Family Forum / Parenting / Mothers / March 2008

What the hell is wrong with these people, do they not have laws that
protect teenagers from this insane RITUAL ABUSE? They nailed this kid
to a cross. I wonder if the nails were sterile, what about tetanus or
some other infection that may occur from this. No doubt they shot him
up full of antibiotics before they did this. What kind of moron drives
nails in the hands of a 15 year old kid?

Boy, 15, nailed to a cross as Filipinos whip and crucify themselves in
gory Good Friday ritual

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."

SOURCE and IMAGES;
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id
=540453&in_page_id=1811