Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has continued to attack the Catholic Church by offering his resignation in exchange for proof that God really exists. The controversial leader provoked hatred among Catholics when he called God “stupid” and a “son of a b—h” during a meeting.
He said that he considers himself a spiritual person, but he “can’t accept” Catholicism or any form of organised religion. He also said that the theory of original sin is “stupid.”
Duterte spoke at a convention centre in Davao City as part of the Philippines’ National Science and Technology Week and took the opportunity to publicly reignite his feud with the Church.
“Bring me one person, just one, who would say: ‘Mayor, those silly guys from the Church told me to go to heaven and talk to God. There is really God. Here, we have a picture, I brought a selfie’,” he told the audience of more than 1000 people.
“You do that today, one single witness that there is a guy, a human being who was able to talk to see God.
“Of the so many billions who had been on here on Earth, I just need one. And if there is one, ladies and gentlemen, I will announce my resignation immediately.”
In spite of his apparent scepticism, the President denied he is neither an atheist nor agnostic.
“I believe in one Supreme God, I never said I do not believe in God,” he said.
“I just happen to be a human being believing there is a universal mind somewhere which controls the universe.”
He slammed the Church for collecting money from its members, accusing them of using the donations to “maintain the palaces and the luxurious things that the rest of humanity do not have”.
Mr Duterte met with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines last July and made an attempt to end the tension between him and the Church.