There are so many things that ordinary Filipinos do not know about their national hero. Even if his two novels (Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo) is being studied in high school and his life and works in college as part of the curriculum, many things have been left out of importance. Many details in the novels have been omitted and some aspects of Rizal’s life have been neglected if not concealed for some reasons.
For instance, it is little known that Rizal was actually a deist. He had a firm belief in God but he rejected revealed religion. When we say revealed religion, it refers to a religion that bases its teachings on a supposed revelation from God contained in “holy books” and/or traditions handed down from generations to generations. One can read Rizal’s exposition on this subject in his correspondence with a Jesuit priest, Fr. Pablo Pastells, who was actually his spiritual director during his youthful years in Ateneo. The exchange occurred when Rizal was in an exile in Dapitan and when Fr. Pastells was already the Superior of the Philippine Mission of the Society of Jesus.
In his third letter to Pastells, our national hero explained:
“Through reasoning and by necessity, rather than through faith, do I firmly believe in the existence of a creative Being. Who is he? I do not know. What human sounds, what accents are we to use in pronouncing the name of this Being whose works overwhelm the imagination? Can anyone give him an adequate name, when a small creature on this earth with power so fleeting carries two or three names, three or four surnames, and many more titles and designations? We call him Dios but this only comes from the Latin dues and ultimately from the Greek Zeus. What kind of being is he? I would attribute to him, to an infinite degree, all the beautiful and holy qualities my mind can think of, but the fear of my ignorance constrains me. Someone has said that everyone conjures up his own God in his own image and likeness. And if my memory serves me right, it was Anacreon who said that if a bull could form an image of God, it would imagine with horns and mooing in a superlative degree. Even so I venture to think of him as infinitely wise, mighty, good (my idea of the infinite is imperfect and confused), when I behold the wonders of his works, the order that reigns over the universe, the magnificence and expanse of creation, and the goodness that shines in all.”
“Unable to pass judgement on what surpasses my powers, I settle for studying God in his creatures like myself and in the voice of my conscience, which only can have come from him. I strive to read and find his will in all that surrounds me and in the mysterious sentiment speaking from within me, which I strive to purify above all else.”
Thus, Rizal’s belief in a Deity was based on reasonable reflection of nature as well as from conscience and not on faith or divine revelation. On the same letter, Rizal expressed his disbelief on the teachings of ancient sacred books. He writes:
“The various religions claim to have God’s will condensed and written in books and dogmas; but apart from the many contradictions, conflicting interpretations of words, and many obscure and untenable points I find in them, my conscience, my reason cannot admit that he who like a wise father had provided his creatures with everything necessary for this life, proceeded to bury what was necessary for eternal life in the obscurities of a language unknown to the rest of the world and hide it behind metaphors and deeds that go against the very laws of nature. Is it possible that he who makes the sun rise for all and the air to blow everywhere to give life, he who has endowed everyone with intelligence and reason for life here on earth, has also hidden from us what is most necessary for our eternal life? What shall we say of a father who heaps candies and toys on his children, but gives food only to one of them, educates and rears him alone? And what if it so happens that this chosen one refuses to eat while the others die looking for food?”
But Rizal goes to qualify his denial of revelation. He only denied special revelation that came through ancient books or traditions. He pointed it out in his fourth letter to Fr. Pastells that:
“I believe in revelation, but in the living revelation of nature which surrounds us everywhere, in the voice speaking out through nature – powerful, eternal, incorruptible, clear, distinct, and universal as the Being from which it comes. It is this revelation that I believe in, which speaks to us and penetrates our being from the day we are born to the day we die. Can any other books reveal to us more faithfully God’s work, his goodness, his love, his providence, his eternity, his glory, his wisdom? ‘The heavens tell the glory of the Lord, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Ps 19:1’ Must humanity look for other gospels in order to love God? Do you not believe that men did wrong when they looked for God’d will in scrolls and temples instead of the wonders of nature under the majestic canopy of the skies? Instead of interpreting obscure passages or phrases which provoked hatreds, wars, and dissensions, would it not have been preferable to interpret the facts of nature the better to shape our lives according to its inviolable laws and utilize its resources for our perfection?”
It is then obvious that Rizal was neither Catholic nor Protestant or any other religion you know. He just came to the conclusion that God exists through reasoning and through studying nature and not from any suspicious and contradictory revelation. I advise you get hold of these exchanges with Fr. Pastells. You can also read the honest and equally intelligent replies of Fr. Pastells, which makes their exchange mentally stimulating and really interesting. But in the end, Rizal remained unmoved. He was not convinced by the priest’s arguments as was clearly expressed in his last letter.
Therefore, our national hero, who was incontestably intelligent and no doubt studied these matters carefully, came to arrive at a very simple religious philosophy that was attuned to be one of the foundations of the Filipino nation; attuned to his aspirations of independence, academic and religious freedom for our country.
Reference:
Bonoan, Raul J., S.J. 1994. The Rizal-Pastells Correspondence. Manila: Ateneo de Manila University Press. pages 121-216
There you go..the main topic on ‘Relijournal’,”Dr. Jose Rizal: The Foremost Filipino Deist; Who would not argue with that related topic.. As i aspect these would cool you guys. When i say his was a Muslim Islam, everything goes neutral. If he was Old Muslim religion(followers of Isa@Jesus), I don,t blame for all of the confusion.
Now this is important to know.In Islam context, Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h is the 1st important prophecy and 2nd is Prophet Jesus@ Isa. For Islam Isa@Jesus,his body and soul, 1 piece are carried to heaven and God fixed the one who betrayed him were made to look like him and was crucified.
And as for Dr. Jose Rizal, born genius, even though he was mixed blood but his heart and soul is Philippine for Filipinos. he can read at 3 yrs old, he knows 22 languages.He has known something spiritually by his own curiosity. The way he preached may be different but his attention is to free from the evil, greedy Spaniards from slavery and tortured.His idea somehow were different in those days.During his execution he was escorted by two Catholic Priests, he was ask to kneel but he never did.
“My idolized country, sorrow of my sorrows,
Beloved Filipinas, hear my last good-bye.
There I leave you all, my parents, my loves.
I’ll go where there are no slaves, hangmen nor oppressors,
Where faith doesn’t kill, where the one who reigns is God.”
hwag na kayong mag away pa…kasi wala na tayong magawa kong pag-aawayan niyo yan. ang importante ngayon kung saan ba ang “el reino de Dios” yan ang importante ninyong malaman kung saan ito ? at ano ba ito? yan ang isipin ninyo………. at kung saan ito ? Dapat tayong lahat ay masaya kasi Dito Sa Pilipinas itayo ang “el reino de Dios”. dapat tayong lahat na filipino ay magkaisa huwag mag-aaway yan ang hinihingi sa panginoon. Love one another …..
naitindihan ba ninyo. kapag susunod tayo sa utos ng Diyos tayo ay makapasok doon?
Masih jua inda paham paham, sasak kali jua ah ngajar urang budoh ani.Mun paham bisai.
Huwag magalit, ako ang tutulok. Slamat, maganda umaga.
Pu ke yi sen chi, wo wiao su chio. Chai chen, wan an.
hahay….
maybe Rizal deserved to be our national hero…but i think it’z quite BORING to study his life again and again…
wat’z d use????
rizal course is so BORING!!!!
So what is the reason of this forum as you know it’s about Dr. Jose Rizal: The Foremost Filipino Deist. You misunderstood the whole point here. Studying their life stories is the way we appreciate their heroism. And you Enid are no use to this forum. Get out of here go and drive your car and runs it’s over the hill. Once you dead don’t try to remember what had happen to your death..Cause its Boring!
Cuál es la razón de este foro como usted sabe está tan sobre el Dr. Jose Rizal: El primer Deist filipino. Usted entendía mal el punto entero aquí. Estudiar sus historias de la vida es la manera que apreciamos su heroísmo. Y usted Enid no es ningún uso a este foro. Salga de aquí van conducir su coche y funcionamientos que está sobre la colina. Una vez que usted muerto no intente recordar qué tenía suceder a su muerte. ¡Cause su taladro!
So was der Grund dieses Forums ist, wie Sie wissen, ist es über Dr. Jose Rizal: Das vorderste Filipino Deist. Sie mißverstanden den vollständigen Punkt hier. Ihre Lebengeschichten zu studieren ist die Weise, die wir ihren Heroism schätzen. Und Sie Enid sind kein Gebrauch zu diesem Forum. Verlassen Sie hier gehen Ihr Auto und Durchläufe fahren, die es über dem Hügel ist. Sobald Sie tot nicht versuchen, dich zu erinnern, an was hatte, Ihrem Tod zu geschehen. Verursachen Sie sein Bohren!
But thanks for remembering my ancestor.
BAKLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ekau forever bakla too!U fales Jose Rizal. Kiss my dozen ass monument, kumain sick baboi.
nice. very well written. more power!
uhm can anybody help me…
para saan ba ung MI ultimo adios…
anong ibig niyang ipahiwatig…
ang lalim naman kase…
TNX PO…
how did the words of rizal influence the Filipinos to cry for independence?
ka\’loka kayo.. thanks na lang.. nakatulong kayo sa paggawa ng aking assignment.. ahaha..
take care kayoo…
……in the course of Philippine revolution, Riza had ……..
kalimutan k n eh,, basta panoorin nyo na lang movie nya….
……in the course of Philippine revolution, Rizal had ……..
kalimutan k n eh,, basta panoorin nyo na lang movie nya….
ang galing nman thanks nkgawa ko ng research ko dhil dito but I think wla ng dpat pagawayan ksi hero nman lhat sila just look at the good point that all of them I mean Rizal and Bonifacio did great things to serve and save the country kung works lang din though mraming ngwa si rizal kysa kay bonifacio remember n nkgawa din siya ng sriling poem prehas lng silang nagsikap pra sa byan what’s the arguing for if both of them are both heroes already I think this debate is already finished un lang hehehehe nki side comment lang slamat ulit sa mga info niyo more powers!!!!!
R. Lapid? Waw, ang sarap ng tsitsaron mu! Though I agree that Rizal should not be the Filipino national hero, I disagree with your statement that he was a Spaniard inside. He did not “look down” upon the common man. He allowed only the educated to join La Liga Filipina because they needed people who can actually think of ways to gain freedom in a peaceful manner. To tell the truth, I believe that no one deserves to be the Philippine national hero. Every time I think of these so called “heroes” I can’t help but to ask myself if they had a differend agenda other than “the freedom of my people” >_>
ps: I’m a 15 year old deist, dudes.
My question is… who made rizal to ba a foremost hero in the country?Who should be our foremost hero, bonifacio or rizal?
I think the one should be the hero in the country are those who died against the spaniards, the persons who risk their life for the country eventhough their not genius like rizal nor braver like bonifacio, as long as they love their country.
09xinajJANIX09, I don’t think so. Heroism is not measured by the bloods that were shed nor the love for their country. I think heroism is doing what you know is right. It is when you know that you are scared, but still, goes on.. A hero is someone who admits that he/she is afraid, but never quits.
I think Rizal deserves to be the national hero. He was the one who caused the opening of the hearts of Filipinos to freedom. He caused Bonifacio’s so called rebellion. Even though he fought with the Spaniards through his books, i think he contributed a lot to our freedom. He caused the Filipino’s desire to be free from the Spaniards.. -through his books. *THIS IS JUST AN OPINION FROM A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.
*
hello to all…sender.. hm I really like the heroic of Rizal. I really Like to Study the Life Cycle of Rizal,, I really Like to Report about Rizal.. My report is (chapter 10) The First Homecoming of Rizal in CAlamba.. hmm try to read.. ang Galing ni Albert Martines mag Act paraang Rizal heheh, Goo maka Relate ka..
Islam is the Devil\\\’s regilion and if Rizal was a Muslim then he was a disciple of Satan. Muhammad was possessed by Lucifer.
world peace nlng please..rizal and bonifacio are both hero..& wat you are ol talkng about was only the past..wat you have to focus is on “what you can do now after ol?”.kaya nyo rin ba ang mga gnawang kbyanihan nilang dlwa?well..i think you cn also do something for the country..dats wat you need to put in your mind guyz..godbless..
rizal nor bonifacio is no hero.. super man is the hero. in philippines captain barbel….
MGA TOL!!! patay na si Dr. Jose Potatoe Rizal y Alonzo Realonda at si Capitan Andres Bonifiete….wag na kaung mag.away….well anyways, HOY LAPID!!! gusto mo tumakbo sa senate noh? well sorry ka nalang, bawal may kaparehang apelido sa senate…. Pwde ka rin naman tumakbo as governor!!!! tulad ng utol mo na si LITO!!! amfufufufufu bleh!!!! UNGAS kA!!! >.<
…though I am telling my classmates that Jose Rizal did not befit in the title of being the national hero, I am not implying that I pointing Bonifacio to replace him(Rizal)because they keep on questioning me who should be…But what I want is to make the title vacant…for us not to argue if who’s the best to be crowned with the title…Is it really necessary to have a national hero?If so, then we may mean that rizal is superior than other heroes who,like him, just also did love the country and fight for the Filipinos’ freedom…And no one befits the title because I can see defects on their characters though I know that no one is perfect…We can still laud Jose Rizal by not only putting him on the position of being the National Hero..let’s just do praising him like what we do to our other heroes…Again, if we palce in him the tile, others would meaning that he’s above other heroes and thus, would conclude that there is bias in the treatment..thanks.
In my opinion.. knowing the genius out of Rizal… If Darwin’s theory was already prominent those times… he would have rather been an atheist… Rizal died only 37 years after Darwin’s book was first published… not a lot of years considering his works was debunking Christianity.. knowing that Darwin’s work was not yet widely known even after his death… Rizal’s and Darwin’s death differential were only 14 years…. If Rizal possibly has read about the origin of species, I believe I am wrong… ^_^
did Rizal can wrote a script at the age of 3-yrs old…?????
please reply me in my FB…
tnx..^_^
I think he was a Pantheist
That the Philippine national hero was a Deist does not shock me; the founding fathers of the USA were Deists too. Some people have the gift to think “outside the box” – others follow their friends into a murderous jihad because some stupid book tells them to do so. Given such choice, I would choose Deism any day!!!
(”A tree is known by it’s fruit.” – Jesus Christ)
This post was truly enlightening. I encourage you to make more articles like this.
Yes, I do agree with Rizal.His concept about religion was simple:
you don’t have to look elsewhere to find God because He is everywhere; His DNA is your DNA.
God is the epitome of love, excellence and orderliness. Nature
follows these principles, and I wonder why we rarely does as we are part of nature.
A natural love of a mother to her offspring and the unconditional love of a child to his parent,the passing of the seasons and
the diverse ecosystem that only our planet can nurture comes to mind.
Look at what Rizal did, he followed these same qualities till the end of his life.
He was romantically involved with different women in his life, but the
love and sacrifice he showed for his family and his country is incomparable.
He always had the opportunity to escape his oppressors and practice medicine in Hong Kong or in Europe
but he elected to stay to be with his family and countrymen. He is always in order, you can always see
the purpose of his decisions. He is calculating, always estimating and
always has reasons for his actions. Some maybe controversial, but nevertheless,
what effects his actions had is evident by the timeless honor and respect we are now offering to him.
He led an excellent life worth noting for. He was a linguist, a writer , a sportsman , a doctor , a
scientist and a patriot.
He wanted to show to us, through example, that in order to find God or the Supreme Being, you need
to go out and commune with Him through others and through your surroundings. Be the best that you can
be. Always be reasonable and have a conscious effort to mind your actions. Above all, nurture oneself, the
environment and the people you interact everyday.
Dexter the pantheist you suck.