... the INC each year dedicates approximately 10O church buildings that bristle with magnificent spires, feature concrete soaring arches, are painted in distinctive pastel colors, and display high standards of maintenance. Enclosed by imposing fences and carefully manicured grounds, each church dominates the local skyline. The imposing sacred structures of this dynamic religion have thus imprinted both urban and rural landscapes of the Philippines. - Reed, Robert, From local to global: The expanding mission of the Iglesia ni Cristo in the Philippines and throughout the world Retrieved April 21,2003 from http: / / ethnicstudies.ucsd.edu/html/ springlectures.htm __________________________ “In terms of buildings, there can be little doubt that the magnificent Iglesia ni Cristo churches reflect and in most cases surpass the grandeur of the Roman Cathedrals of the Philippines.” David J. Hesselgrave, editor, Dynamic Religious movements, p. 314 __________________________ “Its impressive beautiful cathedral-chapels in the major towns and cities add to this image of imposing power.” ( Iglesia ni Cristo: A Study in Independent Church Dynamics, p.13) ___________________________ “….churches constructed by the Iglesia ni Cristo are always expencsive and resplendent and usually appear impressive and overpowering even to the nonbeliever.” (The Iglesia Ni Cristo , 1914-2000: From Obscure Philippine faith to Global belief system, Bijdragen, p. 581) ____________________________ “For centuries every Philippine city and town has been dominated by its Roman Catholic cathedrals built and drafted labor on donated ground. But many of these are now old and dilapidated. Iglesia ni Cristo cathedral chapels now rival these ancient buildings in size and surpass them in beauty. Iglesia members still number only a minority of the population, but their buildings dominate many sky lines.” ( Iglesia ni Cristo: A study in Independent church dynamics, p. 180) ______________________________ “One of the reasons the Iglesia ni Cristo has caught the attention of so many people is the rapid rise all over the archipelago of its beautiful and grand houses of worship. Characterized by simple, elegant lines and spires seemingly reaching for the heavens, these structures manifest the Church’s dedication to building edifices that would serve to bring glory to God. The Iglesia ni Cristo has vigoriously pursued its construction program. So far, it has constructed close to 5000 houses of worship all over the country, with close to 200 others abroad. Because of their number and distinct architectural style, these houses of worship have dramatically changed the nation’s landscape…” (The Iglesia ni Cristo in the 20 th century, Philippine Free press: 1999-2000 The Philippine century, p. 214) _____________________________ “The continuing construction of expensive and beautiful chapels in many parts of the islands,--These buildings, often costing millions of pesos each, serve as a compensation for the poverty of many of the members. They are symbol of the success of their movement.” (A protestant view of the Iglesia ni Cristo, p.66) _____________________________ “While in the past the Catholic churches dominated for skyline in large population centers, now the huge Cathedral chapels of the Iglesia ni Cristo have risen to challenge, so to speak, the dominance of the Catholic churches. Architecturally well-designed, solidity built, painted, with manicured lawns and always looking clean, they dramatically contrast with the ancient, still strong but drab-looking Catholic Churches. ” ( Manila: history, people and culture, p.93)
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:52:17 +0000
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