religious ceremony in the city of Karbala, south of Baghdad. (AFP/Ahmad al-Rubaye)
Posted on 02/08/2006 9:32:41 AM PST by dead
It's real blood. A lot of them slit their foreheads because it's a good bloodletting spot and the blood runs down their faces and onto their chests. They also beat their backs with the self-flagellating device. Sick, huh?
It's to atone for the Shiite murder of some prophet related to Mohammad, I believe. I can check that when I talk to the Iraqis tomorrow.
Maybe they are getting ready to hack off her clitoris without anesthetics.
FMG isn't that common in Iraq and the upper regions....
It's more common in West Africa (Somalia) and lower class regions of Eygpt etc.
It's a disgusting practice...but, it's not 'religious' based as much as it's culturally based.
So what?
Fascinating, Captain. And Baal worshippers were intoshild sacrifice and child sexual abuse, also abuse of women, Temple Prostitutes, sacred groves, that sort of thing. So, it should be no surprise that Mo took a nine year old as a slave err... wife.
I have seen the bloody flagellation march on TV, at least on Fox.
I heard they largely do it for tourist money. And they don't enslave their females.
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~millado/flagellationfolder/flagellation2.html
I read once that in Iraq if you smell a clean person (soap and shampoo) hit the deck because the only time they bathe is when they're getting ready to go meet the virgins. (That would be a good movie title.)
They had an album called Let It Bleed, was there a single with the same name?
I don't see how the words of Pope John XXII can be construed to mean self-flagellation:
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.
"Outward acts of penance" does not necessarily mean beating yourself.
The catechism of the Catholic Church states: “The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle. Spiritual progress entails the ascesis and mortification that gradually lead to living in the peace and joy of the Beatitudes”
The definition of "mortification" in Webster's Dictionary: "the control of physical desires and passions by self-denial, such as fasting."
Not exactly the same as whipping yourself - is it?
Pope Paul VI:
“The necessity of mortification of the flesh stands clearly revealed if we consider the fragility of our nature, in which, since Adam’s sin, flesh and spirit have contrasting desires. This exercise of bodily mortification — far removed from any form of stoicism — does not imply a condemnation of the flesh which the Son of God deigned to assume. On the contrary, mortification aims at the 'liberation' of man.”
Again - read the definition of "mortification" - it does NOT mean beating oneself.
People and a couple centuries, always seem to screw things up.
Slit their foreheads!! Isn't that what they do in pro wrestling too?
I guess it all depends on how far one takes the concept of self-inflicted suffering. It seems there are zealots in all religions.
ping
[30] And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.
[31] And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
[32] And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
[33] And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.
[34] And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.
[35] And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.
[36] And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
[37] Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
[38] Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
[39] And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.
The little girl is adorable...that's why it really hurts me when I realize she'll probably grow up not knowing the TRUE God, the God of the Bible, the God that offers His salvation ONLY through Jesus Christ.
The "addiction" of Islam is like any other addiction---you must have more and more and more to feel the high. Since Islam is based on a lie, its followers must try harder and harder to insure their "salvation" (although Muslims don't believe in salvation as a Christian would). While only Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness in one's heart, Islam leaves its followers constantly trying to attain that feeling of "completion". It's a vicious, never-ending cycle.
Sorry for the rambling but seeing that beautiful little girl made me realize how much work the Christian world has to do.
Brian
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.