Most Filipinos exercise what can be called a split-level Christianity. By split-level I mean the existence and practice of two or more thought and behavior which are inconsistent with each other. In this case, the degree of guilt is almost non-existent. When applied to religion, a person can be said to practice split-level Christianity if he or she is convinced that two inconsistent thought-and-behavior really fits each other. The fact of inconsistency is either not perceived at all, or is totally ignored. For example, most Filipinos are devoted Roman Catholics. Catholicism/Christianity teaches a belief in only one God and Filipinos do believe in this. However, there are certain Filipino practices which might seem a contradiction to this effect, thus creating the split or double standard.

Here are some illustrations of the Filipinos’ split-level Christianity:

1. Filipinos are very religious but believes highly on superstition. Click here to learn the different superstitious beliefs of Filipinos.

2. Lots of Filipinos believe in the power of “rebultos” or “anitos”. These are statues representing a minor deity considered as intermediaries of God. This is true in instances of patron saints.

3. Quacks and faithhealers are resorted to by lots of Filipinos to cure illnesses that doctors themselves cannot heal.

4. Although not a vast majority, still a number of Filipinos believe in the powers of witches or “mangkukulams” to inflict suffering on other people.

5. Filipinos believe in lucky numbers and dates. Click here to learn what Filipinos believe are lucky and unlucky numbers and dates.

6. Just like in the west particularly teenagers, some Filipinos are town between the norm of morality and peer pressure. Some of them choose to ignore what they know is morally wrong in order to please their peer group or “barkadas”. It is noticeable how adult Filipinos go through great lengths just so other people will not have anything to say against them. To lots of Filipinos, “what other people will say” determines their moral behavior.

7. Filipinos sees God in everything, from the rain that falls, the movement of the leaves, the feel of the breeze, everything. They consider every good thing that happens as the grace of God but every bad thing like natural calamities as the wrath of God and is a cause for repentance.

8. The seemingly excessive adoration of saints especially during “fiesta” which in the eyes of Western Christians is a lot more than the veneration that one is supposed to give to the “one true God”.

9. The Filipino’s belief in “dwendes” (dwarves), “diwatas” (fairies), and spirits who are suppose to be able to grant powers or inflict injury to humans and should therefore not be offended.

10. The belief in “anting-anting” or magic amulets that brings luck or powers like invincibility.

These are just some of the practices which are characterizes of the split-level Christianity of Filipinos. To the westerner it might come as primitive or ancient but Filipinos believe there is no harm in following or practicing them. The foreigner who comes to the Philippines will be expected to respect such belief and should just treat all of this as part of the Filipino culture.