Read About These Strange and Unusual Religious Customs!

A complex and multifaceted concept, culturally phenomenon involving values concerning the nature of existence and humanity's place within it. This is Religion. It encompasses various practices and rituals, related to the divine; some of which, will make you question its ethics.

Grishneshwar temple in Maharashtra is the site of a very dangerous 700-year-old religious ritual. Baby tossing, where infants are thrown from a 50-foot tower, and men are placed at the bottom to catch the babies on sheets. Believed that this makes children healthier and luckier.

In Judaism there’s a tradition not so popularly done anymore called Kapparot. A person takes a hen and waves it around while praying, symbolically moving sins to the animal as an act of repentance. It is then killed by a trained ritual slaughterer and the meat is donated.

Garudan Thookkam, is a form of worship associated with certain Hindu temples. During the event, devotees are pierced with metal hooks and are hung like eagles to invoke blessings and divine presence of Lord Vishnu and to seek prosperity for the community.

Staying on the topic of Hinduism, Aghori, a small sect known for unsettling ceremonies; one of which is cannibalism. Believed that by consuming flesh they transcend societal taboos and overcome their fears. Note that not all Aghoris part take and not accepted in Hindu faith.

In Tibetan Buddhist, sky burial aka celestial burial, is a funerary ritual where the deceased body is dismembered, then dispelled on a mountain where vultures can devour them. It is seen as a way to offer person's remains to the sky and to honour the impermanence of life.

Speaking of unusual memorials, Christianity, in the 18th century parts of England, Wales and Scotland, sin eating was practiced. A sin eater was a person who ate bread and ale, placed on the chest of the deceased. By doing this, it would release the sins of the dead person.

Moving on to modern times but not near normal systems. Church of Scientology uses a tool called an E-meter, which measures the resistance of skin. Presumed that it helps individuals uncover negative experiences which are barriers to personal growth and spiritual enlightenment.

This last one isn’t a strange religious habit but a bizarre theology. Pastafarianism, is a satirical movement founded in 2005. The central tenet is assuming the Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe is as valid as other beliefs, deserving equal consideration in society.

To sum up, while some practices appear unorthodox or disturbing, it is essential to approach with respectful dialogue and promote understanding. Upholding human dignity can help to navigating the complexities surrounding controversial religious customs in an interconnected world.