Are you Whipping yourself for God????
By bird123
@bird123 (10643)
United States
January 29, 2010 11:41pm CST
I read a report the other day that Pope John Paul 2 would whip himself with a belt. The article said that he did this in an attempt at becoming a saint. I guess the idea was that saints have to suffer and to become one, a person must suffer. Are you whipping yourself for God????
If you are one who is accepting and never question your religion, this is a good lesson for you. Here we have the leader of the largest christian denomination whipping himself for God. Doesn't this sound strange to you?? Religion can cause lots of wayward thinking, now can't it??
Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees. Sure great holy people suffer but that isn't the point. The point is they accomplish great things. They get results as it were. There are wonderful souls even today that go through great adversity in order that someone will learn, grow, and understand. Are we to value the suffering or the results?? We all have the power to choose what we deem important in this world.The adversity, discomfort or problems mean nothing to me. It's the lives I touch with my love, kindness that really count. It's the knowledge we share through our interaction that is important. You can whip yourself if you choose but it isn't what God wants. THINK!! God wants His children intelligent, loving and kind. We can all work on this together. Sometimes we can be our own worse enemy. Let's stop doing that today and walk toward the Light, the Unconditional Love that is truly God.
1 person likes this
9 responses
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Mar 10
Hi bird, I had not heard of this about Pope John Paul II but many catholics believe that suffering is necessary not just for Sainthood,but in order to become more like Christ. Since Christ suffered so much for us, it is taught that we should gladly suffer too. This idea of self inflicted suffering is common in some countries and most of us have heard of people having themselves nailed to a cross on Good Friday. I see nothing good or useful in this idea and feel that the church needs to discourage this sort of thing. You are right in your summation that we should all walk towards the light, the unconditional love that is truly God. Blessings.
@bird123 (10643)
• United States
27 Mar 10
Hi Pose123. Religion and people can come up with some strange ideas.Lots just like to watch.I know you are like me. When we see it, we at least attempt to point them in the right direction.Seems even religious leaders aren't immune to ideas. I bet few around him questioned the pope like they should have. Maybe just the right question might have cleared his way of thinking. Thanks for stopping by with your comments!!
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
31 Jan 10
I'm not a Catholic and don't understand their ways. It seems they think works is the way to salvation even though the Bible says in Ephesians 2:8 & 9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast." NIV.
Some people might think whipping themselves is a noble gesture, worthy of sainthood. I think it's stupid. There are many who have risked their lives in order to tell others about the good news of Jesus Christ. Those are the ones who should be considered for sainthood, not someone who whips himself in the hopes of becoming a saint.
@coolcoder (2018)
• United States
30 Jan 10
Yes, people have to suffer. As for what you're referring to, it's called "scourging," and no, it doesn't sound strange to me at all. This might sound hard to believe, but suffering does have merits to it. Do you think Christ's Passion was a cake walk? He Himself said that "The servant is not above the master," meaning that if he had to suffer, then we as His disciples would suffer as well. Self-mortification in any form--it doesn't have to be scourging--is essential to the Christian walk. Christians have to die to self so that they may live for Christ.
Religion can cause lots of wayward thinking, now can't it??
If you don't understand the premise of true Christian living, it's easy to think this way.
Are we to value the suffering or the results??
Suffering has meritorial value, so we should value it along with valuing the results.
You can whip yourself if you choose but it isn't what God wants.
Self-mortification can come in other forms besides scourging. It can come in the form of fasting and abstinence, either from food, but perhaps from other things as well.
@bird123 (10643)
• United States
30 Jan 10
If I suffer then all must suffer!! Isn't this MAN!!!Sure, adversity is needed in the learning,teaching,growing process however needless suffering is all man made. It comes solely from a lack of understanding what God is all about. Thanks for your comments!!
@vinslounge (1295)
• India
30 Jan 10
No I never do that. I follow Hinduism and it is entirely a different religion. Reer Wikipedia for reading more about it. It is the oldest religion in the world and its practised in India
@coolcoder (2018)
• United States
30 Jan 10
You might find this interesting.
http://davesterrett.com/?p=69
@jb78000 (15139)
•
30 Jan 10
someone trying to become a saint seems to be completely missing the point. i can, sort of, understand somebody doing a kind of penance but deliberately trying to become a saint sounds like somebody trying to get a promotion. i am not religious in this way but it seems to be a saint is somebody with qualities that do not include trying to work their way up the ladder.
@bird123 (10643)
• United States
30 Jan 10
It does seem that ambition was involved. I guess it's not enough being pope. You are right. Being famous and important isn't what these great saintly people want. It sometimes ends up being part of the results. Good point. Thanks for your comments!!
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
30 Jan 10
Sometimes we can be our own worse enemy….very well said, indeed mankind is its worst enemies with all the religious rites and rituals and myths and dogma. We are supposed to be the most intelligent on the earth and with the kind of progress science and knowledge has made, one would think that self-flagellation for religion should be a medieval concept, yet its still very much there...more open in some communities like the Shia Muslims, behind closed doors in others. Yet, I’d heard of the very interesting anecdote of a Hindu sadhu rolling on burning hot sand so that his inner demons of lust and ego get burnt…hmmm, no idea if this works, personally I feel it’s a sign of weak mind and lack of resoluteness. If I must follow the path of renunciation and salvation then it should come from within…self whipping or inflicting any kind of physical pain to purify the soul? I wont do it, rather I’d spend the same energy on helping God’s children!
@mlno054321 (212)
• Philippines
30 Jan 10
for me i have no idea on about religion because for me that is bored to do, like visiting the church , i wont do that praying in a church , and also paup john paul it so bored for me.
@Markrmorris2 (44)
• United States
30 Jan 10
Bird
While I appreciate your zeal I'm not sure what you are suggesting. Are you saying that you believe Christian are flagellating (self mutilation or beating) themselves in great numbers, and if so should stop? If so I agree. However scripture tells us that Christ was made perfect through the things he suffered. I know that I rarely gain any lasting insight into my journey to become more Christ like on sunny happy days. It is in the midst of trial that God forges the metal needed to ultimately change lives. I think most people would agree that we all learn more from adversity than times of ease. Be careful that in saying people should not intentionally lunge themselves into pain in an effort to serve God, you don't end up advocating running away or hiding from the tough things in life.
