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From: mr@isrnix.UUCP (Michael Regoli)
Newsgroups: net.relegion,net.jokes
Subject: Jesus Christ! - (nf)
Message-ID: <146@isrnix.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 20-Apr-84 19:56:54 EST
Article-I.D.: isrnix.146
Posted: Fri Apr 20 19:56:54 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 22-Apr-84 08:48:04 EST
Organization: Indiana University
Lines: 47


  DATELINE: Manila, Philippines - UPI - Thursday, April 19, 1984

	Four women and a carpenter who hopes his public
	display of penitence will attract the attention
	of his American father were among at least  12
	Filipinos nailed to crosses Friday in reenact-
	ments of Jesus Christ's crucifixion.

	Some 7,500 people, including U.S. soldiers and
	tourists, gathered in three provinces to witness
	the annual Good Friday ritual, played out in a
	fiesta atmosphere complete with  Mickey Mouse
	and Jesus Christ balloons.

	The Roman Catholic Church takes a dim view of the
	crucifixions, a custom brought to Asia's only
	Christian country by Spanish friars in the 1600s.

	Donald Rexford Jr., who has tried for years to 
	attract the attention of his American father,
	grimaced in pain as friends hoisted him into the
	air, two four-inch steel spikes driven into his
	palms.

	"God forgive them for what they have done,"
	Rexford, 38, screamed as his 15-foot wooden cross
	was spun around once atop a water tank on a
	hilltop overlooking the capital.  It was his
	fifth crucifixion.

	...

	A basketball referee in Pampanga province limbered
	up before being nailed to a cross with shiny spikes
	he carried in a jar filled with alcohol in his gym
	bag.  He passed out pictures of himself to reporters.

	"I feel good," said Bob Velez, 42.  Wearing a ladies
	brunette wig, he lasted seven minutes.

     -----

	Respectfully submitted,

	Michael Regoli
	...isrnix!mr