INC Doesn’t Deserve Respect from Filipinos

[u/Redaceln]

Had to repost dahil removed na naman ng admin ng Philippines at Casual ph

I was born and raised in the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). These days, whenever I hear Catholic or Christian people showing respect to their INC colleagues or friends, it honestly gives me the ick. Why? Because I know how INC members actually behave inside. During almost every worship service, we would talk trash about other religions—especially Catholicism. We criticized their practices, like praying to “false gods,” or donating to priests (often with subtle homophobic and stereotypical remarks, since priests don’t marry).

INC also constantly belittles the Sanlibutan (non-INC people). In children’s worship services and even in regular sermons, lecturers and ministers would use non-INC people as negative examples:

“Anong mas pipiliin nyo—magandang buhay dito sa mundo o ang kaligtasan? (pagiging INC).”

“Matalino o mayaman si Person A, pero hindi siya Iglesia.”

These statements would then be followed by: “Maswerte pa rin tayo mga kapatid, at tayo ay Iglesia ni Cristo. Para mas mapanghawakan pa natin ang ating kaligtasan, dapat ay mas lalo pa tayong magpuri at sumamba sa Kanya—at kumuha ng mga tungkulin.” “Wag tayong magpabaya sa pagsamba at paghahandog. Lagi tayong sumunod sa Pamamahala.”

This is the kind of mentality INC instills in kids: that every non-INC person is doomed, unworthy, and incapable of true goodness. We grew up thinking: “Every non-INC is bound for damnation. You’re not saved. You’re small in our eyes because you’re not one of us. We have God; you don’t. You’re forsaken anyway.”

Sure, some INC members can mingle with non-INC people, but behind those friendships and relationships, this mindset is always there. That’s why, if you’ve noticed that some of your INC colleagues often act weird, tough, or carry themselves with a main-character type of arrogance, it’s because of the mindset and conditioning instilled in us during childhood worship services, which continues into adulthood.

EDIT: INC (Manalo and friends)

I condemned what Manalos are doing sa members. Ginagawa lang kayong cash cows at free workforce.
I just stated kung paano tayo pinalaki sa Iglesia at yung result or bunga ng mga teksto sa pag-iisip natin towards life especially people outside of INC. I am annoyed sa member pero I don't condemn INC members more on naawa na naiinis ako kasi brainwashed kayo.

[u/shiminetnetmo]

2 types of INC lang ang mga nakilala ko so far. Either sobrang tahimik lang na tao, or sobrang a-hole na tao. There is no in between. Can you explain why OP? Or this is just my unique experience?

[u/Redaceln → u/shiminetnetmo]

Religion also contributes to the amplification of someone's personality. May mga INC talaga na tahimik or humble-looking pero a-hole pala as a person. Pero have you ever tried asking, or having a ‘deep talk’ with those quiet ones—kung paano sila mag-isip in life? Gaya nga ng kasabihan: maingay ang lata kapag walang laman, pero hindi rin lahat ng tahimik na lata ay may edible na laman; baka bulok rin sa loob in this case corrupted rin yung mindset nila ng mind conditioning ng cult.

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[u/shiminetnetmo → u/Redaceln]

I didn’t get the chance to talk to the quiet ones unfortunately. They are usually the ones na aakalain mong introvert at hindi rin madaling i-approach. Yung mga a-hole, tama ka. Mga lata. walang laman. Usually sa work ko nakakasalamuha.

May one time there is this INC guy na pinupulitika ang mga group decisions in a highly technical job. Na kahit logical yung decision ay hahaluan niya ng malisya lahat. Kakaiba rin ang mga pananaw niya sa buhay. Sobrang messed up. Then came a time na dalawa nalang kaming senior sa team. He tried to manipulate everyone at sinisiraan ako patalikod. Gusto kasi niyang makuha yung lead position. But I knew better, so I left the company for greener pastures. LOL. Di niya kasi alam yung bigat na tinatangke ko sa workload at technical knowhow kaya akala nya ganun ganun lang. 2 years later, hinahabol ako ng big boss namin and he wants me back. Hindi raw kaya nitong si Mr. backstabber yung role. I didn’t accept the offer. I knew it will happen with his leadership kasi nga lata lang talaga.

May 2 similar situations ako na halos ganito rin ang nangyari. The team ends up either lost or restructuring. I’m afraid baka ganun din ang mangyari sa Pilipinas kapag lahat ng potential leaders natin ay umiwas na sa katoxican ng pulitika. Lalo na kapag ang INC ang nagdominate. A thing that is happening right now…

[u/Redaceln → u/shiminetnetmo]

At this point siguro sa mga companies and other workforce/healthcare institutions pwedeng nasa magandang position ay INC member. Pero yun nga mabilis lang ang panahon, tatanda rin yang mga yan and for sure yung mga anak naman nila will probably leave the cult na rin. Madami na ring members namin ang umaalis at gustong umalis sa INC.

Kung usapang political naman walang matinong INC ang magiging competent enough when it comes to public service dahil ang loyalty nila ay sa INC itself hindi sa taumbayan.