and reason, but it's rare we find something so emotionally moving. Sometimes rational people forget that being right doesn't make you convincing.
I'm interested in you personal story. You have a very unique perspective which we (who are more fortunate) can't easily see. Perhaps you can write a series about the turning points in your life. Tell us more about you – your struggles – how you overcame them. Besides being enlightening and entertaining, I have no doubt your story would help us in our campaign to reach out (should we start one).
Thanks @ bratface…but my personal story? Hmmmm it will be a one page, boring note.
Sorry, Pinoy Atheist. If you don't get the relevance of mentioning the 'Makati folks' (I actually wrote 'so-called rich, educated yuppies'); and then also denying the article is not about you being poor and why life sucks…I have to stop commenting.
Ayoko kasing makaroon ng kaaway sa mga taga-Makati @ Phil. Baka kasi sabihin nila ginagamit ko ang FF para tirahin sila.
Your comment was greatly appriciated.
To Phil and f241vc15
Then congratulations @ both of you.
Personally I have overcome my situation, I'm just giving you guys a common perception of the “masa”. It is these rare occasion that an impoverished person can defy the odds…but as I have said, it’s rare.
We are living in an onion type of social stratification here in the Philippines, where there are quite few rich people compare to a very large majority of poor folks. The common idea, especially to the poor folks is that the rich guys are the “problem-solution mindsets" while the majority of the Filipino poor are the "useless eaters". As long as these poor people are trapped in this kind of idea, we will not go anywhere.
Being a freethinker doesn’t stop in coffee shops or burger joints in Makati (which reminds me @ Phil, what does the Makati folks have to do with my article? Hmmmm…) Anyway, that’s why I like Redtani’s leadership and the new kids (Filipino Freethinkers) in town. They’re now going out from the typical chit-chat. They’re starting to reach out their hands. Kudos also to Frank and Mr. Celdran from spearheading more social relevant projects. To all the active member of the Filipino Freethinkers…hats off!
The article is not about me whining about why I’m poor and why life sucks. It’s about the other side of the pole. I know that there are other freethinkers out there in a more underprivileged situation…but they need not to worry because the Filipino Freethinkers will be coming for them.
Also, I thank those other commentators who saw my post beyond the usual doldrums.
First of all, meeting at a mall? That's actually a very middle-class kind of thing. Even meeting at a Starbucks. Because so long as one of you buys one drink, the whole group can sit there for as long as they want. And as long as we're classifying human beings as being class A, B, G, Z, etc., I have not met a single person from the A Classes. I think they're too busy shopping in Paris or something. Nearly everyone I met in FF are fairly middle-class.
Oh, and I had a sexy girlfriend once, but she realized I was from the D class, and dumped me. You were wrong to classify women with cute dogs and toys such as Wii's and videocamera — my videocamera will never leave me, for instance. And neither will my dog.
Come on @ Tania, I'm just giving a ah…shocking opening here. Hahaha!
But seriously, it's really a common mistakes of the "masa" and this is base on a social interview (some may be personal…but not all of them) I have conducted on why some common folks don’t want to join classy folks. They always cling on material things as sign of being…eh privilaged.
Personally, I like the Starbucks meetings.
And we've actually been accepting suggestions on where else we could meet, but so far Starbucks at Shangri-la has been the best we could come up with. Nowhere else we can think of allows a whole bunch of us to sit (on couches!) so long as a few of us buy drinks. And the place is a good compromise between north and south, and accessible from the MRT. Despite the pricey shops all around, it's actually the most economical place we can think of.
And damn, "cell phones with videos, Nintendo Wii, Videocams, sleek cars, cute dogs, beautiful and sexy girlfriends"? Wish I had any of those. Except the dogs.
Although my cellphone does have a flashlight, how friggin cool is that? ^.^
The Shangri-La meeting are OK @ Frank. I'm just saying the typical "masa" issue regarding the place. Alam ko naman kasing walang taga Baseco na pwedeng umated ng meeting natin.
At isa pa, yan kasi ang mga sinasabi ng mga "Luneta" freethinkers pag ikinukwento ko ang mga meeting natin eh. Damn! They can't even look at our posts sa Internet!
"cell phones with videos, Nintendo Wii, Videocams, sleek cars, cute dogs" ako wala rin lahat nyan at nang-uuto pa ako or nagscavenge para makainom ng Starbucks. I don't even buy from them. Wala din akong aso coz i'm a cat person.
Moving on, i understand the sentiments of John about the inaccessibility of the Starbucks site for others. But let me also say that Luneta is inaccessible as well. If the poor Freethinker is deterred from going to the usual gather of FF because of the inability to buy an espresso, so are others who want to avoid other circumstances. I myself grew up (and still am) a poor man, and that is the reason i would prefer a mall meeting instead of a park where i might lose some stuff or get into trouble.
My suggestion is to let both schools (the mall freethinkers, and the non-mall freethinkers for lack of better terms) flourish, then find a way to meet on a larger gather. I'm actually more for multiple small but dynamic groups flourishing on their own, than one big fellowship with only a few active and the rest as "supporters".
2 thumbs up^^
If only I was living in Manila and could join your meet-ups, I'd buy you the P175 Starbucks coffee every time as long as you keep coming up with great articles like this. 🙂
What you've written here is so sad. Imagine a poor freethinker. Make that 'potential' freethinker. Whatever ideas come into his head he could only share them with his equally poor and often ignorant friends and relatives who will try to suppress his rationality and skepticism lest he angers some divinity. With very limited access to the Internet and books, it would take a miracle to set his mind free from the shackles of oppressive religious dogma.
Which gives me an idea. What if the FF files for partylist accreditation in 2013? This way we can help promote science and reason to the Filipinos.
Thanks for the coffee @ innerminds.
Maybe that's what on my mind when I wrote this one…the poor freethinker or the potential freethinker who doesn't have anything. Maybe someday, we may able to help such an individual. FF may even create projects for those people.
Sa totoo lang kasi, I was inspired by Efren Peñaflorida and his Kariton Klasrum. I hope someday we can create a project like that.
Kariton Klasrum is a pushcart full of books and other educational materials that bring the classroom to children and educate in slum areas, dumpsites and even in the cemetery.
Efren Peñaflorida is just one man, just think of what we can do as a team.