If you depressure the sail by actually fluttering it (whether directly into the wind or with the wind abaft or in between) it makes little difference; rather it's just a function of releative "pressure" on the sail. As for the flogging, that's a different story.

We have a 100% working jib on our J/Boat -- but on our previous boats, we would not fall -off in most conditions just to furl the sail. We have a larger genoas on our Pearson 35 and Sabre 42. (In heavier air, we would try to have the working jibs up which were 100% sails, but it didn't always work that way.)

As for the flogging, that's a different story. That's dependant on the strength the wind, the clew's contact with objects and rigging, and your tolerance for abusing the equipment. ;^)