Thesis, Undergraduate (BA Social Science) -- U. P. in Mindanao

This study is a discussion of the historical development of the Christian Catholic Fundamentalist Movement in Barangay Gata, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur, northeastern Mindanao. Specifically, it aims (1) to uncover their religious beliefs and practices; (2) to characterize the socio- demographic background of its members; and (3) to discuss the influences of their religious beliefs to their socio- economic condition. In doing so, field works, participant observation, interviews and surveys were conducted. The Christian Catholic movement was founded in Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur between 1983 and 1984, by Ching Elbina- a pastor of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) and a missionary of the Christian Catholic Formation Course. It attracted members mostly from Zamboanga del Sur and its neighboring provinces who generally have poor socio- economic status. Inspired by the founder's concern to embody all the teachings of Christ, this group based their religious conduct in the literal interpretation of the bible which gave them a sense of sincerity and doctrinal purity. Nilo Rolloque, a long friend of Ching, became the spiritual leader of the group when the two split up and eventually led the movement of more than a hundred families to Surigao del Sur from 1988 to 1998. their withdrawal from their provinces was propelled by their fear of the coming great tribulation or the rule of the 666 which is elaborated in the Book of Revelation. Their settlement in the mountainous area of Surigao is guided by three biblical signs (location in the east; a vast open sea, and; an assemblage of islands) describing the ?promised land.?: since 1988, they have been living in an extremely poor socio- economic condition in the upland which was even worsened by the one- man rule of Nilo. Eventually, it led to the division of the group into two, but they still coexists at the present in the same area. As their religion, further induced them to utter poverty, the same religion makes them docilely enduring to their own predicament. Hence, to fundamentalists like the Christian Catholics who emphasize the literal interpretation of the bible, the centrality of religion in the conduct of their lives is considerably discernible.