Some religious organizations in the Philippines traditionally make endorsements of political candidates they believe possessed the qualities of a good leader.

Yesterday the Jesus is Lord Movement endorsed four senatorial candidates from the Genuine Opposition and said it would name more choices as the May 14 elections draw near.

Here's the argument. Do you think religious endorsements of candidates such as this be encouraged? Don't you think that endorsements only undermine the moral authority of religious leaders rather than enhance it?<br><br>Post edited by: pokkha, at: 2007/04/25 09:11

The subject of religious organizations endorsing candidates is kinda touchy for some because it will deal with the non-existence of laws prohibiting them to do so. The main thing of course is the influence involved being thrown here and there but when all is said and done, it will always be up to the individual(whether organization member or not) to come up with their roster of candidates to vote for.
Personally, I believe that the matters of the State should always belong to the State in the same manner as the matters within the Church should be faced by the Church alone. It really wouldn't matter to me as a voter if there were strings attached between these &quot;crossovers&quot; because almost automatically, I feel that there is always one.
Sadly these religous endorsements are becoming more obvious and vulgar than ever before but this game of &quot;strength in numbers&quot; between religous organizations should be discouraged. More so, I know that they will always find loopholes(or leave some hanging) if laws are made to combat this so the best thing to do right now is to call on our countrymen to be more intelligent, more wise, more sensible, etc. Let these organizations guide you but please, do the right thing by doing your own research in choosing the right people to vote for.

&quot;Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.&quot;

The irony of what belong to the church and to the government, such a wonderful aspect of life

Well for me it’s ok if religious people endorse politicians. It doesn’t matter if they announce whom to vote, at the end of the day the last say will always lies on the hand of the voter. It’s with voter's discretion to follow the religious leader's line up or not. I believe that the purpose of the religious leaders doing that is just to help the voters to think whose best and who’s not, but then again it will always fall on the hand of the voters.

if there will be a candidate(s)who will be endorsed by the great &quot;puma-le-ar&quot; I will vote again.

hehehe...

INC or Iglesia Ni Cristo, whose members vote by bloc, have announced their list of choices of senatorial candidates. Team Unity has one over Genuine Opposition -- 6-5 with one independent. The endorsement is believed to shatter the opposition’s claim that they would dominate the polls.

Interesting...

I honestly thought that INC allegedly favors the opposition or any party that has any residue of the Marcos regime... Based on my personal experience anyway.

Times a' changin'...