It was not reported but the church allegedly took the matters about one of its high-profile members quite seriously.

The church leader summoned the member to the central church and, together with other top officials, asked questions and sought evidence. Hundreds of lawyers, accountants, auditors and holders of political office, were also there assisting the church leadership as well as the subject member.

A second meeting involved district ministers and local congregations nationwide and worldwide, with live video hookup to the proceedings led by the church leader.

District ministers and those from locales raised questions and shared their insights. How about the members? Of course, they also spoke. Microphones were provided, at least three per the designated areas for male and female members. They asked if the accusations were true, sought proof, demanded explanations.

Members listened attentively and with such discipline that question was repeatedly asked, saving everyone a lot of time.

What must be done, a young member asked the church leader. Another member, this time from the professions, preempted the church leader from responding and called for “action”, attracting thunderous applause of approval from congregations.

Fervent prayers were then said, asking for blessings to those who will plan for, support, lead, and participate in the action. Thanksgiving was offered for the wisdom of members who joined the discussions and participated in decision making after freely thinking for themselves — a most wonderful gift from God.

And so by the time “action” was taken, at the appointed hour, it was no surprise that everyone was fully informed, well-versed, and articulate about the issues. The members did not mouth platitudes or slogans, but explained in detail the reasons and objectives for taking action. They readily and happily explained to everyone who bothered to ask.

The previous paragraphs are fictitious.

Can it be true that thousands upon thousands just went out for a surprise action that would last for days, based solely on one Telegram message? It defies explanation, and makes it look that these people, including young people and those in the professions, cannot think for themselves or who have surrendered this precious God-given freedom to one person. No more freedom of thought? No more freedom to think?

Other churches or faith groups can claim to be better and try to fan the flames of religious conflict. But their differences appear to be minimal. Most religions are highly-centralized. Most, if not all, would claim to hold the moral compass of the nation, but they would fight among themselves regarding broad strokes and fine details. They are saddled by biases and prejudices handed down by tradition and dueling mythologies.

There is one common space and one common attribute where believers of all kinds and non-believers where ideas could be freely and openly discussed and hashed out. That common space is the public space. That common attribute is citizenship. True, to some faith is a defining attribute, but that cannot be applied to or demanded from all.

The moment we go to or lay claim to a portion of a public space to take a stand on a public issue, what one may view as an act of faith turns into a public concern. Everybody else should be free to weigh in, join, support, criticize, denounce, and even to ignore. That is the protection and guarantee of citizenship. Free to believe and to express, yes. But such freedom also belongs to others.

Then, there's also the freedom to make mistakes. To protect everyone’s taxes and to shield public offices from corruption, there are laws forbidding thievery and plunder. Religions that claim moral high ground have an obligation to have zero tolerance to perfidy. Believers have been shown to fall short of the tenets of their faith and violate the law. That is their mistake, and they should be held accountable for it.

The best of religions and faiths come out when believers unapologetically and courageously engage in acts of charity and service to the poor, the marginalized, the sick, the migrants, the imprisoned and victims of unjust wars. People look up to them when they demand justice for the oppressed and victims of corruption. The farther they go the opposite end, they lose their credibility and their power.

(Condolences to the families of Chris Lorenz Fabian, Joyancee Separa, and Ayessa Nicole Dazo who perished in the June 22 Tacloban City school shooting. May they receive the justice they crave and deserve. The shooters got their guns from adults. Stricter gun controls should be on top of the agenda.)