The past three years have been revealing when it comes to how evangelical megachurches regard their role in society which can be boiled down to two words---almost none. At least that’s what a journal article unearthed when it featured their view on extra-judicial killings (EJK).

Jayeel Cornelio and Ian Maranon co-authored, A “Righteous Intervention:” Megachurch Christianity and Duterte’s War on Drugs in the Philippines where they interviewed anonymous pastors from unidentified megachurches in the country. The subjects were a mixture of pro, anti, and the in-between but it zeroed in on the theological views of those that either support the use of EJK or are mum about it by concluding how they simply reflect “the interests of the class these megachurches represents.”

Here are some highlights and my observations as someone who cannot and will never regard EJK as acceptable: 

1. The drug war is seen as a moral crusade (p.217). It is the good vs the bad. It is us against them who must be eliminated before they come stealing, raping, and murdering us. Yes, the menace must be dealt with before they create more havoc but what kind of society do we want to have when we can’t differentiate the “good” and the bad because both kill? 
2. The “megachurches have adopted interventions that aim at the rehabilitation of drug-dependent individuals….” (p.219) Who will be left to be rehabilitated with EJK as the sunshine policy? 
3. One pastor acquiesces the reality of “trade-offs, referring to people dying in its wake. He admits that killings do happen---whether sanctioned by the state.” (p.220) Yes, deaths especially violent ones are to be expected in a campaign against drugs but EJKs make it an imperative. 
4. The “pastors treat the killings as a concern secondary to the priorities of the church….conversion and discipleship.” (p.222) When are they going to work on the secondary priorities? 
5. One pastor asserts that “there are too many ‘unconfirmed reports’…on claims that police officers are responsible for all the killings that have taken place. To him due process must take place to ascertain their guilt.” (p.222). Due process is for everyone including the tens and thousands of the poor that have been killed. 
6. For the church to speak up, “(i)t will be a ‘Pandora’s box’ causing division within the church…this situation would not be acceptable.” (p.222) But supporting killings are? 
7. The pastors “pointed out that they have little credibility in speaking about political matters. For them their role as religious leaders must concern the spiritual.” (p.224) Do we really need a degree in political science to know that killing extra-judicially is wrong? 
8. These churches “focus on individual purpose, happiness, and peace…the aspirations of an upwardly mobile segment of the Philippine population.” (p.225) In short: ostrich-ism.

The authors point out a disparity between the gospel of “renewal and hope” the megachurches preach and the one they apply (p.226). This disconnect has given rise to admonishing people and organizations posting bible verses on Facebook yet support EJK. “Hypocrite!” they cry out against us.

The authors lament the lost opportunity for the megachurches which have “the social capital that can influence politics” but chose to mute their voice of righteous intervention. Oh don’t get me wrong. I understand that underneath all these cerebral arguments is fear. If it’s not fear for the criminal elements in the neighborhood, it’s fear of losing members and fear of retaliation. We have seen what has happened to religious leaders who have spoken up: they are red-tagged and have received death threats with no less than a presidential pronouncement for the killing of bishops.  I fully understand how we may not be up for this approach.

I also understand that the sensibilities of our members must be considered heavily but we can still be apolitical or not take sides by simply preaching what the Word says about justice and good governance. We can do that kind of righteous intervention given that we are to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:2. ESV) This is our righteous mandate which must be done now and beyond 2022, regardless of who occupies the Palace.