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Subscribe to RSSAP reports: At least 24 Filipinos were nailed to wooden crosses to re-enact Jesus Christ's suffering in a local Good Friday rite rejected by Catholic church leaders but witnessed by throngs of believers and thousands of tourists.
Romeo Ranoco / Reuters
Portraying Jesus Christ, Menandro Penafiel, 34, falls to the ground after being whipped and kicked by Roman soldiers to reenact Christ's persecution and death during Good Friday in Boac town, Marinduque island, central Philippines, on Friday.
Ruben Enaje, a 50-year-old sign painter, screamed in pain as villagers dressed as Roman centurions hammered four-inch, stainless steel nails through his palm and set him aloft on a cross under a brutal sun for a few minutes in San Pedro Cutud village in Pampanga province as thousands watched.
Twenty-three other Filipino men were crucified in the rice-growing province, officials said.
It was Enaje's 25th crucifixion. He says surviving nearly unscathed when he fell from a three-story building in 1985 prompted him to undergo the annual ordeal. Aside from thanking God, Enaje now prays for more painting jobs.
"Not a bone in my body was broken when I fell from that building," Enaje said. "It was a miracle."
"Now, I'm praying for good health and more clients," Enaje told The Associated Press.
Erik de Castro / Reuters
Spectators watch as a penitent is nailed to a cross during the Good Friday lenten crucifixion rites in Cutud at San Fernando city of Pampanga province in northern Philippines on Friday, April 22. Nearly two dozen Filipinos were nailed to crosses to re-enact the passion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, in what they see as an extreme display of devotion which the Roman Catholic church criticizes as a distortion of the Easter message.
Ahead of the crucifixions, throngs of penitents walked several miles (kilometers) through village streets and beat their bare backs with sharp bamboo sticks and pieces of wood, sometimes splashing spectators with blood. Some participants opened cuts in the penitents' backs using broken glass to ensure the ritual was sufficiently bloody.
The gory spectacle reflects the 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.
Erik de Castro / Reuters
Penitent Ruben Enaje grimaces in pain as he is nailed to a cross on Friday.
The most number of crucifixions were staged beside a ricefield in Pampanga's San Pedro Cutud village, where 15 men were nailed to crosses three at a time on a dusty mound as more than 30,000 people, including three European ambassadors, watched and snapped pictures. An ambulance stood by and more than 20 tourists fainted or got dizzy in the heat, officials said.
Amid the festive air — villagers peddled bottled water, food and religious items everywhere — police and marshalls kept order. Some displayed banners with a reminder: "Silence please and take care of your belongings."
Foreigners have been banned from taking part after an Australian comic got crucified under a false name a few years ago near Pampanga. Authorities also suspected 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 out of a local tradition," she said.
Erik de Castro / Reuters
Three-inch nails pierce the feet of a penitent crucified during the Good Friday lenten rites in San Juan on Friday.
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, based in Iloilo Province, said the crucifixions and self-flagellations are an "imperfect imitation with doubtful theological and social significance," adding that only Jesus Christ's death saved mankind.
Pampanga Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said the bloody rites reflected the church's failure to fully educate many Filipinos on Christian tenets.
Enaje and the other penitents said the church should respect their belief.
"When I'm up there on the cross, I feel very close to God," Enaje said. "We grew up with this tradition and nothing can stop us."
Erik de Castro / Reuters
Penitents hang on crosses as they are crucified during Good Friday Lenten rites in Cutud, San Fernando Pampanga in northern Philippines on Friday.
Red Cross officials' concern centered on possible health problems like infection, heat stroke, blood loss and even death from the intense beating. They urged devotees to consider other forms of penance, including donating blood.
San Pedro Cutud village leader Remigio dela Cruz said no major health problem has befallen any penitent since the crucifixions began there in the 1950s. The nails are soaked in alcohol for as long as a year then sprinkled with holy water before use, he said.
Dondi Tawatao / Getty Images
Devout members of the religious sect "25 Mysteries Catholic Lay Missionaries" take part in a panata (or vow) called "Alay Luhod" to mark Holy Week in San Miguel town in Bulacan, Philippines, on Friday.
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This was barbaric then and it remains barbaric to this day.
Clearly they don't see it that way...but it never ceases to amaze me that even within the same religion, your way of doing it must be the right way of doing it, everyone else is wrong.
"...your way of doing it must be the right way of doing it, everyone else is wrong." By golly, I believe you've come up with a clear, concise definition of modern-day fundamentalism!
Jesus Christ! No wait....that's not him.
Mr. Beer,
I think anyone has a right to say that this is barbaric. Nobody is stopping them, although maybe they should. I mean, if we saw people driving nails into their hands and feet on the street, we would probably think they need psychiatric help. It's the same with these people. They have delusions of grandeur, and they are mutilating their bodies to support their delusions.
Many of the great saints of the Catholic church imposed harsh penances upon themselves, including flagellation. It is said that even Pope (Soon to be Saint) John Paul the Great flaggelated himself.
And that does what, divine? Who says that they are saints?
Atonement. Penance. Humility. Dying of ones self. Dying of ego. Dying of self love.
Saint John Paul ye right .... Saint ? Who says that they are Saints . Just like the other Saints MATHEW , MARK, Luke and Paul , man made Saints for a man made religion........
Seriously now... if THAT Pope is made a saint, then we will know for sure that sainthood means absolutely NOTHING.
The only miracle he pulled off, was being able to get away with protecting his flock of pedophiles from justice, and in doing so, contributed to the ruination of thousands and thousands of young childrens lives... I don't care whether he did any "good deeds" in his life or not, he will still be the Patron saint of child molestors...
Wow, I'm speechless.
Having been crucified himself, I can't see Jesus endorsing this event.
For years no one seemed understand the significance of his side being pierced by a spear and blood and water trickling out. Water separates out of the blood when you die. He was dead. But weeks later he was seen alive by over 500 people. Historians are aware of multiple references to this event - but dismiss 500 people as "not significantly enough people".
I don't know that Jesus would approve of this, but the human curiosity of how much he must have suffered leads a lot of people to do this. BTW the cross would have been hewn, not smooth, the nails would actually been larger and through the wrist and Ankles - any where else would have pulled out easily.
No, they dismiss it because ONE MAN claimed that he appeared to 500 -- a man that was not even THERE to witness it -- Paul. The earliest copy of Mark (the only original synoptic) had NO witnesses; only an empty tomb. Thinking this was not sufficient, a scribe added the end of Mark centuries post-facto (even most fundies know this bit.) Matthew and Luke added more and more witnesses respectively, completely disagreeing with the number of women present; even the number of ANGELS present. ZERO contemporary historical accounts... not one.
It would be really helpful if Christians knew a bit of history before they complain about it, as well as their own holy book.
Knowing actual history would be counter productive to the religion.
Knowing the acual history will be conter productive to christianity not to religion........... only christianity falls apart when examining history ....... MAKES NO SENCE AT ALL.......................
Not true... they all do... Or are you saying that the stories of the Old Testament are true?
Like a man living inside a whale for several days... and a man with supperhuman strength that quickly disappears after an unschedlued haircut... or a talking snake pushing forbidden produce on a young couple resulting in their eviction from the VIP section of paradise... or... well you get the idea...
Inside all these religions is a grain of truth taken and made into a supernatural mythos.
a book that has no contradictions is the book of GOD .......GOD MAKE NO CONTRADICTIONS . THE ONLY BOOK THAT I HAVE REAd that has no contradictions is the holy Quran ........ i am chalanging anyone who can prove me wrong ..........
Rediculous logic... So a 3rd grade math textbook is the book of God? It has no contradictions...
One would HOPE, but there is no way of knowing that for a fact, because no one knows God personally... though many claim to...
I am not about to go and read the entire Quran just to prove a pioint to you... But...
Being that you call it "Holy" tells me that you are a "believer"... and are therefore biased.
Christians see no contradictions in the Bible, though there are many...
belief and faith cloud your vision and logic.
Someone recently pointed out to me that the Quran states that Israel beliongs to the Jews...
And yet so many Muslims (Fundamentalists in particular) say the opposite of that...
How do you reconcile THAT contradiction?
It's when Catholics and Christians practice this form of barbaric human torture and execution on non-volunteers that concerns me.
Your fears are misplaced. Colber's line is also misguided. Capital punishment occurs whether or not religion is involved. Stalin, Mao, and Hitler executed people because of race, religion, and political views which none were clearly acting on a true religious belief.
Any can use any guise to kill other people - relgious reasons is actually a smaller one!
Probably a better question would be when a person MURDERS another - they have willfully denied someone the right to live. If they have done so, then how can they adequately pay for such a wrong but to give up their right to live? If they kill by accident or negligence, clearly their life should not be required, but even so, how can they repay?
Christians understands that they have to forgive - but they also understand government does not! Government is directly responsible to the people and what they believe - provided the government is not dictatorial. Christians also understand that government, i.e. the nation will answer to God for what the nation allows or disallows.
wonder if the same applies to abortions. Will the woman be answerable to god when she chooses to abort?
You do realize Colbert is a satirist right?
I see schooling you could turn into a full-time job...
Ignoring for the moment that Colbert is a satirist: Yes, murder and capitol punishment are not always equated to religion. That said, the most influential book of all time, and one of the top 10 oldest books in antiquity, shows a barbaric god ordering the destruction of cities en masse and on a regular basis.
Believers justify this act of taking innocent children and murdering them as "sins of the father", "God's righteousness," blah blah blah. It's petty thuggery; nothing more. It's man trying to justify his actions through the will of his invisible friend.
Despite the fact the Bible 'literally' set the standard in historical writing for killing in the name of religion — going so far as to have Yahweh throw a temper tantrum and destroying all FLESH save Noah and his clan, an event he openly regretted post-facto (nifty considering he's omniscient eh?) — you then have the gall to claim "religion is the smallest" reason to murder, go to war, or to justify the death penalty? I suggest you have a look at those pesky Dark Ages and count the number of times blood was spilled. When you reach a billion, you can stop.
Ah... so you're NOT a Christian?
"You have heard it said, 'An eye for an eye', BUT I say to you resist not an evil person..." — The Magical Jew
Now, don't get me wrong: This self-same prophet stood UP for the death penalty in a small way, reminding Peter of the axiom of living/dying by the sword, the most popular Roman death sentence for lower profile Jews. So, like in about 1,000 instances, we have a bit of a contradiction.
Still, those first words of Jesus are just REALLY hard to reconcile with your attempt at reason.
That's okay -- you guys have been making s**t up for centuries.
So, you ALSO are anti-American? Do you believe that "We the people" should be stricken from that most sacred document of ours?
Exactly HOW can a government "of the people, by the people..." carry out capital punishment in a Christian world view? I'm ALL FOR capitol punishment as I'm not trying to force myself under a 2,000-year-old contradictory moral code, although I did as a pastor once. Yep, I'm an ex-pastor.
Follow the math: Bob forgives his enemies because Bob is a Christian. Bob runs for congress, and eventually becomes a top lawmaker. THEN Bob, being a part of the government now, that mysterious body of non-collective minds and souls, decides in favor of capitol punishment...
So you accept it, despite the fact your Lord plainly commanded you to excise the law his own FATHER gave to the Israelites a few centuries prior. And, he IS his Father.
Got it.
It must be wonderful occasionally visiting reality but not having to live there.
PJ - Yes as she is committing murder. Unlike humans, God views a fetus as a human also the moment an egg is fertilized it is something precious to God and to kill it (no matter what stage) is murder in Gods eyes.
OUCH!!! I think this trains these idiots to torture others.
you know- that was my first thought- who are the idiots working the hardware????
Well, you've got your sadists and your masochists. This ritual satisfies both. Whether you're a "Roman" or a "Jesus" you've got some serious psychological problems.
insane
The catholic church is the devils church. Christ was crucified on the passover and rose on the sabbath. The catholics said that their people will not Judahize that they will work on saturday and worship on sunday. They made it law and killed anyone that wouldn't follow. The english word easter comes from the name Ishtar the goddess of fertility.
Constantine did a lot to pollute the Church, by "converting" by the sword. It was that time, more than any other, that "Christianized" a lot of popular pagan practices - and many which have been removed.
None-the-less It is Christ's church and his issue to clean it up. We are only to do what is asked of us. That may be to stand up and say this practice or that practice is wrong, but it is not ours to condemn them.
tim collins is right...true true!
In many religious cultures, in order to be closer to their deity, people have done things to themselves to prove their worthiness or share in their Gods sacrifice. I see in the news of people killing themselves slowly by poison from Alchohol, cigarettes, and drugs. At least they dont die from this ritual. So you tell me which is more barbaric, killing yourself slowly over time or sharing in your Gods sacrifice?
"Sharing in god's sick and deadly sacrifice". Definately stupider.
I don't think these most people are doing this to become worthy or feel closer to God. Most people just want to try to grasp what he went through. This is nothing compared to that. One viewing of the Passion of Christ (seems pretty accurate) would tell you and them that. Mel probably wasn't exaggerating one bit.
When Peter was crucified he was hung upside down because "he was not worthy to be crucified as Christ was."
What do you say then to the Scientologists that don't allow their sick to be seen by a doctor who could cure them? Or christians that seem to find any excuse for war and kill others saying its Gods will? I find it very difficult to critisize one persons beliefs when our own are in suspect. Like calling the kettle black.
Barry
Scientology uses "Christianity" as a means to it's end. It uses faith healing to an end and degree not intended by Christ and as a means to gain and keep membership. The Apostle Paul said, he did not care who or why Christ was preached. I.e. the truth will eventually be found and embraced and those wrong will be corrected at some point.
Christians only desire war when they believe that the freedoms we have are endangered or their family is endangered. I see no problem with that, however, that definition can be stretched pretty thin, mostly by media who are not favorable to any religion, other than the religions of "knowledge" and "politcal" Truths.
You do well to understand that we see things as through a dark, distorted glass. Don't let it stop you from standing for what is correct - when you are indeed correct!
I find that Christians... or should I say Religion, is the reason for most wars throughout history. One faith doesnt like the fact that another faith exists teaching other then their doctrin. Seldom do Christians go to war for a simple things like freedom or their family endangered.
Romans 6:3-5 is how we share in his sacrifice. Just something to think about!
Photographic evidence that religious zealotry is nothing more than dangerous mental illness. These people are a danger to themselves and others and like most zealots should be institutionalized.
Detroit Mark: Would zelous intolerance of Christianity qualify for your institutionalization?
Pilgrim: No, it wouldn't because saying that this behavior is dangerous is not causing harm to anyone. In fact, it's the sane response to an obviously insane act.
If your thinking is truly that muddled I think you should try a voluntary commitment before somebody locks you up involuntarily. At least when you go willingly it's easier to get out again.
"Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, based in Iloilo Province, said the crucifixions and self-flagellations are an "imperfect imitation with doubtful theological and social significance," adding that only Jesus Christ's death saved mankind."
Please read the entire article before bashing the Catholic Church. This shows the ignorance of the age we live in. People are too afraid to read, have the truth revealed and change their pagan lives in for a holy life.
You cannot be serious! Who's afraid to read and find truth? If you read anything with a semblance of sense, or could think with half of your brain you'd change your so-called holy life for a real life. So chick, get a life!
The Catholic Church is the most insane institution on the planet. They are the ones who devised torture. They're the ones who claim piety while buggering children. Do you think those pedophile priests could possibly believe in god or heaven or hell and still do what they do? Give me a break.
Woah now, want to get off that horse? It's kind of high.
You didn't read the comment, did you? "People are afraid to learn the truth." All you did was spout some media hyped news as if that somehow defended your position. Go read a history book. Go read the statistics on the abuse scandal.
That is one sport I would rather be the spectator than the participant!
Actually the nails were in his hands, and his feet, not his wrists. That is what the Bible says.
The original word meant wrist/ankles not hands/feet. The bible also said he was placed upon a STAKE NOT A CROSS. However many today b/c of tradition seem to overlook that.
Wow..
How sad that they don't get that Jesus did all the suffering that was necessary to bear our sins. It appears that they are trying to do by works what they can freely have through grace.
How sad that you fall for this utter foolishness. If this god-the-father personality was so smart, why didn't the suffering of his son (who's actually himself) change human nature?
Why not say -- "Okay, now that he (I) have gone through all this torture, mankind will now quit sinning? All things are possible for an all powerful deity.
Which begs the question, "Why did this god creature create such an imperfect race in the first place?" Surely it could foresee that humans would turn into a bunch of violent a-holes? And having seen that future, either not create such imperfection or do a better job of it. Your whole religion makes no sense whatsoever. It's sad, sad, sad that in this modern age people can't get it through their thick heads just how dumb all of it is.
God has the power to foresee the future but only chooses to foresee certain things as he has given humans free will. Satan also challenged Gods right to rule which is why he has allowed humans to go down the path we have. He is proving Satan a liar. Also Jesus and God are not the same one is the Father and one is the Son. Two separate entities.
dumb
stupid
Wow, this rates up there for stupiditywith running with the bulls, riding urge logs down hillsides, UFC, NHL, NASCAR, strapped on top of rocket, and oh yes, running for mayor of Bogota, Colombia. :)
First of all, the church condemned this act. People will do what they want to do and then use the name of God to justify it. So stop beating up the whole Christian faith. I am a Christian and I would never do this when Jesus already paid the price so I would not have to. I believe everyone has the right to choose and than it's in Gods hands to judge. No one has a heaven or a hell to put anyone in. Some people who think they are on their way to heaven will be shocked when they find out they missed it. If we spend time taking care of our own business, we will find we have no time to think about someone else. God is love and the world would be a beautiful place if we could all remember that. Happy Resurrection Day world.!!!!
My isn't organized mainstream religion uplifting and civilized. NOT Religion has been and is the bane of the human race.
William,
Where would be without religion? Well, the idiots wouldn't have burned the Library of Alexandria that housed all the knowledge up to that date. They wouldn't have brutally slaughtered all the scientists and intelligent people in the Library of Alexandria out of their fear of truth. We'd be about 500 years more advanced.
There wouldn't have been the Crusades or the Inquisitions or sick, sexually repressed, child-molesting priests. If somebody had created torture without the Inquisition, it wouldn't have been nearly as creative.
Hmmmm... without religion what else? Oh yeah, zealots wouldn't have flown planes into the world trade center expecting a reward of 72 virgins in an afterlife for martyrs.
So without religion everything would be saner, happier and less barbaric. We'd have medical and scientific advancement we can hardly imagine. Religion keeps us stupid, backwards and may eventually ruin the entire planet. Yes, please, let's give that a try.
Brentz Thompson's comment seems to be the most accurate observation of all!
Honey Badger don't care...
This is less about piety and more about attention seeking and narcissism. Anyone who is willing to be nailed to a cross must feel they are closer to God than those who choose to buy the souveniers that are peddled during this tourist attraction. This is a sick display of religious arrogance. God does not want us to be nailed to crosses, rather to live our lives with integrity, honesty, and benevolence. At least, that's what my God tells me through prayer.
INSANITY!
So you're saying we should all "take care of our own business" and not think about anyone but ourselves? That doesn't seem very "christian".
Barry-Moore I would disagree with you from the standpoint that one does not need to mutilate one's body in order to demonstrate one's devotion to one's faith. I believe in God and always will, but I do not see the value of engaging in this type of piety side show that does nothing to enhance my faith or to encourage others to share in the word of Christ. If anything, based upon the majority of remarked posted by readers of this article I would say that the practice of a mock crucifixion is seen in a negative light, or as an exercise in vanity that has nothing to do with enhancing one’s own faith or winning new believers over to the Christian faith. Whenever I see this nonsense, I always recall as a child seeing a program on TV where a fellow in the Philippines was the main attraction during the Easter celebration being nailed to a cross and having a crown of thorns places on his head after dragging the cross through the center of the town followed by a procession of men with bloody backs that were whipping themselves with the equivalent of a cat of nine tails so the whole business was pretty bloody and out and out ridiculous even to me at the tender age of 9. True faith should be demonstrated through giving to the poor or sharing the word of Christ with those in need of spiritual guidance, not through gimmicks and side shows such as what is discussed in this article. If anything, I see this type of nonsense as working against the Christian faith because it comes across as extreme so it blinds the viewer to what the message should really be: one of love, forgiveness, tolerance and freedom from sin. I wish you a Happy Easter Brother.