PURIFICATION OF PAIN
(2014)
Inspired by Equus, a play by Peter Shaffer, a story of a psychiatrist who attempts to treat a young man who has a pathological religious fascination with horses. Where he sees the horses as representative of God and even confuses his adoration of his "God" with sexual attraction. He has been educated that sexual acts are dirty through biblical stories but at the same time begins to show zoophilia desires. At the end of the story he felt incredibly guilty and ashamed of trying to have sex
with his girlfriend in the stable, the kind of religious guilt he encountered has driven him to perform extreme actions.
While further investigating into the topic, I found an article which I agree on, is about religion (esp. fundamentalism) is actually demanding followers to remain passive, and fuelled with guilt. And I believe it relates to the concept of “purification by pain”, humans have been socialized over ages to think of pain in terms of justice, we equate it with punishment. Similar psychological theory can be found in masochism as well. The role of fear and guilt in religion plays an important role on gaining their powers over human minds. As Albert Einstein said, “If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed.” Humans are easily get exploited by fear and guilt, and only by trusting ourselves can break free.
Photographer: Blossom Mary Bryant / Sarah Small
with his girlfriend in the stable, the kind of religious guilt he encountered has driven him to perform extreme actions.
While further investigating into the topic, I found an article which I agree on, is about religion (esp. fundamentalism) is actually demanding followers to remain passive, and fuelled with guilt. And I believe it relates to the concept of “purification by pain”, humans have been socialized over ages to think of pain in terms of justice, we equate it with punishment. Similar psychological theory can be found in masochism as well. The role of fear and guilt in religion plays an important role on gaining their powers over human minds. As Albert Einstein said, “If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed.” Humans are easily get exploited by fear and guilt, and only by trusting ourselves can break free.
Photographer: Blossom Mary Bryant / Sarah Small