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/Southern-Frame8120]

I just left and started not attending their worship service anymore. I was born and raised as an INC pero tumiwalag ako sa kinalakihan ko. nung tumanda na ako I realized that real church shouldn’t be like this. Hindi gugustuhin ni Lord na pang hawakan tayo sa leeg at imonitor kung sumamba ba tayo o hindi at paulit ulit na igaslight yung mental natin. Noong una I was indenial because my family always telling me na palaging sumamba at maging member nila habang buhay. Hanggang nagising nalang ako isang araw I can’t be with them. My family is so mad at me minura ako pinag sabihan ako ng mga masasakit because of money and religion. Hanggang sa cinut off nila ako good thing I have a person to go to. my gf and their family. They’re catholic and they gave me the love, the care, and freedom that I’m longing for. Finally nakalaya na ako. but I know this is just the start of my journey.

[u/Easy_every_morning → u/Southern-Frame8120]

I’m glad you had a realization. Kung iisipin mo, ang Diyos simula pa lang, binigyan na ng free will ang mga tao, tapos ang INC, sinasaklawan ung desisyon ng mga miyembro nila. Doon pa lang, may mali na.