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Churches
Almost every barangay has a
church or chapel. In some parts of Manila and in most of the
countryside, churches date back to the 16th or 17th
century, products of the religious zeal of missionaries and
the ingenuity and artistry of indigenous craftsmen. These
churches were built solidly, to withstand typhoons and fires,
but unfortunately did not always survive earthquakes. San
Agustin, for example, has been severely damaged by several
earthquakes.
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Folk
Christianity
The
Spanish missionaries arrived filled with a zealous desire to
save the animist souls of the indigenous people. The
missionaries built impressive churches and preached the
virtuous path to salvation. But the indigenous people found that medieval
Castilian philosophy did not fit into their worldview, so
they went on practicing animism behind the backs of the
priests. The Spaniards may have imposed Christianity, but it
would be inaccurate to say that the indigenous people fully
accepted the foreign religion. Historians seems to see not
the Christianizing of a people...
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Faith
Healing
Faith healing –
curing sickness without the aid of implements or drugs – was
practiced in the Philippines especially before the advent of
medical science. It was the domain of the babaylan (“BA-BY-lun”),
or priestess, and later the herb doctor. Modernization did not
eliminate faith healing. Filipino who cannot afford to go to a
hospital or clinic still turn to faith healers, who normally
do not charge for their service for fear of losing their gift.
Some faith healers claim to be guided by Catholic saints and
may even have medical knowledge. more» |
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