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[Lucky Forward]

Book: John Paul II used belt to whip himself

VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II whipped himself with a belt, even on vacation, and slept on the floor as acts of penitence and to bring him closer to Christian perfection, according to a new book by the Polish prelate spearheading his sainthood case. The book "Why He's a Saint" also includes previously unpublished speeches and documents written by John Paul, including one 1989 signed memo in which he said he would resign if he became incapacitated.

At a news conference Tuesday, Oder defended John Paul's practice of self-mortification, which some faithful use to remind them of the suffering of Jesus on the cross.

"It's an instrument of Christian perfection," Oder said, responding to questions about how such a practice could be condoned considering Catholic teaching holds that the human body is a gift from God.

In the book, Oder wrote that John Paul frequently denied himself food — especially during the holy season of Lent — and "frequently spent the night on the bare floor," messing up his bed in the morning so he wouldn't draw attention to his act of penitence.

"But it wasn't limited to this. As some members of his close entourage in Poland and in the Vatican were able to hear with their own ears, John Paul flagellated himself. In his armoire, amid all the vestments and hanging on a hanger, was a belt which he used as a whip and which he always brought to Castel Gandolfo," the papal retreat where John Paul vacationed each summer.

While there had long been rumors that John Paul practiced self-mortification, the book provides the first confirmation and concludes John Paul did so as an example of his faith.

 

[BrassMonkey1010]

He was a badass. Best pope ever.

 

[NYR]

Sweet, I have his rookie card, hopefully this raises its value.

 

[uh uh no way]

would've been more interesting if he used it for auto-erotic asphyxiation

 

[i hate bees]

Sounds pretty stupid.

 

[WanderingWind]

This is absolute truth. In no way would somebody ever write something inflammatory about a dead personality in order to sell books.

That weirdo Pope guy.

 

[DKehoe]

Silly Pope

 

[xelios]

Wow. Add this to the list of things (speaking tongues, having visions) that, if done by a non-religious person, would land them in a psychiatric institution to seek treatment, but when done in the name of religion are perfectly logical and admirable.

 

[Count Dookkake]

What a perv.

 

[uh uh no way]

Wow. Yet another example of something that, if done by a non-religious person, would land them in a psychiatric institution to seek treatment (along with speaking tongues, having visions etc.), but when done in the name of religion is perfectly logical and admirable.

this point has never been made before about religion, how new and interesting

 

[bachikarn]

Wow. Yet another example of something that, if done by a non-religious person, would land them in a psychiatric institution to seek treatment (along with speaking tongues, having visions etc.), but when done in the name of religion is perfectly logical and admirable.

I'm not sure if whipping yourself would send you to a mental institution. Nice try though.

 

[xelios]

I'm not sure if whipping yourself would send you to a mental institution. Nice try though.

I'm pretty sure anywhere civilized, people are recommended to seek treatment for self-mutilation and other forms of self abuse. Nice try though.

 

[Count Dookkake]

this point has never been made before about religion, how new and interesting

Be sure to go to a church on Sunday and tell them their message is the same as last week.

 

[SUPREME1]

Dear Lolek, May you rest in peace amongst the angels and in the company of the Lord himself.


10/10

 

[WanderingWind]

Also, most Christian churches don't do the speak in tongues or having visions things anymore.

I've only ever been to one that did, and it was full of freaks.

 

[X26]

Lo ho detto che ero ostinato

 

[Hari Seldon]

Self mortification is kind of frowned on these days by most western bishops. But it still goes on with the hardcore especially in latin america. With the shit the JPII has seen in his life by being in Poland during WWII I don't blame him for being pretty hardcore about it.

But the other things about sleeping on the ground and fasting for lent, that is definitely a bonus to get him into sainthood.

 

[DeathbyVolcano]

John Paul was the man, y'all.

 

[Soul4ger]

I wonder if Benedict XVI posts on GAF.

 

[Ironborn]

this point has never been made before about religion, how new and interesting

if this point has been made so often, surely you have some arguments to counter this common and so very silly claim? :lol

 

[WanderingWind]

if this point has been made so often, surely you have some arguments to counter this common and so very silly claim? :lol

You may want to actually read the thread before you're banned.

 

[uh uh no way]

if this point has been made so often, surely you have some arguments to counter this claim? :lol

it's not that I disagree or that I'm religious. For some reason, I just feel like stating these things is pointing out the obvious nowadays and is more of a "look how astute and forward-thinking I am, internet!" comment. (although with this particular claim, I doubt whipping yourself every so often or even speaking in tongues would get you admitted. Unless you're a teen and your parents do it.)

 

[soco]

wow. that's hot.

 

[xelios]

(although with this particular claim, I doubt whipping yourself every so often or even speaking in tongues would get you admitted. Unless you're a teen and your parents do it.)

Though it'd certainly not be seen as a virtue outside of religion.

 

[SUPREME1]

Though it'd certainly not be seen as a virtue outside of religion.

So what? Why does that bother you so?


It's done within the context of religion as a sacrifice of sorts... It's seen as a virtue within the context of religion... so again, why does that bother you so? Why the fixation?

 

[levious]

everyone has a fetish...

 

[Sriffat]

first thing which came to my mind

 

[SpacLock]

first thing which came to my mind

http://z.about.com/d/movies/1/0/F/Q/8/davinci02140607.jpg

Same here. That guy was fucking weird.

 

[nemesun]

Alot of Pope news for one day if I may say, is Gaf recently subscribed to Vatican daily by any chance?

 

[krypt0nian]

From this to Heaven's Gate Nikes and purple cloths is like 3 steps.

 

[DevelopmentArrested]

Remember how Mother Theresa would make people suffer to not giving them proper medication and tying disabled people to trees because it got them closer to their deity?

 

[RiZ III]

first thing which came to my mind

http://z.about.com/d/movies/1/0/F/Q/8/davinci02140607.jpg

Same here :lol

 

[highroller]

first thing which came to my mind

Yep, was actually wondering if the book referenced by the OP was written by Dan Brown

 

[infinityBCRT]

first thing which came to my mind

Same here. :lol

 

[Rapstah]

Only he probably did this before Angels and Demons was even written.

 

[DeadTrees]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbt30UnzRWw

 

[levious]

Yep, was actually wondering if the book referenced by the OP was written by Dan Brown

Brown didn't invent Opus Dei

 

[blame space]

Be sure to go to a church on Sunday and tell them their message is the same as last week.

:lol

 

[Vennt]

this point has never been made before about religion, how new and interesting

Note: Before sticking your head up above the others here, make sure you were not previously permabanned, right MamesJ?

 

[SUPREME1]

Note: Before sticking your head up above the others here, make sure you were not previously permabanned, right MamesJ?

MEGATON.

 

[Ironborn]

it's not that I disagree or that I'm religious. For some reason, I just feel like stating these things is pointing out the obvious nowadays and is more of a "look how astute and forward-thinking I am, internet!" comment. (although with this particular claim, I doubt whipping yourself every so often or even speaking in tongues would get you admitted. Unless you're a teen and your parents do it.)

yeah, if you put it that way, i guess it kinda is like beating a dead horse

You may want to actually read the thread before you're banned.

i read the OP, but that doesn't mean i have to make a reference to it in my post.
with that said, i am kinda surprised, because john paul II wasn't nearly as backwards as some of his comrades...

edit:

Note: Before sticking your head up above the others here, make sure you were not previously permabanned, right MamesJ?

what a tweest! :lol

 

[Leunam]

Note: Before sticking your head up above the others here, make sure you were not previously permabanned, right MamesJ?

:lol

 

[yacobod]

JPII was the man

 

[WanderingWind]

Note: Before sticking your head up above the others here, make sure you were not previously permabanned, right MamesJ?

As a general rule, I don't quote mods. But this was funny.

 

[xelios]

So what? Why does that bother you so?

It's done within the context of religion as a sacrifice of sorts... It's seen as a virtue within the context of religion... so again, why does that bother you so? Why the fixation?

The idea of things which are considered unacceptable in secular society becoming justified in the context of religion, because they're done to garner favor from God, is unsettling to me. I keep up with current events and have some knowledge of history, so I know what people do to themselves and others to earn God's love. Not just beating themselves, but blowing themselves up, mutilating themselves, real sacrifices--not just ones of sorts--among other things.

Things that in secular society are considered disturbing, and even in religious society considered disturbing in other cultures even though they're done for the same reasons (Africa for instance). Admittedly most of the time much worse than a pope beating the crap out of himself, but with the Catholic Church having one billion followers I find it disturbing for anyone to suggest something like this puts you closer to God.

No one said you have to agree with my opinion.

 

[Kurtofan]

Am I the only one who read the title as" John Paul II used belt to wipe himself "
What an awful thing to imagine.

 

[BitchTits]

Kinky.

 

[SoulPlaya]

Alot of Pope news for one day if I may say, is Gaf recently subscribed to Vatican daily by any chance?

What's the other news?

 

[RSTEIN]

MEGATON.

HOLY SHIT :lol :lol :lol

 

[Shiggy]

first thing which came to my mind

That was the image I was looking for :lol