Kialo requires cookies to work correctly.
Kialo  

Should religious practices that incorporate self-harm be banned?

Perspective
Loading Discussion
 

Self-harming rituals are integral to certain religions.

Pros
Cons
  • In some tribes in Africa, facial scarification is done to
     
    mark
    a tribe member's journey into adulthood.

  • The
     
    Sadhu Babas
    in India perform extreme self-abuse as an attempt to free their inner spirit.

  • In
     
    Buddhist tradition
    , self-immolation and hunger-striking employ the body as a means of resistance.

  •  

    The
     
    "Shia"
    sect of Islam holds the practice of self flagellation as part of a mourning ritual to mark the death of the Prophet's grandson integral to its religious tradition.

  •  

     
    Mortification of the flesh
    has been prevalent in Christianity throughout history.

  •  

    The legality of something is not decided by how integral it is to a religion.

  •  

    Some integral rituals are being adapted in a way which continues tradition but avoids self-harm.

Kialo  
 
Sign up
Log in
Explore
Search
Tour
About
Blog
Careers
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Help Center
Contact Us
Status
Twitter
Facebook
Blog
© Kialo 2019