Marie´s Blog

IDEOLOGY is a generic term, which means the body of   ideas characteristic of a particular individual, group or cultures. It is an overall view or attitude towards life whereby there are assertions, theories and aims that constitute a political, social and economic program or strategic course of action. Since ideology is basically just a body of ideas, it has to be developed, documented and extensively taught as doctrine for it to become a principle widely accepted as valid and authoritative.

Ideology, if proper and correct, is the moving factor and one of the most essential elements that constitute the aspiration of a nation, organization or a person. It is the basic foundation of doctrine and sets direction and defines the desired behavior, emotion beliefs, attitude and opinion of man.

Consequently therefore, an effective ideological indoctrination could positively develop people into practicing a way of   life that presupposes an ideal political, economic and social reformation. But is there such thing as perfect ideology which can serve not only the so called “national interest” but more importantly, the “highest interest” of humankind as well?

Generally speaking, different nation’s ideologies are influenced mainly by the principle of materialism and the inherent attitude of   worldliness of man. Money and power that denote economic and political magnifications are main concerns of governance and in the same vein, of man. Hence, economics and politics are subjects of primordial consideration in ideology’s conceptualization and its natural devolution.

Capitalism as an Ideology

The U.S. model of political democratic system espouses an economic ideology termed as capitalism. It is characterized by private of corporate ownership of capital goods ( i.e. factories, machinery, tools and commodities used in the production of goods ) and by prices, production and distribution of goods that are   determined mainly by a competition in free market. The government does not directly intervene with legitimate business activities, but mainly encourages and supports private entrepreneurship and help ensures growth and development enterprise. Many countries in the world including the Philippines adopt capitalism as the basic form of economic system. Unfortunately for Filipinos, the fruits of capitalism as a result of its practice here for almost two centuries had not been translated into tangible economic, political and social progress that is poor country had been hoping for. That was one of the reasons why some sectors were encourage  to look at a different ideological direction and that includes this humble presentation.

The Alternative Ideology

I remember my last days in high school   when I begun my own quest for a preconceived perfect ideology that I hoped to be able to adopt as my guiding principle in life. In between 1971 and 1972 before the declaration of martial law, which was a critical period in our country’s political history, I had an opportunity to attend some brief and informal indoctrination  {teach-ins ) about the principle of a revolutionary socialism based on the theory of Karl Marx and modified by Chairman Mao. I understand it was communism, which is an ideology that emphasizes common ownership of the means of production and distribution of products based on needs. Primarily included in its strategic program is the ultimate overthrow of capitalism through a Proletarian Revolution and the establishment of so called classless society. I was then inclined to submit myself to the principles to understand that it aims primarily to free the workers, peasants and other poor member of society from the “chain of poverty and slavery “.Incidentally, my father was a fisherman and his probable deliverance from extreme hard work with meager income was likewise the prime object of my idealistic aspiration. I thought it was the best opportunity for me to realize a dream not only for my parent but also to others similarly situated. However, it was not meant to be. There were questions in my mind that remained unresolved as I carefully considered the pros and cons of my probable submission.

Ideological Conflict

Least I may be understood, I’d like to explain that it is not meant to adversely criticize and in the process antagonized the proponents and adherents of ideologies herein mentioned. I can understand that capitalism, for instance, very well serves the national interest of the originat and the same is true with communism. The main point I want to raise is the inherent confrontational discrepancy between the two, which may be considered potential threats to world peace in the future generations. For instance, one ideology is perceived by the other to be anti-labor and hard-line  pro-capitalist while the other is considered pro-labor and hard-line anti-capitalist. This sharp contrast in theorem presents a dangerous     “ class   conflict “ scenario, which had in fact metamorphosed already into a long-drown-out “ ideological warfare “ the like of which we had witnessed during the Cold War period in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Poverty stricken third world  countries bear the fruit of the effects of violent insurgencies, counter insurgencies and other civil strife that brought about death , destruction, economic depredation, social injustice, human rights violations, poverty, famine, and diseases. Countries like Vietnam, Laos, Combodia, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Indonesia including the Philippines, to name a few, had been reduced to labor and testing grounds in the conduct of war for ideological supremacy. That this unfortunate and tragic incident is a phenomenon among nations with varying ideologies clearly indicates the infirmities and misunderstanding of the same.

Perfect Ideology Uncovered

Perfect ideology was an elusive dream. I thought but life must go on no matter what. So many years had passed and as I live my life according to the world, I found myself caught in the quagmire of my own ambition and self gratification. Admittedly, I had my share of human frailties and as I later achieved a certain degree of   “power” that brought me off the ground, a forceful collision with a greater “power” brought me back to the ground much deeper than before! The impact and magnitude of humiliating personal defeat which was proportionate to political, social, economic and military collapse effectively reduced me to nothingness. Objectively, the root cause of it all can be found neither on the surface of my fault nor on the abuse of authority by the other party. I realize that such a tragedy was a symptom of social malaise traceable from the deeply seethed ideological misconception by both of us in particular and by our sick society in general.

Down and dejected, I underwent a series of soul searching. I had to find solace and hopefully renewed vigor from within and from without  the confines of my spiritual shelter. In the process, I needed to find a righteous spirit to give me the right spiritual direction in my life. My search however proved futile as I discovered the fallibility of spirits outside my equally fallible religious faith.

I was about to lose hope until I found Bro. Eli   Soriano who, during a televised religious program Ang  Dating  Daan, assured audience with certainty as he was raising the Bible that there is hope for humankind. He succinctly stated afterward: “ Ang kailangan lang, ang gagawin mo, ang sasabihin mo,ang gagastusin mo kailangan nakasulat!” ( whatever you do , whatever you say, whatever expenditures you do, must be done as written in the Bible).

That phrase attracted my attention and I became so interested to the point that I found myself regularly watching his program. It marked the beginning of my true spiritual awakening. My continuous exposure to the method of undefiled preaching convinced me even more that his is the righteous spirit that gives the right spiritual direction. He guided me to read and understand the Scripture, and when I did, the perfect ideology that I had been longing for completely unfolded before my very consciousness. He lead me to the old path of righteousness and the pure religion of   The Church of God, which is the embodiment of   spiritual ideology   that emanated from GOD. Here is a divine ideology that teaches faith instead of doubt, hope instead of hopelessness, and love instead of hatred and animosity. It is the ideology that will give spiritual salvation, which is supposed to be the goal on the “highest interest” of mankind.

How I wish everybody adopt the perfect ideology for the spiritual healing of the society. But sad to say, it will not be the case because the ideology I was referring to is the least that at this point can penetrate the mind and heart of the majority of the human being

This is an article contributed by Domingo R. Tumambing from Davao City, Philippines.