Halloween For Dummies, Christians Included

You don't bombard your Facebook with all-too-familiar verses and "Jesus is coming" quotes and at the same time getting too excited with your planned activities on Halloween, it's just not quite the way a Christian should find himself doing.

"So, what's wrong with getting excited over Halloween? The experience is priceless, and a solitary night of fun doesn't necessarily diminish one's relationship with God! I see to it that only the Lord Jesus Christ is worshiped even on Halloween!" I choose to have fun with it and won't allow anyone to deprive my kids to participate in it!" 

You probably have had a lot of these along the way: Christians who would aggressively defend their Halloween tradition being fun and innocuously innocent one. But if you are a Christian (not to mention your record of uninterrupted church attendance for two decades or so) and still see no problem participating in Halloween tradition, these bits of knowledge sourced from an article by Kerby Anderson may be of help to you:

Ten Things Christians Need To Know About Halloween

Many in our secular society believe Halloween is nothing more than a harmless festival that allows kids to collect candy. But is it? Its origins lie deeply rooted in the occult, and Christians should stay away. Here are ten reasons why:

• October 31st has long been known as "The Festival of the Dead." The Celtic tribes and their priests the Druids celebrated this day as a marker for the change from life to death.

• Halloween today is performed usually by adherents of witchcraft who use the night for their rituals. Witches celebrate Halloween as the "Feast of Samhain", the first feast of the witchcraft year. Being a festival of the dead, Halloween is a time when witches attempt to communicate with the dead through various forms of divination.

• Christians should not be involved with the occultic practice or divination. Note God's command against divination in Deuteronomy 18.

• Occultists believe Halloween is a time of transition between life and death. Some occult practitioners practiced divination and believed you could learn the secrets of life and wisdom by lying on a grave and listening to the messages from the long-departed.

• Occultists also taught that spirits and ghosts left the grave during this night and would seek out warmth in their previous homes. Villagers, fearful of the responsibility of being visited by the ghosts of past occupants, would dress up in costumes to scare the spirits on their way. They would also leave food and other treats at their door to appease the spirits so they would not destroy their homes or crops but instead move on down the road. That is the real reason why kids dress up in costumes today and go door-to-door seeking treats.

• Occultists also would try to scare away the spirits by carving a scary face into a pumpkin. This horrible visage would hopefully move the spirit on to another home or village and spare that home from destruction. Sometimes the villagers would light a candle and place it within the pumpkin and use it as a lantern (hence the name Jack-o-Lantern). This is the origin of carving pumpkins at Halloween.

• In some witchcraft covens, the closing ritual includes eating an apple or engaging in fertility rites. In the Bible (Genesis 3), eating a piece of fruit brought sin and death into the world. In witchcraft, eating an apple is symbolic of  bringing life. The practice of bobbing for apples brings together two pagan traditions: divination and the fertility ritual.

• Schools are removing any religious significance from Christmas (often called winter break) and Easter (spring break). Isn't it ironic that most public schools still celebrate Halloween even though it has occultic origins?

• Participating in Halloween gives sanction to a holiday that promotes witches, divination, haunted houses, and other occultic practices.
• Christians should avoid Halloween and totally disconnect themselves from almost about anything that glorifies death, divination or witchcraft, among other things ascribed to the works of darkness.

Still, quite a number of Christians insist that if they totally forgo such a "fun and harmless activity" which to them tilts toward a cultural rather than spiritual celebration then they are completely missing out on life. There are even pastors who spearhead in promoting activities on Halloween with their trick-or-treat baskets conspicuously placed inside their church, and members who are not willing to give it up just yet  find themselves rabid defenders of this demonic celebration.

El Dia de Todos Los Santos Catholic-style

It is interesting to note that in the West, Halloween which falls on the eve of October 31 is purely marked by revelries such as costume parties, trick or treating, among other things, but hardly a commemoration of the departed loved ones. Yet the celebration still carries elements of fear, death and evil, and its glorification thereof.  Meanwhile in many Catholic countries in Asia and Latin America, the celebration carries a distinct flavor associated with culture and religious tradition.

Just like in the Philippines, millions upon millions of Filipinos flock to cemeteries on the first day of November to visit the grave of their departed. Although it has been a centuries-old tradition mostly observed in Catholic countries, it is a widely-held belief by most Filipino Catholics that the souls of their dead are being released from purgatory to reconnect with the living and get to binge another time of their favorite foods, thus the long table in every home filled with various menus as offerings for the souls who are believed to be sulking back in Purgatory if they didn't find their favorite foods on the table.

However, some Catholic legalists and the politically correct do not approve of the November 1 celebration (of honoring the dead) as they claim the first day of November should be dedicated in honor of the saints, thus it is called the All Saints day. Honoring the dead they claim should fall on the 2nd day - the reason why the Gregorian calendar assigns it as All Souls Day. All climactic events such as parties at the cemetery, vigils, food binge, and all other frenzied activities of festive proportion typically happen on the first day - all to commemorate the dead, so one can completely understand the rage of the "saints" who are perennially relegated to the sidelines by virtue of a confused and mixed-up tradition which Catholics simply cannot get right.

Roman Catholicism teaches that every person who had died did not live to be perfect thus falling short of the requirements by God to be perfect. So, in His mercy He assigned a place for the souls called Purgatory wherein they will undergo a process of purging from their imperfections so that when the process is completed they can be readily promoted into heaven. But Catholics are also clueless as to what the souls are exactly doing in the Purgatory to obtain complete forgiveness; maybe they get to carry huge stones or drag boulders or stab their gluteal region and self-inflict as much pain as possible so that they qualify for graduation from the purgatory - nobody knows! So, in essence, Catholics believe that God will not throw anyone in hell for it is too severe a punishment for anyone who commits "little sins".

What the Scriptures Say

The Bible, also known as the word of God is all truth, its infallibility never challenged; its integrity beyond question, and its purity perfect. But what really the Bible says in light of this long-held belief that a person who dies goes to purgatory to undergo a required  process of purging so that he qualifies entry to heaven?

Scripture says, "For it is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment" ~ Hebrews 9:27

Despite its gem of truth, it's become a cliche that God is love, and everyone knows that and because He is love He will not send anyone somersaulting to hell. That is just a big fat lie coming from the pits of hell. The Bible has never made mention  of   a place called purgatory - it just does not exist in its 66 books. But we know how innovatively inventive Catholics have developed into, in fact, the brutalization of the Ten Commandments tops the list of their accomplishments.

With all these talks of a loving God, other God's attributes that Catholics and other humanists go ballistic about when brought up is that God is also holy, righteous and just. Obviously, they struggle a lot to reconcile the idea of an angry God who punishes anyone in hell for eternity in the context of a loving God. To them, it simply is an improbable concept that just does not seem real.

But Scripture says, "For the wages of sin is death, but God's gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ." ~ Romans 6:23

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." ~ Romans 3:23

Sin is a violation of God's law, it is the opposite of holiness. Without holiness, no one can see God (Hebrews 12:14), and everyone has sinned. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life"(John 3:16).

God's forgiveness can only be obtained through faith in His Son Jesus and by completely turning back from sin. Hell is reserved for the wicked who refuse to acknowledge Jesus as the only way, the truth, and the life. Catholics pray to other "saints" and deify Mary as their mediatrix and queen of heavens which the Bible calls idolatry - an abomination to God. And there is more bad news, the Bible is crystal clear about only two places after death:  heaven and hell.

Every Catholic has a Bible in their homes, but seeking the truth is hardly their strong virtue. Religion and tradition make up a strong shackle that continually keeps people in bondage so that they don't see the truth. But here's the good news: "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,  but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). 

Indeed, God is loving and merciful, He will keep His promise of not wanting anyone to perish that's why He gives us ample time to seek Him and know the truth. We cannot stand before a holy God with our own reasoning because at some point in our lives we have heard His truth. Death is inevitable, it is certain, that's why God sees to it that we are being adequately warned. Yes, God is love, but He is also holy, righteous and just.

Those Familiar Wolves At The Harlot's Table

Pope Francis' recent visit to the US was by no means just another state visit of a head of state from another country. It was regarded as a milestone event being the pontiff's official first visit to the US. Many pundits from both the secular media and religious groups have been abuzz with their synonymous take that the pope's visit would usher the fulfillment of biblical prophecies.

As to which biblical prophecies have been fulfilled that remains debatable, but one thing is clear and beyond argument, and after all dust has settled, God has revealed those who consistently prostitute his truth in the name of false love, false peace, and false unity. And there you have it, people won't be reeling from shock as everyone's usual suspects spontaneously come out united in revealing who they really are: wolves in sheep's clothing.

If there was anything "true and sincere" (albeit a great abomination to God) that the world has witnessed, it was the multitude's show of devotion and adoration to the pope that had the sovereign God of heavens seemingly shoved off His throne. 

Don't get me wrong, as Christians we should love the pope as someone whom Jesus died for and whose soul needs salvation. He needs to repent of his sins and acknowledge the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ through the redemptive power of His blood. We also need to pray for every Catholic who puts their faith in the Catholic church for their salvation. But we cannot be one with them  and approving of and thereby sharing their sins.

Wait a minute, we almost feel this topic about the pope as being recurringly redundant. And along comes the burning question, why can't some Christians seemingly don't get it when all the pope desires, is for all the world to come together in unity amid all the troubles of this world? Why the fierce criticism when all T.D. Jakes, Rick Warren, and Joel Osteen yearn for is to giggle at the presence of the pope and express their admiration for him for his being so cool and humble?

Here it goes: The Scripture in itself is the word of God, its nature infallible and immutable, it is the final authority and the moral compass which all humankind is called to live by. The Scripture reveals to man God's grand design of redemption from sin through His son Jesus Christ who took the form of a man, was sinless, and gave His life as a ransom for all our sins.The Scripture also speaks of Jesus as being the only Way, the Truth, and the Life, so that no one comes to the Father but by Him. So in essence, Jesus has the sole authority to forgive sinners if they repent and turn their backs from sin and follow Him. All other religious figures in history such as Mohammed, Buddha, and many others have all died and will never return again while Jesus has spoken of his return to judge the living and the dead. Basic kindergarten lesson we have here.

So what has the pope anything to do with this? As a matter of tradition, the pope so believes that Jesus died on the cross, unlike the Muslims who believe in their Quran that says Jesus did not die but that their god Allah deceived the Jews into believing such lie. Quran 3:54 even corroborates that their god Allah is the greatest deceiver of all. There you have it! In principle, the contradiction in belief is poles apart, yet the pope allows Quranic prayer be recited in the Vatican and he himself even offered prayer inside a mosque in Turkey.

Here are some of the obvious reasons why true born-again believers should not associate themselves with almost about anything the pope promotes:

The Catholic church endorses Marian worship and countless other idols

The Catholic church for centuries has been unequivocal in affirming the deity of Mary in its doctrines and bestowed her a litany of titles such as "the queen of heavens", "mother of God",  "the mediatrix", etc. Obviously, nowhere in Scripture has Mary been crowned as queen of heavens as though there existed a vacant throne that needed occupancy. Catholic dogma even claims that Mary was taken up to heaven both her soul and body on the third day after her death.

In fairness to Mary, when she was called blessed among women she exclaimed, "my spirit rejoiced in God my Saviour" (Luke 1:47). She herself acknowledged that she needed a saviour because she was no god. Well, Catholics have the propensity to analogize that if Jesus is God so are his mother and Father. And no chance on earth they'd lose this argument. I vividly recall my sister-in-law who strongly brushed off biblical truth saying, "I was born a Catholic and I will die a Catholic".

The Bible explicitly says that the God of the universe is a jealous God (Deuteronomy 6:14,15) who is not willing to give His glory to anyone and His praises to graven images (Isaiah 42:8). In essence, God hates the worship of idols that cannot see, speak, hear or feel and cannot even defend themselves. His disdain for idol worshippers is such that He calls them fools and shameless (Isaiah 44:9-20). And who would dare challenge a holy and righteous God? You share this truth lovingly and compassionately to a hardened Catholic if not you're shown the door in rage or get blocked on facebook.

As for Mary's mediatrix title, it doesn't get more blasphemous than that to claim Mary possesses a greater level of intercessory powers than any other saint because Jesus can in no way turn His back on the woman who gave Him life. You pray to Mary being the mother of God and narrate your petitions, the moment she brings your cause to her son no matter how unlikely your petitions will be granted by Jesus, His heart can only melt away at the sight of His mother in tears, and voila your petition is granted. This is why Catholics have a special fondness for their idol, the "Mother of Perpetual Help".

But what the Scripture has to say with respect to such belief is beyond confounding to those who refuse to open their eyes and refuse to read and be guided by the truth of Scripture. Does God really listen to the prayers of unrepentant and idolatrous people? And who is the true mediator who brings our petitions to God?

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." ~ Psalm 66:18

"Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and does His will, him he hears." ~ John 9:31

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." ~ 1 Timothy 2:5

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." ~ Hebrews 4: 14,15

The Pope believes Allah the god of Islam and Yahweh the God of the Bible are one

We've been hearing it a gazillion of times over, people would conveniently blurt out: "oh yeah, of course, I believe there is only one God and our only disagreement stems from how we address him by name."

Don't be deceived, the god of the Quran doesn't have a son, as opposed to Yahweh the Father who has a begotten Son named Jesus who took a human form, ministered to the sick and needy, offered His life, was buried and raised from the dead, and He will return to judge both the living and the dead. While the Quran explicitly narrates that Allah hid his prophet Issa from the Jews, deceived them into believing that he died (but never crucified), and Allah took him up to heaven.

Let us check the following verses:

"In fact. the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of the blood there is no forgiveness." ~ Hebrews 9:22

"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." ~ Matthew 26:28

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." ~ Colossians 1:14

Clearly, it is only the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that can wash away mankind's sin and forgiveness can only be obtained through His blood, that's why Jesus died by crucifixion, was buried and was raised from the dead. But the Quran belies these facts by claiming that not one of these had ever happened. To them, the Bible is a lie and corrupt and the Quran is the real deal. Perhaps Pope Francis is so enamored with the Quran that he invited an Imam to recite a quranic prayer inside the Vatican. He even offered prayer (facing Makkah) alongside a mufti at a mosque in Turkey.

The Pope believes atheists can get to heaven

Previously, Pope Francis made a bold declaration that atheists can get to heaven if they do good, effectively invalidating the power of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Such brazen rebellion against the truth of God won him over adoring fans worldwide and media accolades despite his obvious disdain for the truth of God's word. Ephesians 2:8,9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."  We could only assume that in all his years as a Catholic let alone his being a pontiff, he has not come across this verse yet. But we all know that is not the case.

This pope certainly has a way to draw controversies, and they are by no means negligible. His words and actions impact billions of souls and his influence limitless, after all he is the "vicar" of Christ on earth, and when he speaks it is as if God speaks through him. Yet it can't get as blasphemous as this saying, "Jesus failed on the cross". Scripture says before Jesus breathed His last on the cross, he uttered, "it is finished".  He had won the victory on the cross! Yet, wonder of wonders the pope believes otherwise! In his homily on his recent trip to America, Pope Francis said, "Jesus failed on the cross"!

The cross was a fundamental part of Jesus' life. It's why he was born and was a fulfillment of why he came. To call it a failure is about as high a blasphemy as could be spoken by a false prophet, striking at the very foundation of Christianity.

Since Pope Francis assumed the papacy there has never been a dearth in controversies appended to him. His initiatives to bring all religions together in the name of peace and  unity is about as good a fulfillment in the book of Revelation that speaks of a harlot who committed adultery with the inhabitants of the earth. But what mortal can resist his charm? Notwithstanding, God warns us to come out of her and be not partakers of her sin (Revelation 18:4).

Wolves in sheep's clothing share table with the harlot

It is no secret Joel Osteen is one of the biggest fans of the pope. When he profusely heaps praises on him, his face glows like all the hopes of this world is pinned on that one man. That if he can only convince skeptics to pay attention to the message of this man, then the world will be a better place. This same Joel Osteen who seldom mentions the name Jesus, if none at all in his sermons and in his books. He is the same Joel Osteen who fondly describes the pope as "very cool and humble" yet steers clear of mentioning Jesus as the perfect example of humility, being born in a manger, and "had no place to lay his head" during His earthly ministry. If anything, these pictures are perfect contradiction to "your best life now" that Joel Osteen endorses: a life filled with financial and material blessings, health and wealth bonanza, and even going to places you've never been.

Proof that Pope Francis has no shortage of fans even in the evangelical community is the no-nonsense endorsement of his agenda by well-known mega pastors such as Kenneth Copeland, T.D. Jakes, and Rick Warren, among others. Jakes and Warren were even among the VIPs and dignitaries who had a front-row seat at the White House papal reception. It is no surprise seeing Rick Warren joining in spiritual oneness with the pope whose agenda is in sync with the former's Chrislam advocacy. And what about T.D. Jakes? Well, he's got no problem with homosexuality in the church just as the pope wants  homosexuals and lesbians to fill the pews but refuses to rebuke them of their lifestyles. After all, "who am I to judge?"

The Kim Davis Fiasco

She would have been doing well, at least after she emerged from prison. She was touted by fellow Christians around the world as a champion of faith circa pre-tribulation. She stood her ground even to the point of going to prison, still she refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses as it violates her conscience and religious belief. Imagine a deluge of articles and Christians blogs dedicated to her exploits and heroism; multitudes of Christians got fired up to fight for their faith. Even some Republican presidentiables had their rating shot up for siding with her. In the end, good triumphed over evil.

Not until, the man of the hour Pope Francis set foot on American soil that a certain Kim Davis, a renowned champion of faith had her bout with starstruck syndrome induced by the presence of the man from Vatican. It was reported she had a private audience with the pope in Washington, she even asked an aide to the pope "if I could hug the holy father". Her request was granted and he hugged her back. He asked her to pray for him and she reciprocated the request. He thanked her for her courage and told her to "stay strong".  At the culmination of that private audience, the pope gave her and her husband rosaries which in turn she would later give to her parents. And here's the mother of ironies: prior to her meeting with the pope, the day before, two homosexuals who are partners for 19 years had a real audience with the pope; turns out one of them is a long- time friend of the pope back home in Argentina.

Kim Davis was in awe of the pope: in her own words she could not believe a man of great stature would want to see her. He thanked her for her courage, presumably the courage of standing her ground. Then we can only assume that the day before, he lovingly admonished his homosexual friend and his partner that their lifestyle is something God does not approve of, but as reports would have it, everyone came out from that rendezvous wearing a big smile.

And as for the rosaries as gift of the pope to her and her husband, it is not expected of her to win her parents back to Catholicism if her intentions were anything to go by. She should be evangelizing them for the Lord and not to encourage them to pray the rosary.

Deception as the preeminent sign of Jesus' return

In Matthew 24, when Jesus went out and departed from the temple, his disciples marveled at the buildings of the temple, but Jesus said there shall be no stone left upon another that shall not be thrown down. And His disciples asked what shall be the signs of His coming and the end of the world. And Jesus answered, "take heed that no man deceive you". The Gospel chapters of Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13 otherwise known as the Olivet Discourse where Jesus spoke of the signs of His return and the end of days contain repeated warnings of deception that shall abound. Jesus has put emphasis on many that shall be deceived, even the elect if possible.

Truth be told, today's Christians suffer from spiritual famine: the lack of discernment, lack of knowledge and indifference towards biblical truth in favor of the  doctrines of demons that constitute a surefire way to damnation. Christians are called to put on the full armour of God, with the belt of truth buckled around the waist and the breastplate of righteousness in place. But once your belt of truth is compromised and it falls, so is your righteousness.

The Laodicean Warning

The state of Christianity today can be likened to that of the church in Laodicea but God is faithful, those He loves He chastens, and calls them to repent so that they won't be caught off-guard when He comes like a thief.

"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel youn to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that ou may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint you eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and I will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said to the churches." ~ Revelation 3: 15-22

Holy Week: How Filipino Catholics Perceive It

It's as old as history, and distinctly Filipino culture at that - to deprive oneself of few good things on Holy Week especially on Good Friday. Filipino Catholics and others who identify themselves as Christians - invariably love pork and red meat in their menus - except on Holy Week - when a rather spontaneous boycott of meat, pork and chicken, as a matter of religious tradition - becomes their own "calvary". Fish suddenly becomes the national staple - to the joys of fishmongers who get their customers on their knees for an unholy prices. In my childhood, you get chided if you dared wearing colorful or eccentric outfits for "not respecting the occasion",  as it has to be sober and downcast.

Filipino Catholics are some of the most religious people in the world - for a reason. Catholic tradition dictates that eating meat, pork or even chicken on Holy Thursday and Good Friday is forbidden as a way of remembering Christ's passion and death, and as a form of penance. To some, they do it symbolically as a way of mourning for a dead Christ. But amid the pervasive air of religiosity, there will always be some individuals who are insensible to tradition and have a different interpretation of it - they believe that God is dead and cannot do anything so they take advantage of it by engaging in ungodly activities such as gambling, drinking alcohol and cockfighting. The temerity to even entertain the thoughts of such is as downright foolish as it gets.

The degree of understanding and perception of the concept of Holy Week varies from people doing their own thing to 'mitigate' their sinfulness, to the utter contrast of convincing themselves that God is dead on Good Friday till Sunday morning thus they could get away with their immoral acts - is beyond astonishing - and proof of an astoundingly distorted concept of Holy Week - as per tradition.

During the Holy Week when government decrees a week-long holiday, an exodus of big-city workers in their tens of thousands to their provinces - becomes a major concern because of the chaos it causes. While most of them are eager to bond with their families on this week-long vacation, another big number comprises of local tourists who are heading out for beaches and excursion away from the hustle and bustle of fast-paced Metropolitan Manila. Seaports, airports and bus terminals are extremely crowded that the ubiquitous police force needed to maintain security and order. Various outposts sometimes are temporarily turned into nurseries for wailing children who got separated from their parents amid the chaos - and that's just one side of the multi-faceted Holy Week celebration Filipino-style.

The extent of being deeply religious yet worthless

On another, the so-called "deeply religious" do a pilgrimage to famous shrines - where there were alleged apparitions of some sort, and say their prayers with matching act of penance for their past sins - such as clambering up and down the grotto of the Virgin Mary on barefoot - till their blisters render them immobile believing that they've done enough to obtain 'forgiveness'. And a significant number of the devout would also go for pilgrimage to certain mountains on barefoot and offer their prayers for good health and a better life. Catholic churches renowned for "Marian apparition" in the past are also perfect choices for pilgrims who come from far places to perform rituals such as kneel-walking to and from the altar till they bleed and go home heavily-bandaged. Some would even go the extra mile by volunteering themselves to be literally crucified so that they "share Christ's sufferings". And some of these Christ-wannabes do it every single year as lifetime vow. Although the Catholic clergy does not encourage its devout members to go the extremes, it also refuses to reprehend or warn them that such extreme activity is not required as a matter of biblical principle.

Surely every Filipino 'Christian' feels the need to reflect on the sufferings of Christ on Holy Week. A week wallowing in sorrow and remorse for the past sins - perhaps is not that long if only to feel the pain of Christ. Speaking of pain, in some places north of the country, certain localities commemorate the sufferings of Christ in a rather extreme show of devotion to the crucified Christ. Able-bodied men, some are in their teens, fill columns of devotees who flagellate themselves while doing a procession. Of course the gory act proves to be a perennial hit for tourists and even get coverage from international media. Though the commonality of these rituals no longer surprises the world, still devout Filipino Catholics have always something to offer several notches more shocking that the rest of the Catholic world would dare not duplicate: the actual crucifixion of hardcore devotees who either have wishes for miracles to happen in their lives or it's their own way of fulfilling their vows for their wishes that were granted. (Please note that actual crucifixion lasts only for ten minutes and the medics-on-standby see to it that they beat tetanus for next year's spectacle.) If anything, the spectacle it creates can only bring about good things, two at best - one, their crucifixion "clears their sin", and two, it draws more local and international tourists that will boost local economy.

Social media as platform for one's religiosity

Social media for one is the most conspicuous platform whereby it mirrors other people's perception of the occasion. Others may still settle for the mundane, like ditching their profile pics for a cross or a bleeding Jesus image - and yell on their Facebook, "I'm a proud Christian!" Other than that you fail to see the coherence in their sudden shift of sentiments from their usual posts that most likely reflect how they conduct their lives. One popular actor even gained thousands of likes on IG for shouting out "let's be good even for this week alone, and hopefully till forever!" And how is making a vow "to be good on New Year's eve and hopefully throughout the entire new year" any different?

As a "matter of decency and being one with the Christian world", various media and showbiz personalities have spontaneously stopped flooding their IG accounts with photos of gourmet meals from high-end restaurants - instead they loaded them with photos of their families sharing a rather wretched meal mostly identifiable with the poor, such as sauteed salted shrimp paste (bagoong) paired with eggplants; or dried fish dunked in vinegar paired with rice - to show their oneness with the sufferings of Christ, and perhaps to meet the standard of what their religion and society demand to be the norm - during the week-long celebration. In this case, famous celebrities who have thousands if not millions of followers on social media can also influence ordinary people's perception of what Holy Week signifies to them.

Another young female celebrity posted a very 'positive' message on her IG account that goes "Christ, even when he was hanging on the cross thought of only what's best for us, so that when we are happy, he is also happy. He already did it on the cross, he suffered so that we can be redeemed and be happy, so let us spread happiness to all (sic)". This caption preceded her photos with her boyfriend while they are vacationing in Thailand and sharing a hotel room. I agree, Jesus wants us to be happy -  He thought of us sinners when He was hanging on the cross. By us being happy, Jesus meant that we should live our lives in righteousness, holiness and obedience to Him and not to engage in fornication, adultery, gambling, drinking and all other sorts of ungodliness. Yes, people feel happy when they fornicate or commit adultery, but this 'happiness' is of the devil.

Simplicity of scriptures yet complicated to many

It is unfortunate that over two thousand years ago into the actual death and resurrection of Christ, hundreds of millions of so-called Christians still have very little knowledge if not completely lack understanding of the depths of what they are celebrating. Most of them see only the events surrounding Christ's death, burial, resurrection and ascension through a historical perspective that need to be commemorated as a matter of tradition. In fact, the sad reality is - they do not know the power of Jesus's death and resurrection to those who believe. They subject themselves to some sort of 'penance' and self-affliction without really understanding that it is never required of them in order to obtain salvation.

Despite the simplicity of scriptures, people are not able to comprehend it because they are blinded by tradition - and because of tradition people refuse to seek knowledge. The apostle Paul was spot on when he said of these people as "ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of truth" (1 Timothy 3:7)

Core message of the Holy Week

The core message of the Holy Week is actually very simple: God himself took the form of a man, walked among us, had suffered and died a horrendous death for us, because sin has separated us from the Holy God, and He has made himself to be that bridge so that we can be re-connected to the holy and righteous God. The simplicity of God's divine plan for man's salvation is not supposed to be this complicated. God gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me." Jesus finished it all on the cross! We do not need to hang on the cross ourselves and emulate Christ as if what He did was not enough. Jesus hanged there from nine in the morning to three past midday - that's six hours of indescribable agony, not ten minutes. Man's salvation has been served up to us on a silver platter - we only need to accept it. By acceptance, it means that we should repent from our sins, turn back from it and turning to God completely. And by turning to God completely - it means that we ought to live a life of holiness, obedience, humility and contentment - while we await that Blessed Day when that same Jesus, the Son of God who came in the flesh - will appear for the second time - not as a lowly servant of men, but as a powerful and just God who will administer true justice on earth.

Are We Really All God's Children?

Pope Francis is currently on a five-day visit in the Philippines, and months before this anticipated event, the government and the Catholic church have been preparing non-stop for the pope's coming. Last year, the Catholic church had chosen a song that will be the official theme song for this much-awaited event entitled "We Are All God's Children" - written and sung by a famous Filipino singer named Jamie Rivera who played the role of 'Kim' in the successful West End musical 'Miss Saigon' in London. She is also known as the 'Inspirational Diva' in the Philippines because she mostly sings songs that carry inspiring messages, and this is the reason why religious organizations especially Catholics have fondness for her.

(READ: Why we don't consider Catholics to be Christians - by Pulpit & Pen)

The question now is, are we really all God's children just as the song says? Most unbelievers and Bible illiterate Christians alike would say that this declaration is actually true: we are all God's children. We all know that everything around us, including all of humanity was created by God, and if He is our Father, then there is no doubt in our mind that we are all His children, right? But what does the Bible really say about this?

In the Bible, unbelievers were never referred to as children of God. In fact, before we were saved, we "were by nature the children of wrath", says in Ephesians 2:1-3, And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 

Before we were saved, we were a friend of the world, therefore an enemy of God, in James 4:4 we read, You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Even Jesus addressed those who do not believe in him as the sons of the devil in John 8:42-47, You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

We only become God's children when we are saved through our relationship with Jesus Christ, and are adopted into God's family, Romans 8:14-17, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. In Galatians 3:26 we read, For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. John 1:12 would further confirm that, "for as many as received him (Jesus), to them he gave the power to become the children of God."

It is indeed gratifying to know that we are all children of God as what we hear from songs - even from a famous gay comedian in the Philippines who would announce on national tv that (practicing) homosexuals and all sinners are children of God too because He created us all and only wanted the best for us - to the thunderous applause of the audience. Music to one's ears but the Bible says otherwise.

Sadly, that's the real state of man when he has no Christ in his life. That's why God gave His only begotten Son Jesus as a sacrifice for a sinful world so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16) - that's the good news. But whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he does not believe in God's one and only Son (John 3:18) - and that's the bad news.

You would say, "I also believe in Jesus", but ain't  the devil also believes and trembles (James 2:19)? Believing by Bible definition, constitutes surrendering one's life to the lordship of Jesus Christ and turning back from your sins, and striving to live in holiness by the help of the Holy Spirit - that makes one a child of God. Do not be deceived! Remember that neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9).

(READ: Why I Am Not Roman Catholic - by Tim Challies) 

A Christian Perspective : The Folly Of Idol Worship (Manila's Feast of the Black Nazarene)

"Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the Lord your God." ~ Leviticus 19: 4

Imagine the miles-long queue of devotees that formed past midnight way into the next day and beyond till the day of the actual procession of a life-sized image of the Black Nazarene - and you see people young and old from all walks of life in their miserable state - mostly coming from remote places - just to get near the statue, kiss its feet - and go home in ecstasy believing answers to their prayers are on the way. Such is the incomparable devotion and religious fervor you can see from devotees and fanatics alike of the ebony statue during the early stages of its feast in Manila. But that's only a prelude to the actual procession day with which devotees are expected to turn up in millions.

Today the 9th of January, is the actual procession day and crowd estimates according to authorities range from 5 million to 9 million. Latest report says, a 44-year old male devotee has died while participating in the carriage of the Black Nazarene probably due to tiredness and suffocation that led to his having a heart attack.

Actual scenario

The culmination of what they call 'Traslacion' or the actual procession of the Black Nazarene normally draws devotees numbering to over 5 millions. And each one of them tries to at least touch the image while it is being carried. While it is impossible for the old and sickly to venture near the carriage, they can still get someone as proxy - probably a strong and fit relative to bulldoze their way onto the carriage -  and touch the image with a special cloth which they believe can bring healing to their sickness. Of course when you battle it out with another five million people who are equally as determined to get close to the image and touch it, the odds of you emerging unscathed from such an ordeal is zero. On previous occasions, records show that the event has produced deaths and limbs lost - that instead of people getting healed from their sickness, they just topple on the scene - not because they experience epiphany right where they stand, but simply because these devotees get suffocated and crushed.

The folly of idol worship

I'd been there half of my lifetime. When I turned seven, my mother took me to a Catholic church four towns away - where the patron saint is San Isidro Labrador (the one who pulls up his garb showing his thigh dripping in blood from a dog bite while the dog stands calmly beside him). Even as a child, I was not impressed to be on a long queue watching impatient mothers dragging their children and let them watch scolding one another for not following first-come first-serve rule while waiting for their children's turn to kiss the image. (I remember certain amount was then required of us after completing the process which everyone in line should dutifully oblige - a church employee sometimes runs out of loose change that causes chaos and stalled traffic at the exit.)

Idol worship has been a way of life for most Filipinos dating back centuries ago from the Spanish colonization. It has been the most successful commodity the Roman Catholic empire has exported around the globe for more than a millennium. Hardcore Catholics would vow to die defending their religion - and their idols. They believe they are doing God a favor if they put themselves in harm's way as their way of participating in Christ's sufferings. But does the Scriptures approve of such practices? 

The Scriptures below is a testament to God's hatred for idols that like a kindergarten teacher He would show us the perfect example of the embarrassment man has brought upon himself for his idolatry and His disdain for people who do such a practice:

"All who make idols are nothing,

and the things they treasure are worthless.

Those who would speak up for them are blind;

they are ignorant, to their own shame.

Who shapes a god and casts an idol,

which can profit nothing?

People who do that will be put to shame;

such craftsmen are only human beings.

Let them all come together and take their stand;

they will be brought down to terror and shame.

The blacksmith takes a tool

and works with it in the coals;

he shapes an idol with hammers,

he forges it with the might of his arm.

He gets hungry and loses his strength;

he drinks no water and grows faint.

The carpenter measures with a line

and makes an outline with a marker;

he roughs it out with chisels

and marks it with compasses.

He shapes it in human form,

human form in all its glory,

that it may dwell in a shrine.

He cut down cedars,

or perhaps took a cypress or oak.

He let it grow among the trees of the forest,

or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow.

It is used as fuel for burning;

some of it he takes and warms himself,

he kindles a fire and bakes bread.

But he also fashions a god and worships it;

he makes an idol and bows down to it.

Half of the wood he burns in the fire;

over it he prepares his meal,

he roasts his meat and eats his fill.

He also warms himself and says,

“Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.”

From the rest he makes a god, his idol;

he bows down to it and worships.

He prays to it and says,

“Save me! You are my god!”

They know nothing, they understand nothing;

their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see,

and their minds closed so they cannot understand.

No one stops to think,

no one has the knowledge or understanding to say,

“Half of it I used for fuel;

I even baked bread over its coals,

I roasted meat and I ate.

Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left?

Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”

Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him;

he cannot save himself, or say,

“Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” ~ Isaiah 44:9-20

It is very clear that the God of heavens, the Creator of the universe shows His contempt for idols. He hates idol worship and shames idol worshipers for their foolishness. Why would a man bow down to the work of his hand? Did he not go to the forest and cut down a tree and a portion of it he carved and shaped into a man and then worshiped it; and some portions he used to make fire and warmed himself and baked bread from it? In the scriptures above, God was taunting his created man for not using his sense of reason and He feels sorry for him that he cannot be saved from his foolishness.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus taught His disciples that God is a spirit and that He seeks a worshiper who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). The Bible is God's truth and nowhere in the Bible that says God commands His creatures to make images resembling Him for no one has seen God and still live. The Ten Commandments written by God and given to Moses has been passed on from the time the Jewish people fled Egypt up to the present generation but only to be changed by the Roman Catholic church because they believe their authority stands above the Word of God. Let's find out the the glaring dissimilarities:

The Second Commandment from the Bible:

"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my Commandments. ~ Exodus 20: 4-6

The Catholic Second Commandment:

"Thou shalt not take the name of thy LORD thy God in vain" ~ (This is actually the Third Commandment out of ten in the Bible. There is idolatry in the Papal system so the Second Commandment has been deleted or sometimes it has been absorbed into the first. All remaining Commandments are therefore shifted along one count.)

Why is Idolatry a Sin and an Abomination to the Lord?

1.  It is a clear transgression or disobedience of the following commandments of God.

   

"You shall not make for yourself a carved image - any likeness of anything that is in heaven above,or that is in the earth beneath, or that is the water under the earth.: ~ Deuteronomy 5:8

"You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it: for I am the LORD your God." ~ Leviticus 26:1

"Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." ~ 1 Corinthians 10:14

2.  It is a work of the flesh rather that of the spirit.

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, IDOLATRY, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies." ~ Galatians 5: 19-21

3.  God is a spirit, and we must worship him in spirit and in truth.

"God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth." ~ John 4: 24

4.  We must not worship God in earthly things which are lowly in forms, wears and tears, and perishes in time. Isn't representing God (who is spirit, Holy, Almighty and everlasting), with a wood, metal or stone, a dishonor to Him?

"Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret. And all the people shall answer and say, 'Amen'." ~ Deuteronomy 27: 15

"Those who make an image, all of them are useless, and their precious things shall not profit; they are their own witnesses; they neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed." ~ Isaiah 44: 9

5.  We must not also think that God is like an image formed by human's art and invention.

"Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising." ~Acts 17: 29

6.  God does not dwell in man-made temples or buildings.

"God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands." ~ Acts 17: 24

7.  The last but not the least, God does not give His honor or praise to carved images.

"I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images." ~ Isaiah 42: 8

Final Thoughts

I do not in any way gloat at the millions perhaps billions who have been deceived by the Devil into worshiping idols thinking that they are just a representation of God on earth. I pray that they will come to the knowledge of truth - that they be set free from the bondage of idolatry and religiosity. God did not appoint anyone on earth to be His official representative as what the pope he claims himself to be - nor He commissioned craftsmen to carve an image to be paraded supposedly representing Him and command multitudes to flock around it and get crushed and die, and voila they already did God a favor by dying for His cause.

People need to be saved from their sins and idolatry is one of them. No idolater will ever enter the kingdom of God - that is what the Bible assures us. But God has given us His Son Jesus to die for our sins - the Jesus who is alive today, the omnipresent One who is not confined inside the Quiapo church and emerging only once a year to give people false hope. - the Jesus who is neither black nor white for He is a spirit and in His glorified body - the Jesus who is the God of all mankind who did not stay a baby all His life just what the Sinulog portrays Him to be. This same Almighty Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords knocking at the door of your heart, pleading that you hear Him  - that if you invite Him to come in He shall be with you, save you from your sin and give you eternal life.

Related Articles: "Idolatry is a Sin, Preacher tells Nazareno Devotees" - on Rappler, The Black Nazarene - Wikipedia, "Catholicism in The Philippines" - Manila Bulletin