Filipinos crucify themselves on Good Friday

[denverbill]

CUTUD, Philippines (Reuters) - 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.

...

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.

....

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.

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[La Lioness Priyanka]

1. i wonder if islam is popular in that region, there is a similar ritual in islam

requiring self flagellation. so if people converted from islam to christianity, they may have kept that tradition.

[denverbill]

4. Actually, Christians have been doing that for centuries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagellant

[La Lioness Priyanka]

5. didnt know that. i know in india there is a day that muslims self flagellate.

its an interesting tradition.

[rockymountaindem]

8. That ritual is only performed by Shiites

in memory of the death of their martyr Hussein many centuries ago. Since the Muslims in the Philippines are Sunni, I doubt that would be the source of the crucifixion ritual. Shiites are only found in any concentration in Iran, Azerbaijan, southern Iraq and Lebanon.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

9. and in india and pakistan. which is where i know this tradition from.

[Strawman]

2. I think this calls for Tori Amos instead of Led Zeppelin.

[opiate69]

10. "God, sometimes you just don't come through..."

[Little Wing]

3. If only they'd have had more Teacup Yorkies

:cry:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. They love Jesus more than Americans.

Hey, Americans, are you gonna let them out Christian you? Better get a move on...

[denverbill]

7. I get the beer and ice cream concession rights! n/t