Faith over common Sense (Iglesia Ni Cristo)

Hi All

I just want a few opinions here regarding the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

I met a young girl just before I left the Philippines while having a coffee in Starbucks, she informed me that she was from the Iglesia Church and follows the teachings (fine with me)
During the conversation, she told me she had a 3 year old son and was married but seperated since the father had another family and other girl friends ( I have heard this a lot from single mums in Manila)
She told me that the church does not allow her to re-marry until the father of the child / her Husband dies !!! So I asked her, " what is more important to you ? Your faith or your Child ??
I was trying to tell her that a 3 year old needs a father figure to help it grow up and someone to look up to. Her reply was that her faith was more important to her. I was speechless and quite shocked that this policy exists in the Iglesia teachings.

Would like to hear some opinions on this

Rise above religion,
treat all people with respect.
But the Philippines does not allow divorce.

Your words made bold by me are apt.

Better not proceed, red flag.
She's been 'indoctrinated' (seriously it's what Iglesia ni Cristo calls it too).
Iglesia ni Cristo is akin to a cult. Whatever their leader, Brother Eddy says, they follow.
I've heard countless of stories of people who have lost money from donating too much to Iglesia 'churches.'

On a side note, they also had the world's largest indoor arena constructed in Bulacan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Arena

Also, when their leader says to meet at a certain place, most of them would do. And they number in MILLIONS.

I remember when I was still working in Manila, my office was just beside the United Nations building and NBI. I commute through FX from Alabang to Manila. I haven't listened to the news, so I found out late that there was an Iglesia ni Cristo 'Prayer Rally' at Quirino Grandstand. It caused a massive traffic. All highways and streets around Roxas Boulevard, Taft Avenue, Pres. Quirino Ave., etc. were congested.

I was stuck in traffic for a good hour and a half. Worst thing is, when I finally arrived at work, my company didn't even acknowledge the traffic (even though my boss and fellow employees did, but they all came very early or took a leave beforehand) and deducted that one hour and a half off my monthly salary. Hence one of the reasons why it sucks working in the Philippines, if you're just an ordinary employee.

Anyway, back to you. Just let it be and don't go any further. Unless you're a religious fanatic too. Things won't end well, they value their 'Diyos Ama' and 'Brother Eddy' more than every thing else.

The religious indoctrination starts young in the PI, and is relentless. Anybody who believes all that stuff is beyond any sort of sensible discussion, so you're on a losing streak to start with trying to make sense of this girl.

Seriously? You can say so readily things like they're 'akin to a cult'
and such? Please can you provide proof? You've said a lot of prejudgments again. It's not nice especially if you don't know enough.

Read and watch for yourself. I have dozens of neighbours, relatives and friends who are current or ex-members of Iglesia. But I doubt, you will want to hear all that, as you will say it's bias and no proof.

So people, just check out the links and decide for yourself.


http://www.rappler.com/nation/64426-iglesia-ni-cristo-centennial-stricter-religion-stronger
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p027xnnr
http://www.wsj.com/video/were-not-a...rch/637CBE68-6C2E-413E-83D1-5B7E926E0B29.html
http://www.rappler.com/nation/64248-iglesia-ni-cristo-practices
http://www.rappler.com/nation/64345-iglesia-ni-cristo-corona-rh-bill
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/stor...has-sway-in-government-agencies-osmena-admits
http://iglesianiquitso.freeforums.org/evm-visitations-t101.html
http://www.rappler.com/life-and-sty...l&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer


You know me people. I don't mince my words, feelings or sentiments be damned. I speak my mind and my experiences.

You're all adults. You guys decide and think for yourselves.

And so just because you read things on the internet you believe them and make people believe them. Ha.

I honestly find it hard to talk about religion with people especially when I know we have opposite views. But the same rule of thumb applies. Give and earn respect. We don't say things like they're akin to a cult as we do not know who could be reading the posts. I have enough conversations in open forums in Facebook with Muslim people to make me believe that it is possible to talk about religion without being unfair.

I won't even bother arguing with you, Jenibele.

Like I said, it's up for the other people of these forum to decide on what they think about Iglesia ni Cristo.

Not you, and not me.

We're all adults. We all have minds and the capacity to think.

Uhuh? Is that right. What about the feelings of your fellow Filipino who in behalf of the people she knows that are in the church was hurt by the prejudiced and insensitive remarks you have so thoughtlessly given?

I know I'm at the losing end to be butthurt because after all we're talking about religion, a specific faith. I guess what I'm ranting about here is your ability to offer negative opinions just basing from the little knowledge inside your head. You also make it sound like it's the absolute truth just because you are from Phils and most of the people that are here are not.

My mind on religion was set a long time ago and I can't see it changing any time soon. I don't need to openly say what I believe or don't believe in this thread as it makes little sense.

We all have our own ideas of course, some choose to openly enter into a discussion even if the opinion is in direct opposition of their own. Discussion in my eyes is a good thing. Others cannot or will not understand another's belief and are unable to open their mind to such a concept. That's their prerogative. Good luck to them. Respect to all such religions or non religious is the key

For the girl in the OP, if she's happy with how her life is does it matter? For me, Its a shame the child has no contact with the father but its her child she does what she feels best as long as the child isn't being abused.

Isnt indoctrination just a part of our society as a whole?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoctrination

Hahahahahah... And we're not even in a relationship yet.

I'm going to the palengke/market now to buy ingredients for dinner.

Jenibele, I guess whatever tickles your fancy my dear.

You've met your match knight, a worthy adversary for sure

Iglesia ni Cristo is for all intents and purposes a cult masquerading as a Christian Church where a cult is defined as "a religious group that denies one or more of the fundamentals of biblical truth". They deny essential historic Christian doctrine - namely the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus Christ. They hold an almost unbreakable grip on their members and they impose a man-made path to salvation through service and works.

Iglesia ni Cristo requires its members to abide by the following rules:

• They may not be members of trades unions
• They must avoid attending court sessions so can not be witnesses or take part in any civil (or criminal) court case
• The must attend their church regularly
• At elections they must cast their votes as decreed by church elders
• Intimate relationships with non-members is strongly discouraged
• They are required to give tithes to the church amounting to at least 10% of their income - however the church denies that tithes are compulsory even though they are

Sir, the last one abolutely holds no truth. Please get your fact straight.

It's funny that it should be an argument.Consider that each one of us have our own beliefs.If one looks at one religion as such, as long as deep within you there is no truth on what he or she is saying,Just know " your" stand. ..and not for the rest of the members of your religion.I've learned a lesson that i will only talk about my faith.
When i was new here, i openly share my views too on certain issues, and some guys here, doesn't like it..lol who cares, i will still talk about my faith , my belief and my God (take it or leave it)
In life, we can not always win the argument, but we can do something about it..Stop it and talk about Peace!

Humm. A cult masquerading as a Christian church. Big words. Big assuming words. There are a lot of things I could say about the church and I will say I know more than any of you knows about the church here. But I don't see the point of defending them to people who are obviously as closed-minded and firm to what opinions they have about the church as the very people in question.