In order to preserve tradition, it’s best not to be traditional; the pope from the end of the world.
Does tradition have to continue on? In a country where a single dance could identify their race; where a single song is a hymn of a distinct community; or a certain act could name a group of people, is tradition really that important to us? In our nation, we use these to make our culture, values, morals and other beliefs recognizable to the other parts of the globe. But in the end of the day, will tradition really help us carry on living in this mysterious world?
It is the basic idea that traditions are beliefs, information and customs that are handed down by word of mouth or by practice from one generation to another. Traditions identify a nation. As the traditions transport to different people, from children to children, than obviously these traditions change and evolve. I strongly argue that to retain our culture it will be the satisfaction of all to not be traditional. There are aspects in our traditions that we can keep because they are good, it help us develop our authentic self. But there are also aspects in our traditions that needed to be renewed, challenged, revised or changed - here we can think of those aspects that demean life, thus, being traditional will not yield to the real and true meaning of tradition.
I retain my stand coupled with the words of Dean Andy Bautista of the Philippine Star as he reiterates that perhaps it is high time that we resolve to examine our traditions; for indeed, while tradition – like culture – is a relatively positive and constructive term, it can also have a darker side.
Moreover, when it is a problematic practice that has been sanitized by being described as “customary” or “normal,” then we may need to re-examine traditions or how a tradition is applied. To justify my point, in the ancient times, our ancestors claim that we are under the reign of different gods and goddesses, that the environment are talking to us, that spirits are watching us. We call most practices, superstitions and day by day, these superstitions would tell us what to do and what to avoid. This is one of the disadvantages of traditions.
This modernized world exposes change that even our tradition is involved as well. Our culture is now affected by the growing and fast moving power of technology and communication. People are now mesmerized by its advantages. But where does the great tradition fits in amongst this robotic world?
As said by another Philippine Star writer, Jose C. Sison, traditions are really hard to break. It cannot be done overnight by the sweeping stroke of a legislative pen and by the tentative reaches of the short arm of the law. The solution here is, as the world progresses and develops; traditions will also do the same.
Let us take the situation of the prominent scientist Galileo Galilei as an instance. He is both a scientist and a devout catholic, not a perfect match. Galileo, though a scientist, believed in God due to the tradition of the Catholic Church. He loves his religion but believes in science. He proposed the fact that the earth is not the center of the Solar system; rather, it is the sun. His theory enraged the church and held him to custody. The point is Galileo Galilei believed that science and tradition could unite and make a difference to the world. Look at our world now, we are able to survive with science and traditions combined.
Our ethnic dances has danced through worldwide because of social networking sites, our culture and traditions are now popular because of mass media, communication and technology. As the world changes, we change, and as we change our traditions do as well. We may be visionless by the power of technology, but we should never disable ourselves by the assets of traditions. We show respect through traditions, we show ourselves through these, the world revolves under traditions.
Going back to the question, should tradition continue on? Yes. The wise words from Jose Bergamin will conclude on what I believe in, “Tradition simply means that we need to end what began well and continue what is worth continuing.”