Team DailyPedia
Actress and vlogger Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio has taken a stand against critics of her Christian family’s participation in a Halloween event.
She expressed her concern over the self-righteous attitudes of some religious individuals who she believes have assumed the role of “gatekeepers of heaven.”
Peralejo had shared her family’s Halloween experience on her Instagram page, which included dressing up in costumes and participating in trick-or-treating.
The photos showcased her as the digital game character Mario, her husband Joseph Bonifacio as the fictional superhero Saitama, and their children in costumes inspired by Geometry Dash and Ninjago.
Her posts were met with disapproval from some netizens who argued that Christians should not engage in Halloween festivities.
“I am just as horrified at how Christians have become the gatekeepers of heaven. No wonder people leave church,” she continued.
“Because so many think they’ve lost God just because they didn’t follow the rules established by the community but not God himself.”
In response, Peralejo engaged with some of these comments and used her Instagram Stories to share her perspective on the issue.
She expressed her frustration with critics who were unwilling to listen to explanations and seemed more interested in voicing their opinions. Peralejo condemned the stance taken by certain Christians who, in her view, have positioned themselves as “gatekeepers of heaven” by imposing strict rules and regulations that drive people away from the faith.
View this post on Instagram
Peralejo admitted that she had once been a legalistic Christian, preoccupied with finding faults in others. She criticized the notion that being a Christian meant adhering to a rigid set of rules established by the community, rather than focusing on building a personal relationship with God.
The actress highlighted the real problem as being those who “play God” by condemning even the most innocent and redeemed versions of Halloween traditions. She emphasized that her Halloween celebration had been a healing experience, particularly for someone who did not have much of a childhood.
Peralejo concluded her statements by expressing her satisfaction at having initiated a conversation on the matter and contributing to the process of “setting some people free.” Her stance challenges the concept of religious legalism and encourages a more compassionate and open-minded approach within the Christian community.
