Filipinos Crucify 15 Yr-Old Boy For Easter…Why?
Jesus already went through that, thank you.
A 15-year-old boy has been crucified in the Philipines today in a gory ritual to mark the death of Jesus Christ.
Dozens of Filipinos, including the boy and an 18-year-old girl, were nailed to crosses and scores more whipped their backs into a bloody pulp as the country’s devout Roman Catholics marked Good Friday.
The voluntary crucifixions in the northern Philippines were the most extreme displays of religious devotion in this mainly Catholic country, where millions are praying and fasting ahead of the Easter weekend.
In the small village of Cutud, about 80 km (50 miles) north of Manila, men cried out as nails the size of pencils were driven into their hands and feet before they were hoisted up in the scorching heat. Nineteen were to go through the process.
But government health and safety officials were keeping their eye on proceedings, after health minister Francisco Duque told those planning to be crucified to ensure they have a tetanus jab and use sterilised nails.
Never mind the clear dangers to your health of crucifixion, so long as the danger of infection is safely reduced.
Thousands watched the spectacle in Cutud, which has grown from a village production started in 1962 to a media and tourist attraction copied in other parts of the country.
For hours before the crucifixions lines of men, hooded and half naked, flayed their backs with bamboo whips and paddles tipped with broken glass. Blood splattered over the road.
The atmosphere was festive, with hawkers selling beer, ice-cream and souvenir whips. VIPs watched from a specially elevated “viewing platform”.
The country’s dominant Catholic Church disapproves of the crucifixions and flagellations as a misrepresentation of the faith.
“The spiritual dimension is totally lost, and it’s entered into only because of some shows, some manifestations for other people to be satisfied with or to see,” said Bishop Deogracias Iniguez.
“Many of these penitents, those who are practicing these physical afflictions have a meagre, have a shallow understanding of these practices.”
Some foreigners have previously been crucified including a Belgian nun and a Japanese man, who later allowed footage of his ordeal to be used in a pornographic film. No one has ever died during the rituals.
Over 80 per cent of the Philippines’ estimated 90 million population are Catholic and across the archipelago this weekend will be a time for church ritual, family and the beach.
Filipinos infuse their Catholic faith with local superstitions and some people avoid taking a shower or doing laundry after 3 p.m. (0700 GMT) on Good Friday - the time Chrst was believed to have died - for fear of bad luck.
The health department said that those taking part in the rituals should have tetanus shots, check the condition of the whip they will use before lashing their backs and ensure the six-inch nails that will pierce their hands and feet have been sterilised.
“If we can’t stop flagellants from whipping their own flesh, the best thing these penitents can do is ensure that their whips are clean and well maintained,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque.
“We are not trying to go against tradition because whipping has somewhat already become some form of atonement for sins for some of us.
“But this advice is important to make sure that no-one will land in hospital due to tetanus or other infections that penitents might get in the process.”
(Daily Mail)
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This is crazy and these people have totally missed the Christian teaching. Why cant they just attend church, or hunt for easter eggs(ok that part was sarcastic).
Jesus did this already and certainly does not expect others to go through this. he wouldnt see this as a tribute to him.
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:52 pmTHIS turns Christ’s Passion into S and M … I know they aren’t intending it as such, but it is a mockery to be sure.
‘He suffered so we would not have to’, was the message.
THIS is no better than that Islamic/Muslim ritual where they wack themselves bloody about the head and shoulders with those blade things in the streets …
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:59 pmI simply cannot comprehend this. It’s totally medieval. These guys are trivializing Christ’s suffering by trying to recreate it in such a way. But it is the Philippines, and they have a strange brand of Catholicism there. Some of it (mostly in the mountains) is almost like Santeria, blending magic with Catholicism. Creepy creepy stuff.
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
WTF? 
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:15 pmHOLY SHIT!!!!!!
Christ died for our sins…I think that’s enough!
Do you actually believe Jesus Christ would respect what your doing.
PS - yes,I know…the HOLY SHIT comment is going to send me to Hell.
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:08 pmI have seen stories on this in the past. They truly have missed the whole point that Christ made. They could hang from meat hooks for the next year and their sacrifice is meaningless - and like many others have indicated - not required or asked for by God.
They must be nuts.
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:46 pmThey are following the Catholic Churches’ teaching that they need to earn their salvation through good works rather than simply accepting what Christ has done on their behalf by faith as the Bible says. Catholics in foreign countries such as Mexico and the Philippines do this all the time. Martin Luther did similar acts as a Catholic monk before he realized the Biblical teaching of salvation by faith alone in Galatians.
I don’t know why everyone seems to be surprised and “shocked, shocked”. It’s been going on for centuries. In America, such displays are uncommon because of the large presence of Protestant and especially Baptist congregations that teach the Bible way of salvation as explained on this page…
http://www.thekingdombible.org/Miscellaneous/salvation.htm
March 23rd, 2008 at 12:13 amWell, Mike, since you brought the subject up… No, your comment by itself will not send you to Hell, it simply indicates that either you are not saved (i.e. not born-again) and are already going to Hell (John 3:36), or (if you are a born-again Christian) you have a very casual attitude toward sin, and this attitude (which manifests itself in swearing and profanity) has broken your fellowship with God and will result in chastisement.
Individual sins do not send anyone to Hell; however, they do provide a glaring spotlight on the state of your soul. I recommend that you visit my webpage concerning salvation listed on my previous posting.
March 23rd, 2008 at 12:26 amSouvenir whips
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:27 amTotally unnecessary. Christ already did his part. People that read the Scripture don’t do this sort of thing. Sounds to me like these people have bought into a “works” gospel of some sort. Sorry kiddies, you can’t earn your way to heaven. Christ died once, for all. No further blood sacrifice is necessary. Their attempts at righteousness are as Isaiah said “as filthy rags”.
Unless a man or a woman is born again they cannot see the kingdom of heaven. These people might want to try a different church and philosophy, beacuse the are truely stuck in the middle ages.
The pentitants of the Dark Ages could no more chase away the plague, than can these idiots cleanse their nation or themselves.
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:01 amOh … I had nearly forgotten about this, but it came back to me this morning after catching up on this thread …
The future for Christians in an Islamic world?
———————————————————
“Tuesday, November 9, 2004
SUDANESE SLAVE ‘CRUCIFIED’ BY HIS MASTER NOT UNUSUAL IN CENTRAL AFRICAN NATION
But Christian Teen Rescued, Redeemed, Still Lives With Scars; Evidence Exists Of Others Sentenced To Crucifixion By Khartoum Government”
http://www.assistnews.net/STORIES/2004/s04110038.htm
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:06 amThose are the gayest Romans I have seen since The Life of Brian!
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:03 amThank you biblical and history scholars for your insightful rantings especially Max.
Max you have it partially right. Catholics for centuries have often whipped themselves or endured hardships willfully NOT to attain salvation as you say, but strenghthen themselves against temptation and bring them closer to The Suffering Servant. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. We are gluttons lacking in discipline,and just like fasting, enduring such pains is a form of self discipline and a means to come closer to God.
Oh and rember who said faith without works is dead?
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:57 pm