(December 20, 2014 Update Below)
For their Christmas party this year, Christ’s Commission Fellowship Executive Pastor Ricky Sarthou dressed up in traditional Arabic garments. The twist, however, is that strapped to his chest was a mock explosive device.
The Executive Pastor of one of the country’s largest Christian churches chose the outfit for their Church’s party’s theme, “Heroes and Villains.” The photo shown here is a screen-capture of a now-deleted post on Instagram by Ickhoy de Leon, another CCF Pastor. Along with a mock improvised explosive device, Pastor Sarthou can be seen in the photo wearing the traditional Arabic headdress called a keffiyeh.
While the intentions for dressing up in the costume may have been innocent, what message does it send for a high-ranking official in a Christian church to portray a violent stereotype of another religion?
Update (December 20, 2014): On the comments section of this article, a person claiming to relay the words of pastors from the CCF said the following.
“From Pastors Fenix of CCF: Good day everyone, since the post of Filipino Freethinkers has gone viral I would like to encourage everyone to be loving, prayerful & sober–keeping our emotions in check. ptr Ricky has sent a letter of apology to the CCF leadership & staff for going to the party as BIN LADEN. Ickhoy has also sent his letter of apology for posting the original pic on his instagram. I would like encourage everyone not to react or rebutt esp on social media bec that is what FF wants. Have a blessed Christmas.”
kaya po naging big deal e ung mga kababayan natin na muslim e susugod na daw po dun sa kinaroroonan nila. kahit ung mga pulis na rumesponde e bakit daw sila idadamay sa ginawa ni father. gagawa gawa ng ganyan di man lang naisip ung kakahinatnan. takot din pala.
oh cmon, why are you people so angry with the arab terrorist thing. i’d be more concerned for how the other guy is stereotyping clowns as evil!!!! that is so unfair!!! clowns are there to entertain kids!!! they should ban the joker in movies as he is putting clowns in a bad light!!!!
WOW! What a great way of Celebrating of what you so believed the birth of Jesus Christ. Another hypocrite is out there to mock Muslims. Everything seems clear to me, your church is not about religion or spirituality or love to Jesus. Its all about MONEY. That pastor must be reprimanded and should apologize to the Muslims. I never thought that one of the country’s largest christian fellowship would do such sarcastic ways to mock another religion.
TO ALL CHRISTIANS OUT THERE, “PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH BROTHERS”.
CCF: Putting “Christ” back in Christmas…. and also Arabic suicide bombers.
This is Filipino Freethinkers right? BUT it seems that you are limiting this pastor to think freely for himself. Free thinkers are holding him down to a line of thought that you want to have. Creating a huge circus out of this picture is the big act of hypocrisy ! Don’t tell us that no one from FF had made fun of people of different race, religion or any affinity. I believe you did and it was not published because it was done in a “PRIVATE SETTING” not meant for public viewing. The ONLY mistake here was done by the person who posted it online. NOTHING else. The pastor’s costume was in bad taste – I agree 100%! But for us to condemn him as if we are all GUILTLESS , is totally unacceptable. To the Filipno Freethinkers who think they have not committed such mistake ( in public or in private) … CAST THE FIRST STONE … – Socram
People wouldn’t be making a big deal out of this if he wasn’t a Pastor. Oh how the devil works.
This is Christianity! Nice one, guys. Hahaha! This very offending for Muslims. How insensitive! Tsk!!!!!!
I watched Batman movies and obviously the Joker in the future is no Joker at all, reminds me more of Kungfu Panda. This picture had gone viral and obviously even if Ptr Ricky apologize publicly for this honest mistake, no one can save him even himself.
This is not a joker, this posted picture is not a joker. If I a filipino, is to think freely, I will logically not limit myself to the details of this picture. But will get all the resources that I can think of to get the meaning or its message. I will not limit it to myself since my thinking is finite. All came from God and all things exist because of Him.
The Joker in this picture represents you and me hiding in a mask, with lips trained to form an upward arc on both sides to show happiness but with eyes that cannot hide the emptiness inside. The Arab person in the picture also represents you and me, clothing ourselves with different clothes to cover our own nakedness. Scientifically, we are human bombs with so much atomic energy that is compressed in the matter that is us. Who is holding these atoms for it not to explode? Time is of the essence, the clock portraits that in due time the atomic elements will be released.
The essence of Christmas is for the Creator to cross the borders just to save His creation which went overboard. The posted picture of you and me is the reason why Jesus had to come. For those who accepted Him to experience redemption. A mess turned into a Master’s piece. The bomb had exploded already and the Master picks the broken pieces to turn it into a Master’s piece.
Faith in humanity is really lost because of this idiot.
This is very insulting to Arab people. I hope people here knows the financial aid given by Arab leaders especially from the Gulf. It’s unfair to stereotype Arabs as terrorists.
But Osama Bin Laden is an Arab, right? And that’s what he portray… He is not stereotyping the Arabs, unless you have preconceived notion that Arabs are terrorists. He is portraying Osama Bin Laden who happens to be an Arab.
*he portrays*
No one is judging the pastor. Just his stupid decision to wear that costume. CCF members defending the pastor? WTF is wrong with you people. Private or public party it doesn’t matter. It surprises me that no CCF member would say “yeah the costume was a mistake”. Worst if no one told him that night that the costume was in bad taste. Lighten up you say, its a costume party you say. Just accept the fact that this is wrong and say sorry and that’s that. no one will accuse him of anything else. but keep defending this then you will just get arguments that you will never win. Be responsible. Yes its because he is a pastor that this became an issue. Accept that fact!
I know both men posted in the picture. None of them have the intention of offending any culture, religion, group, organization…etc. They are noble men and as mentioned in the comments below, it was for a private party which had the theme of “Heroes and Villains”. It’s just disgusting to know that a lot of people are quick to point fingers and accuse noble men — that goes to you Freethinkers; who make judgments before finding out the real story of the image. Yes the post might have been a mistake, but wouldn’t it be more decent to write a private letter to the person instead of making it viral via this website? I hope you accusers put your foot in your mouths when the TRUE JUDGE sees your intentions and actions. God bless you all…yes even you Freethinkers.
If there is a god! Hahahaha! Teach what you preach. I guess your mythological saviour might be upset with your Pastor’s attitude.
I don’t think it is right to judge a person for dressing up for a costume party
I expected the pastor to think better than that.
Dressed as Obama? Osama was never known to strap bombs. He also was never photographed wearing that head gear.
COMMON GUYS, What we see is an arab suicide bomber.
This should serve as a lesson for people of high influence – as in the case of the good pastor – to excercise wise discretion in the future. There is a long line of “villains” in the bible – from Herod to Iscariot – he could have picked for the party theme. But seriously, I hope the readers here do not sum up the character of ptr Ricky based on the negative comments posted.
Wow. Binigyan ng big deal ng mga atheista. 🙂
Filipino FreeThinkers.
Mga atheist yan ate. Ginagawan ng issue ang isang bagay na wala nman tlagang issue. ^_^
God bless us all
Personal biases aside, this truly was a gaffe on Pastor Ricky’s part. Regardless of whether or not it was of innocent intent or provocative issue prodding, stereotyping is more often than not an act of insensitivity and ignorance. Pointing out that He dressed up as Bin Laden in a ‘private party’, does nothing to negate the simple representation of violent radicalism that is specific to one religion. With that said, Pastor Ricky Sarthou is overall, despite this stumbling act, an excellent human being and follower of Christ. This isolated mistake, pales in comparison to the multitudes brought by this man to the saving grace of Christ. If the apology above is sincere and true, then I believe that the CCF leadership & Staff are on the right track. Personally, I think a public apology is merited, if not only for the sole reason that a Pastor’s leadership under God is directly related to his or her accountability. We all make mistakes, but a person of authority is more so wholly accountable to his or her actions. The Filipino Freethinkers and Carlos Celdran intelligently perceive the insensitivity, and are quick to take action. But just as Christianity is a story of redemption, undeserved grace, and love, let us not hastily judge the character of our Muslim brothers and sisters, the same way we judge that of Pastor Ricky’s. – Ecclesiastes 7:20, Romans 3:10, Matthew 7:1, John 13:34-35.
The theme was Heroes and Villains. He dressed up as BIN LADEN. No argument there. To the one who wrote this: Please do your research first before posting an article that is obviously intended to stir up negative emotions against this man.
HE WENT AS OSAMA BIN LADEN, GUYS.
Bakit po yung mga Pastors lang ang inaatack natin? Eh di ba po madami din naman ang nagco-costume ng something Arabic? Dahil po ba Pastor sya kaya natin sya inaatake? Let us think about it. Baka pag mamaya kayo ding publishers ginawa nyo ito. Tignan po muna ninyo ang sarili nyo sa salamin bago nyo po tignan ang ibang tao. Hindi po biro ang ginagawa natin. You reap what you sow. Oo nga, sensitive ang ibang tao. NO! Hindi lang ang ibang tao. LAHAT NG TAO AY SENSITIVE. You know what is the moral lesson here? Do not make an issue out of something. At huwag gawing issue ang religion dito.
If an atheist donned this same costumed for an identically-themed private costume party… ‘Would you also be just as critical? Do atheists attend Christmas parties? Cmon guys..! Baka naman nasasarapan lang kayong punahin ito dahil pastor siya? Wala akong nakikitang mali sa ginawa ni Pastor Ricky Sarthou. Wala.
From Pastors Fenix of CCF: Good day everyone, since the post of Filipino Freethinkers has gone viral I would like to encourage everyone to be loving, prayerful & sober–keeping our emotions in check. ptr Ricky has sent a letter of apology to the CCF leadership & staff for going to the party as BIN LADEN. Ickhoy has also sent his letter of apology for posting the original pic on his instagram. I would like encourage everyone not to react or rebutt esp on social media bec that is what FF wants. Have a blessed Christmas.
Pastor…mawalang galang na po…sana inisip nyo muna kung among epikto into sa aming mga nagtratrabaho sa M.E…pag ito nakita nila yari na naman ang mga pinoy…
I wish everyone who read this post will hear Pastor Ricky share the Word of God and all the testimonies he has. He has touched countless lives including mine. Having following him for years, I believe this will be ONE of the moments in his life he’d wish to undo, but ultimately I believe THIS WILL NOT define who he really is.
http://www.islamophobiatoday.com/wp-content/uploa…
I am reminded by that video of Raymond Ibrahim that says Christians are being systematically decimated in the Middle East and Africa. Attacks are specially vicious during Christmas.
So insensitive! Not only to Muslims but to victims of suicide bombing. How can a pastor make light of their suffering?! My God! and he’s a pastor?! Not funny at all. I don’t know what’she trying to convey by wearing that.
So… with their party theme, it’s implied that a suicide bomber is a villain, huh.
This shows that anybody is welcome to CCF, and CCF loves anybody no matter what they believe, wear or did!
Its not about wearing a religions garb, some of you are missing the point. Its about taking light of a social issue where tons of people die on almost a daily basis or have been wiped out almost immeasurably. So again for those of you who think its fine, its like youre daying you can apply the same thing on 9/11 and Syria?
Really..why do you call your selves free thinker if you’re narrow minded.You remind me of the school bully who waits for someone to make a mistake and focus on that forever..move on free thinker
Prejudice. Stereotyping. Racism at its finest. What if I dress up as an african american and I hold a toy gun costume?? Isnt that racism? Isnt that saying na “all blacks are gangsters?” This is the same thing. Such a shame kasi pastor pa naman siya.
Wrong analogy! It only says that he is a man with a toy gun. Thats it!
Heroes and villains.. good theme! At least his idea isn’t the fictional red guy with horns and pointed tail holding a giant 3-thong fork. Admit it, people, the villain he is portraying is more realistic..
Last time I checked, CCF is not a church. When did it become a church?
Why do you conclude, that all Arab suicide bombers are Muslim? And why do you conclude, that by wearing a keffiyeh, it is a reference to Islam?
I find the last question in your article quite narrow. To me, it is quite obvious, that he was really just portraying an Arab suicide bomber, so why start a religion war? Religions are already dangerous as they are, don’t put more fuel to the flame.
It’s just crazy that this awesome pastor never gets broadcasted for his faithfulness and for his passion for The Lord. But with just one grey area and then poof, haters flip out and use it against him. We, Christians know how imperfect we are already that’s why we need Jesus to sanctify and chisel us away. Self-righteousness motivates people to criticize others, it’s clearly given. Haha. Laugh it off, Pastor Ricky. The world may hate you by now, but understand that the Lord has His grace upon you…and The Lord is mighty enough to destroy the world.
Two things:
1. I don’t think that’s the Joker… the facepaint looks more like John Wayne Gacy’s. You know, the dude who raped and killed over 30 teenage boys.
2. Yes people dress up as Christian priests and nuns… none of which are comparable to dressing up as an Arab suicide bomber. How would you feel if someone dressed up as a pedophile priest?
funny how this freethinkers criticized others and make a big deal out of a costume party… I am sure that if someone wears a dick for a costume you will find it funny… you guys have no standard of morality so how do you know this is wrong?
Yes fine he is a pastor, and a lot of you guys say we should take it easy on him..If he was not a pastor would you have felt the same way?are you sure you wont judge the guy if he wasnt a pastor?pastor or not.christian or not.What man in his right mind wear a sacred traditional outfit for muslim arabs to a “Heroes and Villains” themed party?what went through his mind to conceptualize his costume? Obviously he categorized this as Villain Costume.so why? He thought about it so well that he had the exact traditional outfit head to toe and added a time bomb prop.He had prepared for this outfit.and so now tell me,take it easy on him? What message does this send to our muslim arab friends?Us living here in the middle east esp. What kind of impact will it make,havent you guys thought of that? This man.This pastor,he needs to publicly apologize as easy as he posted and deleted it.As a son of God as a pastor,I assume a sincere apology wouldnt be so hard for him.
Obviously it’s not an “innocent” gimmick. He’s sending a message right there! “Our religion is better than yours.”
Two pastors with a great sense of humor! no way!
Actually I think if anyone should be offended by this picture, the blame should be on the one who took this picture and posted it on public. That is why he deleted this picture on the social networking site, maybe realizing that it was a mistake. The pastor on the other hand (the one wearing the costume) has no ill will on that gesture because the event is not public in the first place.
As much as we all want to become idealist, it is impossible to set expectation on others. You cannot give what you do not have.
Some Athiests I know, grew up lacking love and attention at home.
I get to hear comments from people that some Xavierians fail to live up to their motto, “Man for Others!”
We just have to mind our own business and do what our best to make a positive difference.
I’m not siding with the pastor but this article is such an irony of your website’s name and values. Don’t get ticked, it’s just my opinion 😉
True!
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9 NIV
Can you please elaborate on why quote this verse?
Any pastor or priest wearing that is not a good idea, But lets us not judge the man. If u really knew this man or by watching his messages this pastor is truly a man of God.
I think “Arabic” exclusively refers to the language. “Arab” is the appropriate adjective form.
that God loves everyone no matter who they are. i think this makes perfect sense because that’s Christianity.
You hit the jackpot, and is certainly a great message. 🙂
Unfortunately we can’t stop “Freethinkers” to think otherwise, because without genuine love – one is “bound” to perceive other’s actions as having malicious intent or message – including costumes.
I don’t mind. I’ve seen an atheist dress up as a pedophile Catholic priest (complete with a child doll on his crotch), and I myself would have dressed up as a Spanish Inquisitor (a la Monty Python) except I don’t go to costume parties anymore. Mockery of the excesses of Islamic militancy is to be encouraged. I, for one, enjoy a good ribbing.
No one reacts negatively when someone portrays a catholic priest, or nun, and I don’t think this was directly or indirectly attacking any religion. Eh nagkataon na ang mga terrorista ay mga nasa middle east and that is how they dress like. This post is trying to controversialize things…
Wow congrats! Mas racist ka pa kay Pastor.
It’s not about attacking any religion. It’s about promoting (intentionally or not) stereotypes about muslims and terrorists. I wouldn’t find this picture so incredibly tasteless and insensitive not to mention bordeline bigotry if it wasn’t for the fake bomb he was holding.
This is not about religion but stereotyping a race of people. Have you have personally seen a suicide bomber dressed exactly like that or only you saw it only in movies? Did you know that many suicide bombers are not Arabs? Did you also know that millions of Arabs are actually Christians? And try going to party as a nun in a suicide vest and you’ll see how many will react negatively.
he was the joker right