Self-flagellation

Pain and suffering has always been a major part of one’s understanding of religion. Practices that induce pain have been able to transcend many different religions and cultures. While the methods used to inflict this pain may vary, the reasons behind this peculiar ritual seem to be very similar. A common goal of self-flagellation is the desire to emulate a certain prophet. Another main reason for this ritual is the idea that pain causes evil to exit the body. Self-flagellation was often seen as a form of punishment and penance. Despite the gruesome nature of this ritual, many cultures associate it with redemption and purity. While it emerged centuries ago, it is still a ritual that exists today in many parts of the world.

Magdarame (penitents) during Holy Week in the Philippines

The Flagellation refers to the Flagellation of Christ. The practice of mortification of the flesh for religious purposes throughout most of Christian history, especially in Catholic monasteries and convents. Self-flagellation was imposed as a form of punishment as a means of penance for disobedient clergy and laity.[4] In the 13th century, a group of Roman Catholics, known as the Flagellants, took this practice to its extreme ends. For example, it became a way to try to combat the plague through mitigation with the divine. The Flagellants were later condemned by the Roman Catholic Church as a cult in the 14th century because the established church had no other control over the practice than ex-communication. Self-flagellation was not exclusive to Europe. This ritual was found in 16th century Japan. When Jesuit missionaries traveled the world trying to convert people to Christianity, the Japanese proved to be very persuadable. They had a lot of sympathy for the Passion of the Christ, and they readily practiced self-flagellation to show their devotion. The earliest records of self-flagellation practiced by Japanese converts appeared in the year 1555 in the regions of Bungo and Hirado in Kyushu.[5] These Japanese Christians wore crowns of thorns and bore crosses on their backs during the procession, which led to the place they had designated as the Mount of the Cross.[6] This practice also exists in the Philippines. As part of a Lenten ritual called penitensya, hooded penitents whip themselves publicly as they walk.  Through the years, Christianity has formed a permanent tradition of mortification, ranging from self-denial, wearing hairshirts and chains, fasting and self-flagellation all the way to self-castration.[7] Many Chistians use excerpts from the Bible to justify this ritual. For example, some interpreters claim that St. Paul’s statement: ‘I chastise my body’ refers to self-inflicted bodily scourging (1 Corinthians 9:27).[8] There are many prominent Christians who have practiced self-flagellation. Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformer, regularly practiced self-flagellation as a means of mortification of the flesh.[9] Likewise, the Congregationalist writer Sarah Osborn also practiced self-flagellation in order "to remind her of her continued sin, depravity, and vileness in the eyes of God".[10] It became "quite common" for members of the Tractarian movement within the Anglican Communion to practice self-flagellation using a discipline.[11]

Self-flagellation. Penitentes, Sergipe-Brazil, 2002. Photo Guy Veloso

There are many reasons why Christians choose to self-flagellate. One of the main reasons this is done is to emulate the suffering of Christ during his Passion. As Jesus was whipped before his crucifixion, many see whipping themselves as a way to be closer to Jesus and as a reminder of that whipping[12]. Many early Christians believed that in order to be closer to God, you needed to literally suffer through the pain of Christ.[13] The pain also helps people reduce feelings of self-consciousness and individuality. This allows Christians to feel closer to God. Additionally, Paul alluded to inflicting harm on yourself to feel closer to God in both his letter to the Romans and to the Colossians[14]. Self-flagellation is both done in public and in private[15].

Resolution of guilt is another reason why people choose to self-flagellate. Psychological studies have shown that causing pain to yourself makes you feel less guilty. People feel that because they’ve inflicted pain on themselves, they have paid the price for their sins[16]. Additionally, this shows God that you are remorseful for the sin that you have committed[17].

Self-flagellation was also seen as a form of purification, purifying the soul as repentance for any worldly indulgences. Self-flagellation is also used as a punishment on earth in order to avoid punishment in the next life[18]. Self-flagellation was also seen as a way to control the body to only focus on God. By whipping yourself, you would distract yourself from the pleasures of the world and be able to fully focus on worshipping God[19]. Additionally, before Christianity was legalized in the Roman Empire, the ultimate expression of faith was martyrdom. However, once Christianity was legalized, Christians had to endure other forms of suffering in order to be more pious people. While some practiced asceticism, slept on boards, or other forms of suffering, others would self-flagellate[20]. Self-flagellation is also done to thank God for responding to a prayer or to drive evil spirits from the body[21]. Self-flagellation is not very common today because people have discovered how unhealthy the practice can be, and pious Christians have moved towards healthier practices of suffering, like fasting in moderation[22].

There is controversy within the Christian tradition about whether or not self-flagellation should be an allowed practice. Many churches and Christian leaders around the world have condemned the practice, but that is contradicted by the fact that Pope John Paul II was said to self-flagellate. Despite the condemnation, this has not stopped those who want to from participating in the practice. There are still parades in Mexico, the Philippines, and other nations during Holy Week. Devotees will carry one hundred pound crosses and whip themselves on the back with their faces covered to avoid legal consequences in places where the practice is banned[23].

The general word from the Church is that they are not going to stop the people who participate in this practice, but they discourage it. The Church believes that because Jesus already suffered and died for humanity, that humans do not have to suffer in order to be closer to him. However, people still believe that they need to suffer as Jesus did, and continue this practice every year with an audience[24].

Another religion that participates in self-flagellation is Judaism. The Jewish community has practiced self-flagellation as a way to create a high moral standard.[25] Many religions believe in the idea that pain and suffering leads to salvation and purity. During the Middle Ages, Jewish men would practice self-flagellation on the day before Yom Kippur. Passages such as “it shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls” (Leviticus 23:27) were used to justify these actions. They would use whips and strike themselves on the back 39 times.[26] To put this into context, Norman Toby Simms explained, “Understanding what this kind of collective blood-letting means or how it functions in the middle of a civilized society is one thing — a study of the anthropology of culture, a history of religion, a deep-psychological analysis of troubled souls; seeing the way in which it could be used at many levels of conscious and unconscious simulation/dissimulation by diverse groups of people seeking to deny, defer, define and redefine their place in history is another — a study, such as this, with aesthetic, dramatic and witty aims in mind.”[27] Self-flagellation has a lot of cultural significance across a broad range of religious practices.

Zanjerzani in Iran

Much of the Twelver Shia Islam community tries to emulate Imam Husain through self-flagellation in the same ways that the Christians tried to emulate Jesus Christ. This is exhibited through the public performance of matam. The Shia counterpart to a Christian flagellant was called a matamdar. This ritual of matam is meant to reaffirm one’s faith and relationships by creating a deep bond among the participants through their shared religious devotion. Despite the violent nature of this ritual, the love and vulnerability associated with it makes it a fundamentally positive and affirmational ritual performance.[28] Many Shia communities worldwide march in massive parades every year on the Day of Ashura, during the mourning of Muharram, to commemorate the Battle of Karbala and the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. During these parades, devotees hit themselves on the chest or slash themselves with blades on chains called zanjerzani. Though it is uncommon, some Shia communities hit themselves on the back with chains and sharp objects such as knives. This happens in many countries including India, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, United States,[29] and Australia.

Self-flagellation is just as controversial in Islam as it is in Christianity. There was a case in Manchester UK where a Shia family forced their children to self-flagellation, which brought condemnation upon the entire practice. Muslims responded saying that forcing your children to do this is wrong, but the practice as done by a consenting adult should not be condemned as it is essential to their faith[30]. However, many Shia leaders realize that this practice, though only performed during Ashura, is another thing that could give the world a bad view of Muslims. Some leaders have recommended donating blood instead of self-flagellation in order to bleed in remembrance of Hussein’s sacrifice[31].

For the Hindu religion, self-flagellation is generally not common. However, body piercing practices can be seen in Mauritius during the annual Thaipusam festival. This is a celebration of the Hindu god Murugan. During this festival, a Kavadi, essentially a physical burden, is carried by the pilgrim.[32] In the festival of Thaipusam, a ritual known as kavadi is also performed. It ranges from carrying heavy weights uphill to piercing the body, face and tongue with skewers, or dangling from hooks passed through the back and legs. Intense preparation and purification are undertaken for at least 48 days. These include adherence to a vegetarian diet, special daily prayers, sleeping on the floor, abstinence from sex, avoiding all intoxicants, etc., to prepare mind and body for the challenging task. Devotees frequently claim to experience no pain.[33]