A Legion of Demons

Sundays are supposed to be spent lolling around in bed, a day reserved for doing nothing except maybe to watch television or contemplate one's navel. Another thing most of us do is lazily go through the morning papers with a cup of coffee. Reading the newspapers online is so much easier, you can avoid all the ads. I particularly do not like reading the Star, but after getting a heads up from MLQ3, I put on my running shoes, zipped out the door, ran through the rain and bought a hard copy. Imagine my surprise -



















This is a cropped section of a full page ad taken out by Singaw ng Bayan against One Voice in their favorite paper. The rest of the ad is a waste of newsprint. As to this section's content, either the copy writer thought he was being cool and profound or is really working for Singaw ng Bayan's detractors. The highlighted line is from the Bible, the Gospel according to Mark:

The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man

1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. 4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"

9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"

"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." 13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." 20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Geez, anyone who has seen "The Exorcist" and its many sequels knows this line by heart. But then, Singaw's description of their membership is apt, perfect. They are not only possessed by evil demons that create liars, abet cheats, and encourage greed, they are woefully blinded by the evil promises whispered to them by their Mistress.

Just for the record, I do not believe One Voice is spending that much money. These figures are bloated, like the ego of Rep. Rudy Antonino. Speaking of financing, do you have any idea of just how much Singaw has spent on the many broadsheet, full page ads defending itself? How much of our tax money (via the Office of the President, mind you) has been spent sending out its Advocacy Commission? They claim to have crisscrossed our country, touting Charter Change's empty promises of economic growth, yada yada yada. How much has been spent on bribing our congressmen so they can once again vote down the Citizen's Impeachment Complaint? You do the math.