| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"johac" |
| Date: |
06 Apr 2007 07:02:47 PM |
| Object: |
Filipinos crucify themselves on Good Friday |
Yep. It's that time of the year again.
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Filipinos crucify themselves on Good Friday
By Karen LemaFri Apr 6, 11:04 AM ET
More than a dozen Filipinos were nailed to crosses and scores more
whipped their backs into a bloody pulp on Friday in a gory ritual to
mark the death of Jesus Christ.
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,
seven 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.
Up to 20,000 people watched the spectacle, which has grown from a
village production started in 1962 to a media and tourist attraction
copied in other parts of the country.
The atmosphere was festive, with hawkers selling beer, ice-cream and
souvenir whips. Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" blared out from
speakers before the penitents approached the crosses.
"I don't like the festivities. It should have been more solemn," said
Pauline, a tourist from Poland, but added: "I believe in the sincerity
of the volunteers, it was very moving."
Local travel agents offered overnight packages for curious visitors and
VIPs watched from a specially elevated "viewing platform."
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 country's dominant Catholic Church disapproves of the crucifixions
and flagellations as a misrepresentation of the faith.
But participants, many of whom have been nailed multiple times, say they
do it as a sacrifice for their families.
A priest from Bangladesh said the ritual was a wonderful experience.
"Through this, faith can be solidified. I was very touched by it," said
Father Robert Gonsalves, who is studying in the Philippines.
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.
---
http://tinyurl.com/39h5sm
--
John #1782
"We should always be disposed to believe that which appears to us to be
white is really black, if the hierarchy of the church so decides."
- Saint Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) Founder of the Jesuit Order.
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| User: "Elroy Willis" |
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| Title: Re: Filipinos crucify themselves on Good Friday |
07 Apr 2007 08:44:33 AM |
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johac <jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote in alt.atheism
Yep. It's that time of the year again.
---
Filipinos crucify themselves on Good Friday
By Karen LemaFri Apr 6, 11:04 AM ET
More than a dozen Filipinos were nailed to crosses and scores more
whipped their backs into a bloody pulp on Friday in a gory ritual to
mark the death of Jesus Christ.
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,
seven 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.
Up to 20,000 people watched the spectacle, which has grown from a
village production started in 1962 to a media and tourist attraction
copied in other parts of the country.
I watched a show the other night about something similar which goes
on in India during some festival. Men pierce themselves with fish
hooks and metal rods and then walk up a steep hill, all the while in
some kind of hypnotic trance. They do it because they think it will
cleans their sins.
http://www.murugan.org/temples/batumalai.htm
http://www.murugan.org/temples/kavadi1.jpg
I don't get it. Without religion and its sin idea, would the people
still be doing these things? I don't think so.
--
Elroy Willis
www.elroysemporium.com
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| User: "johac" |
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| Title: Re: Filipinos crucify themselves on Good Friday |
07 Apr 2007 06:41:30 PM |
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In article <gf7f135rorsmrpia6m4o8dbitghncj2s4o@4ax.com>,
Elroy Willis <elroywillis@swbell.net> wrote:
johac <jhachmann@remove.sbcglobal.net> wrote in alt.atheism
Yep. It's that time of the year again.
---
Filipinos crucify themselves on Good Friday
By Karen LemaFri Apr 6, 11:04 AM ET
More than a dozen Filipinos were nailed to crosses and scores more
whipped their backs into a bloody pulp on Friday in a gory ritual to
mark the death of Jesus Christ.
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,
seven 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.
Up to 20,000 people watched the spectacle, which has grown from a
village production started in 1962 to a media and tourist attraction
copied in other parts of the country.
I watched a show the other night about something similar which goes
on in India during some festival. Men pierce themselves with fish
hooks and metal rods and then walk up a steep hill, all the while in
some kind of hypnotic trance. They do it because they think it will
cleans their sins.
http://www.murugan.org/temples/batumalai.htm
http://www.murugan.org/temples/kavadi1.jpg
I remember seeing pictures of something like this before. I dimly
remember seeing a TV documentary many years ago too. Insanity. It also
reminds me of these Shiite pilgrims who beat themselves with chains and
cut themselves with knives. I wonder how many die of infection.
I don't get it. Without religion and its sin idea, would the people
still be doing these things? I don't think so.
I agree. It would take a heck of a lot to motivate sane rational people
to deliberately injure or mutilate themselves for no reason.
--
John #1782
"We should always be disposed to believe that which appears to us to be
white is really black, if the hierarchy of the church so decides."
- Saint Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) Founder of the Jesuit Order.
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| User: "J Forbes" |
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| Title: Re: Filipinos crucify themselves on Good Friday |
06 Apr 2007 07:26:13 PM |
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johac wrote:
No one has ever died during the rituals.
---
http://tinyurl.com/39h5sm
and if they did, they'd just float up to heaven....right? :)
Jim
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| User: "johac" |
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| Title: Re: Filipinos crucify themselves on Good Friday |
07 Apr 2007 01:25:45 AM |
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In article <1175905573.163480.197030@o5g2000hsb.googlegroups.com>,
"J Forbes" <jforbnospam@selectric.org> wrote:
johac wrote:
No one has ever died during the rituals.
---
http://tinyurl.com/39h5sm
and if they did, they'd just float up to heaven....right? :)
I'm sure that's what they believe. Or maybe they're sure that after
three days they'd come back.
Jim
--
John #1782
"We should always be disposed to believe that which appears to us to be
white is really black, if the hierarchy of the church so decides."
- Saint Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) Founder of the Jesuit Order.
.
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