Euphemism: The Evil in Disguise

SOCIETY today proves to be confusing and even tempting. What has deen defined as wrong is being justified. There are people who even use euphemism to legitimize misdeed.

Euphemism is the use of another term for a misdeed to make it sound agreeable or less offensive. It is created to amuse people and to mislead them. A lot of it can be heard or read in today’s world. For example, computer addiction is called a “hobby,” while gambling is named “gaming.” Euthanasia, or the act of killing the terminally ill, is called “mercy killing.” Prostitution in Europe is considered as “profession,” while in the Philippines it is referred to as “booking.”

Today’s mass media is filled with euphemism. In the news, one may hear someone defend contraceptives as “reproductive health” and “family planning” services. Abortion is given the less offensive terms “pro-choice” and “women’s right.” Same sex marriage, meantime, is being considered under “gender equality.” Pre-marital sex as "sexual freedom."

Lamentably, a lot of people fall victim to these terms, as these terms make sin sound appropriate to the demands of the modern life. And since these sound good, people often turn to these sins and forget about their Christian ideals.

*

One day a group of women who are friends gathered to have some coffee after a busy day. These women are the kind who have impressive educational backgrounds and careers that many people dream about. They are intelligent and daring go-getters who take on the liberal stand in the modern world.

While they were catching up on each other’s lives, someone popped this question, “meron pa bang virgin ngayon?”

“Ano ba namang tanong iyan, parang nakakahiya na naman ngayon kung virgin ka pa,” answered one.

“At saka di na uso ‘yon, panahon pa ‘yon ni Maria Clara,” said another. “Iba na’ng panahon ngayon”

Almost all of them approved what the two women said – except for one, Jane, a devout Christian.

Jane wanted to speak up, but hesitated. She knew her friends and didn’t want to become their laughing stock.

“Marami sila, iisa lang ako. Mapapahiya ako, ” she told herself. “Di na lang ako magsasalita.”

But Jane felt uneasy, knowing that she had to stand up for the truth, even if it will cost her image.

So she did, and told them, “Sorry to burst your bubbles girls but I have to disagree… Meron pa namang mga virgin ngayon, kahit di na uso... Like me. I believe sex should come only after marriage.”

“Hindi nga? Bakit?” asked one, visibly surprised. “Wala namang masama if you do it before marriage. Katawan mo naman iyan. And for as long as the guy is not committed with someone, why not?”

“Tama!” said another. “We are women, and just like the men, we have the right to sexual freedom. Naku, kung hindi mo gagamitin iyan, magiging nata de coco iyan.”

And they all laughed at her.

*

Many claim that the only constant thing in this world is change. So as time passes by, the ways of the world change and the people change their faith, too. Wrong becomes right. Evil becomes good.

But people often forget that only the Word of God never changes.

Brothers and sisters, how many of us have experienced being the butt of jokes for standing up for spreading the Word of God? Many of us are often silenced, fearing that the so-called "modern" world might ridicule us, just as what Jane experienced with her friends.

But if we truly love God, fear will not stand on our way of spreading His Word. Just as Jane did in the story, we must not let the threats of this world silence us. We must stand up for our faith. We must love God with all our hearts and with all our minds, for this world ends but the Word of God is eternal.