I had to work. ....But this guy thought it'd be a good idea to get himself nailed to a cross.
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Filipino devotees crucify, whip themselves
Lenten ritual goes on despite opposition by Catholic leaders in Philippines
updated 5:57 a.m. ET, Fri., April. 6, 2007
SAN PEDRO CUTUD, Philippines - Seven devotees were nailed to crosses on Good Friday in a northern Philippine village where the rites drew thousands of tourists and spectators.
The Lenten ritual is opposed by religious leaders in the Philippines — Southeast Asia’s largest predominantly Roman Catholic nation. But it has persisted to become one of the country’s most-awaited summer attractions in San Fernando City’s San Pedro Cutud village.
The devotees’ palms and feet were attached to wooden crosses with 4-inch nails soaked in alcohol to prevent infection after a nearly mile-long walk to the mound, each carrying a wooden cross on their backs.
‘They take this religion to the extreme’
Earlier in the day in the same village, dozens of half-naked men hit their bloodied backs with bamboo sticks dangling from a rope in a flagellation rite meant to atone for sins.
More than 100 foreign tourists flocked to this year’s Good Friday rites, with many of them seated on a stage at the side of the mound. “They take this religion to the extreme,” observed Gomas de Miguel, a tourist from Spain. “In Spain, we say we are Catholics but we don’t do this anymore I think.”
“It’s not my belief, but I know that they are sincere in what they are doing so I respect it,” said American tourist Dennis Smith.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17978154/
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I've actually seen a few of these in person.
...which would probably explain why I never felt the need to watch Mel's snuff flick.