"Who is this Stupid God?" ~ Philippine president Duterte
By josefina
@josie_ (9763)
Philippines
June 28, 2018 5:19am CST
"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men" ~1 Corinthians 1:25
Philippine president Duterte has long been feuding with the Catholic church because of their condemnation of his allege support of vigilantes and their use of extra-judicial killings to solve the country's drug problem.
In a recent speech the president took another dig at church authorities (He once called the pope a "son of a ..." but later apologize) by citing the Bible story of Adam and Eve. He ask a rhetorically question about what kind of God but a stupid one would intentionally include a corrupting agent (the snake) and a temptation (the tree of knowledge) in the paradise called Eden, which has the potential of destroying what God considered the "perfect" world. He also ridiculed the Christian concept of "original sin".
In a country where over 90% of the population are Christian (86% Catholic,2% protestant, 6% various Christian denominations) his remarks drew widespread condemnation from practically all Christian sectors.
Duterte's spokesperson said no apology is forthcoming and that his remarks are purely his "personal belief".
All I can say is thankfully the Philippine isn't a Muslim country where an Ayatollah might issue a fatwa ordering followers to kill a disbeliever guilty of blasphemy (Ayatollah Khomeini issued one against Salman Rushdie, the author of The Satanic Verses).
Christians are taught to "turn the other cheek".
Your thoughts?
Photo: Wikimedia public domain
President Rodrigo Duterte has a beef with the concept of 'original sin' in the Genesis creation story. Full story: https://www.rappler.com/nation/205572-dute...
10 people like this
9 responses
@FourWalls (62164)
• United States
28 Jun 18
All I can say is he'll find out eventually....
3 people like this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
28 Jun 18
" Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
Book of Proverbs 16:18, King James 1611 version
" God bless the Philippines! "
1 person likes this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
28 Jun 18
@josie_ nope, if you read and search the bible on your own as I do then you won't give a damn what the Pastor or the priest says, it becomes just plain old me studying the same words that God said to King Solomon ( said to be the richest and wisest person who walked the Earth) warning him of the consequences if he makes the mistake.
I wont lose anything if I heed it, I'm not a wise man but I don't need the clergy to explain something plain and simple, it's like a " given" in geometry class
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
28 Jun 18
I find that proverb often use by the clergy to induce followers to humble themselves before God and therefore follow these church leaders blindly. It seems according to their logic that if you question their teachings you are not only questioning their authority but also that of God.
So be humble and don't presume to know God's purpose which only these priests and pastors are privy to.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
29 Jun 18
@louievill _My comment was directed at the hypocrisy of the church's "Do what I preach not what I do".mentality. The proverb is good advice on attitude development but not sure it should be use as a moral argument for following church teachings blindly.
BTW, I was terrible in geometry class.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
29 Jun 18
i think there should be a clear separation between the church and the state.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
29 Jun 18
@josie_ that is why i feel so bad about what is happening to the church and our government.
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
28 Jun 18
Hi Josefina. Filipinos are really sensitive when it come to these issues. They take it too literally.
2 people like this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
28 Jun 18
@josie_ That is too deep for me to understand actually. But to make his point, yes, I do.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
28 Jun 18
@mlgen1037 _I think his intention was to attack leaders of the Roman Catholic church by ridiculing their doctrines but ended up offending majority of Christians of the various denominations.
2 people like this
@simplfred (20608)
• Philippines
28 Jun 18
He is the President of a Christian nation, for me I think he must consider and respect the belief of the people.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
28 Jun 18
@simplfred _I don't think he has the capability of attacking the Christian's God, only their belief system. Considering how antiquated our military weapons are.
1 person likes this
@simplfred (20608)
• Philippines
28 Jun 18
@josie_ But no matter how I'll review his speech. He seems to be attacking the God of the Christian.
@popciclecold (35102)
• United States
28 Jun 18
I think they shouldn't recite the Bible, it upsets many people.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (35102)
• United States
28 Jun 18
@josie_ Yes, be did. I Believe it was out of context.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
22 Mar 20
Are people still blinded of him and Mochantot? He has been disastrous with China invading Spratlys.
@sabtraversa (12941)
• Italy
28 Jun 18
I appreciate his honesty.
I think he sees the Bible in a way that is too simple, and kind of childish.
I see it more like an allegory: knowledge can make people unhappy, but it grants them freedom.
However, from his own perspective, he's right. You allow people to sin when you know they will sin. 
I think he sees the Bible in a way that is too simple, and kind of childish.
I see it more like an allegory: knowledge can make people unhappy, but it grants them freedom.
However, from his own perspective, he's right. You allow people to sin when you know they will sin. 