Did flagellants whipping themselves lead to their ultimate death?

Question

What were their beliefs?
Did they help cause the Black Death in medieval times?

Answer 1

The Black Death (bubonic plague) was caused by a parasite found on fleas. People flagellating themselves had nothing to do with it.

There may have been some people who may have died from complications of flagellation — infection, too much blood loss, etc.

People flagellated themselves to honor Christ's walk to the cross, when he was beaten by soldiers. It also is to show that the spirit is stronger than the flesh, and that pain is transitory and can be overcome if the spirit is strong enough.

Here's a Web site that may help you learn more

Answer 2

Good hygiene would have prevented the plague, simple soap and water to wash away flea casings, but soap was not readily available. Bathing occurred only several times a year.

Flagellation still occurs today when certain holy days in parts of the Middle East occur. The flagellants are primarily young men who carry small whips, similar to what a jockey uses on a horse. Death could occur from infection, but not from the whip itself. Serious scarring can occur when small metal balls are attached to the tips of the whip.

Answer 3

The actual act of "whipping" did not cause death. Although if open wounds got infected they could have died from that.

The flagellants were Christans who believed that the church had become lax, well not necessarily the church but Christians. The plague, which was cause by flea bites as they jumped from rats to humans, was the proof that God was punishing us. The flagellants believed through their piety they would save the world by showing God what good Christians they were.

Answer 4

The answer to the first question is NO
They were and ARE Christian, Or at least the ones that I have heard of are Christian. They are purging their bodies of sin of the flesh.It is an extreme form of penance. It is called mortification. Usually found in believers of Catholic faith but may not be limited to Catholics. In the Catholic church members of the group called Opus Dei will be most likely to be flagellants.
The answer to the third question is also NO. The Black Death was caused by the Bubonic Plague, more than likely fleas carried by rats on ships. Then the infected rats left the ships at various harbors and spread.the infection around the harbor towns.