Would you carry the cross to the crucifixion?
TODAY is Good Friday and some Roman Catholics in the Philippines mark the day by re-enacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Real nails are driven through their hands and feet. They are whipped until blood starts oozing out and allow themselves to be crucified. The decades-old practice takes place predominantly in Pampanga province to remember Jesus Christ’s suffering and death. Back home we set out to find out if there are some Rwandans willing to die for mankind and re-enact the suffering and death of Jesus. Society Magazine’s Dean Karemera talked to a cross-section of people on whether they would offer themselves to be crucified like Jesus to save mankind.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
TODAY is Good Friday and some Roman Catholics in the Philippines mark the day by re-enacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Real nails are driven through their hands and feet. They are whipped until blood starts oozing out and allow themselves to be crucified. The decades-old practice takes place predominantly in Pampanga province to remember Jesus Christ’s suffering and death.
Back home we set out to find out if there are some Rwandans willing to die for mankind and re-enact the suffering and death of Jesus. Society Magazine’s Dean Karemera talked to a cross-section of people on whether they would offer themselves to be crucified like Jesus to save mankind.
Personally I don’t think I would have the courage to do that unless I have a higher power to enable me to do it. Mankind is unfaithful, unkind and unappreciative, but I believe that if I’m forgiven of my sins and Jesus works through me then I can. For humanity’s sake, it would be something good but as a sinner like all human beings, I don’t think that it is possible for me to do it. I go to church every Sunday but still I’m not strong enough to sacrifice myself. Unless Jesus enables me with his power, I can’t pull it off.
Connie Bwiza, Parliamentarian
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Considering what happened to Jesus, it is a definite no for me! It is easy to make a sacrifice for a family member or a friend but for all mankind.... It is impossible! People might not even understand what you did for them; actually Jesus should not have tried to save us, looking at how he was mistreated, he should have let people just perish.
Lion Manzi, Entertainer
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What type of question is this? I’m the last person to talk to about religious matters but actually I would sacrifice myself. I’m very insignificant compared to all mankind. Besides you might refuse to sacrifice yourself and later die in an accident. If I had to give my life to save mankind, I definitely would.
Shyaka Kanuma, Media personality
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I would sacrifice myself if my life was the only remedy to save mankind. I know that it is a big thing to do and there is pain associated with it but at the end of the day, it is death and it’s not going to change. I would go through with it although I’m scared of the whips and nails being hammered in my flesh as I look on.
Marc Gwamaka, Co-founder, Walk-To-Remember
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No, I would not. There’s nothing special in saving the whole world. If it was for my country, maybe, I would consider it but not the whole world.
Alain Numa, Sponsorship and Promotions Manager, MTN
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My honest answer is that I would need a strong drink to even think about it. No one is worth living
but me. ..
Jesse Kiyingi (Da Afrikan Son), radio presenter KFM & Head of sales and marketing
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There is no way I would sacrifice my life for mankind. What am I doing paying for everyone’s sins? I don’t love everyone in the world. Some people have to pay for their sins not me paying the price.
Fiona Mbabazi, Presenter, TV 10
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Well, that is a tricky question but I can’t put myself in the category of Jesus and I do not think any human being can pull off such a thing. If anyone said that they would, then that is a lie. The problem with mankind is that it is easy for them to promise but when it comes to doing the real thing, they run for dear life. If I had to consider sacrificing my life, I would have to first know who is worth my life. If they are genuine people that I’m giving up my life for, then I would consider sacrificing my life.
Hannington Namara, CEO, Private Sector Federation
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I would sacrifice my own life for mankind to survive, but especially for my family. In the Bible Ecclesiastes 1:14 tells us "Everything under the sun is meaningless, like chasing the wind”. So, why have a life that is meaningless yet I can give it meaning?
Cliff Owuor, Coach, APR Basketball Club
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Yes, I would sacrifice myself. My reason for this is that if I save mankind then I would have saved all my descendants. Besides, why would I not do it for my fellow countrymen if it will save them?
Albert Rudatsimburwa, Proprietor Contact FM
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With my capabilities, I can’t be able to save the world. My blood can’t save the world. The only way I can be able to save the world is by the power and grace of God. He is the only one who can save us and He has done it already. God is able to save us because he created us, now how would I save mankind when I did not create them. If God is working through me, I can save the world but my blood alone and capacity as a person can’t save mankind.
Lydia Masasu, Senior Pastor, Restoration Church, Remera
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I would totally sacrifice myself for all mankind. I would do this for people to be happy and have a good life. I would not even think twice about it.
Emmanuel Nkuranga, Co-founder, INEMA arts
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I don’t know. That’s a hard question because we have people who are committing heinous crimes claiming they are sacrificing their life for God’s purposes which is totally wrong. Groups such as Al-Qaeda who commit crimes claiming it is for the good of God’s people just succeed in creating more chaos. On the other hand, if I’m the last person standing, I would sacrifice myself but on condition that my death would be justified in a positive manner.
Lauren Makuza, Director of Culture, Ministry of Sports and Culture (MISPOC)
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It depends on the pain I would have to go through because what Jesus went through is not a joke.
However, I would do it to save my family and my people. Of course some people will not get it but I don’t care about those people.
Tom Close, Doctor & musician
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Oh God, I don’t know. But yes, I would give up my life to save mankind. My reason is that if I don’t sacrifice myself, eventually we are all, including myself, going to die. We all want a better world and if that depends on my crucifixion, I would do it.
Martine Gatabazi, Marketing Manager, Bralirwa