Why do many Christians think that abuse toward themselves is ok and righteous?

Question

That's something I never understood when I was going to Christian schools growing up. I don't know anyone, even Christian family and friends, who enjoy being tortured or abused. I can't imagine anything that is worth going through that type of thing. Yet the Bible and many churches teach that suffering makes them closer to God. If God is that sadistic, I wouldn't want anything to do with him.

Answer 1

What about that when they abuse others,

Answer 2

winter, Christ didn't enjoy being beaten.
He just warned us, we will go through trials & tribulations, because if the world hated our Lord, they will hate us.
How many times have u read on this site people taking pot shots at Christians, just like u r doing now, who is being sadistic?
U have the right 2 ur opinion, so do I, but I will never say mean things about u.
God loves u He sent His only Son to take ur sins upon Himself.
But that isn't going to give us born again belivers a free ticket to not being mistreated by people like u, U have no problem saying hateful things about my God, I would never do that 2 u, Because that isn't the way God wants us to treat u.
Dear the Bible doesn't teach that suffering will get us closer to God, Paul just says he felt that the suffering he was going thru here on earth would not compare to what God has in store for him in Heaven.
But it must make u & others feel good about shooting down as many people u can, who have never done anything wrong 2 u by all means keep it up.

Answer 3

We in America do not understand what true persecution is. However there are times that we do suffer because of Christ, however I have learned that when I follow the Lord, even if it means people not liking me much, it is worth it. If you were a Christian and desired to follow Him, you would understand what I am saying. No I cannot say that it is enjoyable , however it does draw me closer to Him. Do you what people who are truly persecuted for Christ say- "don't pray so much that the persecution ends , but the Lord helps them endure it"

Answer 4

meh the more you forgive the less you have to worry about :)

but its ok so what if Christianity is the most hated religion its ok...

.... *sarcasm


ever read the Atheist book of martyrs? nope cause it doesn't exist.... but still the atheist are the most outspoken people besides the Muslims and the other minority groups


I honestly believe all the Atheist organizations won't be happy till God is extinct and eliminated from America..

so maybe some eggs have to be broken...

Answer 5

There is a big difference between abusing oneself and experiencing growth through periods of suffering. Suffering does not mean that one abuses oneself, nor does it mean that someone seeks out suffering.

No where does God tell anyone to abuse themselves if they want to be close to Him.

Answer 6

UMMM..........NO?????

God is whomever and whatever one wants Him to be. The Bible is just a book that people over dramatize when truly it is meaningless words written down by some guy who took too many shrooms.

But seriously...God has many forms and not all Christians believe in torture or abuse bringing them closer to God. People will do most anything to believe there is someone who will take care of them in the most frightening point of their lives..........death.

Answer 7

Actually Catholics I believe were the ones that did the self beating and so forth.. No modern Catholics or Christians do this as far as I know. However there are other religions that still teach their followers to hurt themselves.

Answer 8

God isn't sadistic, dear one, but yes, in our suffering, we do grow closer to God because it is then that He comforts us. We have a personal relationship with God that is founded in love. Because of that, I can honestly say that you are missing out on the single, most satisfying relationship that there can possibly be.

God bless!

Answer 9

It's a definite problem spiritually to not realize that suffering in the name of the Gospel is meaningful. What people who preach the Gospel, or live for Christ are doing is telling the truth. They are living for the truth of Jesus Christ. All other things which are contrary to the word of God are not the truth. They are therefore lies. And those who exact punishment on those who tell the truth are wrong, and doing evil.

So suffering for the truth means something to God, even if you don't see it, God sees it. He values those who suffer and stay faithful to the word of God.

I want to show you something. It is from a book written a long time ago. The way the sentences are constructed make it difficult to comprehend. But I find this book VERY valuable, because it tells of such a people who suffered for their faith. They suffered terrible things in the name of God. God won't forget them.

It may be a long pasted text, but I really want you to read it. It affected me when I read it. But only read as much as you want to. I do not put it here to pester you, I put it here so that you might be encouraged to realize that life was rough for these people, and their sacrifices were meaningful.

-------------- ---------------- -------------- ---------------- ---------------
CHAPTER VI
An Account of the Persecutions in Italy, Under the Papacy (Continued)

Further Persecutions in the Valleys of Piedmont, in the Seventeenth Century

Giovanni Pelanchion, for refusing to turn papist, was tied by one leg to the tail of a mule, and dragged through the streets of Lucerne, amidst the acclamations of an inhuman mob, who kept stoning him, and crying out, "He is possessed with the devil, so that, neither stoning, nor dragging him through the streets, will kill him, for the devil keeps him alive." They then took him to the river side, chopped off his head, and left that and his body unburied, upon the bank of the stream.

Magdalen, the daughter of Peter Fontaine, a beautiful child of ten years of age, was ravished and murdered by the soldiers. Another girl of about the same age, they roasted alive at Villa Nova; and a poor woman, hearing that the soldiers were coming toward her house, snatched up the cradle in which her infant son was asleep, and fled toward the woods. The soldiers, however, saw and pursued her; when she lightened herself by putting down the cradle and child, which the soldiers no sooner came to, than they murdered the infant, and continuing the pursuit, found the mother in a cave, where they first ravished, and then cut her to pieces.

Jacob Michelino, chief elder of the church of Bobbio, and several other Protestants, were hung up by means of hooks fixed in their bellies, and left to expire in the most excruciating tortures.

Giovanni Rostagnal, a venerable Protestant, upwards of fourscore years of age, had his nose and ears cut off, and slices cut from the fleshy parts of his body, until he bled to death.

Seven persons, viz. Daniel Seleagio and his wife, Giovanni Durant, Lodwich Durant, Bartholomew Durant, Daniel Revel, and Paul Reynaud, had their mouths stuffed with gunpowder, which being set fire to, their heads were blown to pieces.

Jacob Birone, a schoolmaster of Rorata, for refusing to change his religion, was stripped quite naked; and after having been very indecently exposed, had the nails of his toes and fingers torn off with red-hot pincers, and holes bored through his hands with the point of a dagger. He then had a cord tied round his middle, and was led through the streets with a soldier on each side of him. At every turning the soldier on his right hand side cut a gash in his flesh, and the soldier on his left hand side struck him with a bludgeon, both saying, at the same instant, "Will you go to Mass? will you go to Mass?" He still replied in the negative to these interrogatories, and being at length taken to the bridge, they cut off his head on the balustrades, and threw both that and his body into the river.

Paul Garnier, a very pious Protestant, had his eyes put out, was then flayed alive, and being divided into four parts, his quarters were placed on four of the principal houses of Lucerne. He bore all his sufferings with the most exemplary patience, praised God as long as he could speak, and plainly evinced, what confidence and resignation a good conscience can inspire.
- from Fox's Book of Martyrs

Answer 10

Its because to sacrifice you learn to have a good heart to others.When you experience pain and you endure it and still keeping good to others you will eventually find out the real meaning of contentment and humility.The fruits of the spirit.

Answer 11

Matthew Chapter 5:11 & 44

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.