Pain In Religion Essay
Pain in Religion: Necessary or Needless? Religions share many common characteristics with each other. Whether it is how they pray, dress, eat, or even express religion through art. Looking throughout history, it is easy to find these characteristics and how they are shared between religions that are similar and different. One of these characteristics is the infliction of pain onto oneself to practice their religion. Being in pain brings a religious individual closer to their God and allows them to be hierophant. The Native Maori people of New Zealand inflict pain on themselves through the sacred ritual of “Ta Moko”, or tattooing. These tattoos are on the entire body, but the most noticeable place is the face. A sharp chisel, made of
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Jesus’ crucifixion is another example of pain being used in religion. In the Philippine’s, men are crucifying themselves on Good Friday to give thanks to God . Voluntarily crucifying yourself takes both faith and confidence in your religion. Why inflict so much pain on yourself if not for a good reason – such as a strong belief in your religion? Does the faith and religious belief keep you from feeling the pain, or does it give you the motivation to endure it?
The Catholic Church has encouraged the use of pain in religion in the past, with Pope John Paul XXIII encouraging it himself: “But the faithful must also be encouraged to do outward acts of penance, both to keep their bodies under the strict control of reason and faith, and to make amends for their own and other people's sins.”
Using pain to experience religion can be seen by some as an outrageous act, but by others a brave and heroic act. It can depend on the religion or the geographic area. Some people who practice the same religion in different countries, such as America, see the Philippine men who crucify themselves as “crazy”. The use of pain depends on how you were raised and your specific beliefs about your religion, and whether or not you believe being in pain will allow you to have a deeper understanding of
Jesus’ crucifixion is another example of pain being used in religion. In the Philippine’s, men are crucifying themselves on Good Friday to give thanks to God . Voluntarily crucifying yourself takes both faith and confidence in your religion. Why inflict so much pain on yourself if not for a good reason – such as a strong belief in your religion? Does the faith and religious belief keep you from feeling the pain, or does it give you the motivation to endure it?
The Catholic Church has encouraged the use of pain in religion in the past, with Pope John Paul XXIII encouraging it himself: “But the faithful must also be encouraged to do outward acts of penance, both to keep their bodies under the strict control of reason and faith, and to make amends for their own and other people's sins.”
Using pain to experience religion can be seen by some as an outrageous act, but by others a brave and heroic act. It can depend on the religion or the geographic area. Some people who practice the same religion in different countries, such as America, see the Philippine men who crucify themselves as “crazy”. The use of pain depends on how you were raised and your specific beliefs about your religion, and whether or not you believe being in pain will allow you to have a deeper understanding of