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Iglesia ni Cristo

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Iglesia ni Cristo
File:Iglesia ni Cristo logo.png
ClassificationIndependent,[1][2][3]
OrientationMonotheistic [4]
PolityHierarchical
LeaderEduardo V. Manalo
RegionWorldwide, concentrated in the Philippines [5]
FounderFelix Y. Manalo[6]
OriginJuly 27, 1914 [7]
Punta, Santa Ana, Manila
Congregations5600+[8]
Members900,000+ in Central Luzon;[9] around 70,000 in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental [10]
Hospitals1
Tertiary institutions2

Iglesia ni Cristo[11] (pronounced [ɪˈɡleʃɐ ni ˈkɾisto]); Tagalog for Church of Christ ; also known as INC, and previously known as Iglesia ni Kristo or INK (Kristo being the Tagalog translation for Christ)[12], is the largest entirely indigenous Christian [13] religious organization that originated from the Philippines[14] and the largest independent church in Asia.[15] Due to a number of similarities, some Protestant writers describe the INC's doctrines as restorationist in outlook and theme.[16]. INC, however, does not formally consider itself to be part of the Restoration Movement.

Felix Y. Manalo officially registered the church as a corporation sole with himself as executive minister on July 27, 1914[17] and because of this, most publications refer to him as the founder of the church.[6] However, the official doctrines of the church profess that Jesus Christ is the founder of the INC[18] and that Felix Manalo was the last messenger, sent by God to re-establish the Christian Church to its true, pristine form[19] because the original church apostatized. INC teaches that the apostatized church is the Roman Catholic Church[20], and proclaims that Catholic beliefs [21] shared by most Christians, such as the Trinity, which, according to the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, is the central dogma of Christian theology,[22] are proof of this apostasy. The church teaches that the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus and of the Holy Spirit are not biblical[23][24][25] As of 2010, the Executive Minister of Iglesia ni Cristo is Eduardo V. Manalo, the grandson of Felix Manalo.[26]

History

The historical context of the Iglesia ni Cristo lies in a period of the early 20th century characterised by a variety of rural anti-colonialism movements, often with religious undertones, in the Philippines. [citation needed] United States missionary work was exposing Filipino culture to many alternatives to the Roman Catholic Church, which had been installed under 333 years of Spanish rule.[27] Filipinos see the INC as an aggressive, materially successful, indigenous movement which became a major religious movement in only a period of fifty years. Some believe the success of the INC is attributed primarily to its leadership.[14]. However, the members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo believe that the success of the church is the work and guidance of God.

Pioneering years - 1913 to 1916

In search of the truth, Felix Manalo as a young adult drifted from one organization to another, including atheism and agnosticism. At some point in his life, his own studies brought him to what would be the basis for the teachings of The Iglesia ni Cristo.[17][28][29][30] In 1913, Manalo began to preach his religion to whoever would listen.[31]

Iglesia ni Cristo's first chapel

The INC began with a handful of followers on July 27, 1914 in Punta, Santa Ana, Manila; with Manalo as its head minister.[32] Manalo propagated his message within his local area, growing the Iglesia ni Cristo and converting members of other religions. From the beginning, the INC used Filipino in language, lessons and instructions, and hymns.[13] His first chapel was made of bamboo and was not constructed until two years after he began preaching.[31]

The Catholic Church attributed its growth to the novelty of Protestantism, which was brought to the Philippines by the Americans. They believed that Manalo would not stand against the theological sophistication of Catholic orthodoxy. The INC however continued to grow beyond World War II.[33][unreliable source?] Evangelicals had an overall negative view of Felix Manalo and the INC in particular, and Filipinos in general. Ridicule was the prevailing attitude. As written by Ann C. Harper, evangelical preachers and missionaries were mostly racist and prejudiced.[16] In Tondo, Manalo started his first of many debates. In 1916, Manalo began establishing congregations throughout the provinces. [citation needed]

Continuing growth - 1916 to 1963

Despite critics belief that INC's success was only temporary, its growth continued. Observers attribute the Iglesia's growth to the active involvement of its members and their unity in faith.[32] The INC expanded slowly from its roots in Manila until it established a credible national network even before the Second World War, reaching Cotabato province in Mindanao in 1941. Even during the Japanese Occupation, the Iglesia kept on expanding. [citation needed]

In 1949, the Iglesia built its first central office and official residence of the executive minister on Riverside Street, San Juan, Metro Manila. After the war, the congregation grew from approximately 85,000 in 1936, to 200,000 in 1954. By 1970, the INC had about 500,000 members and was established in almost every province in the Philippines.[31][34]

In the late 1950s, as Felix Manalo's health started to fail, Eraño Manalo began to take on leadership role under his father's guidance. Eraño Manalo succeed Felix Manalo by vote. And when Felix Manalo died in 1963, it did not cause any disruption in the church's activities.[31] His son Eraño took over duties as executive minister and later on, his grandson Eduardo V. Manalo became the deputy executive minister.[35]

Shortly after assuming office, Eraño Manalo began to travel to congregations, officiating worship services and staging religious rallies. He visited farthest congregations from the north to the south assuring the faithful that the Iglesia was alive and had a leader. Over the next 30 years, the Iglesia would establish more than 4000 locals, and 100 districts. The Iglesia became the fastest growing church in the Philippines.[citation needed][34]

International expansion - 1963 to the present

File:Iglesia Ni Cristo Central Temple Khol.jpg
Iglesia ni Cristo Central Temple in Quezon City, Philippines

By the late 1960s, Eraño was considered to be a worthy successor [citation needed] to his father and began a number of initiatives, including the establishment of congregations in the United States and other countries.[31] On July 27, 1968, Eraño Manalo officiated the first worship service in Ewa, Hawaii thus starting the mission of propagation outside of the Philippines.[23]

In 1969, the church began operating its own radio station with regionally syndicated programs through radio stations DZEC and DZEM, and in 1983 it launched television programming with national syndication[31] with Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation and Maharlika Broadcasting System (now National Broadcasting Network) stations being the first to air the INC-produced program Ang Iglesia ni Cristo (The Church of Christ) made through the Christian Broadcasting Service. In 2008, it began broadcasting 24-hours via satellite DirecTV channel 2068. On March 17, 2009 the Iglesia ni Cristo on Guam celebrated its 40 years of existence in the island. From 7 members who started meeting together outside their work camps, the Iglesia ni Cristo now has 3 local congregations. In 1994, the Iglesia ni Cristo built a permanent chapel then estimated to be worth US$2.1 million. In 2008, on the occasion of the 39th year anniversary of the church, the Legislature of Guam recognized and congratulates the church.[36][37][38]

In the 1990s a few congregations were established in cities in which the Iglesia believe as significant in the history of the biblical church. In 1994, the Iglesia succeeded in establishing its congregation in Rome, Italy, in 1996 the Jerusalem congregations was established and in 1997 the congregation in Athens, Greece followed.[39] In 2005, the Roman Catholic Church formally acknowledged the existence of the INC, calling it an "emerging" influential religious group.[40]

According to various sources, including the 1997 Britannica Book of the Year, INC had a worldwide population of over one million members by the early 1980s.[41] According the 2000 census of the Philippine National Statistics Office, over 1.76 million persons in the Philippines were affiliated with the Iglesia ni Cristo as of that year.[42] or roughly doubling in size in a span of 20 years. Santa Clara university places the number at 2.3% of the population in the year 2000,[43] or roughly 1.77 million.[44] Some Catholic publications put the number to be between three million and ten million worldwide, possibly making INC larger than the Jehovah’s Witnesses[45]. INC has become the second largest religious organization in the Philippines[46] and the largest independent church in Asia [47]. By 2008, INC had grown to more than 5,000 congregations in the Philippines, and more than 600 abroad.[8] Congregations are called local congregation, or simply locale. The INC has local congregations in 89 countries and territories with its members belonging to 102 nationalities and ethnic groups.[48]. Among the 89 countries are included the following: South Africa, Nigeria, Libya, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, India, Kazahkstan, Russia, China, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and American Samoa.[citation needed]

On July 27, 2009 the church in celebration of its 95th year anniversary held "huge religious assemblies" in 14 locations throughout the Philippines and in five sites in four other countries. In Manila, the assemblies were held at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City and the Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila. In the provinces, members assembled at the Butuan City Sports Complex in Agusan del Norte; Bicol University Sports Complex in Legazpi, Albay; Cebu Sports Center in Cebu City and others. In Pampanga, at estimated 1 million people packed Villa Del Sol in San Fernando, Pampanga.[9] Gatherings in other countries were held at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. and the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California; O2 Arena in London, U.K.; Parco Esposizioni Novegro in Milan, Italy; and Hills Center in Sydney, Australia. Other members held their assemblies in their respective houses of worship. At it's 95th year, the Iglesia Ni Cristo has over 5,400 local congregations in 90 countries.[49]

As of the time of Erano G. Manalo's death on August 31, 2009, the Church of Christ had 6,098 ministers and evangelical workers assigned in the Philippines and across the globe, and 1,107 evangelical students currently registered in the Evangelical Ministry College.[50]

Beliefs

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The INC holds beliefs that are unique and contrary to many established Christian denominations, placing it outside of what some define as traditional Christianity. [citation needed] Such beliefs include the denial of the trinity and the necessity of membership in the Church for salvation. They also believe that Felix Manalo is the angel mentioned in the Book of Revelation.

God the Father

Central to INC doctrine is the belief that the Father is the only true God. He is spirit in state of being “without flesh and bones”, is everlasting, all knowing, does not weary, and has never experienced death. [51] As such, God does not exist in any other form or entity, be it human or otherwise.

In accordance with this view, Jesus Christ, although revered by the Church as the Son of God and the Savior of mankind, is not considered to be an entity of God or God Incarnate. It is believed within the Church that this was the view of God upheld by Jesus Christ and his Apostles as attested to in the Bible: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

Thus, the Church of Christ does not adhere to the doctrine of the Trinity and views such belief as running contrary to Biblical testimony.

See also: Nontrinitarianism

Jesus Christ

The Church sustains the belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He was made Lord and exalted by the Father far above all principality, power, might, and dominion, with all things having been put under His power and authority as testified in the Bible (Acts 2:36, Ephesians 1:21-22). He is the entity through which salvation is attained and is the Head of the Church of Christ, which He considers His body. Worship of the Lord Jesus Christ must be observed as this has been commanded by God.[51]

Although exalted to a position far above mankind, He is not God nor is he god-man or dual-natured as taught by the church.[52] The Lord Jesus Christ is a man in nature or state of being according to his own testimony: “But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God” (John 8:40), and according to the accounts of His apostles (I Timothy 2:5; Acts 2:22; Matthew 1:18, 20). He is made up of flesh and bones (Luke 24:39) unlike God who is a spirit in state of being. Human attributes such as hunger, thirst, weariness, and death, attributes the Father is not able to experience, were present in Christ. But, distinct of all mortals, Christ did not commit any sin throughout his life on earth (I Peter 2:21-22).

Contrary to orthodox Christian theology, Iglesia ni Cristo doctrine does not view Christ as having pre-existence.[53] He did not create the heavens or the earth, as this was done by God alone: “I am the Lord the Creator of all things. I alone stretched out the heavens; when I made the earth, no one helped me” (Isaiah 44:24). Rather, before the creation of the world, Christ was foreknown by God to be the fulfillment of the messiah for the salvation of man. This plan is what is taught by the church to be the logos reffered to in the Book of John. God, however, created the world in view of this plan, so as that all things He created were for Christ and mediated by Him, as was explained by Apostle Paul: “For in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Col. 1:16-17)

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is regarded as the power sent by the Father in the name of Jesus Christ to teach and remind His messengers of all things that Jesus had taught (John: 14:26). It is through the guidance of the Holy Spirit that God reveals the meaning of His words to His messengers.

Likewise, the Holy Spirit is also sent by Christ to help His servants overcome personal weaknesses and infirmities (John 15:26; Rom. 8:26). It strengthens, edifies, and comforts God’s people and the church as a whole (Ephesians 3:16-17; John 14:26).

The Church of Christ, however, does not view the Holy Spirit as God but rather a spirit being sent by God on earth (Rev. 5:6).[51]

The Last Messenger of God

A chief tenet of the teachings of the Church of Christ is the belief of a recurrent Biblical theme of the sending of messengers by God in various dispensations of time with the primary purpose of salvation for His people.[54] Examples of this periodic commissioning of messengers include Moses, John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and Apostle Paul among others.

In light of this continual biblical succession, the church teaches that God had also sent a messenger in this current dispensation of time (the Christian Era) for the restoration of the church of Christ preceding the Second Coming. According to church doctrine, Felix Y. Manalo was commissioned by the Father to carry out this restoration in fulfillment of several biblical prophecies (Isaiah 41:9-10; Isaiah 46:11).[51]

Declared by the church as the Last Messenger of God, his pronouncements not only formed the core of the Iglesia ni Cristo belief system, but are viewed by its members as the infallible teachings of God restored on earth.[55]

Unity

The INC believes that unity is an essential characteristic of "the one true church" and considers unity as a fundamental doctrine and upholds it faithfully. They say this doctrine traced its roots "in the history of God's people" as written in the Bible. Unity practiced by the Iglesia ni Cristo is not like that which is based on the mundane and ordinary, but based and founded on biblical teachings. It is upheld that the unity embraced by the Church is a distinctive mark of a true Christian Church and a unique and a striking characteristic of "the true Church". The Iglesia ni Cristo further states that this unity is distinct and exclusive and can only be found in the true Church and is nothing less that absolute. The Church describes this unity as one in doctrine, one in polity, one in faith, one in worship, and with one heart and one voice.[56]

In his argument to the lawsuit questioning religious organizations requiring their members to vote for a particular candidate, Executive Minister Erano Manalo argued that voting as a bloc is a manifestation of religious unity. He said that the Iglesia voting as one "give flesh to their belief that only by acting in unity with their brethren will they be truly faithful to the Church".[57]

Prophecy

The Iglesia Ni Cristo holds prophecies that is included in the INC doctrine and this is how they prove their doctrine and to prove the Iglesia Ni Cristo is the true church, they preach these prophecies to prove that the Iglesia Ni Cristo is the true Church and it was founded by Christ.

One of these prophecies is that the Iglesia Ni Cristo, which was founded by Christ, was foretold to turn back from being the chosen people of God by going in the ways and acts of the demons after the death of the disciples of Christ. They use verses in the Bible such the Acts of the Apostles and the Book of John. But as it was foretold that the first Christians would worship a false God, the Iglesia Ni Cristo also has the doctrine or the prophecy that the churches which were in the first century and in the time of the Apostles was prophesied to rise back to the end times of the earth, it would rise in the Far East, and would be brought to the west(Isaiah 43:5-6, Moffatt translation). Manalo proclaimed in 1921 that he was the fulfillment of Revelation 7:1-3 which speaks of the angel from the east.[58]

They also hold prophecies about World War I and World War II, one of which is that these were signs about the coming of the end of the earth and that these are the signs of a second coming of the true church and the second advent of Christ. Church members preach that signs would include huge earthquakes,heavy rains,rampant spread of poverty, pain, sorrow,starvation,crises,etc(any massive or huge disaster and suffering ). They use the New Testament, especially Matthew and Revelation to justify their opinion. Also, the church has a prophecy about the advent of Christ. To fulfill this prophecy, according to the teachings of Iglesia Ni Cristo, the Gospel of God must be preached all over the earth, whether other people would accept it or not, and within their doctrine it says that after the preaching of the Gospel every perosn should know that the end is near and Christ would advent soon. They use the Gospel of Matthew to justify this part of their doctrine.

These are just some examples of the prophecies that the Iglesia Ni Cristo holds and teaches. This was discussed in formal debates, nationally (Philippines) and even internationally with other major religious groups.

Death

Members of Iglesia ni Cristo allows embalming for postmortem viewing of their loved ones. It forbids cremation because they believe the body of the deceased is sacred and should be cared for with respect. They dress and groom the deceased to resemble as close to possible how they looked in life. The preferred method is arterial embalming which injects formaldehyde into the body.

The interment proceedings of Brother Eraño G. Manalo (January 2, 1925 - August 31, 2009), which a non-INC dignitary described as “solemn and elegant”, was simple and devoid of intricate ritual.

This stems from the church’s belief concerning the dead. As a minister [who?] put it, “Once a true Christian dies, he is certain of salvation on Judgment Day.”[citation needed]

Prayer

The church encourages its members to make prayer a part of everyday life. Thus prayer before the partaking of meals, going to work or school, sleeping etc. are all commonly practiced.[59]

Prayers are addressed to the “heavenly Father”, delivered “in the name of Jesus Christ” and may or may not contain a portion directed specifically toward Jesus Christ, whom the church views as the sole mediator between God and men. Prayer is often done standing with eyes closed and head bowed, although this can be done sitting or even kneeling depending on the situation.

When praying as a group, members of the Iglesia ni Cristo are taught to utter the phrases “yes Father”, “yes Lord”, and “Amen” at appropriate intervals throughout the prayer as a sign of agreement and confirmation of the words being spoken.[60] This, however, is disregarded when one is praying alone.

According to church doctrine, prayers recited in rote repetition such as the Roman Catholic Rosary are not to be observed, citing Mathew 6:7 as basis.[59]

Church organization

The church is divided into numerous ecclesiastical districts, which in turn are divided into local congregations. These congregations are led by a minister. The administration of the church is centralized and managed from a central office. Thus, all lessons in worship services across the world will have the same topics.[61]

Headquarters

File:Iglesia ni Cristo Central Office seen through Temple spire.jpg
Iglesia ni Cristo central office in New Era, Quezon City, Philippines

The central office is one of several structures inside the central office complex. It houses the permanent offices of the central administration and most of the church's departments. It is here where about a thousand INC professionals and v has a cinema and theater, canteen and social halls. The building is currently estimated to be worth PHP1 billion.[32][62]

The Iglesia ni Cristo central office complex is a large, secured complex located on Commonwealth Avenue, New Era, Quezon City, Philippines and is the seat of the INC's Central Administration. In addition to the six-story central office building there are six other major edifices and several buildings. The major buildings include the 7,000-seat central temple, the multi-purpose tabernacle hall, the 30,000-seat central pavilion, the College of Evangelical Ministry, the New Era General Hospital In 1968, Eraño Manalo moved the central office from the chapel on Riverside Street, San Juan, Metro Manila to its present location. The INC acquired several hectares of land and in the next forty years transformed the area to what it is today.[34]

Leadership

Formally, the Iglesia ni Cristo is led by the Executive Minister (Tagalog: Tagapamahalang Pangkalahatan); INC teachings, however, state that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church and is also its founder. According to the teachings of the Iglesia Ni Cristo these Executive Ministers and past Executive Ministers are the leader here on earth as they wait till the Day of Judgment. These Executive Ministers leads the Church to the way of true salvation and to let every member of the Church be one/united, to guide every member who experience problems as he/she face's the world, to make sure that every Church member will attain the promise Salvation as according to their teachings until the day of Judgment.

The INC has had three Executive Ministers:

Membership

[citation needed]

Membership in the INC is conferred through baptism. People who wish to be baptized in the INC must first submit to a formal process taking at least six months. Once someone officially registers with their local congregation, the person is given the status of Doctrinal Instructee, as they are called within the Iglesia ni Cristo, and taught the twenty-eight lessons concerning fundameninnings in the Philippines. These lessons are contained in the doctrine manual written by Eraño G. Manalo entitled Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ). This book is given to ministers, evangelical workers, and ministerial students of the INC. Each lesson is usually thirty minutes to one hour in length. After hearing all of the lessons, the students enter their probationary period during which they are obliged to attend fifteen once a week group prayer meetings, wherein they are taught to pray and are guided in their adjustment to the INC lifestyle. [citation needed]

When the sixth month comes, the students who have been active in attending the twice a week worship services and whose lifestyles are in accordance with INC doctrines are screened before being baptized. During the screening they are asked questiolve and at least the age of 12. [citation needed] Newborn children of members are instead "offered" or dedicated to Christian service during the worship service. The child offering in the INC is done through a prayer led by an ordained minister of the INC.[63]

Members who are not living in accordance with the doctrines taught in the INC are admonished. Those who continue in violation of INC doctrines after being admonished are expelled from the INC. [citation needed]Certain violations, such as eating blood or marrying non-members may result in mandatory expulsion.[24][64]

Missionary activities

File:FelixManalo.jpg
Felix Manalo on the cover of the Pasugo

INC members are instructed by their administration to invite people to Bible Studies and evangelical missions (known as Pamamahayag in Filipino), and to distribute magazines and pamphlets which are given to them by the administration.

In the Philippines, radio and television programs are produced, and they are broadcast on 1062 kHz DZEC-AM radio, DZEM 954 kHz, the Net 25 television station operated by Eagle Broadcasting Corporation, the broadcast division of the Iglesia ni Cristo and GEM TV, the sister station to NET 25, also owned by the INC and Iglesia ni Cristo TV broadcast on cable.

In North America, a television program called The Message is produced in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is currently aired in the United States and Canada and some parts of Europe. Each 30-minute program is hosted by one of a panel of INC ministers, who share the main beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo with a television audience.[65] The INC use to maintain an hour long time slot on The Filipino Channel and airs two among many of its programs including the INC Chronicles and Ang Tamang Daan. It has since stopped and instead GEM-TV began broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on DirecTV channel 2068[66]. Livestreaming of INC Programming is now available at www.gemnet.tv [1]

The official INC magazine available to INC congregations worldwide is entitled God's Message or Pasugo. For many years the INC published the bilingual Pasugo for the Philippines and a separate all-English God's Message International Edition for usage abroad. In January 2004, the administration of the INC began to publish only one magazine both in the Philippines and abroad bearing the name God's Message. While predominantly English, the latest version contains a Filipino and Spanish sections. The magazine consists of letters to the editor, news from locales worldwide, religious poetry, articles relating to INC beliefs, a telephone directory of locales outside the Philippines and, until recently, featured a schedule of worship services.

Outreach

From the beginning, the INC has continuously extended help not only to the well-being of local townspeople but also to protect the environment through it various humanitarian services.[67]

The INC has outreach programs, such as its "Lingap sa Mamamayan (Filipino: Care for the People)", offering free medical and dental services[68], community cleanups[48] and tree planting projects.[69] In California, Daly City twice declared a week in July as "Iglesia ni Cristo Week" in recognition of the efforts of the INC members in community service events such as community beautification projects, blood drives, and food distribution sessions.[70]

Coinciding with the 67th anniversary of the local congregation in the Barangay of Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga, the INC launched a program called "Vigorous Environmental Concern for Mankind" which included programs to support the "clean and green" programs of the local government. The INC conducted Linis Bayan (Filipino: Clean Town) and Lingap sa Mamamayan within the local area.[71]

They also host a website for Iglesia Ni Cristo members to have an update of the Past and present activities of the Church. The website is also used by members to listen and watch CMV or Christian Music Videos, the CMV's are composed of Original musics and hymns of Iglesia Ni Cristo Composed by the INC members themselves.

The website has pictures of past activities of the Church, Blogs, and every member can share the happenings of their designated locales, and inspirational messages and compositions which is also sometimes published in the magazine of the Iglesia Ni Cristo which is the PASUGO or God's Message. There is also an Online Live feed of the channel GEM-TV (Global Expansion Media) on the website.

Architecture

The Iglesia ni Cristo's architecture is notable for the narrow-pointed spires of its chapels. Some observers describe the style as Gothic,[72][73] while others see the style as reminiscent of Mormon temples.[74] The first INC house of worship, made of bamboo and nipa, was built in 1918 in Gabriela, Tondo, Manila.[75] As the members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo rapidly increases, more chapels are being built for each Locale in each district.

Political influence

Ever since former Philippine president Manuel L. Quezon created a lasting friendship after asking Felix Manalo for advice, the INC has been known for its strong political influence. While it strongly maintains a close "friendship" with incumbent administrations, the INC also sees to it that they do not lose "discreet connection" with the opposition.[76] The INC reportedly supported Ferdinand E. Marcos until he was ousted in 1986.[76]

INC members are noted for bloc voting in Philippine elections,[77][78][79][80] although INC has the biggest conversion turn-out, between 68 and 84 percent of its members voted for candidates endorsed by its leadership, according to comprehensive surveys conducted by ABS-CBN.[81] This is in part due to their doctrine on unity, which puts the penalty of expulsion on anyone swaying from the doctrine. Some reports say that the INC can deliver 2 million members of voting age,[82] although pollsters believe the actual figure is closer to between 1 million and 1.5 million.[76] Some Philippine media credit the INC bloc vote for the presidential campaign victory of Joseph Estrada in 1998,[76] and the election for the full term of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004.[83]

Newspaper reports say that the Philippine Congress decision to uphold the decision on September 2005 rejecting the Arroyo impeachment complaint was swayed largely by INC influence. [citation needed] Behn Fer. Hortaleza Jr. says otherwise and wrote an op-ed piece for The Sun·Star Pangasinan stating that Representative Joey Salceda "had wanted to pit the INC against the Catholic church by so timing the congressman's 'news' with another expose on the bishops' receiving Pagcor "sin money" for their projects."[84] Others [who?] argue that the INC vote is only significant in close-run elections, noting that INC-supported candidates, Senator Sergio Osmeña Jr. lost in 1969 to Marcos and businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. lost to Fidel Ramos in 1992.[85]

In 2004, Fernando Poe suspended campaign stops in the provinces to attend a meeting called by Manalo.[82] For their part, the INC leadership said members do not vote to ensure the victory of the candidate they vote for. Manalo said "BLOC VOTING is a manifestation of religious unity that is essential to spiritual salvation."[57]

Not all candidates in Philippine politics embraced support from INC. Macapagal-Arroyo's father, Diosdado Macapagal has refused INC's support during his runs for Vice President in 1957, and re-election for President in 1965 – in which he lost to Ferdinand Marcos.

The support of the INC was reportedly sought out for passage of House Bill 5043 (the "Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008"). In 2008, the INC and the Catholic Church were again pitted against each other when health advocate RH Advocacy Network (RHAN) sought the support of the INC to counter the firm opposition of the Catholic Church and President Arroyo to the bill.[86] Representative Janette Garin of the first district of Iloilo said the INC's stand could determine if the bill gets passed in the House of Representatives. She said the opinion of the Iglesia ni Cristo is “important” in determining the fate of House Bill 5043.[87]

The INC played a major part in the May 1st 2001 demonstration (more popularly known as EDSA III). Although the INC normally disallow members to join rallies, they were unusually encouraged to attend this one particular event.[88]. Most of those in the crowd were INC members[89]

On July 27, 2008 on the occasion of its 94th Anniversary lawmakers, governors, mayors, councilors and other government officials cited the meaningful role of the Iglesia ni Cristo in Filipino society. Rep. Annie Susano of Quezon City's second district where the INC's executive offices are located, along other government officials said that the INC continues to contribute not only to the spiritual development of the Filipino but also in shaping the country's destiny. Susano said INC also plays a crucial role in improving the socio-economic condition of its followers and other Filipinos, at home and abroad.[90]

A year before, on the same date, President Arroyo declared July 27 of every year as "Iglesia Ni Cristo Day" to enable millions of INC followers in the Philippines and in 75 countries around the world to observe the occasion with fitting solemnity. President Arroyo’s proclamation was based on a resolution of the House of Representatives authored by Rep. Annie Rosa L. Susano.[90]

On July 8, 2009, almost two years after the declaration of the "Iglesia Ni Cristo Day", President Arroyo, in keeping with the Republic Act 9645, declared that July 27 of every year as "Iglesia Ni Cristo Day" making it an official national working holiday.[91]

Criticism and controversies

The Iglesia ni Cristo has come under fierce criticism from apologetics groups and other religions mainly due to disagreements over their doctrines and beliefs regarding the interpretation of the Bible. They have also been criticized by a media agency for their political influence.[92]

It should be noted that most religious organizations in the Philippines participate in politics in varying degrees. In fact, "most public events, even those sponsored by the government", are preceded by a Catholic mass.[93] The INC votes as a bloc [92] whereas the Catholic Church had and still use public protests to oust political figures out of office [43]. The INC's participation may also be a reaction to the Catholic Church's exerting its influence on government [76] which always had a central role in the Philippine political arena.[94]

Religious criticism

Karl Keating

Karl Keating, the founder of Catholic Answers accused Jose Ventilacion, an INC minister, of breaking an agreement in 1990 for a one-on-one debate made by the two organizations in National City, California. Instead of a one-on-one debate, Keating says that Ventilacion had three helpers assisting him, and that "they" allegedly were shouting at him during the debate. The head projector at the side of Mr. Ventilacion was not also in the agreement. Keating views the church as being built on a set of "anti-catholic" doctrines, and that their lessons, as well as their God's Message magazine are dedicated more to debunking Catholic and Protestant beliefs and doctrines, although he did reveal the extent of his studies concerning the church save for his own account of the debate he had with Ventilacion.[95][96] Catholicism and Protestantism remain among the predominant religions in the Philippines especially in Luzon and Visayas islands.[97] Keating also states that the INC began as a Protestant sect, comparing its doctrines with those of the American Campbellites saying it "heavily borrowed" from the latter.[95] Keating criticized the Iglesia ni Cristo for believing that the Whore of Babylon is the Roman Catholic Church and that the Beast of Revelation is the Pope, a belief shared with other Christian religious organizations,[98][99] and an assertion which the Catholic Church denies. Keating detests the INC for its position based on the point that the pope's alleged title, Vicarius Filii Dei, Latin for Vicar of the Son of God, adds up to 666 which is one of several alternative numbers known as the "Number of the Beast": and the Iglesia ni Cristo also said that it is engraved on the Pope's tiara[100]. The INC's source for this claim is a Seventh-day Adventist Church book.[96][101][102] The Catholic Church also declared that Vicarius Filii Dei has never been an "official title" of the pope.[101] Vicar of Christ (Lat. Vicarius Christi), is a papal title. [103]

Catholic Answers also rejects the INC's doctrines of apostasy within the Catholic Church and does not consider the verses used to support the doctrine of the Iglesia ni Cristo being prophesied nor the apostasy of the Catholic Church are used in the right context.[45]

Apologetics

Let Us Reason Ministries, an online apologetics research group, criticized the INC for holding the belief that it has the sole authority from God to interpret and preach the Bible, while other religions do not. They also say that the INC intentionally misinterprets and misappropriates verses to agree with their doctrines and that they use fallacious arguments against other religions,[104] stating: "Unfortunately they ignore the whole history of the Church in the zealous rebuttals against Catholicism. Nothing is out of reach of their researchers to demean and belittle. Some of the greatest scholars in languages and history are ignored or misrepresented as they present what they believe is correct. I suspect that many know better in what they teach."[105] They also reject the INC's doctrine that one can only be saved if they are a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo.[106]

According to The Bereans Apologetics Research Ministry, some of the beliefs of INC are contrary to mainstream Christianity.[107]. However, the Iglesia ni Cristo states that, through biblical prophesies, it was elected to be "the nation of God," as the Israelites were, and that God chose them to serve him.[25]

Members Church of God International

Main article: Conflicts between Iglesia ni Cristo and Members Church of God International

One incident between the two groups transpired on April 18, 2005 when they clashed inside a Jollibee outlet in Apalit town during an apparent unauthorized religious debate.[108] Local police on orders of the town mayor went to the restaurant and tried to stop the holding of the debate for lack of a mayor's permit. Apalit Mayor Tirso Lacanilao had instructed the town's chief of police to transfer the venue of the debate either at the ADD convention center or at the INC chapel in an effort to prevent any trouble. Shortly after that, shouting and cursing from either side led to a free-for-all.[109][110]

On April 27, 2008, Mataro, who was the host of UNTV program D'X-Man, was shot dead by two unknown assailants in San Simon, Pampanga.[111] MCGI members have accused the INC of being behind the murder as Mataro's TV program, "D'Xman" (short for "The Ex-Manalista"), was critical of the Iglesia ni Cristo doctrines.[112][113] Murder charges were filed against the principal suspects in the killing. Nickson Icao and Felizardo "Ka Zaldy" Lumagham, both of Macabebe, Pampanga and who claim to be members of INC, were charged before the San Fernando prosecutors office.[114]

Secular criticism

The main accusation of restraint of press freedom arises from the church's seeking to stop the publication of writer Ross Tipon's book, The Power and the Glory: The Cult of Manalo. The INC says the book contains "outright blasphemy" towards the late founder Felix Manalo by likening the INC to a criminal syndicate.[115][116] However, Tipon, represented by lawyer Fervyn Pinzon, said stopping the publication of the book infringes on his freedom expression rights. An attorney representing the INC, Abraham Espejo states "direct assault on freedom of religion and seeks to destroy the image of the INC" and "The publication of the criminal manuscript will trigger social unrest, Millions of people may come out in the streets and this may lead to violence." The Iglesia ni Cristo alleges that the book has defamed its organization and Felix Manalo. The INC seeks PHP1,000,000 in damages from Tipon and the unknown publisher.[115]

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), a media agency, describes the INC as a shrewd political and business operator that parlays the votes of its members for political and financial concessions to the church.[92] In 2004, President Arroyo dismissed rumors that she paid off the INC to support her candidacy. In an open letter to the INC which was read in all INC chapels across the country, Mrs. Arroyo said "I would never taint their (INC) sincerity by offering money for it".[117]

With the help Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), actress Rochelle Barrameda has said she wants to speak with Manalo following reports that lawyers of the religious group are allegedly influencing the outcome of her sister Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez’s murder case. In March 2010, Agnes Devanadera dropped the case against the suspect Lope Jimenez who is a member of INC before she stepped down as justice secretary despite the fact that "there was a preliminary investigation and she(Devadanera) herself said we have a strong case". Jimenez joined the INC to protect his fishing business. According to suspect-turned-eyewitness Manuel Montero, the two suspects brothers Manuel Jimenez II and Lope Jimenez were the ones who ordered him to abduct and kill Ruby Rose, whose body was found stuffed in a steel drum that was filled with cement and submerged in the waters off the Navotas fish port in June 2009.[118] In a letter to Manalo, VACC said "the “delicate” matter needs to be discussed considering how the issue is threatening to erode the victims’ confidence in the INC and the whole criminal justice system".[118] The VACC also expressed alarm over reports that lawyers of the religious group are allegedly influencing the trial of road rage murder suspect Jason Ivler, who allegedly killed Renato Ebarle Jr., son of Malacañang Undersecretary Renato Ebarle.[118] The Philippine Star has tried but failed to contact Manalo or other INC officials.[118] On August 12, 2010, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima reinstated the murder charges against Lope Jimenez.[119]

Controversies

Manalo was accused of immorality at one point which resulted in the loss of some followers.[120]

References

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  100. ^ Karl Keating writes, "The argument goes like this: 'The number 666 is the sum of the letters of the beast's title. The Pope's title is Vicarius Filii Dei (Vicar of the Son of God). [Actually, it's not. His title is Vicarius Christi (Vicar of Christ).] We know this is the papal title because it appears prominently on the tiara of the popes; the letters are formed out of hundreds of jewels.Vicarius Filii Dei tallies to 666, which means the papacy is the beast.' End of proof."[95]
  101. ^ a b 'Quick Questions' This Rock (San Diego: Catholic Answers, 1992), as cited by NewAdvent.org's Catholic Library
  102. ^ see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicarius_Filii_Dei#Origins_of_the_controversy
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  111. ^ NUJP condemns murder of TV host[dead link], ABS-CBN News], ABS-CBN News
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  114. ^ Africa, Raymond (May 29, 2008). "NEWS ROUNDUP". Malaya. People's Independent Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  115. ^ a b Iglesia seeks TRO vs publication of ‘blasphemous’ book |The Philippine Star >> News >> Headlines
  116. ^ Robles, JoJo. 'INC against free press?', Manila Standard Today Online (May 25, 2005). Retrieved July 3, 2005.
  117. ^ Villanueva, Marichu (May 30, 2004). "GMA: Opposition behind Iglesia 'pay-off' rumors". Headlines. the STAR Group of Publications. Retrieved 2008-12-10.
  118. ^ a b c d INC influencing Ruby Rose slay case?, The Philippine Star, March 20, 2010
  119. ^ Shipping magnate reinstated in Barrameda murder case
  120. ^ Philippine History Module-based Learning I' 2002 Ed. By Ongsotto, Et Al, p. 165

Supporting

  • www.gemnet.tv - View news of INC Events and watch livestreaming of INC Programming
  • Net25 - Feed Your Mind - "Net 25 is the free TV channel of Eagle Broadcasting Corporation (EBC), a pioneering broadcast institution in the Philippines."
  • DZEC1062 - Live audio stream.
  • INC-PASUGO.info - "Unofficial INC Site of God's Message magazine articles and others."

Opposing

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