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Iglesia ni Cristo

Central Temple of Iglesia ni Cristo Classification Orientation Polity Founder Origin

Restorationism Nontrinitarianism Hierarchical Felix Y. Manalo July 27, 1914 Punta, Santa Ana, Manila

Geographical Area

Worldwide, especially the Philippines

Statistics Congregations Members

2,635[1] 1.76 million in the Philippines alone (2000), up from one million worldwide in 1984

[2][3][4]

The Iglesia ni Cristo (pronounced [ɪˈgleʃɐ ni ˈkɾisto]; Tagalog for Church of Christ; also known as INC, formerly called Iglesya ni Kristo[5] or INK) is a Christian restorationist[citation needed] religious organization that originated in the Philippines[6] Most publications refer to Felix Y. Manalo[7] as the founder of the church. In fact, Felix Y. Manalo officially registered the church as a corporation sole with him as executive minister on July 27, 1914[8]. The INC's official doctrine however do not teach Manalo as its founder. The most basic component of the INC's beliefs is that Felix Manalo was sent by God to reestablish the Christian Church in its true, pristine form[9] because the original church was apostatized. They believe that this apostatized church is the Catholic church[10], and present catholic doctrines, such as the Trinity, as proof of this apostacy. The organization does not submit to the doctrine of the Trinity, nor the doctrine that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are Gods.[11][12][13]

Contents [hide] • • • • • •

• • •

1 Background information 2 Missionary activities 3 Membership and doctrines 4 Central office 5 Political Influence 6 Controversy and criticism o 6.1 Christian religious criticisms o 6.2 Secular criticism o 6.3 Controversies 7 See also 8 References 9 External links o 9.1 Pro o 9.2 Con o

9.3 Related videos

[edit] Background information The historical context of the Iglesia ni Cristo lies in a period of the early 20th century characterised by a variety of rural anti-colonialism movements, often with religious undertones, in the Philippines. At this time, U.S. missionary work was exposing Filipino culture to many alternatives to the Catholicism installed under earlier Spanish rule.[14] In search of the truth, Felix Manalo as a young adult, drifted from one religious organizations to another, becoming well versed in the teachings of each one of them. But one after another he found each one lacking the substance he was searching for. Frustrated, he even tried atheism and agnosticism, but these too did not fulfill his needs.

At some point, using the literatures from the different religions he joined, and the bible, he locked himself in a room and began his personal search for the true religion. After three days and three nights, he emerged with what would be the basis for the teachings of Iglesia ni Cristo[11][15][8][16].

Iglesia ni Cristo's first chapel The INC began with a handful of followers on July 27, 1914 in Punta, Santa Ana, Manila; with Manalo as its head minister.[17] Manalo propagated his message within his local area, growing the Iglesia ni Cristo and converting members of other religions. The financial discipline taught throughout the church has been a centralized effort of followers and church officers. With Manalo's effort to create an organized and systematic organization, the church has become one of the largest and most respected groups in the Philippines.[18] As membership increased, he delegated others to spread the teachings of the INC and it eventually spread throughout the Philippines and to other countries. When he died in 1963, his son Eraño took over duties as executive minister and later on, his grandson Eduardo V. Manalo became the deputy executive minister.[19] In July 27, 1968, Erano Manalo officiated the first worship service in Ewa, Hawaii thus starting the mission of propagation outside of the Philippines[11]. By 1988, INC had grown to about 2,635 congregations called locales, in which 220 of them cover sixty-seven countries outside the Philippines.[1] According to various sources, including the 1997 Britannica Book of the Year, INC had a worldwide population of over one million members by the early 1980s. [3]According the 2000 census of the Philippine National Statistics Office, over 1.76 million persons in the Philippines were are affiliated with the Iglesia ni Cristo as of that year.[20] or roughly doubling in size in a span of 20 years. Other sources[21] places the number at 2.3% of the population in the year 2000. It has become the second largest religious organization in the Philippines[22] and the largest independent church in Asia[23]. By 2008, the INC has local congregations in 89 countries and territories with its members belonging to 102 nationalities and ethnic groups[24]. The Manila city government declared July 27th a holiday, and allowed members of the Iglesia ni Cristo paid leave, in order to celebrate the anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

On July 27, 2006, the Philippine House of Representatives passed a resolution commending the INC on its 92nd anniversary[25][26]. The Iglesia ni Cristo's architecture is notable for the narrow-pointed spires of its huge chapel buildings. In the Philippines, these are considered landmarks of major cities and provincial capitals, because of their distinct architecture and beauty[27].

[edit] Missionary activities

Felix Manalo on the cover of the Pasugo INC members are instructed by their administration to invite people to Bible Studies and evangelical missions (known as Pamamahayag in Filipino), and to distribute magazines and pamphlets which are given to them by the administration. In the Philippines, radio and television programs are produced, and they are broadcast on 1062 kHz DZEC-AM radio, DZEM 954 kHz, the Net 25 television station operated by Eagle Broadcasting Corporation, the broadcast division of the Iglesia ni Cristo and GEM TV, the sister station to NET 25, also owned by the INC and Iglesia Ni Cristo TV broadcast on cable. In North America, a television program called The Message is produced in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is currently aired in the United States and Canada and some parts of Europe. Each 30-minute program is hosted by one of a panel of INC ministers, who share the main beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo with a television audience.[28] The INC used to maintained an hour long time slot on The Filipino Channel and airs two among many of its programs including the INC Chronicles and Ang Tamang Daan.[29][unreliable source?].It has since stopped and instead GEM-TV began broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on DirecTV channel 2068[30]. The official INC magazine available to INC congregations worldwide is entitled God's Message or Pasugo. For many years the INC published the bilingual Pasugo for the

Philippines and a separate all-English God's Message International Edition for usage abroad. In January 2004, the administration of the INC began to publish only one magazine both in the Philippines and abroad bearing the name God's Message. While predominantly English, the latest version contains a Filipino Section. The magazine consists of letters to the editor, news from locales worldwide, religious poetry, articles relating to INC beliefs, a directory of locales outside the Philippines and would also feature a schedule of worship services until recently.

[edit] Membership and doctrines For more details on this topic, see Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo. Membership in the INC is conferred through baptism. People who wish to be baptized in the INC must first submit to a formal process taking at least six months. Once someone officially registers with their locale, the person is given the status of Doctrinal Instructee (DI), as they are called within the Iglesia ni Cristo, and taught the twenty-six lessons concerning fundamental doctrines of the INC. In the United States, there are an additional three lessons taught for a total of twenty-nine, which mainly contain information about the Church and its beginnings in the Philippines. These lessons are contained in the doctrine manual written by Eraño G. Manalo entitled Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ). This book is given to ministers, evangelical workers, and ministerial students of the INC. Each lesson is usually thirty minutes to one hour in length. After hearing all of the lessons, the students enter their probationary period during which they are obliged to attend fifteen twice a week group prayer meetings, wherein they are taught to pray and are guided in their adjustment to the INC lifestyle. When the sixth month comes, the students who have been active in attending the twice a week worship services and whose lifestyles are in accordance with INC doctrines are screened before being baptized. During the screening they are asked questions about the doctrines taught to them. Those who pass the screening are scheduled to be baptized. Since understanding is necessary before being baptized in the INC, the minimum age for baptism is set at around eleven and at least the 6th grade. Newborn children of members are instead "offered" during the worship service. The child offering in the INC is done through a prayer led by an ordained minister of the INC.[31] Members who are not living in accordance with the doctrines taught in the INC are admonished. Those who continue in violation of INC doctrines after being admonished are expelled from the INC. Certain violations, such as eating blood or marrying nonmembers may result in mandatory expulsion.[32][12] The INC has outreach programs, such as it's "Lingap sa Mamamayan(Care for the People)", offering free medical and dental services[33], community cleanups[24] and tree planting projects[34].

[edit] Central office It has been suggested that Central Temple be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

Iglesia ni Cristo central office in New Era, Quezon City, Philippines The INC's Central Administration is the Iglesia ni Cristo Central Office, a large, secured complex nearly the size of Vatican City[35] located on Commonwealth Avenue, New Era, Quezon City, Philippines. An editorial in the July 25, 2004 issue of Philippine Panorama Magazine described the complex as including the six-story Central Office Building, the 7,000-seat Central Temple, the Tabernacle (a multi-purpose hall), the 30,000-seat Central Pavilion, the College of Evangelical Ministry, the New Era General Hospital, and the New Era University. Contrary to claims, the Central Office is not the residence of the Manalos. It is in this building where Erano Manalo holds office[35].

[edit] Political Influence Ever since former Philippine president Manuel L. Quezon created a lasting friendship after asking Felix Manalo for advice, the INC has been known for its strong political influence. While it strongly maintains a close "friendship" with incumbent administrations, the INC also sees to it that they do not lose "discreet connection" with the opposition.[36] It was well-known for its support of President Ferdinand E. Marcos until his ousting during the EDSA Revolution of 1986.[36] INC members are noted for their bloc voting in Philippine elections,[37][38][39] [40] although INC has the biggest conversion turn-out, between sixty-eight and eighty-four percent of their members voting for candidates endorsed by its leadership, according to comprehensive surveys conducted by ABS-CBN.[41] This is in part due to their doctrine on unity, which puts the penalty of expulsion on anyone swaying from the doctrine. INC claims to have 2 million members of voting age, although pollsters believe the actual figure is closer to 1 to 1.5 million[36]. Some Philippine media credit the INC bloc vote for the presidential campaign victory of Joseph Estrada in 1998,[36] and the election for the full term of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004.[42]

This has given INC strong political influence on elected officials. Newspaper reports say that the Philippine Congress decision to uphold the decision on September 2005 to reject the Arroyo impeachment complaint was swayed by largely by INC influence. However, Behn Fer. Hortaleza Jr. claims otherwise. He wrote an op-ed piece for The Sun·Star Pangasinan claiming that Representative Joey Salceda "had wanted to pit the INC against the Catholic church by so timing the congressman's "news" with another expose on the bishops' receiving Pagcor "sin money" for their projects."[43] Others, however, argue that the INC vote is only significant in close-run elections, noting that INC-supported candidates, Senator Sergio Osmeña Jr. lost in 1969 to Marcos and businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. lost to Fidel Ramos in 1992, largely due to irregularities in counting the election returns in favor of Fidel Ramos, most numbers were changed with snopake.[44] For their part, the INC leadership said members do not vote to ensure the victory of the candidate they vote for. Manalo said "BLOC VOTING is a manifestation of religious unity that is essential to spiritual salvation"[45]. Not all candidates in Philippine politics embraced support from INC. MacapagalArroyo's father, Diosdado Macapagal has refused INC's preferred support during his runs for Vice President in 1957, and re-election for President in 1965 – in which he incidentally lost to Marcos. The support of the INC is not only sought out during elections but even for passage of House Bill 5043 or “Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008”. In 2008, the INC and the Catholic church were again pitted against each other when health advocate RH Advocacy Network (RHAN) sought the support of the INC to counter the firm opposition of the Catholic church and Philippine president Arroyo to the bill[46].

[edit] Controversy and criticism The Iglesia ni Cristo has come under fierce criticism from apologetics groups and other religions mainly due to disagreements over their doctrines and beliefs regarding the interpretation of the Bible. They have also been criticized by non-religious groups for their political influence and restraint of press freedom, and some publication and blogs have claimed them to be a cult[citation needed]. It should be noted that all religious organization in the Philippines participate in politics in varying degrees. The INC for example vote as a bloc[47] whereas the Catholic church have used public protests to oust political figures out of office[21]. The INC's participation may also be a reaction to the Catholic church's exerting its influence on government[36].

[edit] Christian religious criticisms Dr. Karl Keating, the founder of Catholic Answers claims that Dr. Jose Ventilacion, an INC minister and one of their chief debaters, broke an agreement in 1990 for a one-onone debate made by the two organizations in National City, California. Instead of a oneon-one debate, Keating states that Ventilacion had three helpers assisting him, and that they were shouting at him during the debate. He also claims that God's Message

magazine is dedicated more to criticizing and attacking Catholic and Protestant beliefs and doctrines (by referring to them as "tools of Satan" for example), rather than explaining their own positions.[48] The Catholic Church denies INC's claim that the Whore of Babylon is the Roman Catholic Church and that the Beast of Revelation is the Pope, a belief shared by some other Christian religious movements. INC states that the pope's alleged title, Vicarius Filii Dei, Latin for Vicar of the Son of God, adds up to 666 which is one of several alternative numbers known as the "Number of the Beast", and the Iglesia ni Cristo also allegedly claimed that it is engraved on the Pope's tiara, a charge that has been proven false[48] and a claim formerly shared by some in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but now officially rejected.[49] The Catholic Church also declared that Vicarius Filii Dei has never been an "official title" of the pope.[49] Catholic Answers also rejects the INC's doctrines of apostasy within the Catholic Church and does not consider the verses used to support the doctrine of the Iglesia ni Cristo being prophesied nor the apostasy of the Catholic church are used in the right context. It contends that other verses are difficult to reconcile with the views of the Iglesia ni Cristo.[50] Let Us Reason Ministries, an online apologetics research group, criticized the INC for holding the belief that it has the sole authority from God to interpret and preach the Bible, while other religions do not. They also claim that the INC intentionally misinterprets and misappropriates verses to agree with their doctrines and that they use fallacious arguments against other religions,[51] stating: "Unfortunately they ignore the whole history of the Church in the zealous rebuttals against Catholicism. Nothing is out of reach of their researchers to demean and belittle. Some of the greatest scholars in languages and history are ignored or misrepresented as they present what they believe is correct. I suspect that many know better in what they teach."[52] They also reject the INC's doctrine that one can only be saved if they are a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo.[53] According to The Bereans Apologetics Research Ministry, some of the beliefs of INC are contrary to mainstream Christianity.[54]. However, the Iglesia ni Cristo claims through biblical prophesies, that it was elected to be "the nation of God," as the Israelites were, and that God chose them to serve him.[13] Dr. Charles Caldwell Ryrie has criticized the INC for allegedly misquoting his Ryrie Study Bible regarding John 1:1 in the May/June 1984 issue of the Pasugo. Ryrie has been quoted as saying, in a letter to Robert Elliff, the author of the book, Iglesia Ni Cristo: The Only True Church? "Anyone can look in my Study Bible and see how conveniently this author [the INC] omitted the last phrase in the note of John 1:1."[55] The Members Church of God International (MCGI) has been in a long standing rivalry with the Church as shown in their television programs Ang Dating Daan (ADD) and Ang Tamang Daan. Eliseo Soriano posted a paid advertisement in the Manila Times newspaper and invited the camp of Iglesia ni Cristo in a one on one debate and discussion. The Iglesia ni Cristo answered Soriano on their program by asking him to

debate first with Pope John Paul II which was bedridden at that time and died a few days after this was posted. One notable incident between the two groups transpired on April 18, 2005 when a violent conflict occurred during a supposed peaceful familial negotiation between a convert of the MCGI and their INC relatives. [56][57] Following an investigation, it was reported that the fight was started by INC members when an ex-INC worker turned MCGI preacher Marcos Mataro began shouting against the INC members during negotiations with the local police department of where the event would take place. [58]On April 27, 2008, Mataro, was shot dead by two unknown assailants in San Simon, Pampanga. MCGI members have accused the INC of being behind the murder as Mataro was the host of DXman(short for Ex-Manalista), an MCGI Television program critical of the Iglesia ni Cristo doctrines. [59][60] The two suspects, Nickson Icao (the owner of the motorcycle left behind by the killers) and Felizardo Lumagham, who claimed to be a deacon of INC, remain at large.[61][62] Eliseo Soriano preachers also claim that Manalo died without being baptized as a member of Iglesia Ni Cristo. They say this contradicts the INC doctrine that baptism is an essential for salvation but should be done according to biblical instructions.[citation needed] The Iglesia Ni Cristo is registered as a corporation, not as a religion in the Bureau of Commerce and Industry (Now Securities and Exchange Commission) on July 27,1914[citation needed].

[edit] Secular criticism The main accusation of restraint of press freedom arises from the church's seeking of prior restraint on Ross Tipon's book, The Power and the Glory: The Cult of Manalo) for alleged gross inaccuracies,[63][64] Critics claim that the INC is stifling free speech by banning an unpublished book, and Tipon claims infringement on his free speech rights. An attorney representing the INC, Abraham Espejo states "The publication of the criminal manuscript will trigger social unrest, Millions of people may come out in the streets and this may lead to violence." The Iglesia ni Cristo alleges that the book has defamed its organization and Félix Manalo. The INC seeks PHP1,000,000 in damages from Tipon and the unknown publisher.[63] The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism(PCIJ) describes the INC as a shrewd political and business operator that parlays the votes of its members for political and financial concessions to the church.[47]

[edit] Controversies This section may stray from the topic of the article. Please help improve this section or discuss this issue on the talk page.

Military intelligence sources say that the Iglesia has 1,000 to 2,000 high-caliber firearms in its armory, apart from guns owned by individual members who include soldiers and policemen.[36] In September 1972, INC members shot at and killed three Marine soldiers who were part of a contingent sent by Marcos to shut down the church's DZEC radio tower.[36] On March 8, 1992, around twelve members of the Iglesia ni Cristo were angered about losing an altercation during a basketball game against some college students from the nearby Polytechnic University of the Philippines. They physically assaulted the other team which fueled the conflict. A brawl took place afterwards where two of the INC members were badly mauled. In revenge, the INC members, with the help of a local policeman who was also member of the INC, kidnapped eight students but later released the three after threatening them not to tell anyone. The remaining five students were immediately brought inside the chapel of Iglesia ni Cristo in Sta. Mesa, Manila where they were tortured to the point of death. According to court documents, the victims were mauled, tortured and beaten by their captors, who were deacons of the INC, as well as by their cohorts, using steel tubes, lead pipes, guns and other blunt instruments, inside the basement of the church. A witness saw one of the perpetrators bringing a blow torch inside the basement where the victims were kept while hearing cries for mercy. Three days later, or on 10 March 1992, the victims’ decomposing bodies were found floating on the Pasig River. Postmortem examinations on the cadavers showed that one of the victims sustained lacerated wounds, contusions, ligature marks and hematoma and died from a gunshot wound on the head. Another victim had his genitals cut off. Most of the victims' death were caused by "asphyxia by strangulation; hemorrhage, intracranial, traumatic with skull fracture” and/or “asphyxia by drowning”, indicating that some of the victims were still alive when they were thrown into the river. Although eye witnesses told police that around a dozen members of the INC participated in the kidnapping of the victims, only four of them, including the policeman, were arrested and eventually convicted for the murders. The four were given life sentences. [65] In October 2007, members of the Iglesia ni Cristo in Tondo, Manila assaulted three preachers of the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (PMCC) after a religious debate. [66]

[edit] See also • • • •

Religion in the Philippines Nontrinitarianism Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo Conflicts between Iglesia ni Cristo and Members Church of God International

[edit] References

1. ^ a b 'Who Are They' Let Us Reason Ministries (2002); cited by the Adherents.com religious geography citations database

2. ^ 1,680,000 adherents in 1996 reported by the Adherents.com religious geography citations database, citing the 1997 Britannica Book of the Year; pg. 781-783. 3. ^ a b 1,000,000 adherents in 1984 reported by the Adherents.com religious geography citations database, citing Turner, Harold W. "New Religious Movements in Primal Societies" in Hinnells, John R. (ed). A Handbook of Living Religions, Penguin Books: New York (1991) [reprint; 1st published in 1984]; pg. 449 4. ^ 1,762,845 adherents in 2000 reported by the Results from the 2000 Census of Population and Housing, NSO 5. ^ Iglesya ni Kristo was the former official name of INC since the Tagalog alphabet does not include the letter "C". This was changed when the new official Filipino alphabet was expanded to include the Roman alphabet "C" in 1976. 6. ^ Sanders, Albert J., "An Appraisal of the Iglesia ni Cristo," in Studies in Philippine Church History, ed. Anderson, Gerald H. (Cornell University Press, 1969) 7. ^ Tipon, Emmanuel (Jul 28, 2004). "Iglesia Ni Cristo celebrates 90th anniversary". PhilippineNews.com. Retrieved August 19, 2005 8. ^ a b Palafox, Quennie Ann J. 'First Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ)' "National Historical Institute" 9. ^ Iglesia ni Cristo in the Philippines, About.com, July 28, 2005, . Retrieved on 2008-01-18 10. ^ Keating, Karl Debate:Keating v Ventilacion "Catholic Answers Video" 11. ^ a b c Villanueva, Robert C. The Untold Story of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Philippine Panorama, 1992) 12. ^ a b Shepherd, Harvey (July 30, 1994). "Millions mark Church of Christ's 80th anniversary; Founded in Philippines by Brother Manalo", The Gazette (Montreal), pp. H.7. (as cited by ProQuest) 13. ^ a b Aromin, Rubin D. "God's Own Special People", God's Message (Manila: Iglesia ni Kristo, July 2001) cited by Student621. Bible Students Page at tripod.com. Retrieved July 6, 2005. 14. ^ Partridge, Christopher (Ed.) (2004). Encyclopedia of new religions, new religious movements, sects and alternative spiritualities. (Oxford: Lion Publishing, 2004) ISBN 07459-5073-6. 15. ^ '25 Years in the West, God's Message (Manila: 1993) 16. ^ Crisostomo, Isabelo T. 'Felix Y. Manalo and the Iglesia ni Cristo', Pasugo (May-June 1986) 17. ^ 'Iglesia ni Cristo turns 91 today' Manila Bulletin (July 27, 2005)] 18. ^ Gerald H. Anderson, Ph. D. Studies in Philippine Church History, circa 1969 19. ^ "'Iglesia ni Cristo 92nd Anniversary" Manila Bulletin Online (Jul 27, 2006) 20. ^ Results from the 2000 Census of Population and Housing, NSO 21. ^ a b Santa Clara University Religion, Ethics and Politics in the Philippines 22. ^ Robert T. Moran, Philip R. Harris, Sarah V. Moran Managing Cultural Differences'"(February 23, 2007) 23. ^ Burgess, Stanley, et al New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements(June 1, 2002) 24. ^ a b Abella, Gene N., 'San Jose brethren lead Milpitas Cleanup' "Milpitas Post",(Sept 3, 2008)

25. ^ 'Special holiday today for INC in Manila,Malabon' The Manila Bulletin Online (July 27, 2006)

26. ^ 'House greets Iglesia ni Cristo on its 92nd anniversary' The Manila Bulletin Online (July 27, 2006) 27. ^ About the Philippines: The Official Government Portal of the Republic of the Philippines 28. ^ 'Mosaic Christian Programs', Vision TV (2005). Retrieved August 13 2005. 29. ^ 'TFC Program Guide' TFC (2006) 30. ^ GEM NET 'GEM NET (Global Expansion Media Network)' 31. ^ Manalo, Eraño G., 'Baptism', Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ), Leksyon #22 (In Filipino, the corresponding lesson is lesson #19, 'Ang Bautismo' (Manila: Iglesia ni Cristo, 1989) 32. ^ ‘Ang Pinakamabigat Na Parusa Na Maaaring Igawad Sa Isang Iglesia Ni Cristo’, Leksyon #10, Doktrina 3b (Doctrinal lessons for third year ministerial students), 1998 Iglesia ni Cristo 33. ^ Pangan, Benjie R, 'Pangan: In the hustings' "Sun Star Pampanga(Monday, November 13, 2006) 34. ^ Navales, Reynaldo G, 'Iglesia Ni Cristo lauded for civic projects "Sun Star Pampanga(Sunday, October 30, 2005) 35. ^ a b 'A Signature in the Sky' "Philippine Free Press" (July 30, 1994) pg 25 36. ^ a b c d e f g Mangahas, Malou; "Church at the Crossroads", Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, April 29, 2002 37. ^ an article in Pasugo (Manila: Iglesia ni Kristo, 1986) cited by "Pepe" 'Iglesia ni Kristo religion and politics in Philippine society' Pepeslog (Berkeley: University of California, 21 February 2001). Retrieved July 3, 2005 38. ^ Hunt, Chester L. (1991), "Indigenous Christian Churches", in Dolan, Ronald E., Philippines: A Country Study, Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress, . Retrieved on 2008-01-06 39. ^ Tubeza, Philip C. 'SC ruling sought on sects' vote', Inquirer News Service, (Manila: April 1, 2004). Retrieved February 6, 2006 40. ^ Jurado, Emil. 'The so-called command votes', Manila Standard Today, (Manila: March 7, 2007)]. Retrieved August 13, 2007 41. ^ Day-of-Election Survey, ABS-CBN/SWS, May 14, 2001. Retrieved February 6, 2006. 42. ^ 'INC throws support behind Macapagal, De Castro' Inquirer News Service, (Manila: May 6, 2004) 43. ^ Behn Fer. Hortaleza Jr, 'Hortaleza: Salceda's gambit on Iglesia role' SunStar Pangasinan Sun·Star Pangasinan (Sunday, November 20, 2005] 44. ^ Danao, Efren L.; Cruz, Maricel V., 'INC vote may be overrated factor' The Manila Times (Manila: May 04, 2004) 45. ^ Aning, Jerome Iglesia leader defends bloc voting as matter of faith Philippine Daily Inquirer(Mar 1, 2003) 46. ^ Ramos, Marlon Population bill advocates turn to Iglesia for support Inquirer.net(09/24/2008) 47. ^ a b Iglesia ni Cristo, The Most Powerful Union 48. ^ a b Keating, Karl 'Into the Maw of the Cult' This Rock (San Diego: Catholic Answers, February 1990)] - Retrieved May 17, 2006 49. ^ a b 'Quick Questions' This Rock (San Diego: Catholic Answers, 1992), as cited by NewAdvent.org's Catholic Library

50. ^ 'Iglesia ni Cristo', Catholic Answers (San Diego: Catholic Answers, August 2004). Retrieved July 5, 2005.

51. ^ Oppenheimer, Mike "How the Church teaches", Let Us Reason ministries (2002). Retrieved July 27, 2005. 52. ^ Oppenheimer, Mike "Who Are They?", Let Us Reason ministries (2002). Retrieved September 22, 2006. 53. ^ Oppenheimer, Mike "Salvation", Let Us Reason ministries (2002). Retrieved July 28, 2005. 54. ^ 'Iglesia Ni Cristo' The Bereans Apologetics Research Ministry. Retrieved July 9, 2006 55. ^ Elliff, Robert 'Iglesia Ni Cristo: The Only True Church?' (1989) - Retrieved September 10, 2005 56. ^ Isip, Rendy "Religious confrontation gets physical in Apalit" Manila Standard April 23, 2005 57. ^ Abao, Jane "All Roads Lead to Apalit Mystery of 'Woman in Labor' Revealed" Believer Magazine April 2005 58. ^ Roxas, Fred "Followers of Dating Daan and INC clash in Pampanga; cops accused of partiality" Manila Bulletin April 22, 2005 59. ^ Abs-Cbn Interactive, NUJP condemns murder of TV host 60. ^ CRY FOR JUSTICE: Marcos Mataro killing: serious blow against freedom of expression, religion 61. ^ Journal Online - Philippine Tabloid featuring news, current events, celebrities, entertainment, local balita, tsismis, and much more 62. ^ Journal Online - Philippine Tabloid featuring news, current events, celebrities, entertainment, local balita, tsismis, and much more 63. ^ a b Echeminada, Perseus. 'Iglesia seeks TRO vs publication of 'blasphemous' book', The Philippine Star (Manila: May 24, 2005) 64. ^ Robles, JoJo. 'INC against free press?', Manila Standard Today Online (May 25, 2005). Retrieved July 3, 2005. 65. ^ Filipino Supreme Court ruling. 66. ^ Philippine's Iglesia Ni Cristo members beat up Pentecostal preachers, The Philippine Star, (Oct. 2, 2007)

[edit] External links [edit] Pro •

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Unique bible study A bible study containing some typical INC doctrines in the same question and answer format used by its ministers. There seems to be no explicit reference to the Iglesia ni Cristo on this website. Truthfinder's INC Page Site by INC member: INC profile, basic teachings, history etc. Food for the Soul Poetry and reprints of God's Message articles [GEM-TV] Global Exansion Media Television - Broadcasting religious programs as well as news and entertainment 24/7. Channel 2068 on Direct TV. See also DWDM-TV Net-25 - Official Web presence of the Television Network NET 25. TV Programs, both of religious and secular subject matter are streamed.

[edit] Con • • •

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Examine Iglesia Ni Cristo - Evangelical critique of INC based on Pasugo texts LetUsReason.org: Iglesia Ni Cristo - Articles about INC and their beliefs The Iglesia ni Cristo and evangelical Christianity - article by Anne C. Harper. Her description:"The purpose of this paper is to explore the INC's view of Evangelicals and to consider whether [evangelicals] need to reassess [their] apologetic and evangelistic approach to this group". (PDF reader required, HTML version via Google) Iglesia ni Cristo in a nutshell - Doctrines exposed - Postings by Cultic Research, made in 2002/2003 on an unmoderated forum about all aspects of INC. Iglesia ni Cristo in a nutshell - Revised 2007 PDF - 2007 PDF Revision of Cultic Research's INC in a nutshell doctrine examination of the fundamental beliefs and teachings of the INC INCWorld at FaithWeb.com - An unofficial website featuring articles critiquing the INC. Truthcaster - A 24/7 broadband channel dedicated to live and interactive webcasts of Eliseo Soriano, to which the discussions include exposing the alleged nonbiblical doctrines of Iglesia ni Cristo Catholic Answers article about Iglesia ni Cristo Into the Maw of the Cult - Karl Keating's review of his debate with the Iglesia ni Cristo

[edit] Related videos • •

Video of debate between INC minister Jose Ventilacion and Catholic apologist Karl Keating part 1 Video of debate between INC minister Jose Ventilacion and Catholic apologist Karl Keating part 2

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