Iglesia ni Cristo's biggest dome and the numbers behind it

Iglesia ni Cristo's' dome is soon to be considered the biggest dome "in the world" (for now) and it will be erected in Bocuae, Bulacan, Philippines.  It is not for the use of the rest of the Filipinos that it should be called the "Philippine Arena".  According to the INC administration, this dome will be exclusively Iglesia ni Cristo arena, erected only for "religious purposes" only.  That "religious purposes" is not for any religion but ONLY for the religious celebrations by the cult of Felix Manalo.

The INC of Felix Manalo will be celebrating it's Centennial Anniversary in 2014 A.D--  but of course the TRUE CHURCH will be celebrating its 2,014 years to the Millennium.

74,000-square-metre (796,000-square-feet)

Having huge amount of monies flowing into the Manalo's bank accounts under the name of the Iglesia ni Cristo corporation coming from its members who are OBLIGED to give portion of their hard-earned salaries, the Iglesia ni Cristo has no doubt to have the financial abilities for acquiring a huge land properties for its "religious purpose" infrastructures such as this.

In fact, it is precisely incorrect to say it's a "Philippine Arena" when only a limited few hundred thousand to a million Filipinos can use the said dome while the rest of the Filipinos cannot use it just because they are non-INC members.

Statistics show that 80% of the 97 million total population of the Philippines since 2010 (in other words, there are 77.6 million Catholics in the Philippines) are barred from using this facilities and yet the dome is named "Philippine Arena".  What for? 

How many Filipinos can use this "Philippine Arena"?

From the Philippine's National Statistics office, the Iglesia ni Cristo's number is just above one million worldwide so far. Only by some scrupulous estimations say they are between 4-10 million worldwide but its own members find no proof to substantiate this claim.

From Wikipedia (emphasis mine)

As of the 2000 Philippine census by the National Statistics Office, number of Iglesia ni Cristo had 1,762,845 members, making it the third largest religious denomination in the Philippines after the Roman Catholic Church and Islam, respectively. A 2009 estimate by Brace puts it between 4 to 9 million. The Iglesia ni Cristo does not publish official membership figures. Majority of its members are Filipino ex-Catholics while most non-Filipino members converted prior to marrying Iglesia ni Cristo people. The earliest non-Filipino converts were American soldiers stationed in the Philippines.

Therefore, this dome should be rightfully called the IGLESIA NI CRISTO ARENA! Di ba mahilig silang magnakaw ng pangalan ng may pangalan? Dapat ipangalan na lang nila sa kanilang iglesia at huwag sa buong Pilipinas ang kanilang dome. Tutal SA KANILA naman talaga itong dome na ito eh.

Now the question is: Can the Catholic Church use the "Philippine Arena" for some international gatherings such as the World Youth Day where attendees can reach to 5 million?

Definitely NOT! They won't allow "pagans" to use any of the Manalo properties.

Who are the Iglesia ni Cristo?

Among other religious denominations in the Philippines, the Iglesia ni Cristo is just part of the "Restoration churches" under the Protestant churches umbrella.

Restorationism describes religious movements that follow what they understand to be a pristine, or original, form of Christianity.:

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) - During the Spanish-American War in 1898, two men from Utah who were members of the United States artillery battery, and who were also set apart as missionaries by the Church before they left the United States, preached while stationed in the Philippines. Missionary work picked up after World War II, and in 1961 the Church was officially registered in the Philippines. In 1969, the Church had spread to eight major islands and had the highest number of baptisms of any area in the Church. A temple was built in 1984 which located in Quezon City and another in Cebu City, completed in 2010. The Manila Missionary Training Center was established in 1983. Membership in 1984 was 76,000 and 237,000 in 1990. Membership was 594,655 in 2007.

• Jehovah's Witnesses - Missionaries of the Jehovah's Witnesses arrived in the Philippines during the American Occupation (1898–1945). They have been involved in several court controversies because of their stand on flag-saluting and blood transfusions. They are best known by their preaching in pairs from house to house. As of 2009, there were more than 160,000 members in the Philippines.

• The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Name Above Every Name - The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Name Above Every Name was founded by Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, the "Appointed" Son of God, on September 1, 1985. Pastor Quiboloy claims that salvation is through him, that he is the residence of the Father and that he restores the Kingdom of God in the gentile settings.

• Members Church of God International - is a rapidly growing religious organization both locally and internationally with as many as a thousand or more person being baptized into the flock every mass baptism. A nontrinitarian religious organization colloquially known through its Multi-awarded international television program, Ang Dating Daan (English for the "The Old Path"). This group is an offshoot of Nicholas Perez's Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan (Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Support of the Truth). The church does not claim to be part of the restorationist movement but shows characteristics of such. They claim a different view about the personhood of God and of the divinity of Jesus Christ contrary to the historic Catholic beliefs. They also believe that the original church was apostatized.

• The Most Holy Church of God in Christ Jesus is a Philippine religious organization established in May, 1922 by Teofilo D. Ora. This church is also known in the country through its radio program Ang Kabanalbanalan which airs on several radio stations nationwide.

• Seventh-day Adventist Church - The church founded by Ellen G. White which is best-known for its teaching that Saturday, the seventh day of the week, is the Sabbath, and that the second advent of Jesus Christ is imminent. As of 2007, there were 88,706 Adventist churches in the Philippines, with a membership of 571,653 and an annual membership growth rate of 5.6%.

• Iglesia ni Cristo an indigenous religious organization that originated from the Philippines - The church was founded by Felix Manalo when he officially registered the church with the Philippine Government with him as executive minister on July 27, 1914 and because of this, most publications refer to him as the founder of the church. Felix Manalo claims that he is restoring the church of Christ that was lost for 2,000 years. The Iglesia ni Cristo is widely regarded as very influential due to their ability to deliver votes through block voting during elections. Their membership is not released in public but is estimated over 3 million.

• United Pentecostal Church International (Oneness)The church has originated from the United States of America as an offshoot of the Pentecostal movements in the 1920s. The church is a proponent of the belief of modalism to describe God. They deny the Triune personhood of God.

• Jesus Christ To God be the Glory (Friends Again) founded by Luis Ruiz Santos in 1988. The church advocates "Oneness" belief about God.

• Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministry founded by Wilde Almeda in the 1960s. They advocate "oneness" belief.

• Churches of Christ (Churches of Christ 33 AD/ the Stone-Campbellites) a restorationist movement distinctly believes in a set of steps/ways to attain salvation among of which is the requisite to be baptized in water.

• True Jesus Church a "oneness" movement that started in China.

• Jesus is Our Shield Worldwide Ministries (Oras ng Himala) founded by Renato D. Carillo, who claims to be the end-time apostle.

• Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG Help Center) founded by Edir Macedo in 1977 in Brazil. They claim that the Kingdom of God is down here and that it can offer a solution to every possible problem, depression, unemployment, family and financial problems.

175 million dollars (7.39 billion pesos)

Translate this money into Peso and it will be 7,388,500,000 peso -- 7.39 billion pesos (as of today's US currency exchange rate which is Php.42.22/dollar).

How much had the INC donated to international charitable agencies?

How much charity donated in monies did the INC donate in its almost 100 year existence?

But in making headlines out of buildings, numbers, converts and anti-Catholic propaganda, they find it easy to announce the world. But teachings? You cannot find their official teachings anywhere except to speak to one of their paid ministers.

And yet not even half of it's proceeds will go to the poorest of the poor. Their centennial celebration is giving glory to the INC as a cult and its founder Felix Manalo's clan. They are making history by erecting huge Iglesia ni Cristo Arena. Not much popular abroad for having teachings in utmost SECRECY, the INC do not give donations to international charities. Abroad, donations were channeled through their own Pinoy Punong Ministro assigned in certain localities and then distributed it first to its own members who may have been affected and then the remaining part is for affected "apostates" (that is non INC members).

Where they've got their huge money?

We are not sure. Most probably it's from the many businesses of the INC and the INC itself as a corporation sole. What we do know is that they are reported to have lurking for abandoned Catholic churches in the West and then making a news out of it saying that the Catholic Church in the West is now "on its downfall." But again, where did they get those huge amount of money buying properties here and abroad?

The only answer we can have is from this site IGLESIA NI CRISTO IN A NUTSHELL.

Founded in 1914 by Filipino Felix Manalo

This date is not quite accurate if we believe their own counting in 1918, circular letter inviting different people to the "ordination" of Felix Manalo by apostate ministers.

According to that invitation in 1918, the Iglesia ni Cristo was celebrating their "Ikalimang Buhay (Anibersaryo)" (5th Year Anniversary). Do the calculations yourself.

What is being celebrated in July 27?

Supposedly it is not their "founding anniversary" but it's their REGISTRATION anniversary.

Today, INC totally dropped that "founding" anniversary prior to 1914 and they consider their REGISTRATION DATE to be their FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY altogether as seen in this PASUGO article:

PASUGO Agosto-Setyembre 1964, p. 5

“Kailan napatala sa Pamahalaan o narehistro ang INK sa Pilipinas? Noong Hulyo 27, 1914. Tunay nga na sinasabi sa rehistro na si Kapatid na F. Manalo ang nagtatag ng INK."[When was the INK registered in the Philippine Government?  It was in July 27, 1914.  Truly, the registration says Brother Felix Manalo founded the INK.]

So when was INC founded by Felix Manalo? Exactly the date when he registered his church in the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission-- July 27, 1914

Centennial celebration in July 27, 2014

This part is very exciting. INC love to extract "hidden" historical origin of things such that for Christmas in December 25, they would research about how December 25 has pagan origin festivity and therefore branded the whole of Christian celebration of the Birth of Christ as "PAGAN".

let's apply that INC standards.

July 27, 1914 - July is from Anglo-French julie, from Latin Jūlius, after Gaius Julius Caesar , in whose honour it was named.

Who is Julius Ceasar? He's a pagan Roman soldier who lead Roman armies for 15 years.

July 27, 1914 - There are 31 days in the month of July. The counting was derived from the Gregorian calendar's counting.

What is the Gregorian Calendar?

The Gregorian calendar, also known as the Western calendar, or Christian calendar, is the internationally accepted civil calendar. It was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII, after whom the calendar was named, by a decree signed on 24 February 1582, a papal bull known by its opening words Inter gravissimas.

Who is Pope Gregory XIII?

Pope Gregory XIII (7 January 1502 – 10 April 1585), born Ugo Boncompagni, was Pope from 1572 to 1585. He is best known for commissioning and being the namesake for the Gregorian calendar, which remains the internationally-accepted civil calendar to this date.

Rank of Pope Gregory XIII is the long history of the CHURCH-- Papal Apostolic Lineage from St. Peter the Apostle 33. AD to Benedict XVI 2014 AD (present)

Popes of the Catholic Church
1st–4th centuries	Peter · Linus · Anacletus · Clement I · Evaristus · Alexander I · Sixtus I · Telesphorus · Hyginus · Pius I · Anicetus · Soter · Eleuterus · Victor I · Zephyrinus · Callixtus I · Urban I · Pontian · Anterus · Fabian · Cornelius · Lucius I · Stephen I · Sixtus II · Dionysius · Felix I · Eutychian · Caius · Marcellinus · Marcellus I · Eusebius · Miltiades · Sylvester I · Mark · Julius I · Liberius · Damasus I · Siricius · Anastasius I
5th–8th centuries	Innocent I · Zosimus · Boniface I · Celestine I · Sixtus III · Leo I · Hilarius · Simplicius · Felix III · Gelasius I · Anastasius II · Symmachus · Hormisdas · John I · Felix IV · Boniface II · John II · Agapetus I · Silverius · Vigilius · Pelagius I · John III · Benedict I · Pelagius II · Gregory I · Sabinian · Boniface III · Boniface IV · Adeodatus I · Boniface V · Honorius I · Severinus · John IV · Theodore I · Martin I · Eugene I · Vitalian · Adeodatus II · Donus · Agatho · Leo II · Benedict II · John V · Conon · Sergius I · John VI · John VII · Sisinnius · Constantine · Gregory II · Gregory III · Zachary · Stephen II · Paul I · Stephen III · Adrian I · Leo III
9th–12th centuries	Stephen IV · Paschal I · Eugene II · Valentine · Gregory IV · Sergius II · Leo IV · Benedict III · Nicholas I · Adrian II · John VIII · Marinus I · Adrian III · Stephen V · Formosus · Boniface VI · Stephen VI · Romanus · Theodore II · John IX · Benedict IV · Leo V · Sergius III · Anastasius III · Lando · John X · Leo VI · Stephen VII · John XI · Leo VII · Stephen VIII · Marinus II · Agapetus II · John XII · Benedict V · Leo VIII · John XIII · Benedict VI · Benedict VII · John XIV · John XV · Gregory V · Sylvester II · John XVII · John XVIII · Sergius IV · Benedict VIII · John XIX · Benedict IX · Sylvester III · Gregory VI · Clement II · Damasus II · Leo IX · Victor II · Stephen IX · Nicholas II · Alexander II · Gregory VII · Victor III · Urban II · Paschal II · Gelasius II · Callixtus II · Honorius II · Innocent II · Celestine II · Lucius II · Eugene III · Anastasius IV · Adrian IV · Alexander III · Lucius III · Urban III · Gregory VIII · Clement III · Celestine III · Innocent III
13th–16th centuries	Honorius III · Gregory IX · Celestine IV · Innocent IV · Alexander IV · Urban IV · Clement IV · Gregory X · Innocent V · Adrian V · John XXI · Nicholas III · Martin IV · Honorius IV · Nicholas IV · Celestine V · Boniface VIII · Benedict XI · Clement V · John XXII · Benedict XII · Clement VI · Innocent VI · Urban V · Gregory XI · Urban VI · Boniface IX · Innocent VII · Gregory XII · Martin V · Eugene IV · Nicholas V · Callixtus III · Pius II · Paul II · Sixtus IV · Innocent VIII · Alexander VI · Pius III · Julius II · Leo X · Adrian VI · Clement VII · Paul III · Julius III · Marcellus II · Paul IV · Pius IV · Pius V · Gregory XIII · Sixtus V · Urban VII · Gregory XIV · Innocent IX · Clement VIII
17th century–present	Leo XI · Paul V · Gregory XV · Urban VIII · Innocent X · Alexander VII · Clement IX · Clement X · Innocent XI · Alexander VIII · Innocent XII · Clement XI · Innocent XIII · Benedict XIII · Clement XII · Benedict XIV · Clement XIII · Clement XIV · Pius VI · Pius VII · Leo XII · Pius VIII · Gregory XVI · Pius IX · Leo XIII · Pius X · Benedict XV · Pius XI · Pius XII · John XXIII · Paul VI · John Paul I · John Paul II · Benedict XVI

The Popes according to INC theology are anti-Christs and the Catholic Church is pagan.

PASUGO Agosto 1962, p. 9:

“Kaya ang tunay na anti-Cristo, ang mga Papa ng Iglesia Katolika Apostolika Romana. At ang tunay na ampon ng anti-Cristo ay ang mga Katoliko.”

How about the INC exclusive residence? It is called "CIUDAD DE VICTORIA" (City of Victory).  I thought they hated Spain for spreading Catholicism in the Philipipnes. Why they are using SPANISH language to name their exclusive INC Village? Hypocrites!

So come to think about it. Why they are taking much credence to Catholic pronouncements and declarations when they hated anything that has CATHOLIC ORIGIN? One word that can be used to describe them: HYPOCRISY!

50,000 sitters

How many members? From official records they are a few hundred to one million?

But estimates says they are between 4-10 million-- a number that has been repeatedly claimed for the past 10 years.

Fifty thousand sitting capacity implies they are expecting ONLY 50,000± members attending their 100th year anniversary in 2014-- short of 950,000 people more.

The Iglesia ni Cristo dome is being compared to the Madison Square Garden in New York which has sitting capacity of only sit 20,000 people, while the Staples Center in Los Angeles has a capacity of 21,000.

Why these domes in the US has only this much? It's because 20,000 sitting capacity is enough for a concert shows or boxing bouts.

But religious Centennial anniversary celebrations having only 50,000 sitting capacity can only send a wrong signal to those who use their calculations that a million member cannot fit in an arena that has only 50,000 capacity.

If it's true that their number is between 4-10 million, the Luneta Rizal Park Grand StandM is still the best venue to accommodate such a huge number. Even dumb people can calculate that.

In fact, as the X World Youth Day in 1995 held its Closing Mass at this venue which was proven to have accommodated more than 5 million people-- a WORLD RECORD ever, spilling in every streets of nearby Luneta streets.

X World Youth Day in 1995, Luneta Park Manila estimated to 5 million people. (Source: TelegraphUK)

How many total members do the INC has?

Four to 10 million? Fifty thousand sitters cannot accommodate that huge amount even you are expert in mathematical computation.