Nicaraguan woman dies after being thrown into a fire in exorcism ritual

[Curmudgeoness]

And people wonder why atheists have a problem with religion!

Outside a church in a remote part of Nicaragua last week, a pastor and a group from his congregation stood around a bonfire for a prayer, their eyes closed and hands raised.

A 25-year-old woman needed healing, and through a divine revelation, a church leader claimed to have instructions to build the fire to cure her. They stripped the woman naked, tied up her hands and feet and hurled her into the flames, Nicaraguan police said. She was consumed by the fire and suffered first and second degree burns over 80 percent of her body.

...

“Apart from the religious aspect, nothing justifies an act that is as cruel as burning a woman, putting her on a fire with the help of other people who you have used religion to manipulate,” Jimenez said.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nicaragua-exorcism-vilma-trujillo-garcia-burned-alive-ritual-demons-religious-sects-a7605481.html

[luvMIdog]

1. this is sad and horrific beyond words

[Heddi]

2. "apart from the religious aspect...."

what other aspect is there? It was religious belief that was the driving force for the need for exorcism. "A CHURCH LEADER CLAIMED TO HAVE INSTRUCTIONS TO BUILD THE FIRE TO CURE HER."

CHURCH
LEADER

"A PASTOR AND A GROUP FROM HIS CONGREGATION STOOD AROUND A BONFIRE FOR A PRAYER..."

There is *no* other aspect aside from religion. It is the ONLY aspect.

but please, let's call this what it is:
1) not a real religion
2) okay maybe real but not officially sanctioned
3) Okay maybe offically sanctioned by show me where it says....
4) DAWKINSSSSsss

[trotsky]

3. No one can prove he was wrong, either.

That's what is so unique (and sad) about religion.

[Curmudgeoness]

6. I guess this means that religious DOES justify this.

Gotta worry about those demons, ya know.

[Fix The Stupid]

4. Can't talk about exorcism here...

Just. don't.

I got a ridiculous hide recently about this.

For instance, you can't say that people who believe in exorcism are mentally unhinged. Apparently the people who believe in 'demons' and 'possessions' take this as a great insult.

So, let's just pretend this is normal. Hell, it's 2017, believers just elected a mentally unhinged fascist, but for all means, let's pretend this is a real thing and give it 'respect'...

What's the worst that could happen? A woman getting thrown into a fire? Minor collateral damage because we have to 'respect' their beliefs.

[Curmudgeoness]

5. Oh noes!

What do you mean, we can't talk about exorcism here!?!?!? I think we already are.

And if I get my first hide with this article, that would be unfortunate, but not earth-shattering.

[MineralMan]

7. But the "religious aspect" justifies it? Really?

No thanks. Religion justifies nothing, in my opinion. It is a creation of human society, and reflects the nature of the society that created it. That does not speak very well for human society, I'm afraid.

[Curmudgeoness]

8. I particularly liked that line.

"Liked it" meaning that I was "appalled by it". I added that to the teaser because it was so outrageous.

NOTHING justifies this. Religion may "cause" this sort of thing though.

[The Sand Reckoner]

11. If not for religion and belief in the supernatural

this would not have happened. There is no "may" about it.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

9. +1

Got religion?

[NeoGreen]

10. I find it distasteful to...

..."Rec" stories like this.

What a world religion has wrought.

Burning a person alive (anywhere) is not worth all the stained glass in all the world's cathedrals.

[Goblinmonger]

12. This is horrible.

I think this is probably one of the worst ways to die. The pain must be horrible.

And, yeah, religion. Jesus.