The Rapid Development

How far does mass media help men? How far does it influence the lives of the people? How far does it dominate us? These are the questions I want to raise after reading the Apostolic Letter, The Rapid Development, of the late Pope John Paul II in response to mass communication. These questions are but an attempt to reflect the role of mass media in our society. These are just an evocation of one’s curiosity on mass media.

It is an advantage in our present time to have all these magnificent technologies. They bear the work of human hands but with the Creator’s mind governance. It is a fascinating human discovery that no one would ever think its vital help to us. No one would ever imagine the great influence in lives. The dreams of great men in the past become a reality for us. Da Vinci had it: the war machines and other prototype inventions. There is development that is very rapid and surprising. The simple telephone of Alexander Graham Bell becomes a proponent in developing cellular phones. They become a basic necessity of human existence. They are vital in human communication.

Moreover, the vitality of mass media in human communication becomes more meaningful when the word of God is inserted in the discussion. Mass media is part of God’s plan for man’s salvation. He allows mass media to develop in order to use it in communicating his Word. His mandate to his disciples in spreading the Good News to the ends of the world is only significant if man learns to use the given means of our time. However, it is necessary also not to interpret the Word of God arbitrarily, but, to be faithful to its message. This is the given “sign of times” that is presented to us. The late Pope John Paul II encouraged us not to be afraid in mass media. We have to use what is given to us. They are created in order to be used and not to manipulate us.

What we have to do is to be responsible in using them. Formation, participation and dialogue are necessary therefore in order to use mass media in spreading the Word of God. We must have a formation in using mass media in order to have a more intelligently way of using it. People who are knowledgeable of mass media should share what they know to those who do not undergo any formation. It is alarming nowadays since we can see children in computer shops playing any online games. What happens to them sometimes is that they are not able to have a critical judgement on the things that they are doing. Sometimes they become violent because they apply what they see and what they play.

Moreover, participation in mass media is necessary as well. This is to have a better perspective on mass media as a means and never a dominating factor in our society. Everything that is created has its own purpose and end. They cannot be the end per se but they can be the means in attaining another end. The sense of dialogue enters because one should have the sense of solidarity to others. To have dialogue to others is to guide them in proper way of using mass media. One should not simply allow others to commit errors because of their ignorance. But, through solidarity, one should guide and teach them.

With this, mass media will never be a dominating factor in human history but a help to have a better history and future. Mass media is just another way of communicating to other people. Mass media is a gift from God in order to use and not to be kept in the box. It is a means in spreading the Word of God and not to dominate people using religion. To spread the Word of God with pure intention is different from using religion, through Mass media, in order to spread disparity, wars and misunderstanding. It is alarming somehow because of what is happening in our time. Many sects attack each other through radio broadcasting or in television programs. This shows that their intention is not to bring the Word of God, but simply to attack each other. The word of late Pope John Paul II resounds until now: Do not be afraid! We should not be afraid in facing our present situation. We should be responsible to everything and to be fruitful. What counts someday is the fruit that we produce out of the means that are given to us in order to fruitful.

The Church and the Internet: Surfing the Internet.

 

 

            This title may not be appropriate for my reflection on the church document entitled, The Church and the Internet, but I believe that this will suffice. What I want to say here is the purpose of the internet, especially the benefits it gives to us.

            I used this title for the sake of analogy. Surfing is used in the internet to mean that one is to go over the different channels. Moreover, this implies as well that as one is surfing in the internet, one cannot but to encounter problems: like in surfing in the sea, one is to be considerate on the big waves so that he will not be tossed, easily. For others, surfing is just part of the human consumption. Internet is invented for the sake of human need. Others will justify this by asserting that we are free to do what we want and to use every good thing on earth. But pity are those who say this assertion, for they do not understand what human freedom is all about. Others will not speak not because they know nothing, but because they benefited a lot and to go against is to deny those benefits given by the internet.

            It is good that man is trying to discover things that are beneficial. That is why, though the internet is beneficial to all, morality and value of it is still considerable. In our time, where there are free websites in the internet, where everybody could open and use it, the necessity to review the value and morality of the internet is very alarming. On my part, I have seen children who are more knowledgeable than me in playing online games. The sad story here is that these children are exposed to violence and at their very young age, it is not suitable. The internet should communicate human values. This will show that technology is still part of God’s plan for human salvation. It is good as well that the Church is starting to use it to communicate the Word of God. There are online journals and websites that talk about Roman Catholic Church which help the believers to know more what their faith in Catholicism is.

            Hence, the word “surfing” does not simply imply that one is able to go over different channels anytime, but it says here as well that man is facing big waves that can devalue his life or to make his life more meaningful. To surf is to be ready on facing problems and distractions posted by the internet.

            People nowadays are tired of being told on things that they should know and not to do. They always reason out that they know everything. But well in fact, they knew nothing. They always say that they are above human technology and that they are the master of their own. But, in reality they are subjected already to technology that even talking to someone who is beside of them, they prefer to use their phone. Hence, we are stubborn and paradoxical. We deny something, yet in reality we are affirming it. We try to avoid something, yet we do not want to ignore them. We profess our beliefs and ideologies, but we never practice. What do we need to do is to examine ourselves: to know our purpose in life and our purpose of being-with-others.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethics in Advertising

Whenever I walk in the streets or in the mall; whenever I sat in front of the television; whenever I read newspaper and magazines; whenever I use the internet, I see advertisements. They are pooping everywhere, and in all empty spaces, there is always the chance to put any advertisement. This is now the situation that mass communication had given to us. They are helpful, but sometimes they are harmful as well. They bear the truths but sometimes, they are obliterated. Hence, the morality of advertising is questioned as well. They are to be clarified and the intentions are to be seen explicitly. The lessons are to be inculcated in each promotion of such product.

The opposites are happening to us, now. Advertising is dictating us to patronize their products. Advertisements being shown to us are always telling us that what they show is always right. They always remind us that what we see are true and that their aim is to give awareness to the people. But mind you people, they do not have that intention. Rather, they simply want to gain profits and to indorse their product.  We are being trapped to that notion. The worst sometimes is that they give some malicious advertisement.  

            Take for example this famous line: Who touches yours? Only, Bello touches mine!

This enunciation could be scandalous for a person who heard it for the first time because of the poetic expression of the desire to catch the attention of the viewer. I call this poetic because of the way they express their intention and the way the words are being enunciated. But this statement could lead as well to another interpretation aside from the intention of the maker of this commercial. And without any knowledge for the commercial but only this statement, one can come up to such weird and green conclusion. Hence, one can be lead to confusion though the depiction in the commercial has only one intention, that is, to promote the Bello products. However, for others, this is just a commercial. The intention is not convey any double meaning on the commercial. However, we cannot but to affirm in one way or another that this statement can contain another messages if it is heard. 

            Hence, the possibility of wrong human interpretation is always possible because there is always the chance to give another meaning to such not-so-clarified statements. May be the endorser has no intention here, but they should not simply rely of their own justification, rather they should consider the viewers.

            Ethics on advertisement is very important. One should remember that not all viewers can draw between the lines. There are others who say what they see without interpreting it in a proper way; who believes what they saw without any evaluation.

On “100 Years of Cinema”

I was in my elementary at that time when I had my first film viewing. The movie is about the life of Jose Rizal. However, since I was young then, my focus was not so much on the movie but on my fellow classmates, roaming around the cinema room. Sad to say, I did not understand anything on the story and to remember some scenes, I only remember the face of the actor and some of his companions. That was my sad experience on cinema.

However, though the movie was good, but the value of the movie for a young person like me is still vague. It has no lesson for me since I cannot really understand the movie. Hence, there is the necessary action in promoting films to young viewers, in order for them to understand what they are watching. It is imperative on the part of the producer to convey Christian values or even, moral values to such movie that is being created.

On the Church’s doctrine entitled, “100 Years of Cinema,” the authors or contributors speak of cinema as the most accepted form of culture. In every city, one cannot but to be amazed how cinema drives the interest of the people. It is already scattered everywhere. Hence, even the young ones are involved in this phenomenon of cinema. It is in this doctrine that the “fundamental right on the value of existence of the children” is being voiced out. This “guarantees the development of their whole person in accordance with their highest aspirations.” Without this aim, the rights of the children to have the freedom to watch what is proper to them will not be highly regarded. In this manner, such participation of the teachers, parents, movie makers are being called, therefore. They should evaluate the movie being shown and that they should explain certain values on the movie.

Moreover, concern on televisions is being called also. The problem on the televisions, which in one way or another affects mostly the children, is part of this doctrine. If there should be ethics on cinema, on televisions, ethics is highly regarded as well. For the reason that in televisions different movies are being shown and that the children can watch without any prohibition coming from the parents. That is why, the television is being called as the “baby-sitter” since busy mothers often leave their child in front of the television without thinking that “children are moulded by what they see and hear and that they assimilate uncritically.” This is very dangerous because not all movies in the televisions foster moral or Christian values and that the children, especially the younger ones, cannot still catch up certain values on the movie. That is why, if the children are being exposed to fantasy movies, there is always the possibility to act like what they watched.

Hence, the concerns are shifted on the people responsible of producing movies, since they are the creator. To the parents, they should always accompany their children in watching movies and try to inculcate to them the values that are being shown. To the teachers, they should give some guidelines to their student concerning on evaluating a movie and to give them exercises that help them in criticising such movie. To the Church educators, they should give proper evaluation on the movies and that the life of Christ should always be manifested whether it is a direct or indirect one.

What is the present challenge for us is to be critical on watching movies and that not all movies give us moral lesson, some just gives amusement and entertainment. A movie is good, when it gives a moral lesson, not simply because the movie is very phenomenal. It could be an hilarious experience on my part what had happened when i was young, but this could be a lesson to other people. We have to be critical in seeing things because sometimes they could not be what they are.

 

Aetatis Novae: A Dialogue of the Church with the Modern World

It is interesting that ours today is the time of modern technology. The trends of gadgets and machines are kept on emerging in every corner of the world. Ours is the time of sophisticated world that has to offer. Ours is the time where everything is instant just by clicking. Ours is the time of the fastest way of communication through televisions, internet, and cellular phones with their sophisticated features. Hence, everything changes. The modern world cannot but to provide the unstoppable desires of man. Man became a slave of the modern technology, of mass media and of his own desires. Man became a mere consumer of what the world has offered. Thus, ours is the time to reflect everything; to have a renewal and a consciousness of what technology is, especially the role of mass media.

It is the task, therefore, of the Church to be in communion with the modern world; to be in communion with her people. The Church should not confine the Word of God in the sacristy, but to make known to every corner of the world. The Word of God came to us and to be with us, he assumed the human nature and not of anything else. He became like us in order to share what we have and to give fullness to our nature. This is the mission now of the Church in our present age—to present Christ in man and to show that everything is in communion with him. Hence, it resounds here the very words of St. Paul: “TO RENEW ALL THINGS IN CHRIST.” That is why, even St. Pius X adopted these very words of St. Paul as his motto and that he brought a renewed Church during his time.

The Church is always in renewal, ecclesia simper reformanda. Part of her reformation is her dialogue with the modern world, particularly on the use of the mass media. In renewing herself to Christ, this dialogue is open to changes and adoption. The Church sees this in mass media. She sees the potentiality to be the instrument of spreading the word of God. However, it is her task to secure man’s dignity and his salvation. Therefore, precautions and rigorous study on its effects are to be studied well.

What is safeguarded always here therefore is man’s dignity and salvation. Man is the end of everything; of all the works that done by the Church. Jesus came to the world, in order to save humanity; likewise, this mission is on the hand of the Church now. What the Church has to offer to us is for our own seek. This dialogue of the Church with the modern world is to save mankind from the bad influences of mass media. The Church is providing us a better understanding of the modern world. The Church is opening us from a better perspective in seeing technology. The Church is there for us.

What we have now is just a product of this dialogue. What we have to do now is to commit ourselves in this dialogue and to have a conscious mind. We are being-in-the-world and we are immersed in the world having a dialogue with all things that happen to us. We, especially the youngs, are invited to be involved with this dialogue.       

Pornography and Violence in the Communication Media: A Pastoral Response

Pornography is not only a violation of the spiritual dignity and morality of conscience but also a violation of sacred human values in front of a growing laxity of modern journalism.

The search for happiness and self-gratification of man is his first concern in life. However, not all things can be the source of man’s happiness, but can be the source of his own damnation as well. Pornography can be a source for self-gratification, but it is sudden and can never give true happiness for us. It will never give the authentic happiness that we want. Happiness is seen in our actions that bear good value to anybody. It is part of man’s creation devoid of morality. The situation of pornography in our time is a challenge to everyone to reflect the real issues behind it. The issue here is the violation that pornography gives to society. Human dignity and the value of the human person is being exploited and never respected. This can be harmful to everyone since people involved in this kind of activity are not considered as human beings but brutes. They became an instrument to amuse the viewer. People involved in this activity look for pleasure and money, but never a good intention to anybody.  

For everyone, watching pornographic materials becomes natural because of its popularity. Our easy access to internets, televisions and books give us the feeling that pornography is everybody’s business. Morality behind everything is never considered in our time already. For anybody, pornography is part of man’s search for pleasure. Thus, to watch pornography simply means to open up our mind to the world or reality.

This is a very sad situation in our time because there is no consciousness to morality. It seems that morality is a hindrance to man’s happiness. Man cannot do what he wants because there is morality that says what is right and what is wrong. Our conscience becomes erroneous sometimes because of what we believe personally. We do not want to abide to the law. We want a total freedom. Freedom to do what we want means to choose what is good. Freedom of action is to do a good action but never an evil one. Pornography or even watching pornography is never a freedom of action. It is the work of the devil.

Moreover, as technology is doing its best to give us the latest trends, the society needs to adapt as well to the situation. However, the problem in our society is that it tends to forget the morality that is to be considered. We are now considered as a mere consumer and that our dignity as a human person is isolated. We are not here simply to enjoy life; to do what we want. We are here to fulfill what our self, but never to use pornography as a means.

It is our task, therefore, to use our mind and to choose what is right for us. We are human beings but we cannot only attain happiness through our concupiscence, but we are spiritual being. We aim for the greatest happiness in life and that is, to attain eternal life. The problem in this issue of pornography is everybody’s business. Young or old, priest or lay, we are asked by the church to be sober and alert. The evil did not stop alluring us since the beginning of time. He is everywhere and in different forms.

Communio et Progressio

Today, much that men and women know and think about life is conditioned by the media: for considerable extent, human experience itself is an experience of media

 

The rising of media in our generation becomes part of human existence and that media itself is inevitable to everybody. However, despites the advantages that media is offered to us, there are disadvantages also that people sometimes do not recognized. People think that they can control media.

 

The role of media in our society is a great help also in preaching the Word of God and that the fast access to everybody is one of the contributions that the media gave to us. The Church, amidst on the influence of society, needs to use media as a part of her evangelization. The Church always aims for the communion of everybody. She always reflects the communion that the Holy Trinity has. God communicated with us through the Incarnation of the Word, Jesus Christ. This communication of God to his people is God’s desire since the beginning of time when Adam and Eve was banished from the Garden. He gave his Son for the sake of Redemption from sin and death.

 

This communication of God to His people is reflected on the very use of mass media. Mass media is a creation that God has a plan for it. He allows it to be part of man’s existence so that he can communicate His Word to us. It is the will of God to have the development of technologies, for us to be able to communicate with others. He wants us to be united, to have one heart and one soul. Thus, it is our mission to be one; for the Holy Trinity is a union of three Persons. We need to reflect this union of the Holy Trinity, in order for us to understand the message of God. Hence, mass media is a means for us to be united and to share the Word of God that we have.

 

Thus, mass media offers us an alternative for us to communicate with other people. It is our opportunity, therefore, to grab the use and advantages of mass media for us. Despites of the side effects that the mass media has, we are still advised to be careful in using it. We should be attentive on what is happening on our society. We should be meticulous on what mass media is offering to us. We should a good user of mass media. We are the user and thus, we should use it in a way that God wants us to use it.   

GUIDE TO THE TRAINING OF FUTURE PRIESTS CONCERNING THE INSTRUMENT OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION

“If  students for priesthood and religious in training wish to be part of modern life and also to be at all effective in their apostolate, they should know how the media work upon the fabric of society, and also the technique of their use. This knowledge should be an integral part of their ordinary education.”(Communio et Progessio,111)

            With the same ground, the GUIDE TO THE TRAINING OF FUTURE PRIESTS CONCERNING THE INSTRUMENT OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION speaks also the necessary action for the future priests in terms of their education on mass media. The Guide is asking those who are under the formation for priesthood to be knowledgeable on the latest development of technology, without putting aside who they are. The proper use of mass media, the application of mass media in the apostolate and to be the guide to the faithful in using mass media properly, these are the tasks of the future priests and it should be part of their education. Thus, the candidate for priesthood should be a diligent receiver so that he can apply this to his apostolate and be a teacher as well to his faithful.

            With this context, where technology is more sophisticated and advanced, where am I? With all the mass media can offer to me and with the fast access to the net, who am I in this society? Am I still part of the receiver? Or just a spectator of what is happening right now? Sometimes, I, as a candidate for priesthood, am really surprise with the technology that we have. From mp3’s to the thinnest Mac Air, I am really glad that we have all these kinds of gadgets. But sometimes, being fed up with what we have, keeps me apart and to distance myself(frankly speaking I don’t own any cellphone). I thought that technology will make our life easier and mass media can give us a better information about the happenings around the globe. But, some of the news are mere fabricated news, and adding up those senseless movies and, even telenovelas. Maybe, there are good effects also of technology and mass media. In some churches, they have the living rosary and angelus through radio; they use LCD projector for their seminars and even during the Mass celebration. But that is not yet enough. There are a lot of things to do and to teach to the children, especially the fast access to the net.

            Yeah, the Guide was right. I need to be educated as a member of the future priests. I myself was exposed to mass media at my early age without any formal education or even informal education from my parents. This will happen also to the next generation of young people if proper education is not taught to them. Thus, it is the task of a priest to save the souls of this little ones. How to save them? One should be part of the modern society. And, one should learn the techniques of mass media. I am with them. Hoping someday that I will guide my own flock, I hope that I can teach them the proper use of mass media, especially in our society that keeps on changing and advancing towards a new millennium. This Guide was written not for our own advantages, but for the salvation of the souls, to be more available to them despite the fast changing world, and to preach the Good News until the ends of the earth. How about you? Will you be one of us?    

 

Inter Mirifica

The advancement of science and the easy access to modern technology keep the Church more updated and more relevant to our present time. The influence of mass media to people makes the Church the awareness that preaching the Word of God is not anymore confined to pulpit but through the use of mass media also. Thus, the Church can use mass media in preaching the Word of God to the four corners of the world.

Moreover, it is the task of the Church to secure the informations that are being transmitted through mass media since there are young audiences that want to be updated as well. That is why, the Church is asking the faithful to use the mass media in proper ways. To be literate in technology means to use them in proper ways and not just knowing how to use them. They are good in themselves but the morality depends on us.

In the Church document, entitled Inter Mirifica, the Church is talking about the morality of mass media and the awareness of the lay people and Church leaders. The lay should always talk about the word of God whenever they are giving messages though mass media. Likewise, the priests should be updated and literate on social communication so that they can use it in propagating the Word of God.

This Church document keeps me aware that the Church is always available to the faithful through the use of mass media. She always preaches the Word of God in whatever means and never outdated in moral issues. That is why the Mother Church is asking us to be aware about the present issues of modern technology and its effect to us.

As a student, this awareness to mass media is a great help to me but to use improperly them is a great doom to us as well. Thus, we should be careful in using mass media. To resoung what the church said, their  fate belongs to us and the morality is always in us. Thing in themselves are good, but to use them in contrary to their nature is wrong.