Idolatry is a sin, preachers tell Nazareno devotees

David Lozada

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Idolatry is a sin, preachers tell Nazareno devotees
'We call this street preaching. We come here to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and against the sin of our nation,' says 25-year-old Paul Faculin

MANILA, Philippines – “Idolatry is a sin! Homosexuality is a sin! Read the Bible for more information!”

These were the shouts of 25-year-old Paul Christian Faculin as devotees of the Black Nazarene passed by Quezon Bridge to see the procession. 

“We’ve been doing this for the past 4 years. We call this street preaching. We come here to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and against the sin of our nation,” Faculin said.

Faculin is with other youth from various evangelical churches who preach their beliefs to the devotees of the Black Nazarene. They go to other events they consider “sinful” such as gay pride marches and “idolatry” gatherings.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene is special, Faculin said, since it’s a nationwide show of idolatry. “This is not the will of God. Many people go here but this is against the second commandment ‘Thou shall not worship idols made of wood,’” he added.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene is the biggest religious gathering in the country. During the event, the Black Nazarene, a 17th century mulatto image of Jesus Christ believed to cause miracles, is paraded across Manila. Authorities estimate that a million people are currently participating in this year’s procession.

One devotee, 34-year-old Renato Guryon, died in the festivities. Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said around 400 people have had minor injuries.

‘Jeered’

Earlier, Faculin and his peers were almost mobbed by devotees. Nazareno faithfuls grabbed their gospel tarpaulins and pushed them out of Liwasang Bonifacio.

“We get that treatment every year. But this year, it was really bad. Thankfully no one was injured,” he added. 

NO TO SIN. Other evangelical youth don their 'gospel' posters in Quezon bridge.

Faculin said they are not affected by the people’s reactions. Jesus Christ, after all, suffered the same jeering when he preached the good news, he said. “We want to give caution to everyone and reach out to the people willing to listen. Even if we get just one person to listen, we’ll be satisfied.”

“It is not right to worship idols,” Faculin stressed. “Doing so would bring God’s judgement to the people and to the entire country.”

He added: “We will continue doing this despite the negative treatment we get… until people repent from their sins,” he concluded. – Rappler.com

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