Posted on 05/27/2014 7:53:39 AM PDT by Salvation
Featured Term (selected at random:
FLAGELLANTS
Groups of fanatical persons who performed or administered physical penances in public. Though condemned by the popes several times, they always reappeared. Their exaggerated pretensions developed into heresy, particularly in the late Middle Ages. In modern times self-flagellation in private and in moderation is a recognized form of penance and devotion. (Etym. Latin flagellare, to whip, scourge, lash.)
All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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It’s lunacy.
I remember reading that during the outbreaks of Bubonic Plague in the middle ages, these people - many of them already infected - would lash themselves publicly, thereby throwing droplets of blood onto other people, infecting them as well.
Even though the plague spread by infected fleas/rat infestation, those already infected and performing the flagellation helped spread it further.
Sounds like this matter was settled by Paul centuries ago. "These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence." Col. 2:23 Clearly, this is Romanism, today.
If you had not ordered the large chili for lunch you probably would not be suffering from flagellants now.
The flagellants during and after the Black Death often joined into huge bands of thugs raping, robbing, murdering and otherwise “chastising” those they deemed sinful. It got so bad the pope had to ban them altogether.
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