Post by James Blankenship on Apr 29, 2012 10:48:11 GMT -5
Is self flagellation the best way to atone for you misdeeds?
I could not find a decent description in Dictionary.com, so i choose this instead.
(Granted this is talking about Flagellation, but, when "self' is included, it means doing it to yourself, instead of of having it done to you.)
www.medievality.com/flagellation.html
Flagellation (Whipping) (Torture)
Flagellation, or whipping, was very common in Rome. It was still in use during the Middle Ages most notoriously in the army where flagellation was a very common form of punishment.
The British army was very notorious for using flagellation to punish minor offenses. The amount of whipping depended on the victim's crime and it sometimes incurred death.
Many towns had a post in the main plaza for the sole objective of displaying public whippings. Deserters, thieves and traitors were common victims to this torture method. In the High Middle Ages, flagellation became less common due to newer torture methods.
Some authors call whipping "half death" because the amount of people who died from it, caused by an infection, lack of blood or damage to an organ, was a very significant percentage. The whipping generally occurred against the victim's back, but when a more severe crime was committed his chest could be whipped, which was especially dangerous and painful.
There were different types of whips. Some had small metal spikes at the end to inflict more pain. These whips could cause some serious trauma including teared skin, eye damage and even the loss of a vital organ.
Flagellation was greatly associated with slavery. Most masters had a whip at hand in order to punish disobedience. The act of whipping continued well into the past century and reached its peak during the Roman Times. Medieval lords were also especially fond of using this torture method. Some countries still whip as a form of punishment in recent times.
Flagellation, or whipping, was very common in Rome. It was still in use during the Middle Ages most notoriously in the army where flagellation was a very common form of punishment.
The British army was very notorious for using flagellation to punish minor offenses. The amount of whipping depended on the victim's crime and it sometimes incurred death.
Many towns had a post in the main plaza for the sole objective of displaying public whippings. Deserters, thieves and traitors were common victims to this torture method. In the High Middle Ages, flagellation became less common due to newer torture methods.
Some authors call whipping "half death" because the amount of people who died from it, caused by an infection, lack of blood or damage to an organ, was a very significant percentage. The whipping generally occurred against the victim's back, but when a more severe crime was committed his chest could be whipped, which was especially dangerous and painful.
There were different types of whips. Some had small metal spikes at the end to inflict more pain. These whips could cause some serious trauma including teared skin, eye damage and even the loss of a vital organ.
Flagellation was greatly associated with slavery. Most masters had a whip at hand in order to punish disobedience. The act of whipping continued well into the past century and reached its peak during the Roman Times. Medieval lords were also especially fond of using this torture method. Some countries still whip as a form of punishment in recent times.
Now, in the catholic church, there are numerous paintings that show that many followers of this religion, (supposedly), used to do this to themselves.
(Whether this is true or not is debatable)
Indeed, even in modern times, we have this:
articles.cnn.com/2010-01-27/world/pope.flagellate_1_vatican-radio-pope-john-paul-ii-vatican-insider?_s=PM:WORLD
Pope John Paul II used to beat himself with a belt and sleep on a bare floor to bring himself closer to Christ, a book published Wednesday says.
The late pope had a particular belt for self-flagellation and brought it with him to his summer residence, according to the book, "Why he is a Saint: The True story of John Paul II."
"As some members of his own entourage were able to hear with their own ears, both in Poland and in the Vatican, Karol Wojtyla flagellated himself," the book says, using the name the pope was given at birth.
The late pope had a particular belt for self-flagellation and brought it with him to his summer residence, according to the book, "Why he is a Saint: The True story of John Paul II."
"As some members of his own entourage were able to hear with their own ears, both in Poland and in the Vatican, Karol Wojtyla flagellated himself," the book says, using the name the pope was given at birth.
The question I find myself asking is WHY?
Now, I will freely admit, that many of these catholic people MAY have done this to themselves. But even before the Bible was compiled into a single volume, these people were well aware of what Christ Jesus had gone through, because the claimed to believe that it really happened.
Let's look at what actually happened to Christ:
Matthew 27:26 (New American Standard Bible)
26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.
This is a direct fulfillment of the prophecy, that we see here:
Isaiah 53:5
Amplified Bible (AMP)
5But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.
So, I ask again-WHY would ANYONE need to do something like this to themselves?
Christ Jesus took all the punishment that we deserved upon HIMSELF.
There was & is no need to do something like this to ourselves.
It serves no purpose.
James
