Rizalista Religious Movements 1q6z1q

Rizalista religious movements The Rizalista religious movements refers to the new religious movement adopted by a number of ethnic religious groups in the Philippines that believe in the divinity of Jose Rizal, the Philippines' de facto national hero. Many of these sects or religious movements believe that Rizal is still living and that he will deliver his followers from oppression and poverty. Rizalist groups have differing views on the divinity of Jose Rizal. Some believe that he is God himself, some believe that Rizal was the second son of God, the reincarnation of Christ. Some of these groups also identify Rizal as the god of the pre-Spanish Malay religion. [1] Some only see as Rizal as a spiritual guide.[2] Leaders of the sect often claim that key people in the Philippine Revolution including Rizal himself were reincarnation of the Virgin Mary. Many of these groups claim that the only key to salvation is by ing their group.[3] The Rizalist religious movement ranged from colorums which were prevalent during the 1920s up to the 1930s to Philippine Benevolent Missionary Association, which was led by Ruben Ecleo.[3] Among these movements are the Iglesia Sagarada Familia, Lipi ni Rizal, Pilipinas Watawat, the Molo and the Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi.[2]

Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi The Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi is the considered as the original Rizalist group. The sect was established on December 25, 1936. Rev. Fr. Luis Fabrigar and Jose Valincunoza was the sect's first Supreme Bishop and president respectively.[2] The sect's headquarters is located in Calamba, Laguna and has established 100 chapters throughout the Philippines. In the 1980s, the number of Rizalista converts was about 100,000 the highest amount in sect's history. As of 2012, the sect's hip was reduced by at least 90 percent. The sect is currently led by Bonifacio Relleta. [2]

Beliefs and practices The Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi requires aspiring priest to study in an institution somewhere in Bicol. Their priests are also allowed to marry after they have served the church for at least five years. Sect officials are not paid and are ed by donations by the sect's financially able .[2] Alongside the Bible, they also have the Sugong Kayumanggi, the second most important book for the sect. Rizal's two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo is considered by some as the sect's counterpart of the Bible of the Catholics by some elders.[2] They also have only three commandments as opposed to the ten by the Catholic Church. The Rizalistas are taught to love God, people and society. Recently love for the environment were added to their teachings.[2] The birth and death anniversary of Rizal are considered one of the most important holiday for the sect. During these days the sect celebrates Misa de Tres an elaborate celebration of flowers, flags and parades. Gomburza Day, Bonifacio Day and other national holidays are also important holidays for the sect. The sect also celebrates Christmas every October 3, the date they consider as the true birthday of Jesus Christ.[2] During many religious celebrations, sect often wear clothing with the colors of the Philippine flag.[2] The Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi believes that Rizal is the incarnation of Holy Spirit. They believed that Rizal was never truly killed during his execution in Bagumbayan. The point out that when Rizal's body was about to be exhumed in Paco Park, Rizal was nowhere to be found and that a tree trunk and a pair of shoes was found at the site. They believed that Rizal is still living in Mount Makiling.[2] The sects has its version on the of Jose Rizal's life. Jose Rizal as a baby was found by Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo, who were recorded by documented historical s as his biological parents. The couple wanted to baptize Rizal as Jove Rex Al, but the name was turned down due to it being close to Christ's name by the officiating Catholic priest. The baby was then baptized as Jose Rizal. The first preachers of the sect were referred to as the Banal na Tinig. They are believed to be able to communicate with Rizal, who lived in Makiling.[2]

Rizal Worship: The Rizalistas The Rizalistas are a group of people who worship Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, as a divine being and deity. Similar to other religious groups, the Rizalistas have different sects whose beliefs may vary, but nonetheless share the same faith in Jose Rizal. These sects have different founders, founded on different dates, and are scattered in different parts of the archipelago. Some of the ed groups of Rizalistas today include:

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Espiritual Pilipino Catholic Church

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Samahan ng Tatlong Persona Solo Dios

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Iglesia Sagrada Filipina

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Ciudad Mistica de Dios

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Watawat ng Lahi

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Adamista

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Bathalismo

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And many others… These individual sects each have their own chapters all over the country and even abroad. Some of them are found primarily in Laguna, in the town of Calamba, and in Quezon Province at the foot of Mount Banahaw.

Parallels: Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal Rizalistas believe that there are apparent parallels in the lives and persons of both Jose Rizal, and Jesus Christ. Some of them even believe that Rizal was Christ himself, reincarnated. These parallel traits and characteristics include:

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Jose Rizal is the messiah of the Philippines, just as Jesus Christ is the messiah of Israel. Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal were good and upright men who pursued their ideals with purest methods and intentions. Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal were Asians. Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal were born into a country that was under colonial rule. Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal paid no attention to human differences in status, education, race, etc. and believed in equal and peaceful coexistence of all human beings. Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal were healers.

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Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal underwent mockery and trial for unjust charges.

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Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal were executed by their enemies.

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Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal died for what they believed in.