On Being a Christian Nation
We have the same thoughts as FilAmGuy. If we as a nation are REALLY Christians, living out loud the basic tenets of being one, then we should have curbed corruptions, crimes and conflicts. We are disillusioned people shrouding in the veil of religion. Oh, how my blood boil when the politicians and the so called messengers of God convene in the church for a protest mass. What a bunch of self-serving hypocrites.
In line with this, the ULITIMATE goal of the self-proclaimed ministers of God must be the holistic spiritual well being of their flock. If the followers indeed derive enlightment from their teachings, then it is just but logical to presume that there will be a positive paradigm shift of actions... but I digress. Still, many "elders" are trying their best to be part of the already smeared political scenery. Even Christ didn't refute the authority whom God established on earth. Remember the verse “Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
Political and Religious rallies goes hand in hand these days. If we are indeed Christians, we should realize that God is the sole player in nation building.
Romans 13:1 states:
"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."
But sadly, many "religious" and overzealous people are cramming up every political rally ranting every unimaginable and demeaning mantra to the official they want to oust. Do we even consider that God too has a say on WHO will sit in the office?
Now, we are questioning why on earth this country, a very religious nation as we claim, being pulled down by sheer poverty and corruption.
Look around…the answer is under our noses.
I will leave you with this verse, a very timely one
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. "(2Chronicles 7:14-15 )
‘nuff said.
posted by jef at 10:50 AM
Going to church or services for me is just like going to a movie. If a movie is sad, it may touch my emotion, if it’s funny might make me laugh, and that’s about it, if it’s sexy then...Religion does not affect me much now-a-days. I had read and seen so much troubles caused in the name of it. People are making use of God and Religion sometimes for their own personal interest and just like Politicians, there is no way of telling who is who. Sad yet it’s so true...
If you think about it, most predominantly Catholic countries wouldn't make it to the top 10 richest countries in the world. I think corruption in the government, meddling of religious leaders and such are evident in all countries regardless of race, religion or richness. It's just all too obvious when it happens in a third world country where deprivation is a part of everyday living.
Religious Hypocrisy makes me gag. It's the reason why, although raised Catholic, I consider myself an agnostic.
Somewhere along the line, we are not teaching our people the right things. Where have we failed? At school? At church? In the family? If we are such a close knit, family oriented type of culture, why, generation after generation, do we continue to produce such leaders?
I sound like a broken record player for saying this but, it's the stooopid voters I tells ya.
To add to what alternati just said. Have you noticed that all former colonies of Spain ended up in disarray after their independence? Check out South America....
SIR VIC: Yeah, absolutely right, many of us are just using religion to front our deepest, most vile motives.
ALTERNATI: Indeed, there are many people inside the church who are just weekend Christians. They glorify God for a day and leave the rest of the week to conspire with the devil.
VFG: I don't know...it sure starts when the country was colonized and being put under the concept of 'indulgencia.' There are more questions to be asked but if just one person will do his duty to live under God and country, I know this nation will move forward.
SNGLGUY: I bet the bad weekend crops into you hahaha. Yes, apart from divine intervention, the stoooopid voters should be blame. These people by the way will walk in their knees to pary in Quiapo church...hmmm
You quoted very nice verses.
Honestly, I am against the current leadership but I believe we all deserve her. I was hoping for a leadership change last election but it didn't happen.
I believe there's nothing wrong with being a Christian nation. What's wrong is that, there are just too many wolves in sheeps' clothing.
just dropped by...
alam mo ba last na simba ko sa church eh nung 2nd year high school pa. wala lang. naiisip ko lang mga galing sa simbahan na pag uwi eh ganun pa rin ang ugali. magsisimba lang para masabing nagsisimba talaga. hindi naman naiintindihan ang sinimba nila.
naiisip ko nga kung amerikano siguro ang sumakop or nag-alaga sa pinas o kaya inglatera malamang di corrupt ang government natin at maunlad tayo. mukhang may kinalaman nga religion sa pagiging corrupt sa bansa natin :)
I believe we must submit to authorities, corrupt or not corrupt, they were there because they where elected by people, and it that case God honors and respect the choices of the people. the problem now is that if the people have chosen a corrupt leader, everbody will suffer from it, but again we have no choice but to submit.
By the way, you've just been tagged. Check out my post. :-)
humility. that's the word. everybody wants to be in power. sabi nga sa devil's advocate diba? vanity is my favorite sin
@ alternati
agnosticism is a prohibition and it goes against with the First Divine Law...-->the 10 Commandments...I hope you'll make a way to change it...
We have the choice from the very beginning...It's just that some other people doesn't knew at all how to use his power of intellect, putting things in proper perspective--->in their decision making..And then, eventually we end up regretting those things...But for now, these damn corrupt authorities are in their respective position..That's why we are so much in trouble, in crisis....How I wish we could just simply take them away from where they are right now...
Christians are followers of Christ Jesus. Are we actually following Him? Are we worthy to be called Christians after all?
Some of us who call ourselves Christians don't even know how or what's with Jesus to follow.
like what our professor taught us... the reason why we have corrupt government is because they neglect the importance of "ethics"... ethics which comes from divine law... and the divine law was made by our Creator...
the best thing na lang that we could do, as believers, is to do our part correctly... and lastly... let's pray na lang for our president and other officials... diba?
God bless!
yeah, it's ethics that is absent in our leaders, or even among us... along with the education, it should be attached hand in hand so nobody will ever go off track from what is right...
pare visit my blog need ur help may kungting probs lang...
hmm...there's a big difference between being 'religious' and being 'righteous'. marami raw 'religious' sa pinas pero hindi naman natatakot sa Diyos. only God knows what is in our hearts...
have a great weekend ahead! :)
well, i've gone tired of that "christian nation" thingie. if being decadent brings out progress, then so be it. [exasperated view]
@anonymous
I am an agnostic and a theist. I believe in a higher power that can't be physically proven. He/She is called my many names and I haven't genuinely believed that one religion is better or worse than another. I find all religions enlightening and confining myself to just one inhibits me from discovering truth in another.
I believe in God but not in religion (perse).
I agree. Politicking is merely of vast bailiwicking through widest coverage... and the medium of coverage is religion, where people (as supposed by these politicking politicians) don't give up on their false hopes for Divine intervention.
That's why Religion and politics can never be indepedent. ratio of sincerity falls lower than the proportion of religious instrument for politicking. Scrutiny about this can go longer than the Great Walls.
I loathe pretentiously hypocritic so-called pseudo-citizens of God. Disgrace.