Flogging Yourself?

[HotheadKali]

I have two floggers--one store-bought leather one with 36 tails, one handmade with a rope handle and rubber tails (strange materials, but gets the job done and actually feels amazing). While I was packing my stuff to go home today, I was debating whether or not I should bring them with me, which of course led to me testing them on myself for whatever reason.

I ended up beating my back fairly rhythmically for longer than I expected, and now I'm kind of riding a high. It's a different kind of catharsis than having someone else do it, but I feel very...refreshed, I guess. And slightly giggly.

Does anyone else do this?

 

[CutieMouse]

I used to know which Medieval monastic order practiced flagellation [ascetic? Benedictine?], but I can't remember... sigh.

 

[myinnerslut]

I used to know which Medieval monastic order practiced flagellation [ascetic? Benedictine?], but I can't remember... sigh.

the divinci code portrays opus dei as practicing in this way. im not sure how accurate this is

 

[Homburg]

I used to know too. Trying to remember. *grumble*

 

[CutieMouse]

I used to know too. Trying to remember. *grumble*

Ha! I was right!

*does a little happy dance*

Asceticism in the Early Church

 

[Kajira Callista]

catholic priest flog themselves. some catholic people i think in spain walk in the strrets doing it. dont remember why though...and i am too lazy to google.

 

[midwestyankee]

My recollection is that the practice spread from the Ascetics and is still followed by some nutjobs who cling to their floggers and their religion even today.

 

[Kajira Callista]

My recollection is that the practice spread from the Ascetics and is still followed by some nutjobs who cling to their floggers and their religion even today.

do you know why they do it?

 

[midwestyankee]

do you know why they do it?

Self-punishment for their sins, as I understand it.

 

[CutieMouse]

do you know why they do it?

I'm pulling this from memory, but I believe early Ascetic Monks believed that practicing self-flagellation brought them closer to Christ's suffering, and through it [flagellation] they were able to a reach transcendent state in which they were able to closer commune with God.

Modern theories suggest that the flagellants were actually riding an endorphin high; I believe at one point (c15? can't remember what decade) The Church sent down an edict to stop the practice, because the Ascetics were enjoying themselves a bit too much.

 

[midwestyankee]

I'm pulling this from memory, but I believe early Ascetic Monks believed that practicing self-flagellation brought them closer to Christ's suffering, and through it [flagellation] they were able to a reach transcendent state in which they were able to closer commune with God.

Modern theories suggest that the flagellants were actually riding an endorphin high; I believe at one point (c15? can't remember what decade) The Church sent down an edict to stop the practice, because the Ascetics were enjoying themselves a bit too much.

This rings true to me. Not that I'd ever consider joining their ranks, but the Mouse seems to have a good handle on the deal.

 

[Puman]

I'm pulling this from memory, but I believe early Ascetic Monks believed that practicing self-flagellation brought them closer to Christ's suffering, and through it [flagellation] they were able to a reach transcendent state in which they were able to closer commune with God.

Modern theories suggest that the flagellants were actually riding an endorphin high; I believe at one point (c15? can't remember what decade) The Church sent down an edict to stop the practice, because the Ascetics were enjoying themselves a bit too much.

He he. Now that just put a smile on my face for the rest of the day. Thank you CutieMouse.

 

[Kajira Callista]

Self-punishment for their sins, as I understand it.

they believe (the people walking in spain flogging themselves) that suffering like jesus brings you closer to jesus *shrug*

 

[CutieMouse]

This rings true to me. Not that I'd ever consider joining their ranks, but the Mouse seems to have a good handle on the deal.

Once Upon a Time I'd written a synopsis of Medieval Asceticism for a book write up, but I can't find it... sigh...

 

[CutieMouse]

He he. Now that just put a smile on my face for the rest of the day. Thank you CutieMouse.

Seriously - there were people joining monasteries just to wander about begging and flogging themselves while occasionally preaching bits and pieces about Christianity. If I remember correctly, the movement was large enough at one point that it began to impact the Medieval European economy - which (I think) was the point at which The Church stepped in and semi-squashed the movement.

(Dammit now it's going to nag at me until I find those old references again.)

 

[Sir_Winston54]

....

(Dammit now it's going to nag at me until I find those old references again.)

And you call me a dork??? Or are you self-defining here as a geek, instead?

 

[Puman]

Seriously - there were people joining monasteries just to wander about begging and flogging themselves while occasionally preaching bits and pieces about Christianity. If I remember correctly, the movement was large enough at one point that it began to impact the Medieval European economy - which (I think) was the point at which The Church stepped in and semi-squashed the movement.

(Dammit now it's going to nag at me until I find those old references again.)

OMG! That's hilarious.
Another "interesting" catholic/church tale to add to the list...
History would be so dull without them!

 

[CutieMouse]

And you call me a dork??? Or are you self-defining here as a geek, instead?

Knowledge obsessed, thankssomuch.

 

[midwestyankee]

Knowledge obsessed, thankssomuch.

Which is ever so much more attractive than being knowledge challenged.

 

[Homburg]

One of the designs I recall was a brass ring perhaps 3" in diameter with a number (seven I think) of knotted leather cords tied to it. The ring allowed the penant to loop a couple of fingers through the ring and flail away at the body from various angles.

Ugh, I'd go into more details, but I've too many heresies running together in my head, and I'd probably mismatch the details. There were so damned many heresies, pogroms, political cover-ups, etc that I can't keep them apart. It's what I get for studying the theory and philosophy without getting into the juicy scandals enough. And this is the difference between a philosophy major and a theology major. Well, that and the theology guys seemed to party more.

 

[Puman]

One of the designs I recall was a brass ring perhaps 3" in diameter with a number (seven I think) of knotted leather cords tied to it. The ring allowed the penant to loop a couple of fingers through the ring and flail away at the body from various angles.

Ugh, I'd go into more details, but I've too many heresies running together in my head, and I'd probably mismatch the details. There were so damned many heresies, pogroms, political cover-ups, etc that I can't keep them apart. It's what I get for studying the theory and philosophy without getting into the juicy scandals enough. And this is the difference between a philosophy major and a theology major. Well, that and the theology guys seemed to party more.

LOL!
In the country I grew up, the highest percentage of people caught cheating were theology students! And this statistic was maintained from 1986 to 1994, where they were eventually overtaken by the medical students.

 

[unregistered]

 

[WriterDom]

Jesus was flogged with a flagrum. Not a play toy.

I try all my toys out on myself. Except for the single tail. I hit myself enough with it just practicing.

 

[unregistered]