Marwil N. Llasos, OP
Beware! You have been warned!!!
Our Lord Himself warned us!
“And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5).
“Then, if anyone says to you, ‘Look here is the Christ’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it… “For wherever the carcass, there the eagles will be gathered together” (Matthew 24:23-26, 28).
The Apostles warned us!
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears way from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-6).
“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who brought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber” (2 Peter 2:1-3).
“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9).
“For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:29-30).
“… we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14).
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them” (Ephesians 5:6-7).
“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17-18).
“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us” (1 John 2:19).
“… having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith” (1 Timothy 5:12).
What are sects?
The religious groups we call sects originated from Protestantism. They have carried out their Protestant idea of the personal and free interpretation of the Bible to the limit; therefore their Biblical subjectivism has led them apart from traditional Protestantism. It has led them as well to continuous divisions and subdivisions among themselves: new sects are born according to different interpretations of the Bible.
Profile of a sect: How can we recognize a sect?
Founded within the last 100 or 150 years by persons who claimed to have been “enlightened” or “inspired.”
By Church standards, sects are rather small groups or congregations. They impose on people and very demanding; their leaders have much influence and authority.
Each sect is convinced that it, and only it, possesses the truth about religion and salvation. Other religions are complete falsehood. They are anti-ecumenical and particularly anti-Catholic.
Sects reject the Church, its sacraments and liturgy, all Christian tradition, Mary, the saints, the Pope, bishops and priests. They accept only the Bible which they freely interpret (“biblical fundamentalism”).
Highly proselytist and intolerant.
Their faith and religiosity are simplistic and very emotional.
They usually believe in the imminent second coming of Christ.
What do they do?
The aim of sects is to attract as many people as possible into their group. They are very zealous in proselytism.
Why are sects strong nowadays?
In our modern world, religion is less important than before. Many experience a religious vacuum.
There is sense of insecurity in today’s world.
Currently, there is a lot of confusion in religion, morals, values and so on.
Sects have big financial resources and are able to use mass media and propaganda widely.
Why do Catholics join sects?
Sects use mass media extensively.
They have well-planned and organized strategy in their proselytism.
Sects stress small and fraternal communities or congregations. Warm and personal relationship is encouraged among members, thus creating a feeling of importance in every individual member.
Sects emphasize emotion, mysticism, spirituality, and concrete commitments.
Why are we Catholics to blame?</span>
Masses, liturgies, communities, groups, parishes and apostolate are not inviting and appealing. They lack warmth and fraternal spirit (“Lack of belongingness”).
Catholic preaching, religious instruction, and group meetings often don’t put enough emphasis on spirituality, conversion, commitment and deep religious dimension. Some Catholics might find them in a sect.
Many Catholics lack basic Christian formation.
Lack of Biblical training.
Some parishes, groups or Catholic institutions don’t promote enough participation, pastoral responsibilities and involvement of the laity.
Indifference of the clergy; weak/lack of Catholic witnessing (“scandals in the Church”).
What are the principal sects in the Philippines today?
Philippine Independent Church
Founded on: August 3, 1902
Founder: Isabelo de los Reyes
First Bishop: Fr. Gregorio Aglipay
Iglesia Ni Cristo
Founded on: July 27, 1914
Founder: Felix Manalo Ysagun
Principal Doctrines:
Denial of Trinity
Christ is a man
The original Christian Church apostatized
The INC is the true Church
‘Iglesia ni Cristo’ is the proper name of the true Church
Only INC members will be saved
Felix Y. Manalo is the last messenger of God
Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Jesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas, Inc. (Ang Dating Daan)
Founded on: 1982
Founder: Eliseo Soriano
Principal Doctrines:
God the Father is the “Almighty” God
Jesus is the “Mighty” God
The Holy Spirit is also a “God” (but a lesser one)
Humans can become gods (like Bro. Jocel, Bro. Eli, etc.)
Bible alone (as interpreted by Soriano)
Soriano is the ‘pantas na dukha’ who alone can correctly interpret the Bible
The Kingdom of Jesus Christ the Name Above Every Name
Founder: Apollo C. Quiboloy
Principal Doctrines:
Unitarian
The Son is the Temple of the Father
Quiboloy is the “appointed Son of God” in these last days
Davao is the New Jerusalem
References:
Fr. Manuel P. Duetao, Founders, History and Fundamental Doctrines (Dumaguete City, 1997)
Segundo Galilea, Catholics and the Sects (Quezon City: Claretian Publications, 1989
Many would stay in the Catholic faith and not leave if a cardinal issue is resolved. This is the issue of idolatry. The Catholic church espouses idolatry. It in fact took out from the Ten Commandments the second most important which prohibits us from making idols in the form of anything in heaven above, in the earth below and in the waters beneath the earth. And they split the true 10th commandment into two retaining the number to the original ten.
ReplyDeleteIdolatry is the principal sin of this country and the principal culprit here is the Catholic church. This is why it is called by many as the apostate church because it continues to promote idolatry.
Many would stay in the Catholic faith and not leave if a cardinal issue is resolved. This is the issue of idolatry. The Catholic church espouses idolatry. It in fact took out from the Ten Commandments the second most important which prohibits us from making idols in the form of anything in heaven above, in the earth below and in the waters beneath the earth. And they split the true 10th commandment into two retaining the number to the original ten.
ReplyDeleteIdolatry is the principal sin of this country and the principal culprit here is the Catholic church. This is why it is called by many as the apostate church because it continues to promote idolatry.