The Rizalistas are a group of people who worship Jose Rizal,
the national hero of the Philippines, as a divine being and deity. Similar to other religious groups, the
Rizalistas have different sects whose beliefs may vary, but nonetheless share
the same faith in Jose Rizal. These
sects have different founders, founded on different dates, and are scattered in
different parts of the archipelago.
Some of the registered groups of Rizalistas today include:
- Espiritual Pilipino Catholic Church
- Samahan ng Tatlong Persona Solo Dios
- Iglesia Sagrada Filipina
- Ciudad Mistica de Dios
- Watawat ng Lahi
- Adamista
- Bathalismo
- And many others…
These individual sects each have their own chapters all over
the country and even abroad. Some of
them are found primarily in Laguna, in the town of Calamba, and in Quezon
Province at the foot of Mount Banahaw.
Parallels: Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal
Rizalistas believe that there are apparent parallels in the
lives and persons of both Jose Rizal, and Jesus Christ. Some of them even believe that Rizal was
Christ himself, reincarnated. These
parallel traits and characteristics include:
- Jose Rizal is the messiah of the Philippines, just as Jesus Christ is the messiah of Israel.
- Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal were good and upright men who pursued their ideals with purest methods and intentions.
- Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal were Asians.
- Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal were born into a country that was under colonial rule.
- Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal paid no attention to human differences in status, education, race, etc. and believed in equal and peaceful coexistence of all human beings.
- Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal were healers.
- Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal underwent mockery and trial for unjust charges.
- Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal were executed by their enemies.
- Both Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal died for what they believed in.