Wow! Excellent points here. I've been wondering where the idea of hurting yourself running a marathon for charity comes from. But the Christians have this thing... the sacrifice of Jesus where he has to suffer in order for God to get the idea to let sinful people into Heaven. I don't know if the burning of a goat is supposed to cleanse some sin away or something. The burnt offerings were then fed to the leaders of the religious tribe like a tithe. I'm not sure I understand it at all... but it seems like suffering earns you something with God.