Would you do this for your Religion?.

[Lonnie]

I know that in the Middle East, there are Muslims whip themselves into a bloody frenzy, but this is the first i've heard of Christians doing this.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles /news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=447137&in_p age_id=1811

[luna-tic]

We all know Jesus didn't have the monopoly on being crucified and the reasons for anyone being nailed to anything in today's world is extreme but if it makes these particular volunteers feel any better.....mmmm.
What affect must it have on children watching or others of a sensitive nature.
Strange behaviour.

[Clanad]

During travels to Central and South America, I've often seen natives, including old men and women either crawling or walking on their knees for nearly a mile to one shrine or another. In talking with the Catholic priests (sometimes Jesuits but more likely Franciscans) it's seen as a sign of pennance and sometimes discouraged by the Roman Church. It's usually prompted by the sometimes volatile mix of the pre-existing nativistic beliefs (pre-Spanish) and Church's promotion of indulgences during the Conquistadore's invasion.
It's fair to say that the practice was prevalent during the middle ages in Europe as well. De'aubigne writes "...�In the eleventh century voluntary flagellations were super added to these practices; somewhat later they become quite a mania in Italy, which was then in a very disturbed state. Nobles and peasants, old and young, even children of five years of age, whose only covering was a cloth tied round the middle, went in pairs, by hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands, through the towns and villages, visiting the churches in the depth of winter. Armed with scourges, they flogged each other without pity, and the streets resounded with cries and groans that drew tears from all who heard them...�

[Lonnie]

Thanks for your answers,

luna-tic, I quite agree, but I suppose in these societies, they are brought up with it, have you read Clanads answer?.

Clanad, thanks for that most comprehensive and interesting answer, its also in the way of a history lesson,.
Thanks very much,

[naomi24]

I've seen this before. Sad.

[Lonnie]

Hi naomi24, yes, it is sad isn't it, as i said, i knew some Muslims went in for self flagellation, but I didn't know any Christians went in for anything similar, but according to Clanads answer, its been going on at least since the middle ages.

[Whickerman]

Several christian sects fully endorse self flaggelation - the one that made the news recently was the Opus Dei organisation.