High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Foolishness for Christ refers to behavior such as giving up all one`s worldly possessions upon joining a monastic order. It can also refer to deliberate flouting of society`s conventions to serve a religious purpose — particularly of Christianity. The term fools for Christ derives from the writings of Saint Paul. Saint Francis of Assisi and other saints acted the part of Holy Fools, as have the yurodivy of Eastern Orthodox asceticism. Fools for Christ often employ shocking, unconventional behavior to challenge accepted norms, deliver prophecies or to mask their piety. There are also parallels in non-Christian traditions such as the Avadhuta (Sanskrit) and adepts of crazy wisdom. There are also parallels in the Islamic tradition amongst the Malamatiyya Sufis.