They say that they vote by bloc because "unity" according to them is a Christian doctrine, citing 1 Corinthians 1:10. But here is what this verse says -
I CORINTHIANS 1:10
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
They say that to vote is to judge, they must be one in mind and in judgment, thus, to vote forcibly by bloc! This is clearly an intended evil interpretation of the holy commandment of unity among Christians!
To be a Christian is not to be a "robot"! Christians are free under a law called in the Bible as "law of liberty"!
JAMES 1:25
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Christians are not subject to the dictates of another man!
I CORINTHIANS 7:22-23
22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
Unity taught to Christians is unity in Christ and in the gospel, not unity in serving the wiles of some men – political, material, or otherwise! A wile is a trick or stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive. It is trickery on the innocent. Brandishing the flag of spiritual unity while undermining their human free will is actually a play of words that Christ never endorsed.
GALATIANS 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 1:27
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
"One mind" or "united minds" for the faith of the gospel is what is meant by Christ - not unity in commanded bloc voting!
Let us repeat 1 Corinthians 1:10.
I CORINTHIANS 1:10
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
What is "one judgment" or the "same judgment?” There are things in the church that must be decided on or judged upon within the church. The true church judges not on things outside the church.
I CORINTHIANS 6:1-6
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
I CORINTHIANS 5:12-13 (RSV)
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders?Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
13 God judges those outside. " Drive out the wicked person from among you. "
So it is clear that judging or rendering judgment wherein the unity of the brethren is required is on matters within the church - not among politicians!
Do you perceive the foolish interpretation of the Manalistas? I pray "harinawa!” So be it!
Christians have their share of civil obligations as provided for by the laws of the New Testament.
I PETER 2:13
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
For the Lord's sake and for a peaceful life, Christians are duty bound to obey human laws!
I TIMOTHY 2:2
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
THE ROMANS 13:1-2
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
If religious leaders will abide by this Christian law, they will not coerce or threaten their members of excommunication if they will not vote for candidates of their leader’s choice.
The constitution provides that a voter must vote according to his own conscience with his own free will and without intimidation. That is the essence provided for in Omnibus Election Code - Article XXII – Election Offenses. Biblically, a Christian can by his individual capacity, "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's.”
In fact, it is a freedom of God's servants since time immemorial – to choose between one and the other – because not every thing is the same.
JOB 34:4
Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
What is termed in the INCM as "pagkakaisa" or unity is not really pagkakaisa. Why? Because the term, pagkakaisa, is reached after due consultation and consideration of everyone- not as dictated by only one.
Unity comes about not through coercion but through the submission of individual human free will – a will that is given by God intended to help the person discern between good and evil. Remove that will and you culture a robot, mindless and following no matter what evil you suggest.
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