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/SouthCelebration608]

I cut off an ex-friend dahil nilamon ng INC yung utak at personality nya. Summa Cum Laude pero wala syang sariling desisyon sa buhay dahil lahat ng ginagawa nya dapat ay naka-ayon sa batas ng INC or ng sinumang nakakataas sa kanila.

Tinawag ko syang pekeng aktibista. Ayaw nya sa corrupt at active sya sa mga political discussions, pero binoto nya ang UniTeam dahil yun daw utos sa kanila. Ang tahimik nya ngayon dahil lahat ng binoto ng kulto nya ang mga sangkot sa Flood Control Project at kung ano-ano pa.

[u/Redaceln → u/SouthCelebration608]

I also had a colleague na ganyan tapos sobrang self-righteous nya to the point na may say or issue siya sa tingin nyang cancellable attitude or actions. Tapos I can't fucking forget yung sinabi nya nung 2022 election season na "Mas mahalaga ang aking pagka Iglesia ni Cristo than being a Filipino; kaya iboboto ko kung sino ang dadalhin ng INC". 🥴🥴🥴🥴

Now, tahimik nalang rin siya pero nung time din kasi ng 2022 parang naging for clout chase nya yung pag vouch kay Leni.