Live Philippine crucifixions more than just "unhealthy"...

On March 18, AFP news lead with the headline, "Philippines warns 'crucifixion bad for health'". Not only are present day live crucifixions bad for your health, they are also completely and utterly pointless. These literal re-enactments of Jesus' crucifixion reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of the original historical event and its spiritual consequence. Christy Kenneally, host of a new documentary series called Decoding Christianity was present in the Philippines and stood close enough to the scene to be splattered by blood. When he joined us on Good Friday, March 21, on the GodTalk radio show, my stomach turned as he described what he had experienced.

In the hours and days following the interview I have thought many times about the extent to which humans will go to make good on their sense of wrong. Driving 6-inch spikes through your bare hands is one way in which people attempt to absolve themselves. While this truly is a great act of devotion, it tragically reflects devotion to humanity's attempts at making things right, rather than God's offer of forgiveness. Jesus was nailed to a Cross exactly so that I would never have to do the same. Of course, believing that and accepting that demands I confront my ego. And that, for many, seems a greater challenge than the pain of literal crucifixion.