I was born in the Philippines and raised by Protestant parents. I doubted the Christian faith before since I couldn’t settle with either Protestantism or Catholicism which were the only options that was present or known to me at that time. Then I stumbled with Eastern Orthodox Christian content in the internet, and I was intrigued by the clarity that I have achieved, and so that kept the ball rolling for me until I was finally convinced of its fullness & faithfulness to the doctrines that have been passed down by the apostles.

The Eastern Orthodox Churches set up in the Philippines are a minority of the population and very far away from ours, so I have to settle with Protestant Church services until possibly when I become an adult with enough money I relocate so I can be nearer to it and convert formally.

I am displeased with the modern Protestant Church due to its influence on the Philippines being heavily leaning in towards emotionalism in its loud concert-like music, heavily Americanized teaching, and prejudiced teaching against Catholicism & Icons.

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[ONE INSTANCE OF PREJUDICED TEACHINGS, SKIP IF UNINTERESTED]

On a sermon about King Jehoshaphat, in a random moment, the pastor starts talking about how the Philippines is dominated by idolaters.

“What do we celebrate on January 9th & January 18th, here in the Philippines? January 9th is the Black Nazareno, and the 18th the Santo Niño? How sad to hear. In the 9th the Catholics worship a Negro and in the 16th they worship a baby? How far have we lost the TRUE Christian faith? Who is brave enough to tell them their faith is wrong, that they violate the 2nd Commandment clearly written in the Bible? Idolaters do not have a place in this Christian nation. We must follow the example of King Josiah. If I visit your houses, and I saw even a religious statue, would you let me destroy it?”

Followed with encouragement and laughs from the crowd. I also saw my father agreeing with him. The blatant racism & prejudice coming from a supposed pastor is overwhelming. I thought pastors would be more educated on their field of teaching Scripture & engaging with other faiths different than them. So far, the critique they keep circling back on is “the idolatry of Catholics in keeping images and statues, violating the 2nd Commandment.” Never go beyond that nor discuss the opposing positions, just stops at that.

This pastor mocked the veneration of Filipinos to the Black Nazarene (Jesus Christ LITERALLY carrying the cross btw) as worshipping a Negro, and underestimated the Sto. Niño as merely a child, not knowing it’s literally the Child Jesus. It is just ridiculous and honestly infuriating.

I have my fair share of criticisms of the Catholic Church, however this actually stem from a detailed study and not just riding along what has been circulating and riding on the bandwagon.

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We don’t attend every Sunday, just on First Sundays of the month so we can receive Communion. About that, like how should I view it? Should I treat it like how I would a real Holy Communion/Eucharist of the Apostolic Churches?