Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte garnered the ire of religious people yet again Friday by declaring that he would resign if anyone could prove God’s existence.
Duterte, who is president of the most Catholic country in Asia, previously angered Christians when he asserted that God was stupid for placing the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden and allowing humans to destroy the perfection of His creation. He made his most recent inflammatory comments in a Friday speech at a science and technology event in the city of Davao, questioning the logic of original sin and the existence of God. (RELATED: Duterte: I Personally Ordered Nun’s Arrest)
“Where is the logic of God there?” Duterte said in reference to the concept of humans being born already tainted by sin, according to The Associated Press.
Duterte then asserted that if “one single witness” could prove that a person is “able to talk and to see God,” maybe, he suggested, with a picture or selfie, then he would resign immediately.
Duterte also took issue with the concept of original sin in his June 22 speech that initially angered Christians.
“You were not involved but now you’re stained with an original sin … What kind of a religion is that? That’s what I can’t accept, very stupid proposition,” he said, according to The Associated Press.
The president of the Philippines, who was baptized as a Catholic, then insulted God as described by orthodox Christian doctrine.
“Adam ate [the apple], then malice was born. Who is this stupid God? This son of a bitch is stupid if that’s the case,” he said.
Duterte’s previous statements prompted Catholic leaders and politicians from among both his opponents and supporters, to rebuke him.
“It is the height of arrogance of power not only to disrespect and spit on an individual’s faith but also to act as though he is God,” said opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who also called him “one evil man.”
Bishop Arturo Bastes also urged Filipino Catholics to “fervently pray to the Lord that such blasphemous utterances and dictatorial tendencies of this mad man will cease.”
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