Remarkable Religions in Philippines
By ppruel, 4th Aug 2010 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutFamilyReligion
How true that word is sharper than sword? Our history tells that Magellan used swords to propagate Christianity. Makdum, an Arabian missionary used his persuasive powers to introduce Islam in Philippines.
Magellan's Expedition
Many of us Filipinos are not aware that Islam is 141 years older than Christianity in the Philippines.
The Christian religion came to our land when, on March 16, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan landed on Homonhon Island of Samar on an expedition sent by King Philip of Spain. The primary objective of the expedition was to conquer some spicy islands and to spread Christianity. The inhabitants of Homonhon Island, who were pagans, were the first to be converted.
The expedition took Magellan and his forces to Panay and Cebu also. While the people of Panay accepted the new religion, Lapu-Lapu in Cebu opposed him. A war ensued, and Magellan was killed. Following his death, King Philip sent more expeditions, with soldiers and preachers, to spread Christianity. As a result, the Philippines became the first Christian country in Asia.
Islam is not an Interloper
In contrast to the general welcome Christianity received in the archipelago, it found resistance in Mindanao where the inhabitants were already Muslims. Makdum/Mukdum, an Arabian missionary and scholar who arrived in Tubig Indangan, in 1380, introduced Islam in the Philippines. He introduced Islam with his persuasive powers, not with swords as Magellan did.
The point I wanted to make is that Islam is not an interloper that came to a Christian country. It has been in the Philippines for approximately 630 years, compared to the 489 years that Christianity has been there.
Population by Affiliations
In 1990 the Christian population in Philippines has reached to 91.5 percent of the total population compared to 5 percent of our brother Muslim Filipinos. And the other 3.5 percent are comprising other religions.
Comments
4th Aug 2010 (#)
Useful informations,thanks.
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4th Aug 2010 (#)
you're welcome friend suny. also thank you for dropping by and your comment.
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15th Aug 2010 (#)
wow! I never thought that! thanks for this great info!
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15th Aug 2010 (#)
Thank you too for your comment leylucs. I still remember that during my elementary, high school and college days no teachers taught me about Islam that is part of Philippine history.
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22nd Nov 2010 (#)
nice info bro!
of course islam is not interloper but,..
let me share to you the way i understand my readings about our philippine history. christianity did not spread by sword as you were to trying emphasized in your statement (coz literally speaking this would mean christianity spread through war). after magellan landed in homonhon island they were greeted by the natives. infact, "sanduguan" (correct me if i'm wrong) followed between magellan and the leader of the island.
battle of mactan ensued because lapu-lapu opposes a FOREIGN rule on his island and not to a new religion (as what people may think nowadays).
so, your statement saying"megellan used sword to propagate christianity" is inappropriate. it would be better to say magellan spread christianity through friendship because that was really happened to rahas, radjahs and their people before they had accepted christianity..
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