I was reading an article this morning and was pretty disturbed after I finished it. This last Friday, Good Friday for Catholics, was the day 2000 years ago that Jesus was crucified and died on the cross. Catholics read about it in the Bible, many of us saw the Passion of the Christ film a few years back, but never have I heard of anything like this.
The article says that "dozens" were nailed to crosses as supposed signs of "religious devotion". I think this is the most absurd possible display of devotion I have ever heard. The Catholic church in the Philippines obviously disapproved of this, but people continued anyway. It's actually somewhat of a spectacle, refreshments are sold, and there is actually a VIP seating area to watch the event. The bishop there was quoted saying: "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" and that "many of these penitents, those who are practicing these physical afflictions have a meager, have a shallow understanding of these practices."
Even worse than this though is that the health and safety officials from the government wanted to ensure that they used sterile nails, as well as getting tetnus shots. Oh good, well at least their hands won't be infected after being CRUCIFIED!
It is impossible to justify acts like this as martyrdom especially when it is used as a spectacle for people to come and enjoy. I thought this was a disgusting and frankly immoral and I wouldn't be the slightest bit perturbed if these people were excommunicated for their behavior. Catholics believe that we are supposed to use Jesus' life as an example for our own, but he certainly did not intend for us to voluntarily crucify ourselves as some sort of example.
Here is a link to the article: Filipino Crucifixions
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6 comments:
I have actually heard something about this, but I thought it was in Mexico or South America. I think that this is somewhat of a sac religious way to show others that you have a relationship with God. I think that if people really want to do something to prove their love to God, they should not much such a spectacle of it. I grew up in a Christian home and I remember being told that you should not have to show off your faith to others. I think that most of these people are doing it because they want to prove how much they are willing to suffer for God to others, but really it does not matter how other people see your faith. Faith is something that is supposed to be between the person and God. Others should see God through your actions of kindness, not through being crucified like Jesus. I agree with you about how this is not something that is a proper way to show your love for God.
You've always had, well, interesting points. You show a celar understanding, and express yourself through the topics you write about, which I think are tools to help people become better writers. Clearly, you are already a good writer. Use some of the posts in which you are most open minded.
I have also heard about crucifixtions such as this. As a Catholic, I think it is sick. The reason Jesus was crucified was to save everyone else not as a show. It is a complete mockery. The fact that there are VIP seats shows it is just a show. You do a great job explaining and quoting this article.
I find this absolutely disturbing that human kind today does such a thing. Whaat makes it even worse is that the government wanted to make sure that the needles were sterile and that they had had their tetnus shot. I'm sure they didn't approve of it like the Catholic Church in the Phillipines, but the fact that refreshments were sold at the crucifixions makes it sound and look like a sporting even of some sort! And I completely agree with missy johnson when she discusses in her comment how crucifying oneself is not the way to show love for God, but yet how you LIVE your life and the choices and things you do.
I have to say that when I read this I was shocked. I have never heard of anything like this before, and if someone had just told me about it I would have definitely thought that they were kidding. I still can’t even really believe it.
I was not really raised in a religious home, but I think that religion can be beneficial and a good thing to incorporate into your life. However, I think that when people take it to these kind of extremes, religion is no longer a good thing and can actually be harmful. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the thought that this is something that people would want to do.
I think an issue here is the relationship between religion and education. People without much education tend to practice these kinds of religious spectacles. As Missy points out, such things are found more often in countries where the populations are poor and not literate. Spectacle unites people in ways authorities can control, while education gives people language, which enables them to think for themselves. So anything that eats away at a country's literacy levels poses a threat to the independence and freedom of its people.
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