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Religious Cults in the Philippines
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by Babel-Fish | August 20, 2008 at 11:35 pm
11532 views | 6 Recommendations | 23 comments
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The strongest religion in the Philippines is the Roman Catholic Faith, however missionaries have flooded in mainly from the USA to convince Filipino’s that there is alternate faiths to give them what they say is the only way to heaven. The Mormon’s train there missionaries in the local languages, even before they arrive here in the Philippines, to actively look for new cannon fodder for the faith. It’s a strategy that works very well and its easy picking as most of the people have already indoctrinated Christians even thought that most have never read a Bible and many are not illiterate enough to do so. Christianity here is deeply inset into Filipino culture
One now sees a beautiful white Mormon Church in every big town in the Philippines where they have dug in deep. They are here to earn money from the hard working poor seems they are doing well these Mormon Churches are looking great.
Over the years some crafty Filipino’s have seen the power of religion as a way to make money the spreading cults in the USA have shown them the way. So they have started their own Cults or off shoots of like minded cults such as Ang Dating Daan (Members Church of God International) Eliseo Fernando Soriano (born April 4, 1947), a controversial Filipino evangelist, is presiding minister of the Philippines-based Members Church of God International has since shown his true colors.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliseo_Soriano
In May 2006, Soriano was indicted on rape charges at the regional trial court of Macabebe, Pampanga, following a complaint filed by former MCGI member Daniel Veridiano that he was sexually assaulted in Apalit, Pampanga on two occasions. [7] In his counter affidavit, Soriano described Veridiano's accusations as "fabricated, baseless and malicious" and said Veridiano(now an INC member) was retaliating after he was expelled from MCGI in August 2005 after complaints of misappropriation of church funds and that Veridiano sexually molested 14 staff members.[8][9]Soriano also accused the Iglesia ni Cristo of being behind what he said was “the latest albeit desperate attempt to harass, intimidate and blemish” his reputation. [8]
Macabebe Regional Trial Court Judge Manuel Siyangco issued the warrant of arrest. Soriano was allowed to post a P400,000 bail bond (P200,000 for each count).[10] The charge was dismissed but was later refiled in a higher court by the country’s Department of Justice Secretary, Raul Gonzales, who is not in anyway involved with the case.
In November 2006, an arrest warrant was issued against Soriano by Judge Lucina Dayaon, Macabebe. On June 21, 2008, Soriano posted a P240,000 bail after surrendering to a police Station in Pandacan, Manila to avoid apprehension
© en.wikipedia.org
The belief of Members Church of God International is centered around the Torah Daniel 12.9-10 http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt3412.htm
ט וַיֹּאמֶר, לֵךְ דָּנִיֵּאל: כִּי-סְתֻמִים וַחֲתֻמִים הַדְּבָרִים, עַד-עֵת קֵץ. 9 And he said: 'Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end.
י יִתְבָּרְרוּ וְיִתְלַבְּנוּ וְיִצָּרְפוּ, רַבִּים, וְהִרְשִׁיעוּ רְשָׁעִים, וְלֹא יָבִינוּ כָּל-רְשָׁעִים; וְהַמַּשְׂכִּלִים, יָבִינוּ. 10 Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but they that are wise shall understand.
(Note I have used the original words from the Torah has the Christian Bible has been adapted by Christian Groups and the translation have been changed to suit their religious indoctrination needs)
The followers believe that any one questions their view on the bible or God that the questioner is wicked and bad. Of course only they could understand the bible.
The followers have also been indoctrinated to believe it’s the last days and we are near the end of time and judgement day.
The real truth for this indoctrination is found below:
Eliseo Fernando Soriano (born April 4, 1947), a controversial Filipino evangelist, is presiding minister of the Philippines-based Members Church of God International. He is known as Bro. Eli in the Congregation he leads, and through his radio and television programs Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path), Ask Soriano, Bible Guide and Truth in Focus. Soriano is known for criticizing various other religious groups for doctrines and practices he considers to be against biblical truths. Soriano and his followers claim him to be the Pantas (Wise man) according to Daniel 12:9-10 who would understand the bible in the last days. This is exhibited in his program "Itanong mo kay Soriano (Ask Soriano)" where he claims to be able to answer all kinds of Bible questions similar to the self-styled "Bible Answer Man", Hank Hanegraff.
The indoctrination was provided by Soriano to meet to his requirements of over powering those that wish to question his understanding of the Bible. This guy was very crafty and made a lot of money from this religion. The Gullible are still following this faith it pays to start a new religion give us your money and we will save your soul.
And finally to finish off Part one
Mike Velard whom has found away to make more money than the Catholic Church he shelters under, is cult is a big improvement to the Catholic Faith seemingly it runs on better business sense and Mike is a very rich man. lol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Velarde
Although Mike Velarde still maintains his Roman Catholic faith (and is still under the wing of the Philippine Catholic Church), some conservative priests are seeing Velarde already on the edge of heresy because of his "unusual" practices not known in the traditional Catholic rites.
Velarde's movement draws from Philippine folk Christianity. He encourages the ritual use of a wide range of objects, from bankbooks and visa applications to eggs, umbrellas, and even specially blessed handkerchiefs, as a kind of Pentecostal "anting-anting" (amulet). El Shaddai's followers ascribe magical healing powers to eggs or bottles of water brought to rallies, or to handkerchiefs printed with prayers. Another critical point is that his teaching suggests the feasibility of miracles.
He's known for promoting the prosperity gospel. He promises financial prosperity, healing, success and happiness to his followers most of whom are destitute in return for their faith-inspired giving to his church. His pandering to the poor gains little respect among the intelligentsia.
© en.wikipedia.org
With tongue in cheek I could say ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES, but its not, this sort of thing as been copied from the America.
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at 23:48 on August 20th, 2008
I hate to see fundamentalism in any form.
at 08:22 on August 21st, 2008
What do you love to see, Babel-Fish? Please tell us. At least you should be more transparent in telling us, the readers, what is it that you love or like seeing? If you are really concerned with your friend, or best-friend, please tell us too what is it that you recommend or suggest for us to join? If you've seen the light, you should be more than willing to show us, and reveal to us what is it that you discovered. If you can convince us that what you discovered is the "real thing," I bet, there will be many around this site who will join you in your path to enlightenment. Surely, that will be a heavenly force!
at 15:20 on August 21st, 2008
The light was switch on after many years studying holy scripts, the Torah, Bible and the Koran. Much of that light can be seen in my writing, many articles and a book.
What do I want to see, good question, I want to see man wake up and rid his indoctrination religious and political. I want to see a world rid of the stupidity of the past and to greet the future as a free thinking peace loving society. Also human kind to learn not to be selfish that money and power is less important than asuring our fellow man has a good peaceful life.
What do I want to see enlightenment. But of course the reality is its impossible but a few souls will find the correct path.
at 18:38 on August 21st, 2008
So you are now beginning to lead a new path, eh? Can you give examples or can you be more specific about the the kind of teachings you say you wrote or were able to put in writing?
Don't you think it is too sad that only few souls will find the correct path? You mean, the heavens, no matter how large and wide, will only accommodate only "few souls"? Very sad indeed. Is that how it was really planned by God to be, that in the end, his great great Kingdom will only house very few people? How about your ancestors or your great, great family lineages who never heard of your teachings, do you think they will also be included in the path you are beginning to tread?
Please enlighten.
at 21:58 on August 21st, 2008
I follow the steps of the great Philosopher Jesus Christ put I am an atheist. lol
My teaching is all about investigating your indoctrinations, religious and political. Perhaps the follow three articles will give you a better understanding of the Babel-Fish, lol
http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/i-am-god-growing-satire
http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/i-am-son-god-satire
http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/i-am-devil-satire
at 18:58 on August 22nd, 2008
Haha. You cannot be both a follower of Christ and an atheist at the same time.
at 19:31 on August 23rd, 2008
Ah, it is just a wonder why you are making this stuff. In journalism, we call this missile. You know missile? It is spelled M-I-S-S-I-L-E. Missile's only objective is to attack somebody through writing without using any factual, verifiable and reliable basis. So long as lies, assumptions and gossips are peppered in the work, the more the author feel satisfied.
at 03:20 on August 21st, 2008
The mormons and the Gehova witnesses are a sore in my view! Sorry!
at 03:20 on August 21st, 2008
Babel-Fish, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 03:53 on August 21st, 2008
thanks they have become a great burden to me as my best friend belongs to their flock. We are great friends and thankfully his religion and views are put aside when we party. His youngest son spends as much time in my house as his. His young son is only 9 months old and I am the god father.
I am trying to un- indoctrinate him from the this stupid religion that hates using blood or the blood products,
I am winning I hope
at 19:03 on August 21st, 2008
Really, the religion you are citing here hate using blood? Well I think if blood is used in saving a person who is dying, it must be a very compassionate deed.
Is that what you say you hate when blood is used?
I know for one a religious group who finds it abominable and a sin to use blood in saving life, like the medical practice of blood transfusion. You know what? When the son or daughter of this pastor from that religious order was about to die, the fatherly love of the pastor surfaces above his faith to his group. And the said pastor disregard this doctrine about blood. Although very late, that pastor was able to save the life of his son or daughter. Now, the pastor was excommunicated in their group. You know there are many of them who finds their doctrine about blood transfusion to be one of the weirdest in their many quack doctrines.
Please be specific babel-fish, what blood doctrine you are talking about.
at 22:00 on August 21st, 2008
Jehovias Witnesses
at 19:17 on August 21st, 2008
Ah, if you mean a doctrine that forbids its members from eating blood products, the Iglesia ni Cristo easily comes to mind. But you know what? Secretly, they do eat blood products too. Wait, isn't it that you live in the Philippines? So you must be familiar with "diniguan" and puto (rice cake)? Some members of the Iglesia ni Cristo I know secretly eat diniguan, especially when there is puto. Don't laugh, that is true!
at 22:14 on August 21st, 2008
I expect they do, its like I know Jews and Muslims that eat pork, lol
at 19:22 on August 21st, 2008
But you know what, from what I learned from Bro. Eli Soriano of Ang Dating Daan, he read from the bible that there are those people whom the scriptures forbid eating blood-based food but there are those who are not forbidden.
Bro. Eli also examined further why perhaps God in the Bible forbids these people from eating blood. He used science and what the medical experts said about eating blood-based products and what are its implications.
Am sure you will agree with me on this, the experts said that blood from these animals usually contain the large doses of poison, as a result of their fear of being butchered or slain. So when you digest or eat the blood-based products, inevitably, you are literally eating poison to feed your body. Shucks! Who wants to get poisoned that easily, man?
So even if I was not forbidden to eat blood, from that very explanation I was convinced that eating blood-based products will not benefit me. No doubt, I find Soriano's explanations very reliable and informative as well. I was satisfied with his answers that I myself conduct my investigation about this also, and I find his expositions in the Bible as the most intelligent and realistic.
at 22:15 on August 21st, 2008
I certainly do not eat blood myself but I have given hundreds of pints of blood in my life as a blood donner. I actual do not eat red meat any more and eat more fish than white meat anyway.
I diet is a Filipino one without the blood soup. lol yuck.
The problem with Soriano's faith is that the follows feel they are the only ones that can read and understand the bible. Brother Soriano is also an alleged criminal a rapist and thief. The whole religion is a con as many other similar cults here in the Philippines. There is big money in religion. However your opinion is respect and I have explained mine.
at 03:40 on August 23rd, 2008
Oh, Babel-fish, is that really troubling you that Bro. Eli can read and understand the Bible? Do you not think he has the right too to claim that? Look, if the false preachers and pastors out there proclaim before the whole world that they are the true ones, the more that I believe Bro. Eli can very rightly say too that he understands the Bible. Actually, even without him saying that, many people already attested and testified about how much he understands the Bible.
You can try it yourself! You can come in his Bible Expositions. And I think schedules are announced in the television or their website. Be a guest and ask him. Question him and even debate him if you want. Bro. Eli will surely not disappoint you.
Now, about the issues that they throw against or send to Bro. Eli? Oh man, you must not be kidding that you believe those lies. Haha! Let me guess, tomorrow or some other day, he will be accused of plotting the assassination of Ninoy Aquino! True and not kidding, that is not very remote, considering the justice system in the Philippines and government which can be very submissive to some very influential religious groups in the country, especially the one that Bro. Eli exposed whose executive leader preaches that Jesus Christ is merely man and never a God.
Oh, I know you never grow that old to be not well-informed.
at 23:04 on August 19th, 2009
To Babel-Fish,
"Staying in the Philippines with a Filipina wife and have nothing to do but scatter your ignorance by disinformation, you are not helpful to the country. You are living in the country and derive benefits from it, ain't it that you are just returning the favor to the Filipinos? Mostly, if Filipinos you are attacking and maligning it's Filipinos you are attacking. You should be deported for that."
I agree with kotawinters. Babel-Fish is better out of the country! If he attacks Filipinos, what good are his donations and favors? Everywhere he says he donates and he dubiously badmouth Brother Eli and other Filipinos. You don't know when he agrees or just disagrees. I am sick of this retired man named Babel-Fish. He is just a sounding brass and a clanging cymbal!
at 22:06 on August 22nd, 2008
Look at this one Babel-Fish,
Here are some of the articles that prove the harassment to the people of Ang Dating Daan and Bro. Eli Soriano by different groups such as the media -
Media Man Fabricates News against Enemy and Name-drops Interp
Popular news site deletes negative comments against Bro. Eli Soriano
Religious discrimination against the people of “Ang Dating Daan” gets bitter
at 08:29 on January 4th, 2009
fuck you all. there is no god
at 01:27 on February 25th, 2009
rufmon you shut up!!!!
because god is watching over your move!!!!
at 00:21 on May 20th, 2009
IGLESIA NI CRISTO, INCorrect,,hahaha
puro cnungaling,
many7ak
manalo-rapist
at 22:59 on August 19th, 2009
Please allow me to repost some of my comments for Babel-Fish:
Babel-Fish deleted his definition of the term "cult" in one of his comments, out of fear of being labeled as having disdain and prejudice? But he keeps on labeling religious groups here in the Philippines as a cult by pasting his previous comments over and over again. What a way to advertise Atheism in his own way!
Is free thinking absolute for a person who has no sense of accountability for human welfare and morality? Why don't you start from your grassroots? Why don't you tell us about your previous Christian group, their doctrines that you feel unsound? Don't generalise! As a writer, be responsible! Take into consideration the fact that what you feel bad and wrong about the doctrines of your ex-Christian denomination doesn't necessarily follows that other Christian denomination has the same doctrines, especially, the Church of God International. Try to listen and weigh things before you badmouth any of them.
What is vendetta? What is an un-Christian way? All these are contained and manifested in all your comments Babel-Fish! All these comments of yours are manifestation of your own vendettas to you previous so called Christian affiliation. Aren't you an ex-Christian, as you said? If you didn't find the Christian way in your old group, it's time for you to move on and seek for the kingdom of God in other religious group. Not all Christian groups that say that they are Christians are Christians. Just like what you thought of your old group. I can only think of two reasons why you left your previous group, it is either you do not believe in their doctrines or you are your own preacher.
Isn't it unbecoming of an atheist to preach certain verses of the Holy Bible that he does not even believed that the God who commanded to wrote them exists? No. Atheists usually shield themselves with invisible words made by the One whom they do not believe. And that is Babel-Fish and his cohorts. Mind you, this atheist is tossed by any winds.
Did John the Beloved write about Judas Iscariot out of vendetta? Answer it, Babel-Fish!
What is turning the other cheek? How can someone like you who is full of hate about Christian ways turn his other cheek, especially when that cheek is full of misleading insinuations about the Holy Scriptures? Because if Babel-Fish has known the true Jesus Christ, he will be careful stoning the ones he calls a cult. He will also know that Jesus Christ also taught that one should cleave to good. God is the only good.
Jesus said, "Why are you calling me good? No one is good—only God. Luke 18:19 (The Message)
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Romans 12:9 (King James Version)
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. Matthew 19:17 (King James Version)
And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. John 12:50 (King James Version)
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21 (King James Version)
Babel-Fish, you said
How ironic and full of deceit becoming of Babel-Fish! He completely agrees with the peaceful Philosophy of Christ, but then again, he doesn't believe on the One who sent Jesus Christ. By this, Babel-Fish is misleading people that his hypocritically way of showing charity is Jesus Christ's philosophy. And how can someone so bitter and proud in his heart rejecting the idea that there is a God can reap the benefits of charity; moreover teaches it? God is love. Unless of course the benefit this Babel-Fish looks forward to is an appeal to the material aspects of his own delusion, he is satisfied to the benefits he can reap from a comfort zone of his own hypocrisy. It's just for a meantime, that kind of satisfaction is but for a short time. He thought the end justify the means. But the means and outcome will still remain and can never escape from the Hands of God come judgment day.
"But my purpose is not to get your vote, and not to appeal to mere human testimony. I'm speaking to you this way so that you will be saved. John was a torch, blazing and bright, and you were glad enough to dance for an hour or so in his bright light. But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John's witness. It's the work the Father gave me to complete. These very tasks, as I go about completing them, confirm that the Father, in fact, sent me. The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it. You never heard his voice, you never saw his appearance. There is nothing left in your memory of his Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously. John 5:34-38 (The Message)
But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. John 5:36 (King James Version)
Just like Judas who is a thief and how he reasons out shows what truly is contained in his heart, Babel-Fish is a hypocrite.
That is how I read Babel-Fish, a self-confessed atheist, who always ever-ready to say and point out what is an un-Christian way when in fact he doesn't even know what being a Christian truly is. He mentions love thine enemies, but he doesn't care about what loving truly is, the difference between charity and love, the agape kind of love that is shared among the brotherhood in Christ, among the Church of God. Babel-Fish just wanted to cleave to his own preconceived goodness.
He sails his ship in his own accident-made wind. Does Babel-Fish really cares for the poor? I think so, but being poor is not mainly on bread, but we also need to satisfy the hunger in the words of God. Does he really completely agrees with Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ has a lot of words coming from the Father. Does Babel-Fish knows these words completely?
That is how we also see GMA 7 who brands itself as a house of truth, but what it truly does is cradle a self-confessed rapist, Daniel "Puto" Veridiano, a Judas, a liar saying that he was raped. This case was dismissed by the Regional Trial Court of Pampanga.
Did Wikipedia later on delete the the last phrase in bold and italics? I am asking this because Babel-fish has copy pasted the above in his article, Religious Cults in the Philippines http://my.nowpublic.com/culture/religious-cults-philippines
If this case is still in courts, GMA 7 and Arnold Clavio did not understand the legal term Sub Judice that they insist an interview with Brother Eli Soriano so if they get one will put him under contempt of court. In law, sub judice, Latin for "under judgment," means that a particular case or matter is currently under trial or being considered by a judge or court. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub_judice
The basis for the sub judice rule is that, in Ontario's legal system, it is the role of the courts to deal with legal issues that are before it. The courts' role should not be usurped by others making public statements about how these issues should be dealt with. http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/legis/subjudicerule.asp
Does loving your enemy includes preventing yourself from exposing a liar, a Judas in spreading more lies and corrupting the minds of those listening to him? Thus, we expose Iglesia ni Cristo adulterated doctrines! We expose GMA 7 for allowing Case Unclosed with Arnold Clavio when he interviewed Daniel "Puto" Veridiano with their intention to really malign Brother Eli Soriano in front of public viewers.
John the Beloved wrote of Judas and I would never think that this is out of vendetta, not even out of hate for enemies. This is in fact exposing what an un-Christian thing to do, exposing the committed sin that any Christian or non Christian can learn from. That is not playing dumb.
If Babel-Fish can't contain the wind in his stomach and can't prevent it from coming out as his piece, what more of a Christian whose faith is being trampled by pigs? Can a Christian play mute and dumb on this spiritual fight of faith? If your definition of giving the other cheek is playing dumb, then, your definition of what a Christian way is very far fetched.
Babel-Fish, your understanding of Christianity based on your studies proves nil and vain, and magnified by your pointless accusations and your name calling. For one, saying that we are a cult is name-calling isn't it? I asked you to define the term "cult." But what did you do? The fact that you deleted your definition of the term "cult" that you got from wikipedia proves that you are definitely in the wrong. The fact that you haven't found the True Christianity doesn't give you the right to call us a cult, or does your personal pursuit of your vendetta makes you think that you have the right?
"According to professor Timothy Miller from the University of Kansas in his 2003 Religious Movements in the United States, during the controversies over the new religious groups in the 1960s, the term "cult" came to mean something sinister, generally used to describe a movement at least potentially destructive to its members or to society. But he argues that no one yet has been able to define a "cult" in a way that enables the term to identify only problematic groups. Miller asserts that the attributes of groups often referred to as cults (see cult checklist), as defined by cult opponents, can be found in groups that few would consider cultist, such as Catholic religious orders or many evangelical Protestant churches. Miller argues:
Matthew 7 (The Message)
15-20"Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
21-23"Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'
24-25"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.
26-27"But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."
28-29When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard.
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. John 12:49 (King James Version)
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. John 15:10 (King James Version)