Self-flagellation is still practiced by some Catholics in Italy, Spain and the Phillippines. This photo is from a Catholic Lenten ceremony in Italy.
A study of world religions and religious practices shows a wide range of customs with various religious groups -- and a lot of commonality among very orthodox groups from a variety of them.
balljoint wrote:
Betterdaysahead wrote: Lots of other religions have a history of self-flagellation and other means of fasting and other methods of inflicting pain and suffering as atonement of sins, especially Catholicism. Christianity and Islam share many common roots. I do believe if you did this in public here ,you would be taken away in a straight jacket.......
Gutsky wrote:
balljoint wrote:
"News break dood,The forums are closing"
So, you don't want to follow the Forum Guidelines anymore for that reason?
Trolling is not allowed on Comcast forums guidlines
Gutsky wrote:
balljoint wrote:
"News break dood,The forums are closing
So, you don't want to follow the Forum Guidelines anymore for that reason?
Go back through the history of Christians in Rome. They've even preserved the nifty gadgets they used to torture themselves. Look at the desert fathers. These guys pushed the limits to see what worked. To that end, they've documented starving themselves, exposing themselves to extremely harsh environments, vows of silence, flogging themselves, and more. I recall one of them who sought to stave off the desires of the flesh by beating his loin with thistles, thorns, and cactus. (He reported later that it didn't work). Here in the states we have an entire sect of people who continue to practice flagellation--the Penitentes. They are descended from a Spanish order going back more than 1,000 years. Their ascetic practices include flagellation leading up to a crucifixion on Good Friday. I've seen them returning to their homes wearing blood soaked shirts. I'm well aware of the miraculous healing that is also commonplace in their community.
I don't have to ascribe to, endorse, or support their behaviors. I recognize that there is far more to this than meets the eye. When an old man (100) slipped and fell in front of my father's store, he tore the flesh on his palm badly enough that it exposed the bone on his thumb nearly to the wrist. Dad helped him up and told one of the drivers to take him to the hospital for stitches. The driver later reported that he'd taken the old man home to pray. The old man was a Penitente and didn't believe in doctors. Three days later when dad saw him walking down the street, he stopped the man to inquire about how his injury was doing. The old man looked oddly at dad as if to say, "What?" He held up his hand to reveal a completely healed hand with only a telltale scar remaining. One hundred year old people don't heal that way.
We live in a time of agnostics, cynics, skeptics, sciences, and "spirituality." We've become so dismissive of the supernatural that many of us dismiss religions as quaint superstitious practices. Some of the practices... Like self flagellation are quite barbaric. Some are quite excessive. Some probably don't serve any purpose at all. Those behaviors alone mean nothing. When they are viewed as part of a belief system, quite often we see things that are inextricable. Would I be tempted to join them? Nope. I have my faith and a way that I worship. What others choose to do freely to themselves of their own volition seems to be an area that is not my purview. As long as they don't impose their hardships on other people or cause harm to their children... I've seen enough that I rarely break stride to acknowledge that I've noticed it.
Most of us who think about it are on a quest to get closer to God and to better understand God. Albeit a Whirling Dervish, a secluded monk, a self-flagellating Shiite, or a burning monk, each of them brings something of themselves in offering to God, for God or to help bring clarity to His will and word. Their passion sometimes frightens the people around them who don't understand why they do what they do.
Some of the photos above depict Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians. Most of them are Christians. Tossing this out as part of a "Bash Muslims" thread isn't working for me.
I don't have to ascribe to, endorse, or support their behaviors. I recognize that there is far more to this than meets the eye. When an old man (100) slipped and fell in front of my father's store, he tore the flesh on his palm badly enough that it exposed the bone on his thumb nearly to the wrist. Dad helped him up and told one of the drivers to take him to the hospital for stitches. The driver later reported that he'd taken the old man home to pray. The old man was a Penitente and didn't believe in doctors. Three days later when dad saw him walking down the street, he stopped the man to inquire about how his injury was doing. The old man looked oddly at dad as if to say, "What?" He held up his hand to reveal a completely healed hand with only a telltale scar remaining. One hundred year old people don't heal that way.
We live in a time of agnostics, cynics, skeptics, sciences, and "spirituality." We've become so dismissive of the supernatural that many of us dismiss religions as quaint superstitious practices. Some of the practices... Like self flagellation are quite barbaric. Some are quite excessive. Some probably don't serve any purpose at all. Those behaviors alone mean nothing. When they are viewed as part of a belief system, quite often we see things that are inextricable. Would I be tempted to join them? Nope. I have my faith and a way that I worship. What others choose to do freely to themselves of their own volition seems to be an area that is not my purview. As long as they don't impose their hardships on other people or cause harm to their children... I've seen enough that I rarely break stride to acknowledge that I've noticed it.
Most of us who think about it are on a quest to get closer to God and to better understand God. Albeit a Whirling Dervish, a secluded monk, a self-flagellating Shiite, or a burning monk, each of them brings something of themselves in offering to God, for God or to help bring clarity to His will and word. Their passion sometimes frightens the people around them who don't understand why they do what they do.
Some of the photos above depict Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians. Most of them are Christians. Tossing this out as part of a "Bash Muslims" thread isn't working for me.
balljoint wrote:
"News break dood,The forums are closing
Gutsky wrote:
So, you don't want to follow the Forum Guidelines anymore for that reason?
Trolling is not allowed on Comcast forums guidlines
balljoint wrote:
"News break dood,The forums are closing
So, you don't want to follow the Forum Guidelines anymore for that reason?
So, you don't want to follow the Forum Guidelines anymore for that reason?
It is interesting to me, too. If they oust the company that has been running them and then come back with a new version of forums... d'ya suppose that we'll all get to start out with a clean slate? At times it does make you want to charge the line and throw all cares to the wind.
schofie wrote:
I gotta admit to not wanting to follow them or really caring any more.
Gutsky wrote:
balljoint wrote:
"News break dood,The forums are closing
So, you don't want to follow the Forum Guidelines anymore for that reason?
Just sayin'.
OldeSpy wrote:
It is interesting to me, too. If they oust the company that has been running them and then come back with a new version of forums... d'ya suppose that we'll all get to start out with a clean slate? At times it does make you want to charge the line and throw all cares to the wind.
schofie wrote:
I gotta admit to not wanting to follow them or really caring any more.
Gutsky wrote:
balljoint wrote:
"News break dood,The forums are closing
So, you don't want to follow the Forum Guidelines anymore for that reason?
Just sayin'.
We have all thrown caution to the wind,we are all rebellious tugs,it is mob frenzy as it gets closer to the end. Who will go out with nasty vulgarities and fist flying ?....
Is this the kind of "meaness" you're referring to?
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balljoint wrote:
Good,need to can all those worthless **bleep**,Do not believe me ,just walk into a post office and see how they treat you ,act like your interfering with there coffee break,kinda like your local DMV.........worthless
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balljoint wrote:
WovenGems wrote:
Other than the one at the top of your head, what is the point?
Your meaness is very hurtful to many on this board,hope it makes you feel better,you have hurt many people since you have been on these forums,may your glass be full one day like mine ,and not half empty as yours is .
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