14 Religious Rituals That Seem Bizarre Now

Across centuries and civilizations, religious rituals have played a powerful role in shaping belief systems and cultural traditions. What once held deep spiritual meaning may now appear strange or even unsettling when viewed through a modern lens. Some rituals were rooted in survival, symbolism, or social control, while others were expressions of devotion beyond comprehension today.

1. 1. Self-Mummification by Japanese Monks

In a ritual called Sokushinbutsu, certain Buddhist monks in Japan voluntarily mummified themselves while still alive. They followed a strict diet that eliminated all body fat and moisture over the years. Eventually, the monk would meditate in a sealed chamber until death. If the body remained preserved, the monk was revered as a living Buddha. Though outlawed in the 19th century, some temples still honor these mummies.

2. 2. The Aztec Human Sacrifices

The Aztecs believed human sacrifice nourished the gods and ensured cosmic balance. Victims, often prisoners of war, were ritually killed atop temples, their hearts removed in a single motion. These events were deeply spiritual and highly organized, sometimes involving thousands of sacrifices during festivals. While horrifying by modern standards, they were acts of religious duty.

3. 3. Flagellation During Christian Penitence

In medieval Europe, groups known as flagellants would whip themselves publicly to atone for sins. They believed suffering brought them closer to Christ and could prevent plagues or divine punishment. Processions of self-beating believers filled streets during times of crisis. The Church eventually condemned the practice, seeing it as too extreme.

4. 4. Sky Burials in Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhists practice sky burials, where a deceased body is placed on a mountain to be consumed by vultures. The ritual reflects beliefs about impermanence and the cycle of life. Cremation and burial are rare due to the rocky terrain and religious tradition. Monks perform prayers and chants as the body is offered to nature.

5. 5. Walking on Fire in South Indian Temples

Some Hindu festivals in South India include fire-walking as a test of devotion and purity. Devotees walk barefoot across hot embers after fasting and ritual cleansing. They believe divine power protects them from burns. While risky, serious injuries are rare due to the preparation and spiritual focus. The ritual continues today and draws large crowds during temple celebrations.

6. 6. Ritual Cannibalism in the Fore Tribe

The Fore people of Papua New Guinea once practiced endocannibalism, consuming the flesh of deceased relatives. This was seen as a way to honor and absorb the spirit of the dead. Unfortunately, it led to the spread of a fatal brain disease called kuru. Once the link was discovered, the practice was abandoned. It remains a striking example of how spiritual beliefs can clash with biological consequences.

7. 7. The Oracle of Delphi’s Trances

In ancient Greece, the Oracle of Delphi delivered prophecies while in a trance-like state. Believed to speak for the god Apollo, she inhaled fumes from a chasm in the earth. Her cryptic words were interpreted by priests and shaped decisions from war to law. Scientists now suspect the fumes may have had hallucinogenic effects. The ritual reflects the deep connection between mysticism and early statecraft.

8. 8. Dancing Plagues of Medieval Europe

Throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, groups of people would suddenly begin dancing uncontrollably in European towns. Believed to be caused by religious fervor or demonic possession, the phenomenon spread rapidly. Participants sometimes danced for days, collapsing from exhaustion or death. Religious leaders joined or tried to stop the frenzies through prayer.

9. 9. Zoroastrian Exposure of the Dead

Zoroastrians traditionally left corpses in “Towers of Silence” to be eaten by birds. They believed dead bodies were impure and should not pollute earth, fire, or water. The ritual avoided burial or cremation entirely. While rare today, it is still practiced in parts of India. Environmental concerns and legal restrictions have challenged its continuation.

10. 10. The Thaipusam Piercing Festival

Thaipusam, celebrated by Tamil Hindus, involves extreme acts of devotion like body piercing and pulling chariots with hooks in the skin. Participants prepare through prayer, fasting, and purification rituals. The piercings are often painless due to the trance-like state achieved through faith. Devotees believe it is an offering of pain and endurance to the god Murugan.

11. 11. Child Tossing Ceremony in India

In parts of Karnataka, a centuries-old ritual involves dropping infants from a 30-foot platform into a sheet held below. The act is believed to bless the child with health and good fortune. Parents willingly participate as part of a communal celebration. Although criticized for safety concerns, the ritual persists in some regions. Authorities have intervened to monitor and sometimes ban the event.

12. 12. Crying for the Dead in Ancient Egypt

Professional mourners were hired in ancient Egypt to wail loudly at funerals. Their job was to express sorrow so that the deceased would be remembered and honored properly. Some wore specific costumes and performed choreographed gestures. The ritual connected the community in shared grief and helped guide the spirit to the afterlife.

13. 13. The Snake Handling Churches of Appalachia

Certain Pentecostal churches in the Appalachian region of the United States practice snake handling during worship. They believe that faith in God will protect them from venomous bites. The ritual is based on a literal interpretation of a Bible verse. Participants also drink poison or handle fire as signs of divine protection. Though rare and controversial, it continues in small, tight-knit communities.

14. 14. Living Goddesses of Nepal (Kumari)

In Nepal, young girls are chosen as living goddesses known as Kumaris. They are worshipped and live in temples until they reach puberty. Their daily life is highly ritualized, and they rarely appear in public. Once they age out of the role, they return to ordinary life, though often revered. The practice blends divine reverence with cultural expectations that few outsiders fully understand.

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