Corporal mortification

[[File:Flagellants.png|thumb|right|165px|A 1493 woodcut of two men ''self-flagellating'']]
{{Religion}}
:''Not to be confused with [[Corporal punishment]]''

'''Corporal mortification''' or '''mortification of the flesh''' is the spiritual or unnatural practice of causing pain to one's self through bodily injury.  This is done for  self-exploration and [[spirituality|spiritual growth]], self-sacrifice to the gods or community, or atonement of [[sin]]s.  

Corporal mortification is not intended for [[BDSM|sexual pleasure]], self-harm, beautification, or mere body modification, though those aspects may play a role.

==Methods==
There are various forms of corporal mortification, ranging from simple denial of "earthly pleasures" through [[fasting]], [[celibacy]], or [[teetotalism]]; acts of external pain such as wearing a {{wpl|cilice}} or {{wpl|flagellation||;}} or permanent injuries such as scarification, tattooing, or body piercing.<ref>All the three latter options are of course 
[[abomination]]s
 forbidden to all [[Biblical literalism|biblical literalists]] as per the [[Book of Leviticus]]; tats are completely out, but whether the [[YHWH|Big Guy]] allows scarification or piercings when not done ''"for the dead"'' ({{bible|Leviticus|19|28}}) is less obvious; then again, [[Pascal's wager|why take chances?]]</ref>

==Why would people do this to themselves?==

* Self awareness, focus or growth: Many people who are pursuing a higher understanding of themselves, and believe that their "deeper aspects" (whatever that means) will induce pain as part of this exploration.
* Heightened esoteric experience: So-called states of "higher consciousness" such as [[Out of body experience|out-of-body experiences]], meditative trances, and other altered states can allegedly be achieved or heightened by inducing pain.
* [[Sacrifice]] to a god or community: The shedding of blood, and enduring pain, are often associated with practices like the Lakota Sun Dance, where the goal is a stronger community. Gods, throughout religious history, have demanded sacrifice, including the pain of their followers.
* As an overt (and often competitive) display of faith, devotion, willpower, and possibly [[machismo]].
* The belief that it is healthy (physically, spiritually, or both). In some cases, it actually can be (see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorie_restriction caloric reduction]).
* Who are we to say [[Masochism|they don't like it]]?

===In Abrahamic religions===

The [[Abrahamic religion]]s practice forms of corporal mortification, the most common being fasting before or during certain holidays such as [[Passover]] and [[Eid]]. Giving up certain pleasures such as meat or [[alcohol]] is common for Christians during [[Lent]]; prohibition of alcohol or particular foods altogether are tenets of [[Judaism]] (e.g., [[kosher]] meals), [[Islam]] (see [[halal]]), and [[Mormonism]] (whose practitioners cannot consume alcohol or most caffeinated beverages). Vows of [[celibacy]] among [[Roman Catholic]] [[priest]]s and [[nun]]s are also forms of mortification.

The more extreme sects, such as [[Opus Dei]], practice external mortification as a form of experiencing the pain that [[Jesus]] supposedly experienced during his [[crucifixion]]. Ignoring {{bible|Leviticus|19|28}}, they [[cherry picking|look to]] {{bible|1 Corinthians|9|24}} and {{bible|Colossians|1|24}} to justify their practice.

==Criticism==

[[Karen Armstrong]] claims the corporal mortification that she was subject to while she was [[nun|in a convent]] was tantamount to abuse: 
{{quotebox|But the sisters ran a cruel regime. Armstrong was required to mortify her flesh with whips and wear a spiked chain around her arm. When she spoke out of turn, she claims she was forced to sew at a treadle machine with no needle for a fortnight.<ref>Vanessa Thorpe. "[http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2010/oct/03/profile-karen-armstrong-religion Karen Armstrong: The compassionate face of religion]." ''The Guardian''. 2010 October 2.</ref>}}

One author has suggested the cilice is unhealthy.<ref>Mitchell Stevens. "[http://www.futureofthebook.org/mitchellstephens/archives/2006/05/the_cilice_and.html The Cilice and the Discipline]." ''Without Gods''. 2006 May 19.</ref>

==See also==
*[[BDSM]]
*[[Circumcision]] 
*[[Female genital mutilation]] 
*[[Opus Dei]] noted for Corporal mortification

==External links==
*[http://www.odan.org/corporal_mortification.htm Corporal Mortification in Opus Dei]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{stub|religion}}

[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Christianity]]

Categories: Religion, Christianity