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The “Personal God” in the Bible

And the “Personal Saints” of Today

By Apolinario Villalobos

Passages in the Bible mention about personalities who “walked with their personal God”. The Israelites of the Bible are said to be “Chosen People”… by whom?...of course, their “personal God” who hated the rest of the peoples at the time so that “He” commanded the Israelites to eradicate them from the face of the earth, so that they could occupy their land. (That for me was the first case of LAND GRABBING to the highest level!). Of course, I will be contradicted by some viewers by saying that those people that the Israelites must exterminate were pagans, heathens, who did sodomy, etc…..fine. But if the “God” of Israel was really the “God” of all, being the “creator” of everything in the universe, why must “He” command the early Israelites to do the killing when all that “He” could have done was sweep them off with a strong and blinding desert sandstorm or torrential rain of fire? (SOME Filipino Catholic Church leaders and Christian human life advocates kuno must have missed the message of this legendary story – eradication of the heathen, the bad people…because they keep on attacking instead, the guy who wants to eradicate them….the guy is Duterte who wants to eradicate the bad drug personalities!)

The above-mentioned story is a clear indication of the ET (extra-terrestial) characteristics of what the Israelites of the Bible referred to as their “Lord”.  For me, the Israelites’ “Lord” could be the “messenger” of the true God. There are passages in the Bible about what some prophets allude to what we call today as space ships. I believe nothing is wrong with that if those “Lords” of the Bible were really the early missionaries of the true God, and who came to Earth… did several experiments using what they found when they landed, such as the uprightly walking apes and their (ET) own genes, until they succeeded in producing intelligent humans in their own image. The passage of the legend says “THEIR”, and not “HIS”, a reference in plural form….indication that the creation legend involves a group, not an individual. It is said that legends are basis of traditions that are oftentimes proved later on, to be credible. That is the reason why continued archaeological diggings have been proving the truthfulness in the passages of the Bible…and more are being done to show more truths.

Still on the “personal” thing…. if all saints are Godly and of course, good, why classify them according to “what they can do or heal?”. Why not just view all of them as “models” of what man should be, aside from helping him connect with God in times of his need? Why must a certain saint be good for a certain ailment, for instance? Why must some be treated as the “most effective” “go between” with God for some wishes? Why must there be personal saints? Are these saints expected to choose who to help among the living? If this practice among the Catholics is wrong, why is the Church tolerating it?

My personal view is that there is a massive misinformation about how man should “truly” live his life accordingly. The responsible guys just want to increase the number of their “flock” for the money that is involved. Everybody knows that for a dead to be blessed there are standard fees depending on where it is done – at home or house of worship, as do are baptizing and marrying couples. A fee is a fee as it involves money regardless of the amount and denomination. I do not view this as wrong if only the concerned guys are not hypocrite in denying the glaring facts. They need the money for subsistence, too, but for their God’s sake, they should be frank about it!

I appreciate the mushrooming of the new Christian Ministries to which the enlightened run to seek spiritual solace – to the Ministers who are honest about the tithes that they receive which are sincerely given for their support, tithes that are not necessarily  “love offering to the Lord”…but tokens of appreciations for their sacrifice.  I also appreciate the honesty of these Ministers regarding their status in life, such as being happily married and having children.

On the other hand, what I question is the breaking of promises made by the so-called “shepherds of the Lord” who prostrated themselves in front of the altar where they mumbled “vows” not to get married, but later molested innocent teenagers and unsuspecting widows…vowed not to amass wealth, but are driving cars. There is one guy at the Vatican who keeps on calling for the repentance of SOME of his “colleagues” who are very obvious in their wrongdoing. His voice must be hoarse by now and still, nobody among the CONCERNED listens to him!...poor Francis!

My calling the pope by his first name is not a sign of disrespect, but fondness as he himself expressed that does not want to be treated “royally” , but just like anybody else….unlike SOME of his colleagues who do not deserve even a teeny-weeny pinch of respect, yet, wanted to be addressed as REVEREND!

Evangelists Should Dwell on Virtues Rather than

Supposedly “Weaknesses and Sins” of Rival Religions

By Apolinario Villalobos

I cannot comprehend how some “evangelists” can have the heart to lambast rival religions or sects by citing their supposedly “weaknesses” and “sins”. With arrogance, these “evangelists” delight in mocking them in front of TV cameras and microphones in radio stations. In the first place, these “evangelists” are in no way, have the right in pointing their dirty and accusing finger at other churches. Who are they to judge, anyway? Proudly, they hold up in the air, their “bible” as the source of their accusations.

Obviously, these unfair and egoistic “evangelists” who translate Bible passages literally have outdated information about it, as it is no longer viewed as “unchanging” and “reliable” due to discovered inconsistencies by no less than authorities of different churches. Despite such findings, however, for the sake of maintaining the staunch belief of the faithful, the Bible is still held in high esteem by the “sane” and “reasonable”, or better, “intelligent” evangelists who emphasize its essence around which revolve virtues taught by Jesus. Their effort is commendable in dwelling on the goodness and relevance of brotherhood, implying that despite differences, many religions worship only One God.

The proud, loud, and blubber-mouthed “evangelists”, on the other hand, are the reasons why animosity developed among religions and their sects. Instead of espousing the virtues such as love, compassion, charity, etc. – all positive, and innately common among the faithful, they insanely and with animated hand gestures, yet, proudly claim that they have successfully “exposed” anomalies in rival religions. These proud “evangelists” obviously failed to realize that ALL religions and their sects have their respective “uniqueness” in manifesting their faith which comes in different ceremonies and rituals. On the other hand, the arrogant “evangelists” claim that only they have the right to salvation, as though, they are God’s chosen people!

I may offend fanatics but for me, it is immaterial whether Jesus is the Son of God or one of the Prophets sent by God, because the focus should be on his teachings, as those of Mohammed, the Buddha, the various Saints, etc., who not only revealed God’s messages, but act out what are uttered by their lips.

Ang Iba’t-Ibang Kasilbihan sa Buhay ng Tao

…nagtatanong lang naman

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ano ang silbi ng magaling na abogado kung ang kanyang kaalaman ay binabayaran ng mga tiwali sa pamahalaan, mga big time drug dealers, illegal recruiters, landgrabbers, at iba pa upang maabsuwelto sa mga kaso, o di kaya ay binabayaran ng mga talagang may kasalanan upang ang walang sala na walang pambayad sa isang abogado ay makulong?

Ano ang silbi ng katalinuhan ng isang tao kung gagamitin niya ito upang manloko ng kapwa, o di kaya ay upang makapasok sa larangan ng pulitika kung saan ay nagmimistula na siyang demonyo dahil sa walang tigil na pagyurak sa karapatan ng kanyang kapwa na nagluklok sa kanya sa puwesto upang sana ay makatulong, subalit, kabaligtaran ang ginawa?

Ano ang silbi ng naaaaapaaakahabang dasal, ganoong ang gusto lang namang hingin ng nagdadasal ay yaman “pa more”, di kaya ay kapahamakan ng kapwa na sinasabayan pa ng pagtitik ng kandila?

Ano ang silbi ng dasal na maganda pa ang pagka-kuwadro sa mga facebook na nila-like at sini-share, kung ang gumagawa ng mga ito ay hanggang doon lang ang gusto – ang mag-admire lang sa prayer na maganda ang pagka-layout at may background pa, at ang iba ay may accompanying music pa kung i-like, sa halip na bigyan ito ng buhay sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng nakasaad sa sinasabi? (maski ilang milyong beses pang mag-share ng “love your neighbor” ang isang taong hindi nagbabago ng masamang ugali, wala ring silbi ang ginawa niya).

Ano ang silbi ng malalaking simbahan kung may araw na sarado ang pinto nila dahil ang mga nangangasiwa sa mga ito ay nag day-off?

Ano ang silbi ng mga sinasabi ng bagong santo papa ng Romano Katoliko para sa pagbabago ng ilang mga “pastol” o mga pari kung hindi naman sila sumusunod?

Ano ang silbi ng K-12 program na nagdudulot ng bangungot sa mga magulang kung hanggang  Grade 9 lang ang kaya nilang tustusan, kaya bagsak pa rin ang mga anak nila sa mga contractual na trabaho na sumusweldo ng 200-300 pesos sa isang araw? (nagsayang lang ang mga bata ng dalawang taon na ginugol sa Grade 7- 8, na dapat sana ay katumbas na ng diploma ng high school).

Ano ang silbi ng Kongreso at Senado kung hindi rin lang sila makapagpasa ng mga batas na “angkop” sa mga kasalukuyang sitwasyon at pangangailangan, dahil mga batas lamang na nakakatulong sa pagtagal nila sa poder ang kanilang inaapura?

Ano ang silbi ng demokrasya kung mismong mga namumuno ay pasimuno sa pag-abuso ng mga karapatan ng mga mamamayan?

Ang Pagninilay-nilay Tuwing

Semana Santa

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Uumpisahan ko ang share na ito sa pagpuna tungkol sa ilang bagay tungkol sa ginugunita ng mga Katoliko. Tulad halimbawa ang “semana santa” na sa Ingles ay “holy week”, at kung tagalugin ay “banal na linggo” pero hindi ganoon ang nangyayari dahil ang ginagamit ay “mahal na araw” na tumutukoy sa “isang araw” lang…anong araw ito? Biyernes santo ba? Sa dasal na “Hail Mary…” kung sa Tagalog, ito ay “Aba Ginoong Maria…”. Bakit naging “ginoo” ang birheng Maria? Ang “ginoo” ay pantukoy sa lalaki. Bakit hindi, “Binibining Maria” o “Ginang Maria” at lalong sana ay “Birheng Maria” dahil siya ay babae? Sigurado kong marami ang magtataas ng mga kilay sa pagpuna kong ito.

Kaya ko inunahan ng mga pagpuna ang isinulat kong ito ay upang ipakita na karamihan sa mga gumugunita sa Semana Santa, ang pananampalataya ay ampaw…walang laman. Ang mga dasal, minimemorays, hindi pini-feel sa puso. Kung susunod sa mga panuntunan ng simbahan, parang wala sa sarili kung gawin ito, hindi iniisip. Kaya sa binanggit ko sa unang paragraph, maaaring kung hindi ko nasabi ay hindi rin mapapansin, dahil sa ugali ng karamihan na kung i-describe ay “parang wala lang”.

Maraming paraan ang pagtitika at pagninilay-nilay sa paggunita ng Semana Santa tulad ng  pagbisita Iglesia…paramihan ng pinupuntahang simbahan, subalit ang nakakalungkot ay hindi nila pagpalampas sa pag-selfie sa harap mismo ng altar! Pagkatapos ng mga pasyalang ginawa ay magpo-post sa facebook ng mga selfie, pati ng mga pagkaing nabili sa paligid o harap ng simbahan. Isa pa ring paraan ay ang tinatawag na “staycation”…ang hindi pag-alis ng bahay o bayan o lunsod kung saan nakatira, dahil marami rin namang magagawa maski hindi na lumabas pa. Sa ganitong paraan, nakatipid na ay nakapag-bonding pa sa mga mahal sa buhay, subalit karamihan pala ay nanonood lang ng mga DVD ng na-miss na mga pelikula!

 Ang mga may perang magagastos, dumadayo pa sa mga bayang nakakaakit din ng mga dayuhang turista. At ang iba naman ay pinipili ang mga resort, swimming pool man o dagat upang mas maganda daw ang ambience ng pagninilay o pagmi-meditate….sana.  Yong iba kasi, ang pinagninilay-nilayan ay ang mga naka-bikining nagsi-swimming. Pero, ang matindi ay ang mga astig, na ang pagninilay ay ginagawa sa harap ng mga bote na ang etikitang nakadikit ay may imahe ng demonyo at ni San Miguel Arkanghel!

Ang mga pilosopo naman ay nagsasabi na taunan naman ang pagninilay-nilay at paghingi ng tawad o paglinis ng ispiritwal na aspeto ng pagkatao, kaya huwag mag-alala kung nakaligtaang magbisita Iglesia, magpinetensiya, o sumali sa pagbasa ng pasyon sa kasalukuyang taon dahil marami pang mga taon na susunod, at upang idiin ang pagkapilosopo, may dagdag pa na: “habang buhay…may pag-asa”.

Ngayon, magtataka pa ba tayo kung bakit ang mundo ay tila niyuyugyog ng mga sunud-sunod na kalamidad? Idagdag pa diyan ang mga giyera sa pagitan ng magkakapitbahay na mga bansa at pagkalat ng mga terorista sa iba’t ibang bansa upang maghasik ng karahasan? At huwag ding kalimutan ang gutom at mga sakit na ang iba ay wala pang lunas.

Dahil sa labis na talino at pagkagahaman ng tao, nawalan na siya ng katinuan at kinalimutan na ang Manlilikha, kaya hindi lang simpeng pitik ang nararapat kundi mararahas na pambukas ng kanyang mga mata at kaisipan! 

Never Put to Test the Faith of a Person

By Apolinario Villalobos

Some people have the habit of putting to test the faith of others. They should take extra care as regards this kind of attitude due to the rise of so many groups that used to be part of the Roman Catholic Church, for instance, and whose primary reason for leaving is the realization that the ceremonious Mass is not for them, though their exit does not necessarily mean the erosion of their faith in God.

Not only are some of the Roman Catholic adherents have this kind of attitude but others who belong to other churches and the various congregations that mushroomed around, assuming different names – all in the name of Jesus. For them, those who “deprive” themselves of the “words of God” will not be saved. But then, what can these “holy” words do when they are not put into action or practiced? A fanatic person may eat the whole Bible, page by page every day, but it will not do him any good if he or she cannot even say “Hi!” to a neighbor.

The best test of faith founded on what Jesus really wanted done, is the test of one’s own. If one can honestly sacrifice for others, share with others, and be consistent in doing them, there is no need to look around and see what others are doing. By then, others will instead emulate what he does. That is what I call faith by practice…that everyone should do, instead of testing that of someone else’s. Do not give somebody the opportunity to put you to shame by sarcastically asking, “…how about you?” 

ANG TAO BILANG NILALANG NG DIYOS

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

PAALALA: Ang blog na ito walang layuning magpasimula ng pagtatalo tungkol sa iba’t ibang paniniwala sa Diyos lalo na sa relihiyon at tradisyon, kaya WALANG KARAPATAN ANG IBANG KWESTIYUNIN ITONG MGA PANSARILI KONG PANANAW. Walang karapatang magbigay ng paalala ang mga nagmamaangan-maangang maka-Diyos daw. At, dahil wala akong binabanggit na relihiyon o tradisyon dito, ang pakiusap ko ay huwag ding magbanggit  nito ang sinumang gustong magkomento. Ituturing kong pansariling pananaw ng nagbasa ang komentong sasabihin niya, kahit hindi umaayon sa mga inilahad ko, kaya hindi ko rin dudugtungan ng tanong o komento. At, lalong ayaw kong ipilit sa iba itong mga pananaw ko.

SA MATA NG DIYOS, LAHAT NG KANYANG NILALANG AY PANTAY-PANTAY AT KUNG MAY MGA NAITALAGA MANG  “MAMUNO” KAYA KAILANGAN NILANG MAG-ARAL PA,  SILA AY HINDI DAPAT MAGYABANG DAHIL ANG MGA PINAG-ARALAN AY DAPAT GAMITIN SA TAMANG PARAAN UPANG MAKAHIKAYAT PA NG MARAMING KASAPI, AT ANG PAMUMUNO AY MAY HANGGANAN ….SA IBABAW NG MUNDO.

Who Says God has a Day Off?

By Apolinario Villalobos

Although, one of the Ten Commandments says that the Sabbath should be considered as a day of rest, what I understand is that it refers to the people, because such day should be devoted only for worship. The Roman Catholic Church even changed this to the pagan day worship of the sun – Sunday. Anyway,  what I understand is that the said commandment does not refer to God, as He is supposed to be everywhere every time of the day. To put it bluntly, this is about some Roman Catholic parish offices being closed on Saturday, the original Sabbath. Are the non-secular parish priests who are running most of the parishes emulating the ways of the Pharisees….the so-called hypocrites of the Old Testament? If this is so, these Roman Catholic priests might as well take off their priestly garb and join a Christian sect that is literally following the Old Testament to the letter!

If these hypocrite Roman Catholic parish priests would like to give their lay staff a day off, why not come up with a rotated schedule so that for all days of the week, at least one of them is left in the office? If the regular parish priest would like to go on a day off which is unbecoming, why not request a “roving priest” to take over for at least one day, as all of them are supposed to be helping each other for the sake of the “Christian flock”?

Here is a classic story: In a southern parish, the family of a departed kin requested their parish priest for a Requiem Mass for their loved one. The requested day was Saturday so that relatives who have absented themselves from work could go back home the following day, a Sunday, in time for their return to work still the following day, a Monday. Unfortunately, there was a vehement rejection because the parish office was closed as scheduled…no staff to attend to the bereaved family, although, the church would be open.  Not even the suggestion of the family that they will find another priest to officiate the Mass could move the parish priest to change his decision. Sunday is not allowed for requiem Mass, so that was out as a solution to the problem. At the end, the arrogance of the parish priest prevailed as the schedule was moved two days later to Monday which means, the visiting relatives would be able to report back to work on Wednesday or Thursday, practically missing several days of precious daily earnings!

By the way, hubs of air travel operations in any country has no day off, the police has no day off, the hospital staff has no day off, even the mall staff has no day off, etc. How come, the parish office of the Roman Catholic Church whose reputation is deteriorating every hour of the day cannot open its door to the so-called “Roman Catholic flock”, in an effort to counter the negative impression that is mounting every day? Is it the way of the parish priest in “helping” the seemingly helpless new pope? Or is the parish priest acting like a crab?

The parish priest in question who I was told was newly- assigned in the area has a record of arrogance, and he would like to show to the already restless parishioners that he is the “authority”. Obviously, he has a problem with psychological insecurities. He even allegedly fired parish lay personnel who have spent more than twenty of their precious years serving the church. He is making decisions left and right without proper consultation with the Pastoral Council as a whole, choosing to speak only with the favored members whom he think would support him. In other words, his decisions may be illegal as they are without the consent of the majority of the council members, and may not even be properly covered with signed documents.

The above-mentioned priest is among the embarrassments of the new pope that he mentions every time he has an opportunity, and for which he always ask apologies from the Roman Catholics. An interesting blog about the pope taking off his papal robe before holding a Mass is a clear manifestation that he is not in favor of the un-Christian attitude of many priests of the Roman Catholic Church who are either accused of fund misuse, arrogance and sexual assault.

The attitude of the mentioned parish priest shows that the Anti-Christs could be within the Roman Catholic Church – they, whose ways are contrary to what the true Catholic Church stands for. Anti-Christs in priestly robe are heavily groggy with arrogance because they have the impression that being parish priests they can “play” with the parishioners many of whom are suckers in the name of salvation…parishioners who think that their salvation depends ONLY on their parish priest who is “protected” by the white “sotana”, but could be devils in disguise!

Now, are we still wondering why the Roman Catholic Church is reeling from uncontrolled deterioration and may find it hard to recover unless the hypocrites in white priestly garb and who are heady with arrogance,  are calling the shots despite the reminders of the new pope?

For this kind of arrogant priest, the parishioners should join hands and boot him out before he can do more harm to their community!

Kung Hindi Dahil sa Kasakiman ng Tao

Wala sanang Passport, Visa

at Iba’t ibang Simbahan Ngayon

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Kung paniniwalaan ang alamat na nakasaad sa Bibliya tungkol sa pagkawatak-watak ng sangkatauhan na ang dahilan ay ang pagguho ng tore ng Babel, sana ang sangkatauhan ay nagkakabuklod na ayon sa unang kagustuhan ng Diyos. Subalit dahil sa sobrang kasakiman ng mga tao noong unang panahon, minabuti ng Diyos na ikalat sila pagkatapos Niyang wasakin ang nasabing tore.

Dahil sa kasakiman ng tao, walang gustong magpatalo at lahat ay nag-aakalang sila ay matalino, kaya pati ang kaalaman ng Diyos ay gusto pang saklawan o talunin. Maganda na sana kung ang mga natutunan ay ginagamit ng tao sa mabuting paraan, subalit taliwas ang gusto niyang mangyari – ang siya ay maghari o mangibabaw sa iba. Dahil diyan, nagkakaroon ng patayan at malakihang digmaan dahil nagsasaklawan o nagkakalampasan ng mga hangganan o boundary ng teritoryo. Isama pa ang mga inaadhikang ideyolohiya at ispirituwal ng mga nagmimithing mangingibabaw kaya hindi na nagkaroon ng katapusan ang mga bangayan ng mga bansa at iba’t ibang grupo, at sa isa’t isa.

Upang hindi na madagdagan ang kaguluhan, nagkanya-kanya na ang iba’t ibang lahi sa pagtakda ng mga alituntunin tungkol sa mga hangganan, kaya ngayon ay hiwa-hiwalay ang mga tao na ang mga pagkakaiba maliban sa kultura ay nadagdagan pa ng relihiyon.  

Nagkaroon ng passport at visa. Ang mga simbahan ay nagkaroon ng kanya-kanyang palatandaan upang kahit sa kilos, pananamit at pananalita ay makilala nila ang kani-kanilang kasapi. Sa kabila ng mga nabanggit, nakakalungkot na talagang may mga taong sagad sa buto ang kasakiman kaya nakakapanakit pa rin ng iba sa pamamagitan ng salita at mga mararahas na pagkilos.

May mga simbahan na sa halip magpairal ng pagmamahal sa kapwa ay nagtuturo pa sa mga miyembro nila kung paanong siraan ang ibang simbahan na hindi naman nakikialam sa kanila, dahil lang gusto nilang palabasin na sila ang pinakamagaling. May mga bansa namang sa halip na tutukan kung paano silang umunlad pa upang lalong makatulong sa kanilang mga mamamayan ay nang-eespiya at nangangantiyaw pa sa ibang bansa. May mga bansa ring hindi na nakuntento sa kung ano meron sila, kaya nangangamkam pa ng teritoryo ng ibang bansa. Ilan lang yan sa mga kasakima ng taong umiiral sa panahon ngayon.

Ang pakikipagkapwa ay maganda sana kung walang kinikilalang kulay at lahi. Mas lalong magaling din sana kung, kahit iba’t ibang simbahan ang kinabibilangan ng mga tao, isipin nila na iisa lang ang Diyos, subalit iba’t iba nga lang ang pangalan, kaya hindi dapat pairalin ang paligsahan kung sino ang mas magaling magsamba at magdasal!

Why Not Simplify the Belief?        

By Apolinario Villalobos

(Caution: read this with an open mind.)

A basic knowledge about God is that He has no image, no face and all-knowing. The Islamic faith ardently maintains this which firmly supports its monotheistic belief. Other religions have so many gods, in contrast to Christianity that also maintains this fealty. The only problem with Christianity, particularly the Roman Catholic Church is the many “titles” or names of the venerated Mother and Jesus. There is no problem with God, because what are attributed to Him are one word definitions such as Benevolent, Omnipotent, Merciful, etc.

With Jesus, even his misrepresented image as a child is venerated – the Sto. Niῆo. This prompted my niece one time to ask me if Jesus has not grown old. What will I answer to that?

As a grown- up, Jesus is also tagged with so many aliases or a.k.a’s…Black Nazarene, Holy Face, etc. The same is true with the Virgin Mother who is also tagged with so many titles…Our Lady of Guadalupe, Immaculate Conception, etc…with each title assuming a different image. When I asked a friend about this, he told me that the title depends on where the Mother manifested herself. I asked him what title will the church give the Mother if she appeared on the door of a toilet. I asked this, because people claim appearances on leaves, walls, tree trunks, etc. I was honest in my question. There is the Our Lady of Guadalupe because she appeared in that place, somewhere in Mexico, there is the Our Lady of Lourdes because, she appeared in a cave somewhere in France. I was just honestly curious. He just ignored my question and left me…he never talked to me afterwards. I lost a friend because of one question.      

For the prayers, there is a long prayer for the dead which even mentions a “tower”. The Holy Rosary is alright, because it is supposed to be a sacrificial prayer. The Mass is most appropriate because it is supposed to commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus, His last act of salvation for mankind. What is wrong is its commercialization and use as a venue for political utterings of some revolutionary priests. Why can’t the holy ritual be confined to its real purpose, and for the revolutionary priests to go out of the church after the Mass, so that they can shout out to their hearts’ content, their political slogans and slurs against the government?

The laymen are confused as to the real mission of the Christian Church. While there are people around who are waiting for their share of spiritual grace, those with responsibilities are out in the streets joining hands with rallyists shouting invectives against the government. Some Christian groups condoned by the Catholic church, preach about blessings that will rain on the faithful so they must invert their open umbrellas, the better way to catch them….that when they get home, they should open wide their windows and doors to welcome hordes of blessings!

Why not just simplify the faith, the belief, and the way it is taught?...that there is an All-Knowing, Merciful, Benevolent God…period! Since the good acts of Jesus can enhance the evangelism, He should be included in the effort, and the faithful should be reminded that it is best to emulate Him. The simple choice, then, would just be between the good and the bad.

As for the shrines, those who raise funds for them, love to build most of these structures on top of a hill or a mountain. In the Bible, these are called “high places” where pagan rituals are held. They say that the taking of the hundreds of steps to reach them is a good “sacrifice”.  People today have more than enough sacrifice, what with the soaring prices of prime commodities, deaf government leaders, and natural calamities. Why spend money for fares in going to shrines when such financial commodity is scarce nowadays? Living on a day to day basis is a sacrifice that can be offered to the Lord.  In promoting shrines, the people behind them should be honest enough to admit that they are actually “religious tourism”, an endeavor  that actually promotes the town or province where they are built, an industry…and, with that, no more questions will be asked. Why not trek to the nearest Church during worship days, if one would really want to sacrifice?

Anything concentrated is better in texture, stronger. If the faith can have this characteristics, it can withstand the onslaught of distraction…and that is what God wants to happen – undiluted Faith in Him, nothing else!