Asceticism

[Mzor203]

The ascetics of ancient times gave up almost everything, the comfort of their homes, money, luxuries, sexual pleasure, etc. to pursue a more holy life. There were different groups of ascetics, some who foraged out in the desert, living in without shelter, and holding many long fasts, others who sat atop of poles for days and months on end. All forms were challenging in body in one way or another, all in the pursuit of becoming closer to God.

There are very few like that around today, and now anyone who partakes in such activities are called "loony" or something to that effect. But it sure happened in the past, and was popular and looked upon with respect in those days.

Which brings me to the question. Do you think that these people really did this to become closer to God and further their holiness? Or were they just attention seekers. Those were the days when people actively tried to get themselves martyred just for the sake of holiness.

And do you think that deserting everything, friends, their government, country, etc. was justified, seeing as it was for their own purpose of becoming more holy and closely linked to God that they did this?

Finally, why do you think it's looked on worse today than it was in the past?

Watch this go flying right over everyone's heads. :P But seriously, this is a topic that has and does interest me.

[Zephyr]

I have no doubt that it was in pursuit of being closer to God.
People back then took religion MUCH more seriously than we do today.
As long as they were doing it for themselves, for self-enrichment, I believe that it's okay.
It's what they believe in, so why stop them as long as it isn't harming themselves or others?
Today people are arn't as into religion as they were, so of course they're going to judge these people harshly as it's such an uncommon practice now.
We've grown up in a society that shuns things that are different,
So it's just how people are used to reacting to things that seem 'odd'.


I can't really answer on the part of becoming closer to God or not,
As I'm an Atheist,
But I imagine that this practice made them feel closer to God due to their sacrafices.

[trn19]

I really like and admire these people. I wish I was like them. Except for all the religious stuff.

[Sage]

Ever seen the shaolin monks? They're fucking insane. I mean that in a good way. And yeah. Religion isn't taken as seriously as it once was. Or maybe it is, just in a more... "normal" way, as in, not doing such amazing things. I kinda admire people who can do that stuff, as long as they aren't all preachy or self-righteous about it.

[Mannequin]

I'm going with closer to God. Doing it for attention and holiness is rather bizarre when it was so commonly practiced by the ascetics.