March 25th, 2008 
Spooky 
Penitencia is one of the most unusual Christian rituals performed nowadays.
I’m ashamed to admit that I had no idea that the Philippines is the only officially Christian nation in Asia. What surprised me even more was their strong belief in God and the rituals they perform to prove their faith. One of these rituals is Penitencia, where people actually get themselves nailed to the cross like Jesus Christ was. Others dress up like Roman soldiers and do all the nailing and the torturing. No one really dies in these proceedings, because they are only crucified for minutes, not hours, but it definitely isn’t pleasant( those nails really hurt).
The crucified also carry their cross to the crucifixion site and are tormented along the way, just so they can feel exactly what our Savior did.
I can’t say I don’t admire their faith, but I don’t think that is Exactly how they should express it…
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I am in deeply saddened at this! This is a first that I learn of such practice by people who call themselves Christians. This ritual cannot be called Christian because it has nothing to do with faith in Jesus Christ, as taught in the Bible. It appears like these people have taken on assumptions (probably from pagan roots) that their suffering atones for them in some way or makes them more holy. Jesus, Lamb of God, is a pure (sinless) sacrifice, and God the Creator of all will not be pleased in any other way (e.g. a sinful man suffering on the cross). I pray that God sends His servant to them to proclaim that the one-time sacrifice of atonement by Jesus’ death on the cross is sufficient for all ages, and that they be taught to live by the New Testament so that they be saved.
Better than sitting around just claiming to be faithful.
Michael are you Mormon? Sound like one. Leave the Judging to God.