The controversial president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has reportedly vowed to step down immediately if it can be proven to him that God is real through a selfie.
The Independent reports that Rodrigo Duterte has sparked outrage in his largely Roman Catholic country by his statement. According to him, if just one Christian told him truthfully that they had been to heaven and had a conversation with God, he would quit.
He also attacked the Catholic Church for collecting funds from members, accusing it of using donations to "maintain the palaces and the luxurious things that the rest of humanity do not have".
“If you are really helping people, why do you ask money from them?” he asked.
Two weeks ago, the president angered believers by calling God "stupid" and "a son of a b****” and questioning certain beliefs, such as the story of creation, the concept of heaven and hell, and the last supper.
Christian groups accused him of insulting God and demanded an apology, to which he replied: “Not in a million years.”
Mr Duterte, who was giving an unrehearsed speech on Friday, said: “If there is any one of you...who say you’d been to heaven, talked to God, saw him personally, and that he exists, the God is yours, and if he does, it’s true, I will step down the presidency".
“I just need one witness who will say, ‘Those fools at the church ordered me to go to heaven and talk to God. God really exists. We have a picture together and I brought a selfie',” he added during the opening of a science and technology event.
"You do that today, one single witness, that there is a guy, a human being was able to talk and to see God. Of the so many billions, I just need one. And if there is one, ladies and gentlemen, I will announce my resignation immediatelyl."
The 73-year-old leader, who was born and raised as a Catholic, questioned some of the basic tenets of the Catholic faith, including the concept of original sin, which he said tainted even infants and could be removed only through baptism in a church for a fee.
"Where is the logic of God there?" he asked.
Even before his speech, the government had been to mend ties with the Catholic Church and Christian groups offended by his earlier remarks against God and Christianity.
Mr Duterte has been in office for two years but critics say he has “become isolated domestically and internationally” in part because of his spat with the Church, and may not finish his six-year term in office.
Watch a video of the president making the vow below:
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