"Part of the dogma, I suppose, is a vestige of the notion that suffering is good for the soul. The United States is particularly backward in its presumption that pain may be deserved and ought to be endured, and that the pitfalls of relief — addiction, dependence — are infinitely worse than the agony itself."

Right on! Christ suffered on the cross, with blood pouring down, dying a slow and painful death - that's what these puritans love. When I told my boss I am in much, constant, pain after I came back after an injury and would like a less physically demanding job he said, "I am in pain, too, constantly. We all are in pain here, we all have been injured at one time and another." He said it with such satisfaction and relishment I was convinced he enjoyed being in pain, loved the suffering and especially enjoyed it when others suffered, too.