Some people are just more prone to emotional displays, maybe. I didn't flinch throughout the movie. I was just 'surprised' they turned him over to scourge his frontside. I suppose I had the ability to distance myself from the movie's attempt to hypotise the audience. Whatever the reason, I just can't empathise with people who felt strongly about the movie. I suppose it's good for them -- they can feel bad over seeing people suffer in a movie, or they can find strengthened faith through it.
There's thoroughly insensitive things I could say about the movie, but I'll keep those to myself.