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[Guest fountainhall]

It’s Easter week-end, and in the Philippines that inevitably brings out a bunch of crazies (sorry, but that’s my word for them) who go to ridiculous lengths to demonstrate their faith. Whereas others scourge themselves in imitation of the lashings Christ received on the way to the Cross, some in the land of more than 7,000 islands actually have themselves crucified.

 

Yup, it’s more or less the full works, the Rolls Royce Crucifixion model. Yesterday, four-inch stainless steel nails were driven through the palms of 24 “pilgrims” prior to their being hoisted aloft on crosses in the heat of the day in Pampanga province. And no, these guys did not cop out of the flailings and scourgings. Ahead of the gruesome nailings, they walked several miles when their bare backs were beaten with sharp bamboo sticks and pieces of wood sometimes studded with broken glass “to ensure the ritual was sufficiently bloody.”

 

The gory spectacle reflects Philippines' unique brand of Catholicism, which merges church traditions with folk superstitions. Many of the mostly impoverished penitents undergo the ritual to atone for sins, pray for the sick or a better life and give thanks for what they believe were God-given miracles.

 

The most number of crucifixions were staged beside a rice field in San Pedro Cutud, where 15 men were nailed to crosses, three at a time on a dusty mound as more than 30,000 people, including tourists watched and took pictures. An ambulance stood by and more than 20 tourists fainted or became dizzy in the heat, officials said.

 

Foreigners have been banned from taking part after an Australian comic was nailed to a cross under a false name a few years ago near Pampanga. Authorities also believe that a Japanese man sought to be crucified as part of a porn film in 1996, tourism officer Ching Pangilinan said. "They made a mockery of a local tradition."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/22/crucifixion-rite-jesus-christ-suffering

 

All of which reminds me of a little joke. A Jewish family in New York named Mendelssohn had been making nails for generations. When the father wanted to pass the business to his son, Elijah, he reminded him that making nails was a back-breaking business and profits had been static for years. He asked Elijah how he would go about expanding the business.

 

“Papa, you can't rely on word of mouth nowadays,” said Elijah. “You’ve gotta advertise and you’ve gotta have a gimmick.” So the father gives Elijah free reign to develop a campaign.

 

A month later, he’s driving through Times Square. There ahead of him he sees an enormous billboard. But he is shocked. For up there for the whole world to see is a painting of Christ on the Cross – with a huge smile on his face. Underneath is the slogan: “They Used Mendelssohn’s Nails.”

 

“You gotta take that billboard down, my boy,” said the father on his return home. “You'll ruin us! You cannot alienate the Christians in this city like that!” “Don’t worry, papa,” said Elijah. “I get the picture. Please, just give me just one more chance to prove I can develop the business and be a worthy successor to you.”

 

The father agreed. Another month goes by and he’s again driving through Times Square. Again he sees a huge billboard of Christ on the Cross. Only this time, the crucified Christ has the more usual agonized gaze on his face.

 

Great, thought the father. That’s much more in keeping with tradition. And then he saw the slogan –

 

“They Should Have Used Mendelssohn’s Nails!”

 

Apologies for the irreverence this Easter week-end.

[Guest josan]

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I often wondered about Easter in the Philippines. I thought that the Bible said these guys were crucified naked?? Do you mean that the Philippines is not following correct "the good book'?

[Guest fountainhall]

I'm not sure what the regular practice was, but I don't know of any passage in the Bible that says Jesus was naked. Those guys in The Philippines, though, certainly don't go all the way "by the book", because they only had nails driven through their hands - not their feet!

[Guest]

The Pope should stand up and condemn this nonsense. While he's at it, he should recommend they start using condoms to prevent their unsustainable population growth.

As usual, they will fail to take moral leadership.

[Guest fountainhall]

The last part of that Guardian report does make it pretty clear that the Catholic Church does not approve of the practise of imitation crucifixions.

 

Church leaders in the Philippines, Asia's largest predominantly Roman Catholic nation, have frowned on the Easter week rituals, saying Filipinos can show their deep faith without hurting themselves.

 

Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said crucifixions and self-flagellations are an "imperfect imitation with doubtful theological and social significance."

 

Pampanga Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said the bloody rites reflect the church's failure to educate Filipinos about Christian tenets.

 

About unsustainable population growth, well that's another matter! We know that nothing - not hunger, dire poverty, unsustainable resources etc. - will sway that Church from its course. I believe Pope John XX!!! tried but died before he could get the 2nd Vatican Council to deliberate the matter. The arch-Conservative Paul VI took his place, and then swept as much as he could that had not already been implemented out of the window. John Paul II is often regarded as a popular reforming Pope. He was as conservative as they came! In choosing his right hand man Ratzinger, the cardinals then made sure that there would be no change.

 

Why any faith conceived millennia ago can hold certain teachings as truth for all time totally beats me.

[KhorTose]

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I often wondered about Easter in the Philippines. I thought that the Bible said these guys were crucified naked?? Do you mean that the Philippines is not following correct "the good book'?

 

 

No Josan the crucified were not always naked, but yes the Filipinos are not following the good book according to their sect leader the Pope through his appointed delegates.

 

That they are not following the good book which we call the Bible should not be a surprise to you. As a government worker you should see on a daily basis that your Buddhist generals are also not following your good Buddhist teachings either. How any Buddhist can kill and imprison monks is just as astonishing to me as the Filipinos allowing themselves to be crucified.