A Filipino villager has been nailed to a wooden cross for the 35th time to reenact Jesus Christ’s suffering in a brutal Good Friday tradition he said he would devote to pray for peace in Ukraine, Gaza and the disputed South China Sea.

On Friday, over a hundred people watched on as 10 devotees were nailed to wooden crosses, among them Ruben Enaje, a 63-year-old carpenter and sign painter. The real-life crucifixions have become an annual religious spectacle that draws tourists in three rural communities in Pampanga province, north of Manila.

The gory ritual resumed last year after a three-year pause due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has turned Enaje into a village celebrity for his role as the “Christ” in the Lenten reenactment of the Way of the Cross.

Ahead of the crucifixions, Enaje told The Associated Press by telephone Thursday night that he has considered ending his annual religious penitence due to his age, but said he could not turn down requests from villagers for him to pray for sick relatives and all other kinds of maladies.

    • jimbolauski@lemm.ee
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      7 months ago

      It’s always amusing when people who are against religion pretend to be experts.

      He litterly tells them after dumping out their money “Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise.”

      Jesus didn’t take their money, he told them to take their shit and leave.

      • Zip2@feddit.uk
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        7 months ago

        As opposed to all the Christian denominations, sects, cults who can’t even agree on what the facts were, or which of the books, letters etc are to be included in their “correct” version on the bible.

        • jimbolauski@lemm.ee
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          7 months ago

          What does any of that have to do with claiming the cleansing the temple parable shows Jesus promoting communism.

      • Clent@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        It’s more amusing to see how ignorant the religious are of their religion. Especial monotheists. You’ve only got the one god and you still can’t keep the rules straight.