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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums"The Joy Of Pain and Suffering?"
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The Christian Joy of Pain and Suffering
Reader Everett snapped this image of a church sign on Marine Corps Base Hawaii:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/11/23/the-christian-joy-of-pain-and-suffering/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=friendlyatheist_112315UTC051110_daily&utm_content=&spMailingID=50085283&spUserID=MTE4MTY1MzAzMTE5S0&spJobID=803148747&spReportId=ODAzMTQ4NzQ3S0
JustAnotherGen
(31,828 posts)to a 50 Shades of Gray book . . .
edhopper
(33,587 posts)this is a part of the Catholic and other Christian faiths.
it's pretty fucked up if you ask me.
There was a good article by Shadia B. Drury in the last issue of Free Inquiry about this.
jonno99
(2,620 posts)I don't think that Aquinas promotes suffering merely for the sake of suffering, but rather that it is ones' honor to suffer when persecuted for "doing the right thing". Obviously there is debate about what that "right thing" is - and it will be different from one person to the next.
But, consider any protester who has willingly suffered physical abuse at the hands of an oppressive govt. Are they wrong to bear their scars as badges of honor - to revel even in their suffering for the cause?
edhopper
(33,587 posts)some, including some Popes, enjoyed self inflicted suffering.
And read what Aquinas said about his mothers plight.
jonno99
(2,620 posts)people group. But again, most folks can differentiate between masochism (pious grandstanding or mental illness) and real "suffering for the cause" - which is what the sign referenced by the OP is about (imho).
edhopper
(33,587 posts)But the church has always been good at telling people why their suffering is so wonderful.
Mother Teresa was a ace at this.
jonno99
(2,620 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)And also what a huge hypocrite she was.
X_Digger
(18,585 posts)edhopper
(33,587 posts)fucked up ideology
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)PeoViejo
(2,178 posts)They self-inflict pain, just for the sake of suffering.
Heeeeers Johnny
(423 posts)G_j
(40,367 posts)A Buddhist might have written that.
LiberalAndProud
(12,799 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)How in the effing hell is the world being helped by the suffering of poor people?? WTF?
neverforget
(9,436 posts)Ron Green
(9,822 posts)to do it consciously.