The Iglesia Ni Cristo “VOTE”

-->So many anti-INC, nonmembers, and also media attacks the INC and always having diff. negative opinions, comments and also some other accusations to the unity of the INC especially in terms of voting.

WHY DO THEY SAY THOSE?

SIMPLE ANSWER. They do not know about the UNITY what god commands in the TRUE CHURCH OF CHRIST. And most important, they were blinded by their OWN THOUGHTS about the practice in the INC.

No.1 “INC supports candidates who will also support them.”

Nonmembers always have this kind of idea, that the INC supports candidates for the exchange of something… One I can give example is about the INC holiday and the so called road renaming to Bro. Erano Manalo. Every thing or step what the politicians done to INC, still the very first thing they will think is that they want the vote of the INC for the coming election. (em I right?^_^) All I can say that they were so childish! Tsk. Tsk. They are not maturing! I am sure why they say it is because of ENVY, in what the INC achieves. They were threatened because nowadays it is being recognized that the attention of the government is on the INC and that their church were ignored and so making INC on the spotlight. Yes. Perfect! And PERIOD! Especially the most who make this a BIG DEAL are the Catholics. Especially Catholic defenders, who make articles on their blogs, sites and whatsoever kind of propaganda materials to oppose to the government on what they have decided. That, it is not a good thing to make a special holiday for the Iglesia ni Cristo and that they should not rename road to Bro. Erano Manalo. Huuuh, so many opinions and comments… WHY? Simple word that best describe. Again, because of the word ENVY. Clearly they want to debunk the INC, Tsk. Tsk. An evil thing. FIRST OF ALL, the INC DOESN’T CARE to that Holiday and that road renaming! Because we do not requested it from the government, and the government itself who decided it, not US. A BIG QUESTION FOR YOU, WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL INC GET FROM THOSE? Money? Power? Fame? What??? We know what CHURCH who wants it; even they already HAVE it ever since the SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD! Haha (History Book please!)

No. 2 “INC always meddling in politics, that they choose their candidate and performs their solid vote.”

Mmmm. QUESTION: IN WHAT WAY the INC meddles in politics in the first place? Is it because it has its practice to vote IN ONE and that they are endorsing candidates means about meddling in politics? Tsk. Tsk. Poor mentality! The very FACT is, what church really meddles in politics??? One of thousands example, the passing of reproductive health bill… haha mmmmmmm… (People worldwide know what church really meddles in their respective government, it is evident and no one can ever deny it!)

No. 3 “INC members are just puppets of their church administration; they were dictated and forced. They takes away the freedom of their members instead of voting in their own conscience.”

Really? This was the kind of mind of many nonmembers because they cannot understand well, they were blinded what maybe church authorities statements about voting in OWN CONSCIENCE. First of all, no individual members of the INC have been DICTATED or FORCED to JOIN THE CHURCH. Converts baptized in the church through RECEIVING DOCTRINES and BIBLE LESSONS. THEREFORE, If they wholeheartedly believe on it and understands it, they will be BAPTIZE. In the CASE of the UNITY in the CHURCH, this called “BLOCK VOTING” is a right of suffrage. Meaning, members HAVE THE TRUST to the Church administration whether whom to VOTE. BECAUSE THE CHURCH HAVE THE DOCTRINES THAT IS WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE THAT IS, BE UNITED! (in all ASPECT) Second, IT WAS THE MEMBERS who will write the name and put in the ballot boxes therefore, it is not contrary to the LAW. Meaning, it is IN THE MEMBERS if they will FOLLOW AND OBEY DOCTRINES IN THE CHURCH AND COOPERATE TO THE CHURCH ADMINISTRATION, period! Furthermore, members were not DICTATED or FORCED whom to vote because it is in THEM or it is their DECISION if they will follow one of the teachings in the bible. It is like this; they were not forced and dictated to do good because it is IN THEM if they will do good/god’s will or to be bad/evil.

In addition, there are advantages to this practice, HOW? Ok, may I ask you:

WHO CAN BE INFLUENCED BY THE POLITICIANS WHOM TO VOTE? a regular voter or voter who participates in the called “BLOCK VOTING”?

WHO CAN BE PAID BY THE POLITICIANS WHOM TO VOTE? a regular voter or voter who participates in the called “BLOCK VOTING”?

WHO CAN DO CHEATINGS IN THE ELECTION WANTED BY THE POLITICIANS? a regular voter or voter who participates in the called “BLOCK VOTING”?

See? All these questions were answered, just recall the election happened in the past years! (The news in the television, radio and newspapers.) WHO DONE THESE? Is it the INC members or the NONMEMBERS? Tsk. Tsk.

No. 4 “INC is shown by its numerous chapels all over the land that were built after elections.”

A truth OR MYTH? Well, Ask yourself again, WHAT CHURCH REALLY ACCEPTS MONEY in all kinds? For EXAMPLE, came from CASINOS, GAMBLINGS and etc., came from Politicians? To “SUPPORT AND CONTINUE” their church “ACTIVITIES AND CHARITIES”? Tsk. Tsk. FYI: The construction of chapels in the INC CAME FROM THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE MEMBERS WORLDWIDE, and the results WERE EVIDENTLY SEEN! Even election is coming and comes to end, INC still constructing Hoses of worship not with the HELP or “DONATION” of the POLITICIANS who’s BEING voted/supported by the INC! Because the fact that the INC DOES NOT IN ANY WAY ACCEPTS MONEY FROM THEM!!

No. 5 “INC does not perform the Church-State separation.”

Nonmembers as we see again, accuse the INC that it does violate the law that is the Church-state separation. BUT, FYI: The INC’s principle is that both Church and State SHOULD BE SEPARATED AND THAT BOTH PARTIES SHOULD NOT MEDDLE IN EACH OTHERS AFFAIRS AND FUNCTIONS! In fact, for this reason the Church has never supported any attempt by some politicians to legislate the teaching of religion in public schools! In the same manner, the church abhorred the practice of some CATHOLIC prelates who siphon off public funds to support their “religious” activities.

THE CHURCH HAS TO MAKE A CHOICE IN ORDER TO PRESERVE UNITY (as god’s people) and at the same time, to fulfill the members right and responsibility of SUFFRAGE (as citizens). It is to make her choice to be ABLE TO CAST A UNIFIED VOTE AS ONE BODY (Col. 1:18; Rom. 12:4-5) and also TO FULFILL BIBLICAL PRECEPT THAT CHRISTIANS SHOULD MAINTAIN ONE MIND AND ONE JUDGMENT (I Cor. 1:10) The principle of Church-State separation was given its earliest definition when our Lord Jesus Christ said: “Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” (Mk. 12:17) Therefore, the MEMBERS DO “GIVE BACK TO CAESAR WHAT BELONGS TO CAESAR” WHEN THEY PRACTICE THEIR RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE AS RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS (Voting is mandated by Law in a constitutional democracy.) And the same members do give “TO GOD WHAT BELONGS TO GOD” BY DOING GOD WANTS, THAT IS, TO MAINTAIN UNITY IN THE ENTIRE CHURCH WHICH TRANSLATES INTO VOTING AS ONE BODY.

No. 6 “INC lied in the numbers of their adherents that it only draws some 340,000+ last election voted for a party list group but claims to have millions of members.”

The Article Alagad ng Iglesia Ni Cristo is just one of those anti-INC articles that the authors were just having their "CONCLUSIONS" and "GUESSING" factor that they are trying to prove their own lies.

Think of this:

This was just a PORTION of the INC members around the world. This picture was taken in the church’s 95^th anniversary. There were 14 venue in the Philippines and this was just ONE of the Venue.

So, this is the question on the alleged counted vote for the said party list who, as what they say, supported by the INC. QUESTION: ARE ALL INC MEMBER ADULTS (who are 18 and above) WERE ALL A REGISTERED VOTER ON THAT TIME? Because they say there are only 340,000+ who voted for that party list group, that the “Pasugo” (as what they say) CLAIMING millions of adherents. TRY TO THINK OF IT, BEFORE GIVING AN ACCUSATION!

No.7 "Other people say that the INC have millions of member but in the past elections, there were candidates that were supported by them did not win."

Yes. this was just one of the many questions used also to attack the block voting of the INC. They say: "how could the INC have many followers if the candidates supported by them did not win? " and etc. and etc. another attack is that, "INC had many mis-steps or wrong moves whom to vote in past elections".

THE ANSWER: first of all, THE INC DOESNT CARE IF WHAT WE SUPPORTED DID NOT WIN THE ELECTION. what is IMPORTANT to us is not for the POLITICIANS WE HAVE SUPPORTED IS TO WIN, because the thing is, WE DO THE UNITY WHAT GOD WANTS, WE DO GOD'S WILL, and WE DO OUR PART FROM BEING HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE... FYI: we do "VOTING AS ONE" only because that was one of the TEACHINGS WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE. IF... again, IF it was only a PRACTICE that was CREATED/FORMULATED by the Church Administration, i think the INC would not let this to continue, WHY? an example: Try to type "iglesia ni cristo block voting" in your search engine then press enter. Read and see every people's COMMENTS and OPINIONS about it, and you will discover 100% that almost of your read sites/blogs and whatsoever from nonmembers were all NEGATIVE and DESTRUCTIVE to the INC's teaching as voting as ONE! In short, people are all AGAINST to this, for they are accusing the church for they do not DEEPLY UNDERSTAND THE INC'S PURPOSE FOR HAVING ITS "block voting!"Another, ASK YOURSELF, why does MEMBERS of the Church doesnt complain for they also have a principle and stand about voting in OWN CONSCIENCE? huh? that most of the converts of the church were CATHOLICS and from other faith who are also AGAINST in this "block voting"?? SIMPLE ANSWER: They are not having complaints not because they were DICTATED OR FORCED to do it but because theyhave learn and UNDERSTAND (by receiving bible lessons) its IMPORTANCE, that voting as ONE, for the members were the components of the BODY (CHURCH), and that our lord Jesus Christ is the HEAD OF THE BODY (CHURCH), and compare/describe it to a ONE NEW MAN. For there was only ONE BRAIN/MIND our self, and our body parts doesnt fight or argue to each other. And so, the memebers were only FOLLOWING the TEACHINGS of god through Jesus Christ (Head) and the instrument for it to be done is through the CHurch Administration...

No. 8 "Politicians greets INC when there are (for ex. anniversary of the church, birthday of leaders and etc.) to have the INC vote!"

Hmm? Do politicians do these especially for the near election?

I dont think so.

How about other like Pres. Bush and Vice Pres. Dick Cheney (who greet the INC in its 90th anniversary), Pres. Bush and Prime Mins. Stephen Harper of Canada (95th anniversary). DO YOU THINK THEY GREETED THE INC BECAUSE THEY WANT THE VOTE FROM US?? Tsk. Tsk.

Reality:

INC in outside the philippines were just a very small portion of the population affiliated with the Church of Christ. So, WHY DO THEY WANT THE VOTE OF THE INC? Especially why not to the religions who have many members like Evangelicals, LDS, Catholic Church, Jehova's witnesses, seventh day adventist and etc??

Or this were just another MISCONCEPTION and an attack to the CHURCH OF CHRIST???

Tsk. Tsk.

No. 9 “That of the bloc voting of the INC is even not shown in the bible, which teaching is only from the church administration.”

Really? Hmmm. Let us see, SO THIS IS IT! WHY DOES THE INC PERFORMS BLOCK VOTING?

In the BIBLE, it is written that the TRUE CHURCH OF CHRIST that is OF GOD, must come up in unity!…

That it would carry out in perfect harmony and in the spirit of true Christian brotherhood, it is stated:

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm133:1

The Apostles appealed for unity in the letters addressed to the Christians in their time, it is stated:

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” I Cor. 1:10

MEANING OF VOTE:

-Expression of judgment (Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary)

It is said in I Cor. 1: 10,

but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Jesus Christ prayer:

“Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:11, 23

Members share with one faith, recognize only one God, the Father in heaven and do things in a united fashion, it is stated:

“here is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Eph. 4:4-6

Apostle Paul said:

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 15:5-6

God almighty is glorified who possess that spirit of humility and selflessness because these would enable them to translate the unity of the Church in concrete reality, Apostle Paul wrote the ff:

“then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” Philip. 2:2-3,12

Apostle Paul vividly described the nature of the Church as an organization, being composed of individual members working in perfect unity.

“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Rom. 12: 4-5

For God of love and peace will remain with the Church:

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” II Cor. 13:11

NOTE: There were many bible passages that are written were not in this, these are just few of those. That proves that the Church should come up with UNITY!

FYI to all: at the first place, BLOCK VOTING OF THE INC is just ONE of MANY OTHER KINDS OF PRACTICING UNITY IN THE CHURCH. Attack the INC IF… again, IF THE ONLY KIND OF UNITY IN THE INC IS SAID ONLY IN TERMS OF BLOCK VOTING! Understood?!! But you cannot prove it! Why? EVIDENTLY THE CHURCH WAS SEEN UNITED IN ALL ASPECT!!

Another,

QUESTION: IS IT OUR FAULT IF WE WERE TO OBEY GOD’s COMMANMENTS?