Unusual Practices and Strange Beliefs in Seven Distinct Religions

Strange Rites of Passage: A Global Perspective

Unusual Practices and Strange Beliefs in Seven Distinct Religions

Rites of passage are essential ceremonies that signify a person's transition from one life stage to another, and they vary significantly across different cultures and religions. These rituals often mirror the unique beliefs and traditions of each society. Here are some of the most peculiar rites of passage from various religions worldwide:

1. The 700-Year-Old Ritual in an Unnamed Region

In an unnamed region, both Muslims and Hindus practice a 700-year-old ritual. This tradition, shared by both communities, is unique and intriguing[1].

2. The Aghori Cult

The Aghori is a religious cult that separated from the overarching Hindu religion in the 14th century AD. Aghori followers believe that everything emanates from "Brahman" and that no evil exists. They take this interpretation further by dwelling near cremation grounds and eating the corpse of the deceased[2].

3. The Grishneshwar Temple Ritual

The Grishneshwar Temple in Maharashtra, India, is the site of a unique religious ritual. Babies between 1 and 2 years old are thrown from a 50-foot tower. This ceremony is believed to make children more intelligent, luckier, and healthier[3].

4. Sky Burials in Tibet

Sky burials were a religious ceremony in Tibet that involved dissecting the deceased's body and scattering the pieces on a mountaintop to decompose or be consumed by birds. Although outlawed, this practice can still be performed with the family's permission[4].

5. The Maradonian Church

The Maradonian Church is a religion established in honor of Argentine soccer player Diego Maradona. This faith has a set of commandments, including changing one's middle name to Diego, naming one's son Diego, and spreading the news of Maradona's miracles[5]. As of the article's publication, there are 80,000 followers of the Maradonian Church in over 60 countries.

6. Happy Science

Happy Science is a Japanese religion established by Ryuho Okawa in 1991, with over 12 million followers. The religion encourages followers to explore the right mind and principles of happiness through love, wisdom, self-reflection, and progress[6]. Ryuho Okawa claims to be able to channel the spirits of Muhammad, Christ, Buddha, and Confucius.

These examples demonstrate how rites of passage can be deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual contexts of different societies, often reflecting broader themes of transformation and community.

To join Happy Science, one must have an aspiration to seek the way and contribute to love, peace, and happiness on earth.

Most Tibetans follow Buddhist traditions, which dictate that the human body is merely a vessel and can be discarded.

In medieval times, female saints would lick the pus from leper wounds and eat their scabs, which was seen as a sign of extreme holiness.

The Maradonian Church believes Maradona to be the greatest soccer player in history and prays to this fact.

The practice of sky burials was outlawed but can still be performed with the family's permission.

The Maradonian Church's details are not specific enough to extract a fact.

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