A message from the Philippine government: This Easter season, crucify responsibly

[BurtWorm]

http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2008/03/crucifixion_guidelines_issued.html


Easter season some undoubtedly devout Christian Filipinos will be having themselves nailed to the cross, in what is also becoming a popular tourist activity to attend. The central healthcare authorities have issued guidelines on properly hygienic crucifixions.

From the BBC:

The health department has strongly advised penitents to check the condition of the whips they plan to use to lash their backs, the Manila Times newspaper reports.

They want people to have what they call "well-maintained" whips.

In the hot and dusty atmosphere, officials warn, using unhygienic whips to make deep cuts in the body could lead to tetanus and other infections.

And they advise that the nails used to fix people to crosses must be properly disinfected first. Often people soak the nails in alcohol throughout the year.

More from BBC News...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7305522.stm

[Debau2005]

1. Popular tourist activity?

:eyes:

[pitohui]

5. jesus i hope people are not doing this for the money

if it's a private ceremony for religious reasons, okay, but i am not going to be attending any crucifixions of live humans soon and i hope my fellow travelers will stop and think about what they're promoting if they do attend

[Hugabear]

2. I'll never understand people who do stuff like this

But there are cultures all around the globe where mutilating and inflicting pain on one's self is seen as being spiritually uplifting.

[LanternWaste]

4. Like piercings and tattoos?

"cultures all around the globe where mutilating and inflicting pain on one's self"

Like piercings and tattoos? Extreme sports? Although I doubt the justifications for those are "spiritually uplifting"... rather decoration.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

[Hugabear]

6. That's not at all what I'm talking about

Well, at least not the "standard" piercings that we routinely see.





Just a few examples. And yes, I know the 2nd one is from a movie - but it is an actual practice.

[LanternWaste]

7. Seems to me that the difference

Seems to me that the difference in a movie piercing (as you illustrated) and a "normal" piecing is one only of degrees and intent.

If that is indeed the case, piercings and tattoos could quite validly be called "self-mutilation" as easily as some guy on a cross.

But, as we're from a more "civilized" cultures ( :sarcasm: just in case), we justify and defend that our own practices are somehow "less" barbaric.

[Hugabear]

8. WTF

Where did I EVER use the word "barbaric"? Why are you trying to put words in my mouth, and make me out to be some sort of xenophobe or cultural elitist?

All I said was I couldn't understand how people could put themselves through such extreme torture like that. I didn't say it was barbaric, or less civilized.

[LanternWaste]

9. I'm simply trying to divine

Using quotation marks may also indicates emphasis, not merely a quote. And as I don't know jack about html, it's what I use. If quotation marks are around an entire phrase or statement, then it indicates quoting someone else. So no-- I'm neither putting words in your mouth nor painting you as anything.

I'm simply trying to divine the precise and relevant difference (if any) between what we perceived as aberrant behavior (as per the individual noted in in the OP) and our own tribal rituals and customs of mutilation and self-inflicted pain.

We put ourselves through extreme torture and also consider it spectator entertainment-- e.g., the movie "Jackass".

(Insults are easy to find-- a person can locate one even in places where they don't exist...)

[Hugabear]

11. Point taken

I'm there are people who would consider simple ear piercings and tattoos as 'self mutilation'.

I wasn't really thinking about the Jackass people, as much as I was certain Native American tribes and other native cultures around the globe who undergo 'extreme' procedures in order to achieve a spiritual result. I've seen several documentaries about these practices, and some scientists feel that the massive release of adrenaline and endorphins, combined in some instances with hallucinogenic substances, is what produces the 'spiritual' feeling.

I don't judge people who do these types of actions, I just can't fathom putting my own body through that sort of pain.

[NuttyFluffers]

13. same stuff happens here in secular communities. we just call it Xtreme performance art.

been there, done that, and we all are far more similar than we care to believe. that "other" is really "ourself" looking back at us.

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

3. ugggg

Theologically such a weak *weak* practice..

[lpbk2713]

10. Does that mean no Jesus on a trailer hitch?

The highlight of the celebration IMHO.

[BurtWorm]

12. kick