self mortification a primitive brutal philosophy

The poor man was indoctrinated into a religion that embraces self mutilation.
The next step up from sacrificing animals for god.
He was a man of great character and resolution just imagine what his accomplishments may have been if he had not been a victim of foolish beliefs . They took his mind away and he never realized it. What a Shame.

Never less I think he was a great man if only he had been allowed to reach his full potential.

A Saint I think not. A advocate of antiquated religion yes.

Peace

http://www.huffingtonpos...flagellate_n_437116.html

http://www.huffingtonpos...ii-whipped_n_367610.html

Maybe he would have attained the heights of your self-satisfaction had not an evil meme possessed him.

Maybe Friend

That is exactly why people should think for themselves and avoid being indoctrinated into any closed belief system.

Peace

Then why do so many cultures do it?

Even Americans do it... we tattoo, brand, there is all sorts of crazy body art.

Hmm...

How about the Maroi of New Zealand's practice of tattooing the face?





Perhaps some see entheogens as a "primitive brutal philosophy"...

Have you ever considered the fact that flagellation can induce spiritual experiences and altered states of mind? I want to say it was Aldous Huxley who noted this in his book "Heaven and Hell", but I may be incorrect.

People have the right to believe whatever they want to believe.

Note- I'm not saying many religions like Christianity don't push their beliefs on other people, they do and I think that is bad... After Jesus died the religion really went to hell

this.

As far as any pope can, that man has my respect. Not because of the lashings, mind you.

Oh! Self-flagellation, sir? Oh! Suit you, sir! Giving yourself twenty lashes tonight, sir? Oh! Suit you, sir!

well self mortification is a very old technique of achieving altered states of consciousness. As long as he is hurting only and not others, I dont see what is the problem. I mean, I wouldnt do it myself and wouldnt recommend for my hypothetical children, I think there are better ways but if the pope or the newspaper seller or anyone else want to practice these things in their own privacy, I dont mind

I suspect what you despise is not Christian, but human in nature. Sheeple read Dawkins and the Bible alike. Philosophers like Søren Kierkegaard might illustrate to you a form of Christian thinking you can at least tolerate, if not admire.

Be careful about judging whatever it is that brings anyone closer to their god. There are plenty of things about the Church and its history that ring more than a little creepy, but who really gives a shit how a person worships? Who is to say what's insane?

Most people would call you insane or worse if you told them you need to hit a basepipe in order to access divinity. Get my point? Show a little tolerance. There's all kinds of ways to get there.

'Sheeple' do a lot of dumb things, regardless of their religious persuasion. It certainly seems that organised religion and enforced dogma leads people to do things, often in the name of their religion, which are harmful to themselves and the world around them. I don't think there's any denying this.

No one said that they despised Christianity did they? People have merely made a point that certain individuals within the Church have commited heinous crimes such as child abuse which has been covered up so as not to damage the reputation of the Church. What Magik Venom said was that people should think for themselves, not blindly accept what the Church says is right. Surely that is a far more logical, safe and productive way to live ones life?

To claim that organised religion does NOT try to tell one what they should and should not do, or think, or say is delusional. Any religion expects it's followers to abide by it's basic principles and dogma, some less strictly than others but there is still the need for certain beliefs to be accepted as true e.g. transubstantiation in Catholicism. When it comes down to it, you follow the words of men who are as flawed and damaged as yourself, believe what they tell you and don't question it. Blind faith will put a bullet in the head of reason.

I respect your right to believe what you choose to believe, but I don't need to agree with you.

^ not all religions have a strict dogma that they follow.

I personally have a problem with religion when:

A) A belief system becomes more important to its followers than the Truth
B) A religion believes that it's way is the only way to reach god. (Have you been saved? Have you taken Jesus Christ to be your personal Lord and savior??)
C) Any belief system uses it's scripture/teachings as a blank check to force people (physically or mentally) to convert to its beliefs.
D) Any religion that kills in the name of thier god.

I am using belief system and religion interchangably here.

I agree Acolon, I was (wrongly) generalizing.

Nail head hit.

The look on this guy's face, is like he's looking in the mirror for the first time, after passing out at a frat-party or something!

Maybe the dude in the other picture was the one who tattooed his face while he was passed out-cold.
He does look a bit guilty....& proud of himself too!

Man....fraternity hazing is just getting obnoxious these days!!
I sure hope he at least got in.






Cheers!
WS

HAAAHAHH WSaged i was thinking the same thing

who cares if someone is intoself mortification if its not hurting you...lots of things we do are not good for us..like getting drunk..same differene.

That's true, I wasn't making any sort of judgement on the act of self-mortification. It's all different horses as far as I'm concerned and, like everything else in life, people can do whatever they want so long as no one gets harmed by their actions.

religious people already hurt their ability to adapt to the fluid nature of social change long ago, when they allowed themselves to be indoctrinated into superstitious dogma

the desperate need to believe in something

i prefer to keep beliefs as open to change as the weather