Iglesia ni Manalo crumbling due to divisions and corruptions
So the Iglesia Ni Cristo is in chaos? I have been following the events closely through various news portals and would like to give my side of things. What i realize clearly is that there is a power struggle in the cult and despite declarations, Edwardo Manalo and his minions are desperately holding on an already sinking ship.
The Iglesia is scared to death. It has been consolidating power through many forms including the Manalo family which owns the cult and political positions to mention a few. It is also aided by its 100 year history to consolidate power across the Philippines. Yes in business, longevity is an advantage. It is not surprising that many Iglesia members in government positions are bent towards decisions and conditions that favor the INC. The INC also has power to use force and other means to prolong its status or control its members as evidenced by the recent scenario surrounding Manalo’s Mother, brother and other INC ministers.
The INC is a high control group that uses many methods to rule with impunity over its followers. Here I give some examples of high control and unchristian principles implemented in the Iglesia ni Manalo.
INC Dictatorship
The Iglesia is known for its high stance draconian system of leadership which calls for strict and blind obedience. The cult demands;
- Strict unquestioning obedience
- Dissenters are strictly shunned or expelled(like what is happening now)
- All other Churches are directed by Satan and the INC alone teaches truth and to be saved you have to belong to the INC
Because of this draconian system, Manalo followers are infused with fear of revealing any wrong in the INC or leaving the cult because that would be leaving the “truth”. This creates an environment of “black and white” thinking. The INC is high control group and appears on most cult awareness sites.
To summarise; INC leaders claim a mystical source of guidance, claim to be the sole channel of truth and salvation, must not be questioned, demand obedience, and punish wrong doers with expulsion and that is how they have unquestionable obedience from followers.
Information control
Surprisingly, information is also controlled in the INC. Manalo followers are told to shun non-cult sources of information because it is evil and a tool from Satan (these include Catholic tracts, information from Catholic sites and other Christian forums). In so doing, they keep members so busy they don’t have time to think and check things out. The INC is known for outright lying, deliberate holding back of information, distorting information to make it more “acceptable”, Spying and reporting on other members, extensive use of cult generated information and propaganda.
Thought Control
In the Iglesia ni Cristo, all followers of Manalo are strictly required to internalize the cult’s doctrine as “truth” and failure to do so may lead to serious consequences. The cult also promotes black and white thinking by polluting the minds of followers that only Manalo’s followers are good and holy and that all other Christians are evil and doomed. Members are also told that outside information is evil and only information from the INC is true. Only “good” and “proper” thoughts are encouraged. No critical questions about leaders, doctrine, or policy seen as legitimate. No alternative belief systems viewed as legitimate, good, or useful.
Phobia Indoctrination
The INC, just like the MCGI cult of Eli Soriano is a shining example of cult using Phobia indoctrination to influence people. Fear of leaving the cult, doubting doctrine or even questioning leader’s authority is instilled in the minds of followers. For this reason, the person under mind control cannot visualize a positive, fulfilled future without being in the group. Followers see the wrong in the cult but are told that is wrong to admit that themselves. They are indoctrinated with false reasoning that terrible consequences will happen to them like hell, demon attacks etc if they leave. For this reason, they remain trapped in the cult.
INC hidden agenda
The INC acknowledges that it is possible to persuade people to join the cult or act in a certain way and uses every method (including deception and draconian systems) to influence people. An organization has a hidden agenda if it lies about its history or threats are made to prevent a person reading critical literature about the organization. It also has a hidden agenda if the average member is unable to access information about how the organization is run(That is how the INC corruption has been going on without the knowledge of ordinary followers). Deception and lies show various examples of manipulative dishonesty within the INC. This lack of integrity in the part of INC shows that the cult is abusive through consolidation of its power and authority without open accountability.
Recent scenarios
The recent events that have hit the INC are an example of the internal struggles that have been brewing within the cult. To prove its high control stance, the INC is now expelling members who question the INC system and engage in demonstrations over corruption. INC members should now open their eyes and realize all that is hidden from them behind the dark and dangerous world of the INC. Fear should not prevent an honest evaluation of the facts about the group. It is time to break away from a cult that controls members using un Christian principles. It is only once convinced that the INC does not teach truth that a person can legitimately address and understand the real truth behind the cult. The reason people became INC members is because of the lies and distortion of information/Scriptures that the INC employs. Now the INC is in chaos. Incidents of corruption have been exposed, Ministers are resigning, members are being expelled and properties are being sold. It has been sued and thousands are turning against it. Eduardo Manalo has said he will fight and sacrifice his life for the cult but that remains to be seen.
Like some know, It only took a little dog to pull down the curtain and expose the darkness behind the great and powerful Wizard of Oz. It is only a matter of time before the curtain of the INC is pulled as well. You tube (Angel Manalo used it) has already done that. The INC is dead. It just has not fallen over.