What Biblical basis made some Filipino Christians vote for President Duterte?

Started by perplexed
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perplexed

I am from the Philippines. We just had our presidential election held last May 9. We have 5 presidential candidates. Out of the 45 millions who voted, 16 million voted for President Duterte which make him win by plurality. Solving drug related problems and fighting criminality were some of his promises. I didn't vote for him because he has a very dirty mouth. He loves to curse even in front of many children. He is also closely associated to Pastor Quiboloy who claims to be the appointed Son of God. Starting last May even before his term began, there were already poor drug suspects being killed, extra judicial killings. I know of some Christians even a pastor and his wife who voted for him despite the reasons I've mentioned here. I can accept the fact that it is God's will that Duterte became our president. But I can't understand why some Christians voted for him. I wonder if you can give me some Biblical basis for their choice. Thank you for your time.

Excerpt from a link which I won’t post due to profanity.
Rodrigo Duterte, who was sworn in as Philippine president on Thursday, is known for an acid tongue.On the campaign trail he made international headlines with inflammatory statements such as calling Pope Francis a __ and joking about wanting to rape an Australian missionary woman who was killed in a Davao prison riot.
After winning last month's elections in a landslide, the former mayor of the southern city of Davao has continued to make provocative, foul-mouthed statements.

Pardons for killer cops -
"It's a very simple sentence in the constitution, which says the president has the power to pardon a criminal offender. If I tell someone, kill them (criminals) and they say 'but sir, I will be charged,' I just (answer)… get a carbon copy of the (pardon) paper and I will sign it. If the lawyer objects, even the lawyer, you kill him."
(Duterte has said thousands of criminals will die in his war on crime. Here he is offering an assurance to police concerned his shoot-to-kill orders may be illegal.)

  • Inciting public to join killing spree -
    "If they are there in your neighbourhood, feel free to call us, the police or do it yourself if you have the gun. You have my support. If he fights and fights to the death, you can kill him. I will give you a medal."
    (Duterte calling on ordinary Filipinos to also kill suspected criminals)
  • Military snipers to kill criminals -
    "I need the military to pitch (in the anti-drug campaign). I need military officers who are sharp-shooters and snipers. It's true. If you (criminals) fight, I will have a sniper shoot you."
    (Duterte telling reporters he will use military snipers to kill criminals. He later said he would employ machine-gunners as well.)

Here's a link of what's happening to our country right now.

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Matthew Minica

Huh. Sounds kinda similar to the elusive reasons why a good percentage of Republican evangelicals voted for Donald Trump this year…

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Emily H

Hello, Rose! I'm very sorry to hear what has happened in your country. It reminds me a bit of something we were just talking about in our church. We were going through the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The prophets had prophesied years before that a person, a king, named Cyrus, who didn't know the Lord, would allow the Israelites to return from exile to their own country. He would pay for everything they needed, provide protection, and there would be absolutely no gain for him. He would only do it because God had put it on his heart. And then it happened just as was prophesied. These people got to see the Lord's hand at work in their own lives during this "second exodus." No sooner do they witness all the incredible things the Lord had done on their behalf, than they disobey the Lord's commands by arranging marriages with the heathens in and around their land in an attempt to establish peace. They chose what made sense, what was expedient, what promised personal peace and affluence, rather than obeying the voice of their God.
And I think we have the tendency to do the exact same thing.
Here in the States there's a more or less prevailing attitude that says Religion is fine for church, but "real life" and especially politics are in a completely different arena and never the two may meet. We don't choose godly candidates…we choose politically expedient candidates who promise personal peace and affluence, forgetting that the blessing of the Lord, and the blessing of the Lord alone, is what makes a country great.

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perplexed

@Emily H. I'm really very sad about what's happening to the Philippines. I still can't get over why some Christians voted for him. During our prayer meeting, when President Aquino was still our president, we never include prayers for our country or our president. But now that our Pastor and some church members voted for Duterte, we have to include prayers for our country and for Duterte and the rest of the government officials. I find it ridiculous to include prayers for Duterte and our country. They voted for him thinking he is the best man to lead our country and so why should we be concerned now?

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Piece of Peace

Some people think that this 'highly intellectual individual' knows everything. We must learn to not put our trust in these fallible men and turn to the higher power. I am not the least bit political, but I think I can give a reason to every man who asks.
1 Chronicles 7:14 says 'we must pray!' then I suggest we do it. God seems to be our only hope. But I think we all can agree that miracles can happen and will. Maybe this time in our lives are to teach us to depend on God. If it is then I suggest we do it. We can't sit around and do nothing. Lets be a 'difference maker.' We can change this world if we all do something. I'm a 'let's get down and do it' type of person. I'm not going to sit around and twiddle my thumbs. But let us first start at prayer and go from there.

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Roy Phillips

Christians are human too. Most of us just as likely to fall for a "Say silk five times; Now what do cows drink?" Mind game as anyone else. Hopefully as Christians We would think through things more and ask God for wisdom and understanding (especially with something like an election); but Personally I often fail to do that to. Sadly There are consequences.

I don't know about the Philippines, but for several years churches in the U.S. have been full of unregenerate "Christians" who aren't vary Jesus like and are losing their children (Even though they were raised in a "Christian" Culture and some might even still go to church). What dose the family have to do will elections? Its just really hard for the world to indoctrinate and swindle kids if they come from a strong home. Now that Family Front is almost gone, and the children now adults, we are seeing our weakened political front beginning to crumble. As President Obama said, "We are no longer just a Christian Nation…"

Don't know if that helps at all.
If your interested in seeing just how gullible (American) people are, look up Mark Dice. he has a tons of youtube videos where he gets people to say they agree with absurd things.

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