Weird Religious Beliefs

Almost every religion includes beliefs and practices that can seem weird to outsiders. The examples in the following list come from all over the world and involve many different religions and faiths.

1. The Temple of Rats

     Everyday about 20,000 rats roam through the Karni Mata temple, which is located in the city of Deshnoke in northwestern India. These rats are believed to be re-incarnations of certain dead people who will eventually be reborn as higher life forms. The rats can move freely throughout the entire temple complex, and they are always provided with all the food they can eat, including milk and special sweets. Visitors must remove their shoes and let the rodents run across their feet.

     The temple is dedicated to a 15th-century female sage named Karni Mata, who is now considered to have been an incarnation of the Hindu goddess Durga. The temple complex is mostly made of marble, but has some gold and silver decorations. A small shrine inside the inner temple may have been built about 600 years ago by Karni Mata herself.

     The vast majority of the rats are brown, but occasionally a white rat is seen. Some people say that four white rats live in the temple, and that they are incarnations of the four brothers of Karni Mata. The brown rats are thought to be incarnations of her descendants, relatives, and most devoted followers.

     This photo shows a group of the rats that live in the Karni Mata temple. Some visitors to the temple are afraid of the rats, but the animals are accustomed to the presence of humans and seldom bite anyone.

2. Jivaro Head Shrinkers

     Up until recent times, warriors of the Jivaro people of South America would cut off the head of a slain enemy and then shrink it down to a much smaller size. The warriors believed that this would trap the soul of the dead enemy inside the shrunken head and prevent it from taking revenge against the killer. For additional protection against attempts at revenge, the head would be soaked in a sacred liquid that would remove all hate from the trapped spirit and transform it into the supernatural slave of the warrior. The shrunken heads were displayed as trophies and used in religious rituals that celebrated the past victories of the tribe.

     According to scientists, the first step in shrinking a head is to remove the skull, bones, brain, and facial fat. The remaining skin and attached flesh is then shrunk by boiling it in a brew of special jungle herbs. After drying, it is wrapped around a small clay or wooden ball and molded into the proper shape. The outer surface is then coated with charcoal ash, because the Jivaro believe that this forms a supernatural barrier which prevents the trapped spirit from getting out.

     The Jivaro tribes live in a remote section of the Amazon rain forest of South America. Because of their ferocity and independent spirit, they have been less affected by outside influences than most other native peoples in the region. However, recent reports indicate that they no longer practice head-hunting and head-shrinking. Most of the shrunken heads sold in regional tourist shops are either replicas or fakes.

     Note: Members of most Jivaro tribes call themselves "Shuar" and resent the use of the name "Jivaro", which is of Spanish origin. However, many books and articles still use the word "Jivaro".

     This is a photo of a shrunken head.

3. The Black Stone of Mecca

     According to Islamic traditions, the Black Stone of Mecca fell directly from heaven thousands of years ago. The traditions also say that the stone has the power to cleanse a person of his sins by absorbing them into itself. In fact, some Muslims believe that the stone was originally a pure white color, but that it has gradually turned black because of all the sins it has absorbed since it fell.

     The stone is roughly oval in shape with an average thickness of about 10 inches [25 centimeters]. It is probably either a meteorite, a piece of volcanic lava, a chunk of agate, or a fragment of glass created by the impact of a meteorite. It was broken into a number of pieces at some point in the past, perhaps accidentally, or possibly during an attempt to destroy it. What survives now is an assemblage of pieces held together by an external frame. This assemblage is embedded in a corner of an ancient structure called the Kaaba, which is located in the courtyard of the Sacred Mosque of Mecca.

     The exposed surface of the stone has been polished smooth by the hands of millions of Muslim pilgrims, who try to touch it, or even kiss it, during their visits to Mecca. All Muslims hope to make at least one pilgrimage to the city, and during a visit they are supposed to walk around the Kaaba seven times and touch or kiss the stone each time they pass it. But usually the crowd around the Kaaba is so dense that most pilgrims can't get near the stone, and they have to be satisfied with merely pointing toward it.

     According to the traditions about the stone, it fell from heaven to show Adam and Eve, who had left the Garden of Eden, where they should build an altar. The location of this altar was submerged during Noah's flood, but the stone remained at the original site and was eventually found by the Hebrew patriarch Abraham during a trip to Arabia. After he found the stone, Abraham told his son Ishmael to build a temple at the location, and this temple was the original Kaaba. Later, when the structure was remodeled, the stone was embedded in one of its corners. Some people believe that the stone originally had a gleaming white color, but that it has been made black by the sins it has absorbed.

     Muslim believers consider the Kaaba to be the spiritual center of the Islamic world, and they always bow in its direction when they pray. Along with the Sacred Mosque of Mecca, it is annually visited by more pilgrims than any other religious site in the world.

4. Christian Snake Handlers

     The worship services of some American pentecostal churches regularly include a ritual called snake handling, in which members of the congregation pick up poisonous snakes, often raising them into the air and sometimes even allowing them to crawl on their bodies. The most commonly-used types of snake are rattlesnakes and copperheads, both of which can be caught wild in the forests of the southern United States. Participation in the ritual is voluntary, and some worshipers may remain in their seats and just watch. In addition to snake handling, the services normally include praying, singing, and speaking in tongues.

     Members of these churches believe that snakes are demons in bodily form, and that handling them demonstrates God's power to protect true believers from the forces of evil. Unfortunately, more than 100 deaths from snakebites in religious services have been documented in the United States. As a result of these deaths, six southeastern states have passed laws against snake handling. But this hasn't stopped the practice, because most of the churches are located in remote rural areas where people tend to live by their own rules. Many of the bitten people believe that God will heal them and don't seek medical help, so that some cases may not be reported.

     Snake handlers say that they are following instructions from the bible, particularly a verse at Mark 16:18 which says that believers "shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them" [King James Version]. In fact, in addition to snake handling, some members of these churches regularly drink poison (usually strychnine) during worship services. If someone is bitten by a snake, or gets sick from poison, other church members may attribute it to the person's lack of faith and failure to receive the Holy Spirit.

     The total number of these cult-like churches isn't known, but is probably less than 100 congregations. Many of them require their members to follow strict dress codes, including the stipulation that women must not use any cosmetics and must always wear ankle-length dresses. Most of the ministers also preach against the use of alcohol and tobacco.

     Some ministers and church leaders own small collections of snakes which they keep in cages at their homes and carry to the services in small boxes. The snakes are not drugged before they are handled.

     This photograph was taken during a church service in which snakes were handled.

5. Hungry Ghosts

     One notable aspect of Buddhism is the unusual role played by strange creatures called Hungry Ghosts. These are phantom-like creatures, only half-alive, who are constantly tormented by an intense hunger. Their bodies are so starved that their arms and legs have shriveled down to mere skin and bone. But they can't eat anything, because their mouths are the size of a pin hole, and their necks are extremely long and thin. The only part of their bodies that isn't thin is the huge bloated belly. But this belly is always empty, and because it is so big, it produces intense hunger pains.

     Buddhists believe that a very greedy man will be punished in his next incarnation by being reborn as a Hungry Ghost. This punishment can result from various kinds of greed, such as a gluttonous appetite for expensive food and drink, or an obsessive lust for money and power, or a hedonistic quest for sensual pleasures. Harmful emotions such as anger and hate can also cause a person to be reborn as a Hungry Ghost. But in Buddhism no punishment lasts forever, and after a Hungry Ghost has endured enough suffering, it will be reborn into another life form.

     Hungry Ghosts live in a kind of shadow world that is sometimes described as a hidden reality. Because they live in this hidden realm, they normally can't be seen by humans. However, some sources say that they can become momentarily visible under certain circumstances. They have supposedly been seen trying to nibble on corpses, or wandering around in deserts and waste places.

     Note: Beliefs about Hungry Ghosts vary slightly from one region to another. Also, imaginary beings that resemble Hungry Ghosts can be found in several other religions besides Buddhism.

     This depiction of a Hungry Ghost was copied from a 12th-century scroll. Lack of food has caused its arms and legs to shrink down to nothing but skin and bone. But its belly has remained very large despite being empty.

6. The Giant Flying Head

     The Iroquois Indians of the eastern United States have legends about a strange creature called the Flying Head. According to the legends, this creature originated from a head that was chopped from the body of an ancient tribal chief and thrown into a lake. Somehow this chopped-off head was transformed into a giant flying head more than six feet tall, with eyes made of fire, and fangs as sharp as needles. It flew by means of its long flowing hair which could spread out like wings to catch the wind.

     The Flying Head would descend from the sky at night and devour both humans and animals. Although it was just a head without a body, it was still big enough to eat enormous amounts of meat. The people of the region were so terrified that many of them packed up their belongings and moved to other areas. But finally the monstrous head left the region and was never seen again.

7. Devil Worship

     Almost everyone has noticed that evil people often have great success in life, whereas many good people suffer terrible misfortunes. One common explanation for this injustice is that it is the work of the Devil. In fact, one of Satan's favorite activities is to bring pain and suffering to a good person. He also likes to help evil people become successful. With his assistance, even a weak inferior person can gain great wealth and power.

     Many people have wondered why God allows Satan to carry out his evil activities. Fortunately the fiend won't be able to keep causing harm forever, because the bible says that he will eventually be brought to justice and punished with eternal torment in hell. But in the meantime he has already enjoyed thousands of years of freedom, and during that time has brought misery and suffering to millions of human beings. Because he has so much influence over what happens in the world, he can appear to be very powerful. Evil people often notice his apparent power and begin worshiping him in hopes of getting his help.

     Black Mass. Some people worship him secretly, but others prefer to participate in some form of organized satanism. One example of organized worship is a service called a Black Mass, which is usually held in a large room decorated to resemble the nave of a church. During the service people shout obscenities at God, curse Jesus, and act out a parody of the Holy Communion. They may also worship a black cat under the pretense that it is the Devil in disguise.

     Witches' Sabbat. Another form of devil worship, said to be practiced by witches, supposedly takes place at a meeting called a Sabbat. Most descriptions of these Sabbats say that they begin at midnight at a secret location in the countryside. Purported activities include dancing naked around a fire, trampling on a cross, drinking human blood, and sacrificing newborn babies on an altar. According to some accounts, the Devil himself comes to many of these gatherings, often appearing in the form of a horned goat. Demons may also be present. The festivities usually culminate in a lewd orgy before finally ending at dawn.

     Modern Satanism. In modern times some new groups of "Satanists" have appeared, especially in the United States. These groups have names such as the Church of Satan, the Temple of Set, and the First Satanic Church. Each group has its own beliefs and performs its own special rituals. However, members of several groups claim that they don't actually worship Satan, but simply admire him for having the courage to openly defy God. In truth, many people in modern societies are secretly attracted to the dark side of life that Satan represents.

     Note: Contrary to what many believe, modern Wiccans do not worship the Devil, and most of them doubt that he even exists.

     This painting by the 19th-century artist Ary Scheffer shows the Devil with Jesus on the top of a mountain. Their trip to the top of this mountain is described in the bible in a passage at Matthew 4:8-10. As they stood on the summit, Satan tried to get Jesus to worship him. Of course Jesus refused. But although the fiend failed in this case, many of his other efforts to get worshipers have succeeded.

The Rope to Heaven

     The Dagba people of central Africa believe that a glowing rope once dangled down from heaven to the surface of the earth. Humans could climb the rope to the upper realm and socialize with the gods who lived there. But the gods eventually got irritated because people kept asking them for favors and complaining about the hardships of life down below. The gods finally became so annoyed that they destroyed the rope and scattered the pieces across the sky. The remains of these pieces can still be seen, but they are now known as the Milky Way.

8. The Devil's Mark

     During the era of the witch trials, the body of a suspected witch would often be searched for a suspicious-looking mole, wart, scar, or skin blemish called a Devil's Mark. Many Christians believed that such a mark was placed on a witch's body by Satan after she pledged herself to him. If the examiners of a suspected witch found a possible devil's mark on her, this was regarded as strong evidence of her guilt. Usually the next step was to torture her until she confessed, and then tie her to a wooden stake and burn her to death.

     There were various theories about how the Devil created his mark. Some people believed that it appeared when he licked a woman's skin with his tongue. Others said that he raked his claw across her flesh, or burned it with a hot iron, or created a special kind of tattoo. These differing theories suggest that the marks didn't have a consistent appearance, but could take various shapes, forms, and colors. As a result, the examiners usually relied on their own judgment when trying to identify possible marks. To insure that the search was thorough, the suspect would be stripped naked, and all the hair would be shaved from her body.

     One way to test a possible mark was to stick a needle into it. A true devil's mark was thought to be insensitive to pain, so if a suspect didn't feel the penetration of the needle, this would prove that she was a witch. But even if the insertion of the needle caused her to scream in agony, the examiners could accuse her of faking the pain and condemn her anyway. Thus no matter what she did during the test, she couldn't prove her innocence.

     A Devil's Mark is also called a Devil's Seal or Witch's Mark. In some areas it was also called a Witch's Tit, because a mole or wart can resemble a small nipple, and a tiny percentage of people even have a small third nipple on their bodies. Some examiners even thought that the mark could be invisible, and if nothing was found in the initial search, they would begin sticking the needle into random spots on the suspect's body to try to find an insensitive area.

     The era of the large-scale witch hunts began in the 15th century and continued for more than 200 years. It started in the Catholic areas of Europe but soon spread into Protestant areas as well. Most of the victims were old women, but some younger women, as well as some men, were also killed. Their punishment was dictated by the bible, for Exodus 22:18 says "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" [King James Version]. By the time the organized persecutions ended, tens of thousands of people had been tortured into confessing to witchcraft and then burned alive.

     This drawing by the 17th-century Dutch artist Jan Luyken shows the execution of a group of suspected witches. Each suspect was tied to a post and burned alive as the flames leaped up onto her body.

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9. Sacred Mushrooms

     The religious use of certain mushrooms has been reported from many parts of the world, and was already widespread during ancient times. The mushrooms contain psycho-active drugs which can produce religious-like experiences, including vivid hallucinations that appear to be supernatural visions. Many people who consume the mushrooms feel that they have entered a hidden spiritual world where they are in touch with the divine. The experience can be very powerful, and can cause permanent changes in a person's views of the world and feelings about life.

     Using mushrooms to produce psychological effects is now illegal in most countries. But old religious practices often don't die easily, particularly in remote areas, and ritual ceremonies involving the consumption of mushrooms still take place in several parts of the world. The practice is especially common among the descendants of the Aztecs, Mayans, Toltecs, and other native Amerindian tribes who live in rural areas of Mexico and Central America. These people were forced to convert to Christianity after they were conquered by the Spanish, but in many villages they didn't completely abandon their old beliefs.

     According to a report from one Mexican village, the sacred mushrooms are collected from the surrounding forest by a young virgin. They are then taken to the village church and placed on the altar to be blessed by the Holy Spirit. They are eaten in front of the altar in the evening, and the visions usually continue throughout the night. The villagers believe that the visions take them into an invisible world where all the spirits live, and where they can obtain divine knowledge and understanding.

     But the effects can sometimes be frightening. Outsiders who consumed the mushrooms have had visions in which they seemed to fly through the air or were transformed into weird beasts. Many species of mushrooms are poisonous, and eating them can lead to an excruciating death. Although sacred mushrooms may be safer, they can still cause very unpleasant effects, including vomiting, shivering, blackouts, and nightmares.

     Various other plants besides mushrooms can also produce trances and visions. For example, a species of cactus called peyote, which grows wild in the southwestern United States, is used in the religious ceremonies of some native Amerindian tribes that live in that area. Also, the sacraments of some South American peoples include the drinking of a psycho-active brew called Ayahuasca, which is prepared from certain jungle plants. During the Middle Ages, a small Islamic sect known as the Assassins reportedly smoked a concentrated form of marijuana called hashish. The modern Rastafarian sect in Jamaica also uses marijuana in its religious observances. And the medieval tales of witches flying on broomsticks may derive from visions of flying induced by a European plant named mandrake.

     Hallucinations and other strange psychological effects can also be produced by chemical compounds found in the opium poppy, the deadly nightshade, jimsonweed, morning glory seeds, salvia, cocaine, khat, absinthe, kava kava, and even some forms of tobacco. Also, some scholars think that the mysterious Soma mentioned in the ancient Vedic scriptures of India may have contained a psycho-active substance.

10. Demonic Possession

     When a demon gets inside a human body and gains control over it, the resulting condition is called demonic possession. Because demons are spirits, they normally aren't visible, but they can produce visible effects. Thus, when a demon gains possession of someone's body, there are usually major changes in the person's behavior. For example, possession can cause fits and convulsions, disorientation, weird facial expressions, and sudden violent actions. The condition often resembles mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or multiple personality disorder. In some cases the demon gets control of the victim's vocal cords and uses them to talk to nearby people. Demons who talk in this way can usually be recognized by their foul language and strange tone of voice.

     The traditional treatment for demonic possession is to try to force the demon to leave the victim's body. A successful expulsion is called an exorcism, and in most cases it is performed by people who have special knowledge and skills. Because a demon will usually resist the attempt to expel it, the process can take several days, or even longer. At the moment when the demon finally leaves, the victim may give a loud shriek and then faint.

     According to the bible, Jesus sometimes encountered possessed people as he traveled from place to place. Because he had supernatural powers, he could expel demons almost instantly. They never tried to resist him because they knew who he was and acknowledged his power and authority. Thus, when he ordered one of them to leave a body, it always obeyed without delay.

     Some descriptions of demons say that they were originally angels, but that they were thrown out of heaven after they supported the Devil in his rebellion against God. Although this rebellion failed, they are still loyal to Satan and help him pursue his evil activities. They are sometimes blamed for certain types of bad behavior, including drug addiction, sexual perversions, serial murder, and adultery. Some Christians believe that the Holy Spirit will protect them from any demons that try to cause these kinds of problems.

      This image shows a demon leaving the head of a possessed woman after being expelled by Jesus. The image is taken from a medieval book called Les Tres Riches Heures du duc de Berry, which is a Book of Hours created for the Duc de Berry during the period from 1412 to 1416 AD.

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11. The Heaven's Gate Cult

     Heaven's Gate was a small doomsday cult that was active in the United States during the late 20th century. Most of its members committed suicide in 1997 after they learned that a comet named Hale-Bopp was approaching the vicinity of the earth. They thought that the comet was an omen which foretold the impending destruction of all civilization. But they believed that they had a way to escape from the catastrophe, because they imagined that a spaceship was coming to pick up their souls and take them to heaven. They thought that this spaceship was hidden from view in the tail of the comet. In their minds, by killing themselves as the comet approached, they would give their souls an opportunity to escape to the spaceship and ride it to heaven.

     The cult's system of beliefs was a strange mixture that combined elements of Christianity with some odd ideas about UFOs and extraterrestrial visitors to earth. For example, they thought that alien visitations were responsible for several events described in the bible. According to some reports, they even believed that Jesus was an alien visitor in disguise.

     The mass suicide was discovered in March 1997 when thirty-nine members of the group were found dead in a large rented house in southern California. To kill themselves, they had taken phenobarbital mixed with vodka and then covered their heads with plastic bags. Examination of the bodies revealed that some of the men had previously undergone voluntary castration. Reportedly their decision to be castrated was based on a bible verse at Matthew 19:12, in which Jesus says "there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake" [King James translation]. One possible interpretation of this statement is that a man can improve his chances of going to heaven by being castrated.

 The Sex Slaves of Paradise

     One of the most controversial aspects of Islam is the belief that a devout Muslim man will find female sex slaves called Houris waiting for him in heaven after he dies. Islamic writings describe these Houris as young virgins with sparkling eyes, firm round breasts, and fair skin. In their behavior they are very modest and submissive, and always ready to do anything a man desires. Unlike normal women, they don't menstruate and they never get pregnant. They are like programmed zombies whose only purpose is to give pleasure to men.

     According to some Islamic writings, every man who goes to heaven will be given 72 Houris for his own exclusive use. In other words, he gets a heavenly harem of 72 sex slaves. Oddly, even after he acquires this harem, he may still maintain a marital relationship with his earthly wife, provided that she also makes it to heaven. The man, his wife, and all of his Houris never have any disagreements, and everyone lives harmoniously in a state of eternal youth, beauty, and perfect health.

     Note: Some sources say that each man in heaven gets 70 Houris instead of 72. Of course, as a practical matter this would make little difference.

     Non-Muslims frequently criticize the idea of a heavenly harem as being degrading to women. It reinforces beliefs about male authority, and it contributes to the discrimination against women commonly found in Muslim countries. Fortunately, many modern Muslim men don't believe in the literal existence of Houris, but instead regard the traditional depictions of them as a metaphor for heavenly bliss. Partly for this reason, movements to improve the status of women are starting to achieve success in some Islamic societies.

     Muslim ideas about Houris became especially controversial after modern Islamic terrorists began carrying out suicidal attacks in several parts of the world. According to news reports, some of these terrorists were motivated by a belief that martyrs who die for Islam are rewarded with an automatic ticket to heaven and a personal harem of beautiful virgin Houris. Actually all devout Muslim men, not just martyrs, are supposedly rewarded with a gift of Houris when they reach heaven. But if any man is motivated to kill innocent people by hopes of receiving such a reward, then he deserves to go to hell, not to heaven.

See An Image of Houris in Heaven

13. Incorruptible Bodies

     This term refers to a weird belief that divine intervention preserves some dead human bodies from normal decomposition. Most dead bodies gradually decay after they are buried or placed in tombs. But some Christians believe that the bodies of very holy people are miraculously preserved indefinitely without any change at all. This isn't due to artificial preservation or mummification, but instead is a divine supernatural effect. However, it only happens to the bodies of people who were very holy. Some Christians think that these preserved bodies will be resurrected to life again during the End Times.

     Many incorrupt bodies produce a distinctive scent known as the "Odor of Sanctity", which resembles the fragrance of rose blossoms. Some of these bodies also have a miraculous power to heal sick people who touch the preserved flesh.

     This is a photograph of the incorrupt body of Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli, who died in 1651. The list of other long-dead Christian saints whose bodies are supposedly incorruptible includes Saint Bernadette of Lourdes, Saint Veronica Giuliani, Saint Francis Xavier, and Saint Agnes of Montepulciano. One of the longest-surviving incorrupt bodies is that of Saint Silvan, who died in the 4th century.

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14. The Antichrist

     In Christian belief, the Antichrist is an extremely evil man who will appear shortly before the end of the present age, during a period known as the End Times. Assisted by Satan, he will gain temporary control over the earth. While he is in power, he will persecute good people and reward wicked people. His lies and promises of rewards will dupe millions of people into supporting his rule. But eventually he and his followers will be defeated and condemned to eternal torture in hell.

     Many early Christians believed that the Roman Emperor Nero was the Antichrist. During later periods the same accusation was made against some other major historical figures, including Charlemagne, Napoleon, Adolf Hitler, and even several popes. Some modern Christians expect the End Times to arrive very soon, and think that the real Antichrist is already alive and waiting for the opportunity to reveal himself.

     Note: Most descriptions of the Antichrist say that he will be a human being, but many Christians also symbolically identify him with a seven-headed beast that appears in the visions of the Book of Revelation.

     This painting by the 16th-century German artist Matthias Gerung shows the seven-headed beast described in the Book of Revelations. Some Christians believe that this beast is a symbol of the Antichrist.

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15. Self-Whipping

     Self-whipping, also called flagellation, is a weird religious ritual in which a person repeatedly whips his or her own body. Usually it is intended to be a self punishment done out of remorse for sins, and the whipping is often so harsh that blood trickles from the wounds. Actually, most self-floggers believe that their suffering helps pay for the sins of everyone, not just for their own sins, so that they are performing a service for all of humankind. In addition, a small percentage of people secretly get pleasure from the practice, and in some individuals the pain can even induce a mental state of religious ecstasy.

     Very pious people usually whip themselves in private, but others normally only do so as part of a group activity. Thus, in some Christian countries many people gather to whip themselves publicly as part of a penitential procession during Lent's Holy Week. And some Shia Muslims flog themselves every year during commemorations for the 7th-century martyr Husayn ibn Ali.

16. Crucifixion Re-enactments

     Every year on Good Friday, dozens of people in the Philippines re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. They allow their hands and feet to be nailed to a wooden cross, and then they remain attached to it for a period of time, in an attempt to experience the same pain and suffering that Jesus went through. Most of these people are devout Catholics who hope to atone for their sins or give thanks for an answered prayer. These crucifixion re-enactments have been taking place in some Philippine villages for many decades, and a few individuals have gone through the ordeal many times. In several villages the event even attracts tourists, who come every year on Good Friday to watch the bloody spectacle.

     According to a witness at one village, a carpenter's hammer was used to drive five-inch [13 centimeter] steel nails through the palms and ankles of each penitent. Many of them screamed in agony as the nails penetrated their flesh, and most continued to weep while on the cross. To prevent excessive blood loss, they were removed from the cross after a few minutes and taken to a first aid station. Because there were only three crosses at the scene, most of the penitents had to wait for their turn. The event was witnessed by a horde of tourists, including some who had come from as far away as the United States.

     Note: In recent years health officials in the Philippines have begun urging people to get tetanus vaccinations before going through the ordeal. Officials also recommend that the nails be pre-soaked in alcohol to disinfect them.

     This engraving by Gustave Dore depicts the crucifixion of Jesus. He is shown between two other men who were crucified at the same time.

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17. The Ghost Dance

     In the late 19th century, many Indian tribes in the western United States were in a desperate situation. Many Indian warriors had been killed, and the surviving members of most tribes were freezing, starving, and dying from strange diseases. But in the year 1890, just when all hope seemed lost, the Indians' spirits were suddenly revived by reports of a new ritual dance called the Ghost Dance. According to the reports, performing the new dance could potentially cause all white people to miraculously vanish from the earth. In addition, the dance also might bring all dead Indians back to life and re-unite them with their old tribes. The final result of these changes would be a world in which the Indians could return to their old way of life in a restored environment completely free of war, disease, suffering, and death.

     It was called the Ghost Dance because the spirits (ghosts) of dead ancestors sometimes appeared in visions to Indians who were performing it. Visions had also played a role in the original creation of the dance, which was first performed by members of the Paiute tribe in Nevada. Knowledge of the dance began spreading from Nevada to other areas in the spring of 1890, and within a few months it had reached most parts of the American west.

     According to the predictions of some Indian prophets, the dance would produce its miraculous effects in the spring of 1891, but only if it was performed regularly by many different tribes during the intervening months. The expected effects included the disappearance of all white people, the resurrection of all dead Indian ancestors, a miraculous transformation of the earth, and a return to the old way of life in an unspoiled environment.

     Although the Ghost Dance was new, it had similarities to the traditional circle dances that most tribes had been performing for centuries. But the Ghost Dance was unusual in that men and women performed it together. They circled counter-clockwise around a tree or pole, chanting and singing special songs. The dances of some tribes had several hundred participants and lasted up to five days, although there were occasional breaks to allow the dancers to rest. Despite these rest periods, some people would become so exhausted that they collapsed on the ground. The visions of the ghosts of dead ancestors usually occurred during these collapses from exhaustion.

     When U.S. government officials heard about the new dance, many of them became alarmed. They feared that the excitement created by the dance would lead to an uprising. But the Indians themselves viewed the dance as a substitute for an uprising, since it was supposed to miraculously transform the world without any fighting. However, because the Indians had been attacked so many times in the past, they felt a need to protect themselves until the dance could produce its final effects. Somehow a belief arose that a specially-designed cloth garment called a "ghost shirt" had a supernatural power to stop bullets. During the last months of 1890, many Indian men began wearing these "ghost shirts" to protect themselves in case they were attacked.

     The desperate situation of the Indians had been brought about by the destruction of the great buffalo herds. White people had wiped out the herds because the buffaloes were the natives' main source of food. The strategy worked so well that many Indian tribes were soon facing starvation. With no other alternative, most tribes finally agreed to live on reservations in return for promises of food and other provisions. The government wanted the Indians confined to reservations so that white people could have most of the land. But many government officials were greedy, corrupt, uncaring, or incompetent, and the promised provisions often never reached the reservations.

     In December of 1890 some U.S. officials began to suspect that the Sioux Indians in the Dakota Territory were planning an uprising. When these officials learned that some of the Sioux were preparing to perform the Ghost Dance, a unit of the U.S. Cavalry was sent to monitor their activities. The Indians resented the presence of the soldiers, and fighting soon broke out. The "ghost shirts" didn't stop any bullets, and many Indians were killed. After this defeat, Indians everywhere began to lose faith in the Ghost Dance, and in most areas performances soon ceased.

18. The War in Heaven

     Some Christians believe that Satan was initially one of the foremost angels in heaven, but that pride and envy caused him to eventually revolt against God. This revolt set off a war in heaven in which about one-third of the angels supported Satan. The angels who stayed loyal to God were led by the Archangel Michael. In the fighting Satan and his supporters were defeated and then thrown out of heaven. After a long fall, they landed on the earth. Satan became the Devil and the others were transformed from angels into demons. (The role of Lilith is described in the next section.)

This engraving by Gustave Dore depicts the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.

23. Witch Smellers

     During past centuries the people of some societies would often blame witches for sickness, famine, accidents, and other misfortunes that occurred in a community. This belief in the evil powers of witchcraft has appeared in many parts of the world, and each society has developed its own methods for protecting itself. But in order for a community to protect itself from witches, it first needs to identify them. In some parts of Africa, especially among Bantu-speaking tribes, this identification used to be carried out by individuals known as Witch Smellers.

     These Witch Smellers, who were almost always women, would be called upon whenever members of one of these African tribes suspected that witches were living among them. To begin the process of identification, the chief would summon all the tribe's people to a meeting and tell them to gather into a large circle. Then the Witch Smellers would assemble in the middle of the circle with long switches in their hands. They would begin to dance wildly, repeatedly spinning and leaping, until they worked themselves into a frenzy. Eventually they would reach out with their switches and touch one or more people who they had identified as witches. In some tribes anyone who was identified in this way was immediately dragged away and killed.

     Many Witch Smellers were powerful and important members of their tribes. When performing their duties, they always wore flamboyant costumes and decorated their faces with brightly-colored paints. Most of them also dyed their hair red and twisted it into elaborate designs. In addition to their switches, many also carried ceremonial spears and shields.

     Most people in modern societies doubt that witches even exist, and organized hunts for them rarely take place anymore. But in a few countries there are still sporadic reports of witches being blamed for misfortunes, and occasionally someone is killed either by a mob or by relatives of a supposed victim. We can only hope that such dreadful incidents continue to become less common, and that eventually all superstitious beliefs about witches will completely die out.

24. Pillar Saints

In about 420 AD, a devout Christian known as Simeon Stylites began living on top of a stone pillar. Initially he lived on a fairly short pillar, but eventually he moved to one that was about 50 feet [15 meters] tall. Altogether he spent more than 35 years of almost continuous residence on the tops of pillars. His living space was so small that he barely had room to sit down, and he usually prayed while standing erect with his arms stretched sideways to form the figure of a cross. He wouldn't allow any women to come near his pillar, not even his mother. When he wanted food or water, boys brought it to him by climbing a ladder.

Simeon Stylites was one of the first "Pillar Saints". These were a class of Christian ascetics, mostly men, who lived on the tops of tall narrow pillars for much of their adult lives. One of them, Saint Alypius, reportedly remained in a standing position atop his column for 53 years until finally his feet could no longer support him. Many others lived continually on pillars for at least 20 years. Some of them built walls or tiny huts on top of their pillars, but even with this added protection, they still had to endure much hardship and privation.

Pillar Saints are also called Sylites. They first appeared in the 5th century, and a few individuals were still taking up the practice as late as the 15th century. Most of them were extreme ascetics who believed that they could best reach their spiritual goals through self-denial and avoidance of worldly pleasures. They typically spent their time fasting and praying, but some of them also healed the sick and preached sermons to pilgrims who gathered around the bottom of their pillars. Several became quite famous and were visited by emperors and other important people.

25. The Wandering Jew

     Shortly after Jesus picked up his cross and started walking with it, a Jewish bystander hit him on the back and told him to walk faster. For this evil act, the Jew was condemned to wander the earth alone, homeless and friendless, until the Second Coming of Jesus. Over the centuries many people have reported seeing this wanderer slinking past in the distance. Some think that an increase in these sightings would be a sign that Jesus is about to return. Note: The story of the Wandering Jew has sometimes been used in anti-Jewish propaganda.

See More Images of Demons

48. Cargo Cults

     A group of unusual religious movements known as "cargo cults" appeared on several small Pacific islands during the first half of the 20th century. These islands had been claimed as colonies by various industrialized countries, and small numbers of foreigners had come to live on them. Most of these foreigners were Christian missionaries, government officials, soldiers, or businessmen. After they began arriving, ships would sometimes deliver supplies to them, and the native people would usually help unload the cargo.

     Many of the items in this delivered cargo amazed the natives. Because they had never seen any modern manufactured goods, they thought that the items must have been created through miracles or supernatural effects. Not surprisingly, they began looking for ways to acquire such items themselves, and this is what led to the formation of the cargo cults.

     The beliefs and practices associated with these cults varied from one island to another. For example, the natives on some islands thought that the manufactured items in the deliveries must have been created by gods. Another explanation, which appeared on at least one island, was that the items had been made by the natives' own dead ancestors. In this case the natives believed that the items were intended for them, but that the foreigners were intercepting and stealing everything.

     Several of these cults appeared on islands that were temporarily occupied by American military forces during the Second World War. As the war progressed, the natives on these islands witnessed deliveries of large quantities of equipment and supplies. Sometimes they were even given gifts, such as candy and cigarettes, that came from the cargo. After the war ended, the Americans left and the deliveries stopped arriving. But on several islands cargo cults were formed to try to get the deliveries resumed. For this purpose, the members of these cults tried to use a form of sympathetic magic in which they imitated the earlier activities of the Americans. For example, on one island they dressed in clothes that resembled U.S. army uniforms and conducted military drills under an American flag. On another island they built a landing strip to try to attract airplanes. Of course, no cargo miraculously arrived, and on most islands these cults eventually disappeared.

49. Monuments Built by a God

     The mysterious ruins of Tiahuanaco lie about 4000 meters [12,500 feet] above sea level at a remote location in western Bolivia. According to many experts, the precision and quality of the stonework at the site is unmatched anywhere in the world. Some of the individual stone blocks weigh more than 70 tons and were transported from a quarry about 10 kilometers [6 miles] away. One well-known monument, the Gateway of the Sun, was cut with remarkable precision from a single block of a very hard type of rock called andesite. The overall workmanship at the site is so good that modern stone-cutters equipped with steel tools and electrically-powered machinery would find it hard to achieve the same quality.

     According to scientists who have studied Tiahuanaco, it was a major ceremonial center of a pre-Inca civilization that arose in the region about 2000 years ago. Eventually, for unknown reasons, this civilization disappeared. Centuries later, when the first Spanish explorers reached the area, the people who lived near Tiahuanaco knew virtually nothing about the earlier civilization. In fact, these people believed that the structures at the site had been built by a god. They also believed that this god, whose name was Viracocha, had created some gigantic artificial robots to help move the massive stones.

     Note: Because the precision and quality of the stonework at Tiahuanaco is so remarkable, some people refuse to believe that pre-modern humans would have been capable of building it. There is even a theory that it was actually built by aliens from another planet who visited the earth thousands of years ago. Some supporters of this theory say that native legends depicted these aliens as gods, and that this could have led to the belief that Tiahuanaco was built by a god. Of course this theory is mostly speculation.

50. Faith Healing

     The belief that diseases and deformities can be miraculously cured through supernatural effects is found in many parts of the world. It is even common in some advanced societies where modern medical treatments are available. Unfortunately, modern medical practices still can't cure many conditions, and people sometimes become so desperate that they turn to unconventional treatments like faith healing. It is most often used in attempts to treat conditions such as cancer, arthritis, paralysis, and tuberculosis. It has also traditionally been used to cure blindness, deafness, mental disorders, lameness, and leprosy.

     Faith healing is also called divine healing. Attempts to use it as a method of treatment probably originated in prehistoric times, and many ancient people believed in its effectiveness. According to the bible, Jesus could cure people almost instantly just by saying a few words. Saint Paul also performed some miraculous cures. In his first letter to the Corinthians, he wrote that the ability to heal is one of the special gifts of the Holy Spirit, and that certain people may possess this gift to a very high degree. Most modern Christian healers attribute their supposed abilities to the power of the Holy Spirit.

     Some modern faith healers in the United States claim to have cured hundreds of people. Some have even performed apparent cures on live television. But there are many skeptics who doubt that any of these cures were genuine. Actually, a few apparent cures could have been brought about by the placebo effect or by spontaneous remission, because the human body is sometimes able to heal itself naturally. But there is evidence that many claimed healings are fraudulent. There have also been reports that some televangelistic healers have become very wealthy from contributions sent in by their viewers.

     Members of some religious groups have such a strong belief in faith healing that they oppose the use of modern medical techniques, and refuse to see doctors or go to hospitals. Some people have even been charged with crimes after their children died from diseases or conditions that could have been successfully treated by modern methods. But prosecutors in such cases have had difficulty obtaining convictions, because the accused often use legal guarantees of religious freedom as part of their defense.

51. Ghouls

     In ancient Arabian folklore, ghouls are fiendish creatures that open up graves during the night and eat the rotting flesh of dead bodies. They are a type of invisible spirit called a Jinn (or genie), but they can also assume a physical form, and sometimes appear in the guise of a human or animal. However, no matter what form they take, they always leave the hoof prints of a donkey. In addition to eating corpses, they also rob graves, drink blood, steal coins, and kill young children. The only defense against a ghoul is to strike it dead in one blow, because a second blow will bring it back to life again.

     Ideas about ghouls can be traced back to the pre-Islamic superstitions of the ancient Middle East. Members of some desert-dwelling tribes originally called them "ghuls". After Islam became the main religion in the region, its followers tried to eradicate the old superstitions. But belief in ghouls persisted, and the creatures were eventually incorporated into Islam as one form of a type of spirit called a Jinn (or genie). Some descriptions of them say that they are the offspring of the Devil. In modern Islamic countries, stories about ghouls are sometimes used to frighten a disobedient child.

52. Egyptian Crocodile Worship

     One of the religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians was that a god called Sebek (or Sobek) could appear on the earth in the form of a living crocodile. At one time some people even believed that this god had taken the form of a particular crocodile named Petsuchos which lived in a large pool of water beside a temple in the Fayyum province. Because this crocodile supposedly was a god in disguise, it was fed the best cuts of meat, and was pampered so much that it became quite tame. The priests at the temple even put golden rings in its ears and gold bracelets on its legs.

53. Heavenly Omens

     Ever since ancient times, the appearance of a bright comet in the sky has been regarded as an evil omen. This is because comets have long been seen as signs of impending disastrous events, such as the death of a great ruler or the outbreak of a plague. The ancient Romans recorded that a brilliant comet appeared just before the assassination of Julius Caesar, and a fiery comet seen in 1665 was blamed for a flareup of bubonic plague in London that killed 90,000 people. When a comet appeared in 1519, the Aztec king Montezuma saw it as an omen that his empire would soon be destroyed (and it soon was). Some people in the United States even connected the American defeat at the Alamo in 1835 to an appearance of Halley's Comet that year.

     Some people still regard comets as bad omens. When a comet named Kohoutek approached the vicinity of the earth in 1973, members of an American religious sect called the Children of God predicted that a terrible disaster was about to occur. And in 1997 thirty-nine members of the Heaven's Gate cult committed suicide in California because they believed that the approach of a comet named Hale-Bopp foretold the destruction of civilization.

     Other types of heavenly events have also traditionally been regarded as omens. Some past eclipses of the sun have produced even more fear than comets normally do. But some events, such as the sighting of a shooting star, have usually been viewed as good omens. Another example of a good omen is the sudden appearance of a very bright new star. Astronomers call a bright new star a "supernova", and believe that they are created when a very faint star suddenly explodes and temporarily becomes much brighter. To ancient people, a supernova often appeared to be a totally new star, and in some societies its sudden appearance was thought to signal the birth of a great future leader. Some historians think that the Star of Bethlehem, which appeared just before the birth of Jesus, was a supernova.

     Note: Because supernovas are created by explosions, they gradually become dimmer as time passes, and within a few years most of them are no longer visible to the naked eye.

54. Towers of Silence

     The religion known as Zoroastrianism is based on the teachings of an ancient Persian prophet named Zoroaster (also called Zarathustra), who probably lived at least 2500 years ago. One of the unusual aspects of this religion is the practice of placing dead human bodies on top of a structure known as a Tower of Silence, and then allowing the flesh to be eaten by vultures and other birds. These "towers" are actually solid structures, made of stone, which resemble a circular building with a flat roof. After a corpse is placed on the roof, vultures usually eat all of the flesh within a short time, leaving the bones picked clean.

     Zoroastrians consider earth, water, air and fire to be sacred, but regard the putrefying flesh of a dead body as unclean. They have traditionally avoided burial because the decaying body would defile the sacred earth. Similarly, they oppose cremation because the burning flesh would pollute the sacred fire. They can avoid these desecrations by using Towers of Silence to dispose of their dead.

     The roofs of these towers are divided into three concentric rings. The bodies of men are put in the outer ring, bodies of women go into the middle ring, and dead children are placed in the inner ring. Vultures often sit on a tower to be ready in case a new corpse arrives. After the bones of a body are picked clean, they are collected and put into a pit sunk into the center of the roof, where they eventually disintegrate.

     After Muslim invaders conquered Persia in the 7th century, the new rulers discriminated against Zoroastrians, and during the following centuries a large majority of the population gradually converted to Islam. Many of the remaining Zoroastrians migrated to other areas, including India, where they are now known as Parsis (or Parsees). According to most estimates, less than 25,000 practicing Zoroastrians still live within the area of ancient Persia, which roughly corresponds to the modern country of Iran.

     During the last decades of the 20th century, the government of Iran began making attempts to prohibit the use of the towers for disposal of the dead. Also during this period, vandals began stealing corpses from the towers. As a result, the Zoroastrians in Iran have started burying their dead in graves that are lined with concrete to prevent direct contact with the earth. Many Zoroastrians in India still use the towers, but have run into difficulties because of a drastic decline in the population of vultures. According to some reports, more than 99% of the birds have died from exposure to a drug given to livestock. With fewer birds available, a corpse may lie on a tower for several weeks before all of the flesh is eaten.

55. The Tree of Zaqqum

     In Islamic descriptions of hell, the Tree of Zaqqum grows at the lowest level. Its fruits, which look like the heads of devils, have a horrible taste. If one of them is plucked from the tree and eaten, it puts out thorns that rip into the inner lining of the belly. It also becomes so hot that it burns any flesh it touches inside the body.

     As part of their punishment, the sinners in hell are always starving. In their search for food, they eventually reach the lowest level and find the Zaqqum Tree. Driven to desperation by hunger, they eat the disgusting fruit. But it doesn't alleviate their hunger or provide any nourishment to their bodies. Instead, it burns and lacerates the inside of their stomachs.

     Hunger also drives sinners in hell to eat the festering pus that oozes from the sores on their own bodies. Their other possible foods include the burned flesh of other sinners and the discharge that flows from the private parts of condemned adulterers. In other words, if you end up in the Islamic hell, don't expect to enjoy any fine dining there.

56. Original Sin

     In Christian belief, all human beings inherit their sinful nature from Adam and Eve, who acquired it after they disobeyed God's instructions in the Garden of Eden. When God created Adam and Eve, he originally made them sinless, and he intended for them to remain that way. But the eating of the forbidden fruit somehow transformed human nature so that we are all naturally sinful and can only obtain salvation by divine grace. Some Christians believe that our natural tendency to sin is transmitted from generation to generation by male semen.

     The disobedience of Adam and Eve and their resulting loss of innocence is called the "Fall of Mankind". It is often regarded as the basic cause of all the misery subsequently experienced by the human race. According to a biblical passage at Genesis 3:16-19, this misery started with some punishments that God announced to Adam and Eve as they left the Garden of Eden. God told them that Adam would have to toil and sweat in order to survive, and that Eve would feel severe labor pains when she gave birth to children. Many Christians interpret this passage to mean that God inflicted these punishments not only on Adam and Eve, but also on all of their descendants, so that all human beings must pay the same price.

     Some people think that God acted unfairly when he decided to punish all humankind just because two people disobeyed him. Some also think that the punishments are too harsh, especially the infliction of labor pains on all women. After all, Eve wouldn't have eaten the forbidden fruit if a serpent hadn't tricked her into doing it. God could have forgiven her and let her have another chance. But instead, he decided to punish not only her, but all other women too.

     Note: Some Christians believe that God exempted the Virgin Mary from the punishments, so that she didn't feel any labor pains when she gave birth to Jesus.

57. Chosen People

     Throughout history various groups of people have considered themselves to be chosen by a god or goddess for special treatment. In most cases they believe that the deity wants them to carry out an important mission or play a special role in human events. In return for carrying out the deity's wishes, they expect to receive exclusive benefits which will enable them and their descendants to prosper as a people.

     According to the bible, God selected the ancient Hebrews (Israelites) and their descendants (the Jews) to be his chosen people. He said that he would use them to reveal his word to everyone on the earth. He also said that the Messiah, or redeemer of the world, would come from their nation. In return, he expected them to set an example for the rest of humankind by devoting themselves to him, and by living in accordance with his laws. Some modern Jews think that the past catastrophes experienced by their people were due to failures to fulfill their part of the original agreement with God.

     Some Christians believe that the Jews relinquished their right to be God's chosen people when they refused to accept Jesus as the Messiah. These Christians also believe that God made a new covenant with them to replace the original agreement with the Jews. However, this view is sometimes criticized because it implies that God made a mistake when he originally selected the ancient Israelites as his chosen people. Another view, which avoids this criticism, is that the Jews aren't the real descendants of the ancient Israelites, but that another group of people is. Several different Christian organizations claim to be this other group. Some Christians even believe that white Caucasians are the real descendants of the ancient Israelites (through the ten lost tribes) and are therefore the true original chosen people.

     Members of the modern Rastafarian sect in Jamaica believe that black Africans are God's real chosen people. They base this belief on the legend that the Queen of Sheba had an affair with King Solomon of Israel and bore a son who became the first king of Ethiopia. They believe that this king passed the blood of the ancient Israelites to all black people, making them the true chosen ones.

     Another claim to the title of chosen people has been put forward by leaders of the Unification Church, who teach that Korea is the chosen nation, selected by God to serve a divine mission. This church was founded in Korea in the 1950s by Reverend Sun Myung Moon, but it later gained many followers in the United States. According to Reverend Moon, Korea was chosen by God to be the birthplace of a heavenly tradition which will eventually lead to the establishment of God's kingdom on earth.

58. Holy Mud

     Every year about 300,000 Christian pilgrims visit a small church located in a remote area north of the U.S. city of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Inside the church, in a small room near the chapel, is a pit full of mud. Many of the pilgrims believe that this mud has miraculous healing powers. They smear it on their bodies, and sometimes even eat it, in hopes of being cured of their ailments. Another room in the church contains numerous braces, crutches, and other objects supposedly left behind by people who were cured by the mud.

     The church, which is named Nuestro Senor de Esquipulas, is located in the village of Chimayo, New Mexico. It attracts more visitors than any other Catholic pilgrimage center in the United States, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970. To reach it, some pilgrims follow a traditional custom of walking all the way from the city of Albuquerque, a distance of about 90 miles [150 kilometers].

     Many of the pilgrims take some mud with them when they leave and give it to friends or relatives who weren't able to make the trip. It is sometimes assumed that this removed mud is replaced by new mud welling up from deeper in the ground. Actually, the hole is refilled every evening with dirt dug from nearby hillsides, a fact which isn't publicized. This carried-in dirt adds up to about 25 tons per year.

59. Snake Worship

     The Luo people of Kenya have traditionally worshiped a sacred python named Omieri, which supposedly lives in the waters of Lake Nyanza (Lake Victoria) but emerges during periods of drought and summons rain to save the crops. One of the purported appearances of this snake occurred during the 1980s, when a large python remained near one of the Luo villages for some time. It was big enough to kill and eat goats, but the local people mostly fed it chickens. Many visitors came from great distances to see it. In 1987 this python was severely burned in a fire, and although it was taken to a city for treatment, it eventually died. But the sacred snake is supposed to be immortal, and when large pythons have been sighted near the lake on later occasions, many of the Luo people have regarded these as reappearances of the same animal.

60. The Australian Fertility Stone

     People who travel through a certain section of central Australia may pass near a large isolated boulder known as the Erathipa stone. According to the aboriginal people who live in the region, this stone contains the souls of children who have recently died. These souls can look out through an opening in the side of the stone, and they continually watch for people to pass by. If they see a young woman come near, one of the souls will leap into her womb and make her pregnant. This will be the soul of the baby that is eventually born.

     So if a married woman is childless and having difficulty getting pregnant, she can make a trip to the Erathipa stone and allow one of the souls to leap into her body. In this way, a barren woman can get pregnant, and the soul of a dead child can have a chance to be reborn in a new body. On the other hand, if a young woman has to pass near to the stone, and she doesn't want to get pregnant, she will get a walking stick and slowly hobble by, so that the souls in the rock will think that she is an old woman and won't try to leap into her body.

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More Weird Religious Beliefs

Dervishes

     Dervishes are members of certain Islamic religious orders who seek mystical experiences through activities such as dancing, chanting, and meditation. The best-known groups are the whirling dervishes and the howling dervishes, but there are also groups that meditate, chant verses from the Quran, or perform controlled breathing exercises. They are found in most Islamic societies, and many of them take vows of poverty and have very austere lifestyles.

     Dervishes perform hypnotically repetitive activities such as dancing as a way to induce a state of ecstasy and feelings of communion with God. Group performances, which are usually accompanied by music, can last for hours. The famous whirling dervishes begin their performance by sitting in a circle and reciting poems. Then they slowly rise and begin moving across the floor, spinning rhythmically. As they rise, they shed their outer black robes, which are a sign of death, to reveal their pure white dancing robes, which are designed to flare outward as they spin. They continue to whirl at an increasing speed until they attain the desired mental state. Some descriptions of the activity say that they enter a mystical trance, but many of them deny this and say instead that the whirling enables them to think very lucidly.

     Another type of dance is performed by the howling dervishes of Morocco. According to some reports, they dance themselves into a frenzy during which they bite off the heads of poisonous snakes, lick hot irons, swallow hot coals, slash their limbs with long knives, and levitate into the air. But these reports probably include considerable exaggeration.

The Satanic Temple

     The Satanic Temple is a parody religious organization, most of whose members are actually atheists. Founded in 2013, its headquarters are in Salem, Massachusetts.

    The group holds public events in which it utilizes satire, humor and theatrical ploys to mock the beliefs and practices of the major religious organizations. It also takes legal action against policies and practices that appear to restrict the rights of non-religious individuals.

    In 2015 the organization began displaying a large solid bronze statue of Baphomet, a goat-headed, angel-winged idol sometimes used to represent the Devil.

Baby Tossing

     In some parts of southern India, in a strange annual ritual known as "baby tossing", Hindu priests heave babies from the rooftop or balcony of a temple into a blanket held by men on the ground below. The practice, which is centuries old, supposedly makes the babies grow stronger and more courageous, thus better able to face the challenges they will encounter later in their lives. Some people also believe that the practice will bring future prosperity to the infants and their families.

     The falling distance to the ground is typically about 10 meters [33 feet]. The babies, who are usually between the ages of three months and two years, often scream in terror as they plunge through the air. But as each one is safely caught in the blanket, the surrounding crowd celebrates exuberantly, and then the infant is passed from person to person until it is finally returned to its mother.

     Because of the trauma experienced by the babies, some human rights groups in India are trying to get the government to ban the practice. But many local villagers regard it as an important part of their religious tradition and are resisting the attempts to stop it.

Holy Laughter

     During the worship services of certain Christian churches, some members of the congregation may begin to laugh uncontrollably. They may also leave their seats and stagger around, or even fall on the floor. When they are later asked why they began laughing, they say that they had no control over it, but were driven to do it by the power of the Holy Spirit. Because they actually feel this power within them, or imagine that they feel it, in these churches uncontrollable laughter is regarded as one of the signs that a person is filled with the Holy Spirit.

     Most of the churches in which holy laughter is common are located in Canada and the United States. In addition to laughing, members of these churches sometimes roll around on the floor or make sounds like the roaring of a lion, the crowing of a rooster, or the barking of a dog. This type of behavior has even occurred during church services that were being shown on television.

Sacred Cows

     In Hinduism, killing a cow is a heinous sin, and the eating of beef is worse than cannibalism. As a result, stray cows enjoy great liberties in many parts of India. They wander through the streets, break into gardens, relieve themselves on the sidewalks, and frequently create traffic jams. To most Hindus, everything about them is sacred, even their dung and urine.

     Although many people in India feed stray cows, most of the animals are skinny and produce little or no milk. Some economists argue that the presence of these strays increases poverty and hunger in the country by consuming resources that could be put to better use. But many Indians dispute this, pointing out that cows mostly live on non-human foods like fodder and rice straw, and that their dung is an important source of fertilizer and fuel.

     Ancient Indian writings indicate that reverence for the cow goes back thousands of years. Even today, no pious Hindu will pass a cow without touching it and then touching his own head as an act of homage. In some parts of India a person can be sent to jail for killing or injuring a cow. And some local governments even maintain old-age homes for animals that have become too weak to survive in the streets.

The Procter and Gamble Logo Controversy

     During the early 1980s, some Christian groups in the United States began accusing the Procter and Gamble corporation of having secret connections to Satanism. These groups claimed that the company's logo contained satanic symbols. The company, a maker of soap and other household products, had been using the logo on its packages since the 19th century, and it denied that the image had anything to do with Satanism. But some Christians continued to insist that it showed a symbolic representation of the Devil. Some also said that it contained a cryptic depiction of the number 666, which is the supposed number of an evil beast described in the Book of Revelation. There were even rumors that some of the top officers in the company were members of satanist cults.

     Shortly after the controversy erupted, some Christian groups began urging their members to boycott the company's products. Letter-writing campaigns were also organized, and during one period in 1982 the company was receiving about 15,000 complaints per month. It reacted by taking legal action against several individuals and groups, accusing them of spreading false rumors and publishing defamatory pamphlets. But the boycotts and bad publicity continued, and in 1985 the company finally gave in to the pressure and stopped using the logo. However, this didn't completely end the matter, and stories linking the company to Satanism still appear on the web occasionally.

The Thugee

     The English word "thug" is derived from the word "Thugee", which was the name of a secret cult of robbers and murderers that once operated in India. Members of this cult considered it their sacred duty to kill traveling merchants and then steal their possessions. These criminals reportedly killed tens of thousands of people over a 300-year time period before finally being suppressed in the 19th century.

     Originally the Thugee were a religious cult devoted to the Hindu goddess Kali (also called Durga). Even after they turned to robbery and murder, they believed that they were following the commands of their goddess. Because of their religious convictions, they never killed women, priests, holy men, or certain types of merchants. They also used a prescribed method of killing, strangulation with a scarf, in order to avoid bloodshed. Some reports say that a new recruit had to kill someone by this method before he could be initiated into the cult.

     As the first step of a planned robbery, a group of Thugee would disguise themselves as ordinary travelers and then try to join a caravan of merchants. They usually accompanied the caravan for a day or two, acting in a friendly manner to avert suspicion. Then during the night they would attack the merchants and strangle them with scarves. Afterward they would plunder the baggage, which often contained gold, jewelry and other valuables.

     The criminal activities of the Thugee cult were finally suppressed during the 19th century. However, their goddess Kali is still worshiped in many parts of India. The city of Calcutta (Kolkata) is named after her.

Religious Relics

     A religious relic is a surviving body part or personal item thought to possess miraculous powers or other special properties. Famous relics include the Staff of Moses, the True Cross of Jesus, the Skull of Mary Magdalene, the Sacred Tooth of Buddha, and the Holy Mantle of Muhammad. Many churches, temples, mosques, and shrines contain relics, and pilgrims often travel great distances to see them. But many purported relics could be fakes.

     This painting, called Discovery of the True Cross, is by the medieval Italian artist Agnolo Gaddi. Some people believe that wood from the True Cross has miraculous healing powers.

The Assassins

     The Assassins were a group of Islamic terrorists who operated in parts of Iran, Iraq, and Syria during the Middle Ages. According to most accounts of their activities, they regularly used a concentrated form of marijuana called hashish. In fact, some sources say that the modern English word "assassin" is derived from the Arabic word "hashish".

     The Assassins were members of the Shia branch of Islam, which at that time was a persecuted minority, and one of their primary goals was to assassinate leaders of the ruling Sunni majority. As a relatively small group, they mainly operated from the safety of remote mountain strongholds. Although most of their activity was directed against the Sunni ruling class, they also had some encounters with Christian knights who had come from Europe to fight in the Crusades.

     There are different accounts of how the Assassins used hashish. Some sources say that the drug was mainly employed to give young recruits visions of the pleasures that awaited them in Paradise if they died while fighting for their faith. According to other accounts, the drug provided the fanatical courage and reckless attitude needed to carry out suicidal missions. But some modern scholars doubt that the Assassins even used hashish at all, and suspect that the stories about it may be based on false accusations made by their enemies. Unfortunately, the truth is hard to determine because most of the original accounts were destroyed when Mongol invaders conquered much of the region in the 13th century.

Religious Body Piercing

     During an annual Hindu festival called Thaipusam, some of the participants undergo a form of body piercing in which hooks, skewers, and small spears are inserted into their bodies. The hooks and other sharp objects are inserted into various parts of the body, including the tongue, the cheeks, the forehead, the back, the abdomen, and the buttocks. Sometimes other objects are suspended from the hooks to add weight and thereby increase the pain. Some people also wear special shoes containing upturned nails that push into the soles of their feet.

     The practice of body piercing is most common at the Thaipusam festivals held in predominantly Hindu areas of the Malay peninsula. Several of these festivals attract very large crowds, including as many as a million people at the festival associated with the temple at Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur. But at most festivals only a small percentage of the devotees, almost all of them men, undergo body piercing. The large majority who don't get pierced involve themselves in other activities such as fasting, singing, and dancing.

     The festival is held in honor of the Hindu god Murugan. Body piercing is a way to show devotion, although some of the practitioners may also view it as a form of penance or self-punishment. Some of them reportedly go into a trance after being pierced, and this may help them endure the pain. At the end of the festival, the hooks and other sharp implements are removed. Although this is always done carefully, it is often even more painful than the original insertions.

Transubstantiation

     In a Christian ritual called Holy Communion, ordinary bread and wine are purportedly converted into the flesh and blood of Jesus. This supposed conversion, which is thought to be a miraculous act of God, is called transubstantiation. After the conversion, the newly-created flesh and blood of Jesus is eaten by the worshipers. The Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and certain other Christian groups officially affirm that the transformation actually does take place.

     To most people, the bread and wine still look and taste the same after the purported conversion into flesh and blood. One possible explanation is that the conversion doesn't take place until after the bread and wine are swallowed. But most modern Christians doubt that the conversion really occurs at all.

List of References

     Some of the information on this page was obtained from the following sources:

     Behemoth and Leviathan -- This page from the Jewish Encyclopedia discusses what the bible and other ancient writings say about these two bizarre beasts.

     Human Sacrifice in Legends and Myths -- This page contains descriptions of some ancient rituals in which people were offered as sacrifices to gods or goddesses.

     Islamic Women Arrested for Defying Religious Police -- This article describes how women in Islamic societies have begun organizing protests against the activities of religious police.

     Heaven's Gate Doomsday Cult -- This article contains some interesting information about this strange cult.

     Voodoo a Legitimate Religion, Anthropologist Says -- This article from National Geographic describes how modern Voodoo developed from the ancestral beliefs of slaves who were brought to the New World to work on sugar plantations.

     Temple Devadasi -- The history of the Devadasi system in India is outlined in this report.

     Idol Worship -- The practice of idol worship in ancient times is described in this article.

     Sacred Texts Online Archive -- This archive of thousands of books and articles is a great resource for anyone looking for information about religion, mythology, and folklore.

     Incorrupt Bodies of the Saints -- This page contains reports about numerous dead Christian saints whose bodies appear to still be perfectly preserved even after being entombed for hundreds of years. Some of the reports include photographs of the dead bodies.

     Hallucinogenic Mushrooms -- This website contains botanical information about various mushroom species that have been used in religious rituals.

     Snake Handling Preacher Dies from Bite -- This news report from 2014 describes the death of a Christian pastor who was bitten during a church service.

     Golems -- This article from the Jewish Virtual Library gives more details about how a golem can be created.

          The Lilith Myths -- Some of the most ancient traditions about the demoness Lilith are noted on this page.

     Treatment of Demonic Possession -- The author of this article takes the view that "possession" is a mental illness.

     Weeping Statues -- This website describes some cases in which people saw tears coming from the eyes of a statue. It also describes how the inside of a statue can be secretly rigged to produce artificial fake tears.

     Faith Healing -- Different views on the effectiveness of faith healing are presented in this article. The history of the practice is also discussed.

     Legend of the Wandering Jew -- Reported sightings of this wanderer are not as common now as they were in the past. This article describes how the story developed and then persisted through time.

     Religious Relics -- Some photographs of well-known relics are displayed on this page.

     History of the Salem Witch Trials -- This page describes the trials and executions of suspected witches that occurred in Salem, Massachusetts during the colonial period.

     Encyclopedia of Mythology, Religion and Folklore -- This website contains descriptions of hundreds of gods, goddesses, mythological beasts, and other supernatural beings.

     Beliefs about the Antichrist -- Various descriptions of the Antichrist, as well as speculations about his identity, are detailed in this discussion.

     What Is A Cult? -- General characteristics of a religious cult include a charismatic leader, an insular structure, and a financial burden on its members. This description clearly applies to most Christian cults.

     Infamous Cult Leaders -- As described in this essay, the leaders of at least five religious cults have led many of their followers to violent deaths.

     Cargo Cults of the South Pacific -- More information about these strange groups can be found on this page.

          Catholic Devotees Re-enact the Crucifixion -- This report describes some re-enactments that took place in a Philippine village in 2007.

     Devil's Mark -- This article describes some beliefs about the devil's mark that were current during the era of the witch trials. There is also a link to a study which discusses the witch's tit, and how warts, moles, tumors, and blemishes were often mistaken for a witch's mark.

     World Religions -- A comprehensive index of religious resources on the web, this could be a useful site for anyone seeking basic information about various religions found around the world.

     Religion Glossary 

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General Notes

-- All images on this page are public domain works reproduced courtesy of the WikiMedia Commons website (commons.wikimedia.org). Some images have been cropped and digitally-enhanced for better display on an electronic device.

-- Unless otherwise noted, all biblical quotations are from the King James Authorized Version of the bible.

-- An earlier (and shorter) version of this page was previously published at http://www.other-voices.net/weird-beliefs.html .