The processions mentioned are also common in my country of residence, Malta. The statues represent moments in Christ's Passion and the bearers normally book well in advance to carry them. They sometimes do this as a sign that their prayers have been answered for conversion or healing, for example. A few of them prefer to cover their faces so as to remain anonymous.

Perhaps the extreme stand taken by fundamentalists makes the public ignore the essence of religion which is to love one's neighbour.

You have to suffer to love another person and this, perhaps, is the message of the Crucifixion, symbolised in the people carrying the statues or walking barefoot behind the statues.

Its sad to see people still believing in those religions literatures in the 21st century . good thing is that secularism is on the rise, so there's hope...

Love thy neighbour, isn't that only valid if you are not gay, muslim, jew or abortionist?

I understand that religion was important when we didnt know any better. But now we do, religion is a delusion and I'm sad that so many teenagers and kids feel bad about their sexual behavior when nature has made us that way. If u are adult(and a moron) and decide to become religious, that is your fault to take, but kids don't know any better...indoctrination is real evil.

IT is probably an error to conclude (as this article implies) that all who have belief are indoctrinated fools. In fact, there is strong evidence that people who believe in God are happier than their atheistic counterparts. I’m not arguing that all ritual makes sense – that certainly isn’t the case, but I am saying that painting all with such broad strokes is the same type of intolerance that you seem to abhor.

Weird rituals, weird "tongues", weird rolling around on floors--I grew up in a Pentecoastal "Church of God In Christ" church in the rural South. And, I've encountered every weird thing about religion that a person can. From laying on of hands to drinking bless oil (extra virgin Olive Oil), I'd concur--Religious people are certifiable.

However, I also have to say that lumping all theists into one big loony bin catchall isn't an accurate portrayal of what having a strong belief in a god figure can do for you. There are many benefit touted by researchers (yes, even in the 21st centur) including that religious people tend to live longer, heal faster, and have better behaved children.

Before you generalize that religion is all good or all bad, remember that all things in moderation can be good for the body, including alcohol, smoking (wow!), and sex. So religion can't really harm.

Looking into the histories of your patients, I bet the WAY they were taught religion effected them far more than the actually religion.