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Why do some people cut, pierce, hurt themselves for their religion?


They do not cry out to me from their hearts
    but wail on their beds.
They slash themselves, appealing to their gods
    for grain and new wine,
    but they turn away from me. Hosea 7:14
            Even today, some religions encourage their people to harm themselves physically by putting nails through their hands, hooks into their bodies or self-flagellation.  They believe they should be punished for their sins and pay for that punishment by hurting themselves.
            Jesus took on the pain of our sins on the cross.  He took the nails, the whip beatings, the mocking and abuse so we don’t have to.  There’s no reason to physically punish ourselves.  The debt was paid in full by Jesus who loves you.