Morals are formed because of careful observance of acceptable traits or social attitude in a society and this is institutionlized in any free agency, be it religion, education, traditions, customs, practices and beliefs. Religion may be only one of the institutionalizing agencies of morality,but it reserves the most legitimate authority, most especially in the Philippines.
Theoretically, not. A strong and peaceful society may not be founded by religious beliefs. A strong and peaceful society is built by people who knows how to respect other religion and its beliefs.
The Philippines is, in a way, a special case considering that the society, in general, is Roman Catholic. Roman Catholic in the sense of Spanish implantation--where the general population has adopted the Hispanic trait of devotion to religious customs and applied that to the different agencies of society. Where a politician is deemed 'pious' and 'acceptable' based on his visitiation to church, attending a vigil to varying patron saints, the virgin, the shrine to the Blessed Sto. Nino etc. Though I am not saying that the Filipino religiousity is completly Hispanic, but for the most part is a copy of the Spaniard's strict devotion, albiet an inclusion of indigenous superstition and flair. The special case in the Philippines is that religion does play a significant role in education, as well as politics. In regards to the educational aspect--just referencing the amount of catholic schools, or christian private schools, christian universities etc. And that in itself does play a role in the molding of one's identity and attitude in society in general.
One can see such religious devotion and see religion's influence in other sectors of society (politics, education) in Latin American countries--for example EUM (Los Estados Unidos de Mexico) where most of the population hold devotion or adoration for the Blessed Lady of Guadalupe (which holds semblance culturally and religiously to the Filipino's devotion to the Sto. Nino--and its role in the conversion of the population).
The Philippines, as well as other Latin American countries are rather similar to Spain in that regard. Where the concept of 'Separation of Church and State' is vied for, yet at the same time the reality speaks differently. Its when one has a proper understanding of the historical process and the role of religion in that particular society--sheds light to the situation.
And that being the Office of the Imperial Audencia was closely associated with Imperial Spain's Catholic Ecclesiastic Order. Politics, Economics (trade, business), Military, and Religion were all intertwined. And 2 centuries after their independence from Spain, Latin American states still retain that particular aspect. A century for the Philippines--and still--visible.
Just a thought.
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