Filipino Devotees Nailed to the Cross

[Digital_Savior]

SAN PEDRO CUTUD, Philippines - At least 11 Filipino devotees were nailed to the cross during Good Friday reenactments of Christ's final hours.

The Lenten ritual, opposed by religious leaders in the Philippines, is an annual tradition in this farming village about 45 miles north of the capital, Manila.

The Roman Catholic devotees were crucified in batches, their palms and feet attached to wooden crosses with four-inch nails soaked in alcohol to prevent infection.

Nine devotees underwent the ritual in San Pedro Cutud, including Ruben Enaje, a 45-year-old commercial sign maker who was nailed to the cross for the 20th time.

Enaje has said it is his way of thanking God after he miraculously survived a fall from a building when he was a construction worker.

In Kapitangan, another village north of Manila, two men wearing long wigs and tin crowns were nailed to the cross before about 1,000 spectators. - FERNANDO SEPE, Associated Press

Forty-five-year-old Ruben Enaje grimaces as he is nailed to the cross for the 20th time during annual lenten rites in San Pedro Cutud village, in San Fernando city about 70 kilometers (45 miles) north of Manila on Friday April 14, 2006. Enaje said it is his way of thanking God for miraculously surviving a fall from a building when he was a construction worker. At least seven Filipino devotees were nailed believing that the sacrifice would save them from sin. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

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This is what happens when people take Christianity into their own hands (no pun intended), instead of reading the Bible, and following what it says.

God neither commands us to do this, nor enjoys it when people hurt themselves, even in His name.

This is a good example of what NOT to do. This perfectly illustrates just how perverted men can make Christianity out to be. It's not a surprise that religions like The Church of Mormon and the Jehovah's Witnesses end up believing in, and practicing, such outrageous and unscriptural rituals.

For those of you who DO pray, please say one for the peoples of the Phillipines. They engage in these activities every year. They need to be freed from the bondage of their misunderstanding, so they can come to truly enjoy a fulfilling relationship with God.

We need more missionaries !

[crazed_hamster]

They're a lot of fucking dorks. When I visited my sister there a couple years ago, I and my brother played the part of the Jesus-hating crowd and threw stuff at them. It was fun!

[Elephantitis Man]

quote:Originally posted by Digital_Savior:

This perfectly illustrates just how perverted men can make Christianity out to be.

Funny thing is, they probably think the same thing about you.

That's religion for you.

[Dre Crabbe]

I was going to type out a reply, I was like halfway, but I won't even post it. You're only trying to provoke everyone, and like always, you're only telling people how holy and "right" you are

[TerminatorVinitiatoR]

self mutilation is another symptom of religion, which only reaffirms my belief that there is no place for religion of any kind in our modern secular democracies.

[Gorloche]

I know you guys are atheists, and I am, too, but you are being too harsh on Digital. She is right. In Christian theology, Jesus is supposed to be the ultimate and final sacrifice. No one is supposed to give up anything in the name of the Lord anymore because of what he did. I mean, you don't have to hold the faith to understand their theology. I disagree with it, but, in the terms she is describing, Digital is completely correct.

[Dre Crabbe]

I don't care wether she is technically right. Maybe she is. Thing is, this post of hers is filled with contempt of these Filipino's.

quote:They need to be freed from the bondage of their misunderstanding, so they can come to truly enjoy a fulfilling relationship with God.

See? "They need to be freed from the bondage of their misunderstanding."

So now she's saying what these people should do? Hah, on what grounds does she base herself. Fuck her religion. She has no right to interfere in others people's lives, no matter what her book says.

Keep in mind that these people are CHOOSING to do this. Let them do what they want. If it makes them feel better, why should we stop them? They're not hurting anybody else.

And, what I hate about her, is how she says "truly enjoy a fullfilling relationship with God." Hah, of course, only she can know what that could be, huh?

[LostCause]

I learned about this years and years ago, just from living in a Filipino neighborhood.

Yea, it's pretty wierd.

Cheers,

Lost

[Atomical]

We're so much more spiritually advanced in America. I prayed online yesterday!

[Encrypted Soldier]

This is really OLD.