In the Courts of God’s Justice

By Jane Abao

Flashback May 12, 2005, The Philippines

Tantamount punishment has been inflicted on the Church of God, International better known as Ang Dating Daan in the person of Bro. Eliseo Soriano and company through being banned from television broadcasts by the Movies and Television Review and Classification Board – indefinitely. Soriano, called Bro. Eli, is the presiding minister of this church.

The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) since August of last year had filed complaints with the MTRCB for allegedly being bad-mouthed resulting initially in a 20-day suspension, then a 90-day suspension, finally an indefinite suspension of ADD television broadcasts beginning May of this year. Maria Consoliza P. Laguardia chairs the MTRCB which falls under the Office of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Persecution of the Church
This Church is being persecuted today. Its enemies think bringing its leaders to the courts will drain its resources, but first of all shut the mouth of its presiding minister, Bro. Eli Soriano. True enough, they are draining off resources that what had been earmarked for definite concerns now go to defending the church in terms of attorney’s fees, publication expenses to the public, documentation, and other coping activities including spending for security measures arising from the evil schemes of enemies. This Church and its members are deprived not only of resources but of justice. Subsumed are the viewing public taken off Bro. Eli’s teachings which deprivation has manifested in their flocking to the other medium of radio and calling incessantly for a return to television. They wonder that a preacher being heard 24 hours a day worldwide through the radio, the TV, and the internet should be shut up in his very own country. But then the MTRCB had its final say: Bro. Eli would not be seen anymore, and that’s indefinite. Somehow, those in other countries abroad can see Bro. Eli in their television sets there.

From all of these, a righteous man could only wish as Absalom did in the Book of Samuel. He said, “Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!”

The leader of this Church is the lone mouth crying out to the world on how people have warped the Word of God for personal gain. If this is not a light matter to others, it is detestable, despicable to Bro. Eli - when God’s words are twisted because His words are the supposed law of all. It is his task as servant of God to cry out and rebuke! And from there, you cannot expect to see a meek lamb speaking of love and peace BECAUSE he sees evil and BECAUSE he has been commanded to lash out that you see a fiery tongue telling you as it is. Those whose gods are the speechless, mouthless icons of cement and wood who ignore the evil around of course wouldn’t understand.

The INC would want his mouth shut because in the process of Bro. Eli’s heckling their false teachings, their infrastructure of deceit has crumbled, and had given them a run for their money. As it is, Bro. Eli has shaken to the core their pillars that have started to crumble, crumble, and crumble because one by one he has shown to the public the ignorance of its ministers that their members are leaving them. This explains the fury of their dragon – hence, the string of cases which have ensured to silence Bro. Eli forever from their having successfully influenced the powers that be – or so they think.

The Whole Man, the Whole Mission
Bro. Eli cannot wait to unravel the blunders of many false preachers to the whole world. This is the bigger picture of it all – not the selected words offensive to groups being corrected. In trying to throw away the supposed bathwater therefore, the MTRCB had included the baby.

Bro. Eli gets to be misconceived and misreported at times. Yet, for all the distractions wrought by his enemies, he cannot be aped of his prowess, cannot be contended for his great understanding - more so for his fearlessness in exposing deceit. He is singular and unequalled - in his faithfulness in carrying out God’s work. Only in him is observed the unmeasured spirit promised by God to the faithful preacher. If this were not so, why is his understanding of the Word of God not found in anyone? Unschooled by the standards of this world, why can’t those with piles of theology degrees understand what he understands? This is the end of the matter about preachers: None among the wicked shall understand, the Bible says.

It is Bro. Eli’s conviction that he was sent by God not only to teach His Word, but protect it, and defend it from those who would warp it, much more work on those who make merchandise of it. Only he goes to this extent as expected of the faithful servant of God. It is inherent therefore that he would so shame those who do these abominable things. Is it surprising then that he would speak the way he does? He shouts for correction from deceits, and pounds for truth, hence the fire, the fury, the wrath - and he is like this to false preachers especially those incorrigible. He is trying to correct, not insult, and there’s a world of difference here. Do not twist the Word of God: this in essence is what he is saying over and over.

Those who would make profit out of the souls of others are they whom Bro. Eli hounds. He tells them to their faces that they are fakes, counterfeits working for their own advantage but condoning the sins they observe around. This phenomenon of the faithful walking away from their religion validates the numerous testimonies about Bro. Eli. God is with him, they prefer to be led to truth by Bro. Eli.

Those who have tried to stop him from preaching must take their ginger steps this time. Truly, it is so easy to snap one’s fingers over Bro. Eli when one has never heard of his teachings, much less come to know this man. As long as God is with him, he will be up on the road again, with newer powers and newer claims to understanding with God’s promise of an unmeasured spirit. Everyone who has contributed to stop him from speaking shall have to pay the price someday.

Convolution of Truth and Falsehood
The reign of falsehood around could actually be traced to the proliferation of false preachers. There is no truth anymore as people carry on with Janus faces – one side like a harmless, saintly dove that cannot break a reed; and the other one that is the true face, the one working in the dark, the dishonest, evil soul that thinks he or she is unseen by God. This is not surprising because the false prophet has gathered unto himself those that are like him – Laudecean in his ways, and permissive from what he may know as evil because of personal gain. And he keeps quiet as he grows rich while the workings of falsehood spread like gangrene that even in dispensing justice falsehood gains the upper-hand. There is a convolution of what is true and what is false. So should Bro. Eli keep quiet like everybody else?

Bro. Eli has not been truly appreciated for his role in the Philippine Society, While he is not beholden to the Philippine Government, faithfully paying taxes and not accepting donations from politicians nor from anybody not of his faith, Bro. Eli has formed to himself a community of faithfuls, submissive to truth and to the Word of God. From his task of teaching the doctrines of God to Filipinos here and abroad, the Government has beyond doubt been truly spared of potential liabilities to the society. And yet when he comes to seek justice, he gets none, obviously because he does not use the Organization for political ends; he does not sell the votes of the members for power like other groups do; and because he is not the type of person anybody can twist – a straight fellow that he is who keeps to truth. More than that, he is the kind to shout and rebuke in the face of evil - king or prince no matter.

Preferential Treatment
This Church right now faces one formidable ally - another religious group with much influence with the powers that be. The members of this group occupy key positions in high places that they are able to do much arm twisting in the halls of justice and with law enforcers. This is as far as what had been experienced by the Church of God, International. With Bro. Eli as main respondent to various charges of libel to mocked-up charges of frustrated murder, to all sorts of complaints, the Church gets into trouble, all emanating from Bro. Eli’s task as preacher uncovering well-entrenched deceit of false preachers.

As he goes to court for legal remedies, his pleas find no reprieve. When he files for a temporary restraining order (TRO), it can take as long as four years without as much an action taken. On the other hand, the other party gets first base with TROs given much ahead than normal and at a surprising speed. It is like the TRO pens itself swiftly a few statements, rises from its swivel chair, goes to its printer, signs itself, and flies to Bro. Eli swifter than a war pigeon, no matter what day it is! The enemy’s clout with the powers that be is so powerful, they could produce a TRO even for a book that has not come out! But with the Church of God International, different laws apply.

Scales of Justice
The scales in the blindfold of Ms. Justice imply that punishment must equal or fit whatever offense, and not go beyond it. Call it punishment or discipline, the indefinite suspension is superfluous and worse does not point to a positive behavior which punishment or discipline should bring. Words uttered should be appreciated in the whole of things to define the context and not resort to selective perception. The meaning of one word is always related to the whole of the sentence, and in the whole of the discussion, even in the whole of the person speaking. Discourse analysis would consider what the person was doing at that time. Why does he say what he says? Isn't he trying to rectify? You do not place selected bits of meat under a microscope and then conclude.

So he was expected to stop saying stupid, idiot, nonsense and Church of so-and-so? He doesn't have to keep a weather eye when he says "Church of Aglipay," "Church of Wesley, "Church of Mormon." Now this time, it would take a libel case to say "Church of Manalo"? If these words were evaluated in the context of his discussions, in the greater part of his talk, in the whole of his role as God’s messenger, they would have been understood beyond how MTRCB sees it. Haven't people been calling it as such some half a century before Bro. Eli was ever born? Ah, God’s justice has to grind if one does not find it in the courts of men.

Need for Neutral Government
Could there be a government neutral to contending groups? In 2Samuel 23:3, the Lord God Almighty had meant any ruler, in whatever level, to be ruling in the fear of God. Therefore, a wise government as prescribed in Proverbs 1:3 would receive the instruction of wisdom, justice and judgment, and equity; and then it would rule righteously.

With the Ang Dating Daan, discrimination can become institutionalized following the habitual dependence of politicians on a church group known to sell its votes. Bro. Eli is mulling of going out of the country onto higher courts with the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to seek justice if need be. He feels aggrieved over the discrimination done by the MTRCB for allegedly bad mouthing a church group ashamed of being identified as flock of their leader. This is the same group that three times caused the MTRCB to suspend the television broadcasts with practically the same complaints. All these arose virtually from Bro. Eli’s exposure of their false teachings. And Bro. Eli could go to court outside. After all, the Church of God is international.

International Laws
The Nuremburg trials could give Bro. Eli's group an insight on possible alternatives. Historical records show that the victors caught many Nazis during the war. However, they could not try them under German laws. They then thought of subjecting them to a higher law – an international law that could apply to all.

The Nuremberg trials initiated a movement for the prompt establishment of a permanent international criminal court. The conclusion of the trials served to help draft the Genocide Convention of 1948, the Human Rights Declaration of 1948, the Geneva Convention on the Laws and Customs of War of 1949; and its supplementary protocols of 1977. Since then, many groups such as the Amnesty International have evolved from international efforts to redress grievances of citizens not given concern by their own countries.

Time and again, Human Rights Watch would report of governments aligning themselves with powerful sectors in their country to the detriment of their weaker citizens. They also report of censorship of activities of some citizen groups but government fails to act. Alarming levels of violence against some groups by dominant groups in a country are also ignored by governments. It would require higher laws to intervene in cases like these. These are some of the reasons international bodies have come to existence – to represent the interests of weaker sectors that do not get represented in their own governments.

Vietnam, for example, is said to repress religious groups, democracy activists, and internet dissidents. When President Bush and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai met on June 21 this year, Human Rights Watch expected President Bush to raise these issues with the prime minister, including: 1) Violations of the right to freedom of religion, 2) Arrests of democracy activists and "cyber-dissidents," 3) Unfair trials and torture in detention, and 4) Censorship and control over the domestic media, including the Internet and electronic communications. Even if President Bush would visit the Philippines however, religious freedom cannot be said to get raised with President Gloria Arroyo based on past experiences of the Church.

Moonshine Hopes on Human Rights
All of these happenings can only give moonshine hopes for Ang Dating Daan. On June 6 of this year, the New York press bannered the need for the formation of a Human Rights Council because according to the Human Rights Watch, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights was discredited. The news, however, is silent about why this body is discredited, but the president of the United Nations General Assembly himself drafted the document supporting a Human Rights Council. The following are excerpts of the news -

Replacing the discredited United Nations Commission on Human Rights with a standing Human Rights Council would be a major step forward for the protection of human rights worldwide, said Human Rights Watch today.

On Friday the president of the UN General Assembly, Ambassador Jean Ping of Gabon, presented a draft outcome document for the General Assembly Summit in September which included a commitment of support for a Human Rights Council.

The proposed Human Rights Council would operate year-round to allow it to act both preventively and during urgent crises. According to the draft outcome document, the Geneva-based Council would preserve some of the best features of the Commission on Human Rights, including the active and meaningful participation of nongovernmental organizations and the system of expert monitors known as special rapporteurs.

Human Rights Watch endorses Kofi Annan's call that members of the new Human Rights Council abide by “the highest human rights standards.” Kofi Annan has repeatedly insisted that development and security can only be achieved with respect for human rights.

We add to this the fact that international Human Rights groups fighting to assist victims of injustice get harassed, get detained, and get killed sometimes. Just recently, the Human Rights Watch reported that the government of Uzbek launched a campaign to punish and intimidate human rights defenders who speak about a certain massacre. It arrested ten human rights defenders and opposition activists on trumped-up charges. Others had been beaten by unknown assailants, threatened by local authorities, set upon by mobs, and placed under house arrest. This is the kind human rights defenders sometimes get into, that justice at times is not within reach.

These incidents may be happening in many countries right now but in different levels and in different faces. In the Philippines, censoring of publications and broadcasts prevail, just like in the case of Ang Dating Daan. The irony of it all is that this is a religious program, which case can change the configuration of the so-called freedom of religion being enjoyed in the country. In fact, Amnesty International reported on June 21 this year that Philippines is Number 1 violator of human rights.

Overtaken by Time: Freedom Report
Until now, the Bureau of Democracy, Human rights, and Labor of the US Department of State stands by an un-updated 2000 annual report on international religious freedom about the Philippines. In its September 5, 2000 report, it says the Philippine Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government respects this right in practice, and that there was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom. Further, the report says adherents of all faiths are free to exercise their religious beliefs in all parts of the country without government interference or restriction. They have yet to hear of an MTRCB of the Philippines that banned a religious program that is Ang Dating Daan.

Contrary to what this church is experiencing now, in Section I. Government Policies on Freedom of Religion on Legal/Policy Framework of the Philippines, the report says –

The Philippine Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government respects this right in practice. Both national and other levels of government generally protect this right and do not tolerate its abuse, either by government or private institutions. Although Christianity, particularly Roman Catholicism, is the dominant religion, there is no state religion. The Government does not restrict adherents of other religions from practicing their faith.

In the Courts of the Lord
In the end, the ADD only have their God. It now appears that only in the courts of God would those who cannot seek justice find redress for their grievances. Even in so-called international courts, there are problems of administering justice. The persecution of this Church is not just a happenstance. This is history in the making. It is directing its congregation to a wider world where it could appreciate the breadth of its supposed space. This Church is not just local (the Philippines) or regional (Asia). It is international and so should rightfully work for international interests.

The persecution of this Church requires that its congregation expand its thinking and onto higher levels. It must not peg its mind just on the Philippines and its laws. Why it cannot get justice here requires it to think of seeking redress from a higher law. Ultimately, all nations shall be tried in the courts of God anyway. And on that score, the nation of God can finally have its justice.