1. Martin Luther was so obsessed with the idea of sin that he followed a strict personal regime that included regular self-beatings
The German monk Martin Luther was a key figure in the Protestant Reformation. Due to his work, people across Europe came to reject the teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, seeking to get closer to God. One of the reasons Luther was able to persuade so many people to follow his lead was because he quite literally practiced what he preached. Luther was obsessed with living a good life, often taking this to extremes.
In recent years, some experts have argued that, if he were alive today, Luther would be diagnosed with suffering from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). Back in the 15th and 16th centuries, however, his behavior was simply regarded as proof that he was a devoted and pious monk. During his 20 years in a German monastery, Luther would rise at 3am without fail and then pray in silence for hours. Even then, he was still convinced he had been sinful. This obsession led to self-flagellation and even extreme fasting. During the winter months, meanwhile, Luther would lie outside on the snow until his fellow monks, fearful for his life, would carry him back inside.
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