"The Joy Of Pain and Suffering?"

[Archae]

You figure it out...

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]

1. Sounds like a sub title

to a 50 Shades of Gray book . . .

[edhopper]

2. If you read Aquinus

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]

4. Actually if you think about the secular parallels, it's not as messed up as you think.

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]

5. Different

some, including some Popes, enjoyed self inflicted suffering.

And read what Aquinas said about his mothers plight.

[jonno99]

7. But then, you are arguing the exception(s). My guess is that masochists can be found in every

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]

8. I would have to hear the sermon

But the church has always been good at telling people why their suffering is so wonderful.

Mother Teresa was a ace at this.

[jonno99]

10. Agreed. nt

[smirkymonkey]

16. Mother Teresa was the first person I thought of when I saw this.

And also what a huge hypocrite she was.

[X_Digger]

13. It explains "Mother Teresa" and her penchant for letting people suffer. n/t

[edhopper]

14. Sure does

fucked up ideology

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Brought to you by a benevolent God who loves you.

[PeoViejo]

6. Opus Dei comes to mind.

They self-inflict pain, just for the sake of suffering.

[Heeeeers Johnny]

9. Pinhead has a minestry?

[G_j]

11. To be fair

A Buddhist might have written that.

[LiberalAndProud]

12. Kisses from Jesus.

[smirkymonkey]

17. Mother Teresa was either very stupid or very evil.

How in the effing hell is the world being helped by the suffering of poor people?? WTF?

[neverforget]

15. I thought this was about the Republican Presidential candidates

[Ron Green]

18. When we suffer (and we all will) the right thing is

to do it consciously.