A new "high" on the horizon

I think I have just read one of the most disturbing pieces of journalism ever written. It's not the actual article or author that is disturbing...instead, it is the content of the article. Apparently, this past weekend in Rhode Island, a group of people (mostly teenagers and young professionals) decided to hang themselves by 3 inch fish hooks....yes you read that right. You can read the article for yourself here. WARNING: There are pictures that are not for the faint of heart. Asked why they partake in this type of activity the participants often gave answers like :

"I was on Cloud Nine," the Wethersfield, Connecticut teenager said as he joined fellow body suspension practitioners at an annual convention over the weekend. "It was euphoric. It was spiritual. I'd do it again today if I wasn't so sore."

And: "It's a conquest of some sort. People are pushing the envelope more and more to attain some kind of separation and identification from society, and this is one way of doing it," she said. "Most people who probably are pretty healthy are not going to go to that extreme."

Also, "Look at his face. He's so serene," said Rosemary Curtis, watching her boyfriend swing slowly in the "Superman" pose. "We've had some really rough times this year, and he needed this really bad."

But this sums it up:"It's searching for answers, trying new things," Hiller said. "You can only get pierced and tattooed so many times."

This 'convention' just shows how people are starving for attention as well as some kind of meaning, acceptance, and fulfillment for their lives. Tattoos and piercings are not enough for these people. They get 'high' by defying and dealing through pain. But like all 'highs' they are temporary. However, the spiritual 'high' of knowing that one has eternal life through Christ Jesus never goes away. Christ died for me, you, the alcoholic, the CEO and the people who hang themselves from 3-inch fish hooks. We are all sinners and deserve nothing but what our sins condemn us to...eternal torment. However, Christ has rescued us from this death and it is our job as believers to make sure that people know this Truth so that they can find meaning in their life and not have to literally 'hang' themselves.