I remember reading about this, in one of O'Brian's books if I remember correctly. When someone died some bread or cake would be placed on the body with some money underneath, and the sin eater would be summoned. He would eat the food and take the coins and thereby take the deceased's sins upon himself so the dead person would be sure to go to heaven.
As I recall this was the practice among some Christian sects in England. Of course the poor man would be sure to go to Hell and would be a pariah in the community, useful only for that function. Presumably he would be disabled in some way and unable to earn a living.
There's not much in Wiki so I wondered if anyone has any more information on this, or similar practices in other religions?
As I recall this was the practice among some Christian sects in England. Of course the poor man would be sure to go to Hell and would be a pariah in the community, useful only for that function. Presumably he would be disabled in some way and unable to earn a living.
There's not much in Wiki so I wondered if anyone has any more information on this, or similar practices in other religions?
