Real-World Dealings: When Religion Becomes a Sparring Match, Playing With Souls

Manny Pacquiao/Chris Algieri

So Manny Pacquiao has won via unanimous decision AND scoring 6 knockdowns against Chris Algieri*. Filipinos all over the world can feel that feel-good vibes. Once again, #proudpinoy can be seen all over the internet. Tonight on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Pacquiao could not stop talking about God, attributing the blessing of winning to God alone. He kept on saying, "If God is with us, who can be against us?". We should not wonder why Floyd Mayweather is hesitant (I'd say mortally afraid) to fight Pacquiao squarely, without the drama Floyd Mayweather is known for. 

Manny Pacquiao told his tale animatedly. Many people count this as the fruits of his Pastorship. But religion has got nothing to do with how he is. I mean even when he was once a staunch Roman Catholic, Manny was the all-smiles, giddy, Bisaya, who clutched the Rosary and genuflected in every aftermath of his boxing match. This time, however, Pacquiao quoted from the Bible.

Ever since Pacquiao became this People's Champ, Roman Catholics and many Protestant sects had formed an arm-wrestling match vying as to which religious camp proves to be authentic. Before his conversion, Roman Catholics lauded Pacquiao-- the rest of the Protestant camp just didn't care, or worse, prayed for Pacquiao's conversion away from the evils of Roman Catholicism. When Pacquiao announced his conversion to Born Again-ism, it was the Roman Catholics who then got agitated and prayed for Pacquiao to come back to the folds of his birth-religion.

Much as I would love to see the whole Earth becoming Orthodox Christians, the conversion of the heart and theosis belongs SOLELY to God and the person in whom God lives. What we can do, as mere humans, IS TO PRAY for the conversion of ALL souls and enable each other in his/her theosis. I have no business judging Manny Pacquiao on his choice of religion. Just as I have no right interfering on a monogamous, faith-based relationship of a gay couple with kids. Ultimately, all things belong to God, and the fate of all will be in His hands.   

Photo credit:

http://www.tsmplug.com/boxing/manny-pacquiao-vs-chris-algieri-date-time/

*http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/11923802/manny-pacquiao-defeats-chris-algieri-unanimous-decision-retain-welterweight-title