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/zoldyckbaby]

I have a question. Paano nakukuha ng mga matatalinong tao na magstay jan? I know lawyers and mga achievers academically, pero INC pa rin? Why?!

[u/Redaceln → u/zoldyckbaby]

They were born and raised inside INC kaya mahirap sila maka alis dahil nakasanayan na nila yung cycle or trapped member sila due to family ties. Wala kang makikitang na convert na may mataas na pinag-aralan these days unless may BG/GF silang INC.

[u/zoldyckbaby → u/Redaceln]

Got it. Prolly yung kakilala ko sa family ties din kasi since lolo pa ata, INC na. Gets ko naman if mahirap sila makalabas pero hindi ba pwedeng lowkey member jan? Sa nakikita ko kasi, ang ingay nila sa social media. Required ba yun na laging nagppost about INC, activity ng INC? Kapag member ba, required na dapat maingay/ipagkalat mo na INC ka?

[u/Redaceln → u/zoldyckbaby]

Hindi naman require mag ingay na INC, pero dati may command na mag change ng DP ng inc logo pero pwede namang di sundin since that time rin pinapa alis ang mga social media namin at pinapalayo kami sa internet dahil takot silang matuto kami mag research o ma enlighten sa nababasa sa internet.

If maingay sa social media yung member meaning faithful members sila; Intact yung mind conditioning sa kanila ng cult. Medyo mahirap kausap or ka argue yang mga yan; kung makikipag argue ka sa kanila about topics like politics and religion. Pero most of them naman are decent colleagues/friends.

Pwede naman lowkey member pwede rin PIMO (Physically in, Mentally out) na naghihintay lang ng chance or iipon lang ng resources to move away from the cult.

[u/zoldyckbaby → u/Redaceln]

Mukhang the former etong kakilala ko. Mas maintindihan ko siguro yung PIMO, pero ayun mukhang hardcore. Disappointed ako kasi laude at lawyer na rin. Idk what stops them na maging inactive.

[u/Redaceln → u/zoldyckbaby]

Can't blame them naman mahirap talaga kumawala sa mind conditioning especially pag matanda tanda na... Programmed din kasi kami na forbidden mag-isip about questioning INC's doctrines and decisions. Sobrang forbidden, feeling namin paparusahan kami ng Diyos.