Sanitary crucifixions? Oh, dear...

[Elizabeth I]

Health officials in the Philippines have issued a warning to people taking part in Easter crucifixion rituals (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7305522.stm)...and no, it's not what you might think...

[Miss Whiplash]

I remember those. Ouch!

I'm sure they pair well with weeping statues (http://www.mondoskepto.com/node/200).

[gelatin]

I spontaneously and unironically muttered "jeeeesus christ" as a reaction while reading that.

[Elizabeth I]

I spontaneously and unironically muttered "jeeeesus christ" as a reaction while reading that.

I know, my reaction was, "Oh. My. God."

[-Fran-]

Sanatizing... tetanus shots....?? Don't they trust god to keep them safe? I mean, it's the least he can do when they make such a sacrifice of themselves in his name. ;)

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

Yeah, I'm familiar with this practise. I'll resist cheaps shots at the idea of getting tetanus vaccinations prior to crucifixion and point out that most Catholics now take the communion wafer by hand, instead of letting a priest lay it on their tongue, because of hygiene.

It amuses my Polish relatives greatly...but that's how I got my first communion. :)

[articulett]

And what kind of sacrifice is it if you're going to be worrying about germs...

[MG1962]

And what kind of sacrifice is it if you're going to be worrying about germs...

Obviously a simulated one, but what do I know

[chillzero]

15 times!!!! ?????
:eye-poppi

[fuelair]

Yeah, I'm familiar with this practise. I'll resist cheaps shots at the idea of getting tetanus vaccinations prior to crucifixion and point out that most Catholics now take the communion wafer by hand, instead of letting a priest lay it on their tongue, because of hygiene.

It amuses my Polish relatives greatly...but that's how I got my first communion. :)
Makes sense to me - you don't know where those hands have been!!!

[Mark6]

Health officials in the Philippines have issued a warning to people taking part in Easter crucifixion rituals (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7305522.stm)...and no, it's not what you might think...

How do you know what I might think? :D

Seriously, as soon as I read your post I knew exactly what this was about.

[Miss Whiplash]

For those interested, National Geographic did an episode about the Filipino crucifixions on Taboo : Episode 8-Trails of Faith. I don't see it listed this year, but it is on DVD.

I saw it several years ago and it's really something out of the middle ages.

[Hawthorne]

Two reasons I hate Easter: crucifixions and ham.

[Elizabeth I]

How do you know what I might think? :D

I'm going to apply for the million dollars, that's how. :p

[JimBenArm]

Two reasons I hate Easter: crucifixions and ham.
But what about crucified hams? Especially Honey-Baked hams?

[Hawthorne]

But what about crucified hams? Especially Honey-Baked hams?

Nope, all hams are out - whether they be crucified or baked in honey. Blech.

[JimBenArm]

No ham sandwiches? Heretic!

[imjohn]

HAM IS YUMMY!

Long live the reborn harvest god!

[Chupacabras]

FWIW, the Pasión de Iztapalapa (the Passion at Iztapalapa) has been held for 150 years in Mexico City. Only one real community model role man is chosen each year to play Jeebuz, and they take enormous pride on being actually nailed to a cross (of course, after having carried it and leashed, wearing a real thorn crown and all). Review of the passion (in Spanish): http://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/notas/6308-150-a%F1os-de-la-Pasi%F3n-de-Iztapalapa-(Distrito-Federal)

And now, the organizers are seeking recognition in the UNESCO so the event becomes recognized as "Intangible Heritage of Humankind" (link in Spanish (http://www.milenio.com/index.php/2008/03/18/210738/)). I guess we should be proud, or something!

[Ateius]

I fail to see how fanatics hurting themselves qualifies as as heritage of humankind.


More than anything else, this just scares me. Someone got their wires very crossed during the last Sunday sermon.

[Elizabeth I]

FWIW, the Pasión de Iztapalapa (the Passion at Iztapalapa) has been held for 150 years in Mexico City. Only one real community model role man is chosen each year to play Jeebuz, and they take enormous pride on being actually nailed to a cross (of course, after having carried it and leashed, wearing a real thorn crown and all). Review of the passion (in Spanish): http://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/notas/6308-150-a%F1os-de-la-Pasi%F3n-de-Iztapalapa-(Distrito-Federal)

And now, the organizers are seeking recognition in the UNESCO so the event becomes recognized as "Intangible Heritage of Humankind" (link in Spanish (http://www.milenio.com/index.php/2008/03/18/210738/)). I guess we should be proud, or something!

Yes, in San Antonio we have a Passion of the Christ downtown at the Cathedral on Good Friday. The city closes off streets, huge crowds show up, and in general it inconveniences everybody. But at least so far we don't do the lashing-and-nailing thing for real. (I wonder what would happen if someone tried it? Would the police arrest the "Roman soldiers" for attempted murder?)

[Showmeproof]

Two reasons I hate Easter: crucifixions and ham.

I do not like ham either. And I totally forgot it was Easter until one of my friends reminded me today. I ahve shamed the holiday :)

[DRBUZZ0]

They still use hammers for those rituals? Damn. Get with the times people and get a pneumatic nailer. Yeah they cost a lot more, but it's worth it in the long run.

[articulett]

I agree... if you are going to update the sanitation procedures for your "sacrifice" or "passion play"-- update the technology. And you may as well use pain killers, because you ain't going to sit happily in eternal judgment in the sky when it's all over like your role model either.

[godofpie]

No ham sandwiches? Heretic!
Burn the Heretic...no lightly toast the heretic with a slice of vidalia onion and a slathering of mayonnaise.

[Elizabeth I]

Elizabeth I is roasting a ham even as we post!

[articulett]

It's zombie day.

Next time they should aim for the head lest a religion be spawned.

[JimBenArm]

ZombieGone: Apply directly to the forehead!