Health officials in the Philippines have issued a warning to people taking part in Easter crucifixion rituals.
They have urged them to get tetanus vaccinations before they flagellate themselves and are nailed to crosses, and to practise good hygiene.
[...]
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.
What I don't understand is why people are still beating themselves and causing themselves pain, thinking that somehow this will gain them favor in God's eyes...
If there is a God, wouldn't it make Him/Her/It happy to see us happy? Prosperous? Enjoying ourselves?
Each one has to find his peace from within. And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances. -Ghandi
These activities are dangerous only if you listen to the so-called "scientific experts." I'm certain that those practicing these rituals have faith, and faith will protect them from any danger associated with these crucifixion activities.
"We of this Church do not rely on any man-made statement concerning the nature of Deity. Our knowledge comes directly from the personal experience of Joseph Smith." - Gordon B. Hinckley
"It's wrong to criticize leaders of the Mormon Church even if the criticism is true." - Dallin H. Oaks
SatanWasSetUp wrote:These activities are dangerous only if you listen to the so-called "scientific experts." I'm certain that those practicing these rituals have faith, and faith will protect them from any danger associated with these crucifixion activities.
That's right. Abstinence is the coward's way out.
God belief is for people who don't want to live life on the universe's terms.
Sam Harris wrote:What I don't understand is why people are still beating themselves and causing themselves pain, thinking that somehow this will gain them favor in God's eyes...
If this sort of thing routinely goes on, can it serve as evidence when building a case that religion is dangerous?
"Finally, for your rather strange idea that miracles are somehow linked to the amount of gay sexual gratification that is taking place would require that primitive Christianity was launched by gay sex, would it not?"