Religious survey

[sandyb]

I don't believe any organized religion has it right. Buddhism is close but as Catalina says its not really a religion - no saviour outside of yourself, and it has too much dogma for me. I think there is some universal connection to all life - that's about as religious as I get.

 

[HawkEye38]

OK, this is just a qustion. I'm not bashing anyone or any religion with this, but if all of this is true, did the 9-11 hijackers get to meet up with all of those virgins, like they were told they would? After all, they did believe completely in theiir religion, didn't they?

Ok, I can't resist, forgive me, I'm going to put a quote from robin williams in here...

"...but, recently. The Koran scholars said that the actual translation was not 71 dark-haired virgins, but 71 crystal clear raisins... Slight Difference in interpertation really! That's very strange, that's like finding out 'Thou Shalt Not Kill' is 'Thou Shalt Not Wear a Kilt'! And the scottich are going 'FUCK OFF!' but just imagine Osama Bin Laden blows himself up and he goes to the gates of heaven and there's George Washington waiting going 'How dare you defile that which I created' And starts whaling on his ass. 70 other members of the continental congress come down and start kicking the shit out of him! and he's going 'WHAT IS THIS? Where are the virgins?'

'Seventy one Virginians you asshole!'


oh god, this is so inappropriate for this thread but I can't resist

 

[DVS]

Ok, I can't resist, forgive me, I'm going to put a quote from robin williams in here...

"...but, recently. The Koran scholars said that the actual translation was not 71 dark-haired virgins, but 71 crystal clear raisins... Slight Difference in interpertation really! That's very strange, that's like finding out 'Thou Shalt Not Kill' is 'Thou Shalt Not Wear a Kilt'! And the scottich are going 'FUCK OFF!' but just imagine Osama Bin Laden blows himself up and he goes to the gates of heaven and there's George Washington waiting going 'How dare you defile that which I created' And starts whaling on his ass. 70 other members of the continental congress come down and start kicking the shit out of him! and he's going 'WHAT IS THIS? Where are the virgins?'

'Seventy one Virginians you asshole!'


oh god, this is so inappropriate for this thread but I can't resist

Leave it to Robin Williams. Sane justice through insane humor. That's great.

 

[FurryFury]

I thought that was agnosticism?

You are so right!

My bad!

I fixed it now.

*hugs*

Fury

 

[O'Mac]

Wow! Who'd have thought a question like that would be posted on the BDSM forum. Myself, I am a practising Deist/Presbyterian. My girlfriend is somewhat into Wicca.

Deism is a philosophy and belief that science and reason can support one's faith in a divine creator (ie: God). Deists generally accept the spirit and message of holy texts such as the bible, but not certain literal concepts. The advancement of all knowledge and truth is viewed as a divine mission of sorts, that people should be encouraged to undertake.

My traditional Christian background is more Presbyterian, though I am not a church goer. Strangely though, at times I do wish I could be part of a congregation. As for my girlfriend, she claims to practise the Wiccan religion and seems to believe in such concepts as numerology and whatnot.

And like Graceanne, I'm very proud of my beliefs.

 

[Private_Label]

Protestant, sort of

While I consider myself somewhat of a protestant/christian (lutheran, protestant, baptist) I have read about other belief systems (not always the same as "practicing" them) and have come to the personal conclusion that for the most part they all have similarities in at least in what constitutes acceptable behavior in society 1. don't unnecesarily and intentionally hurt others 2. don't do bad things to children.

I'm also a scientist by training, so I can also see similarities between scientific explainations of the universe and biblical ones.

I don't really care what religion a person is. What matters most to me is how you act and conduct yourself. If you are nice/polite/cooperative to others most of the time, you are someone I want to associate with, if you are bad tempered toward others and and don't care if you make life harder for others, don't plan to be invited over to my home.

I don't mind talking about religion, as long as we are not attempting to convert anyone. Telling someone else that their beliefs are wrong is not what a nice/polite person does. I am willing to discuss my beliefs, as long as you understand they are MY beliefs. I for my part will understand that my beliefs may not be YOUR beliefs. My life is a much happier place that way.

 

[Etoile]

I'm also a scientist by training, so I can also see similarities between scientific explainations of the universe and biblical ones.

Please do tell - I'd love to hear about this.

 

[arctic-stranger]

I'm also a scientist by training, so I can also see similarities between scientific explainations of the universe and biblical ones.

About half my congegation has a Ph.D in the hard sciences. I don't use scientific references in sermons, because there will be a long line of people who want to tell me that light really doesnt have two natures, wave and particle, it is more like.....

They seem to do a very good job of mixing faith and science.

 

[SweetCandy22]

I'm a hard core Christian, highly religious with a very close relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Also a virgin, but coming to realise my BDSM nature. I have yet to give into it.

 

[O'Mac]

I'm a hard core Christian, highly religious with a very close relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Also a virgin, but coming to realise my BDSM nature. I have yet to give into it.

I'm pretty much the same way, and I do feel a sense of guilt many times when I'm with my partner (were not married......yet). Other than that, however, according to most scripture, there really isn't anything inherently evil or wrong with the BDSM lifstyle, providing you're in a manogamous relationship with your spouse. If BDSM is a way to further enjoy intimacy with your spouse, there whould be no problem to that. The only major resistance people have toward the lifestyle is from the social taboo associated with it.

 

[Esclava]

I'm pretty much the same way, and I do feel a sense of guilt many times when I'm with my partner (were not married......yet). Other than that, however, according to most scripture, there really isn't anything inherently evil or wrong with the BDSM lifstyle, providing you're in a manogamous relationship with your spouse. If BDSM is a way to further enjoy intimacy with your spouse, there whould be no problem to that. The only major resistance people have toward the lifestyle is from the social taboo associated with it.

I understand what you're saying about the social taboo, O'Mac. I'd also like to add this: After a really heated discussion of BDSM with some fellow congregants, it was pointed out that those who practice "this thing we do" elevate themselves to the level of (or worse yet above) Jesus. Their opinion is that to enjoy the percussive pain play involved, places us above the One who provided our salvation. The brutal punishment Jesus suffered at the hands of mortal man on His way to the cross was part of the burden He had to bear and we lowly humans ought not take pleasure in something that was part of the gift He gave - and endured - to save us.

I didn't say I agreed with them ... it's just another point of view that someone brought to my attention.

Esclava

 

[Netzach]

I understand what you're saying about the social taboo, O'Mac. I'd also like to add this: After a really heated discussion of BDSM with some fellow congregants, it was pointed out that those who practice "this thing we do" elevate themselves to the level of (or worse yet above) Jesus. Their opinion is that to enjoy the percussive pain play involved, places us above the One who provided our salvation. The brutal punishment Jesus suffered at the hands of mortal man on His way to the cross was part of the burden He had to bear and we lowly humans ought not take pleasure in something that was part of the gift He gave - and endured - to save us.

I didn't say I agreed with them ... it's just another point of view that someone brought to my attention.

Esclava

But then you have flagellants in certain Christian circles, maybe partly to purge the flesh of sin, but maybe also to bring oneself closer to that central issue of the Passion?

Even in a subconscious kinda way.

Don't mind me, I'm not Christian, just kind of a saint fan.

 

[Esclava]

But then you have flagellants in certain Christian circles, maybe partly to purge the flesh of sin, but maybe also to bring oneself closer to that central issue of the Passion?

Even in a subconscious kinda way.

Don't mind me, I'm not Christian, just kind of a saint fan.

I'll never mind hearing your take on things, Net ... tyvm - and I AM Christian.

But ... Flagellation - I will never understand. IMO, flagellation to purge ... anything ... is different than a hand spanking or even a spanking with any implement for sensation. In my mind, it is much more for punishment than for pleasure. And since pain breaks my focus, once it turns from sensation into pain, it's abuse for me.

I know it is not really different - percussive administration of pain is the same no matter how it is given or received. For me, the only real difference is the tolerance level of the recipient. Once someone passes what I consider sensation, percussive pain play(?) takes on another meaning.

Esclava

 

[O'Mac]

The brutal punishment Jesus suffered at the hands of mortal man on His way to the cross was part of the burden He had to bear and we lowly humans ought not take pleasure in something that was part of the gift He gave - and endured - to save us.

That's a very interesting, if somewhat simplistic point of view on their behalf. I would point out to them, however, that the sort of shananigans that go on in the BDSM lifstely pale in comparison to the torture and cruxifiction of Christ. I suppose people still tend to think (like I though at one time), that deriving pleasure for anything other than selfless acts is sinful. I tend to disagree with that claim, but some consider it very valid.

I am actually quite intrigued by how some people can commit their entire lives for the advancement of faith and compassion, without asking or receiving anything is return. It's like a goal of sorts to aspire to. The only valid happiness is the feeling you get from helping others. It's a noble purpose people have in that respect, so I can met them half-way when they declare the pleasure brought on by the pain of BDSM is derived from a selfish desire, that does no greater good to anyone outside the relationship.

One of the more theological hypothesis towards pain is that it reinforces our humilty. Almost as if it's to remind us that we are still humans, despite all we accomplish and all we can do. We still have limits and pain is one of many physical limitations. To find pleasure in experiencing a concept that should be acknowledged as a limitation goes against quite a few dogmatic assumptions.

 

[Etoile]

I thought suffering was supposed to be a good thing? I am admittedly clueless about religion, particularly the distinctions between Catholicism and Christianity, but I know the previous Pope was into suffering big-time.
Pope John Paul II and Suffering
Pope John Paul II and the redemptive power of suffering

I suppose I could turn this into a very interesting conversation with my fanatically Catholic uncle...he converted from Judaism about 15 years ago and has since written books about how to convert Jews to Catholicism! I didn't even tell him I was gay for six years after I met my wife. "So, Uncle M, in addition to being gay, I'm a kinky pervert...but that's good, right?"

 

[O'Mac]

I thought suffering was supposed to be a good thing? I am admittedly clueless about religion, particularly the distinctions between Catholicism and Christianity, but I know the previous Pope was into suffering big-time.

Suffering is indeed believed to be a path to righteousness by many of faith (Christian and non-Christian alike). That said, in order for it to be true suffering, however, one can not find joy or pleasure from the act. Flagellation is generally exercised so the person undergoing the act can share a little bit of the same pain that Jesus suffered prior to cruxifiction. Afterwards, the flagellant is usually quite joyous or humbled, but that is more due to the spiritual connection they make.

 

[jasonlf]

The idea of suffering being "good" isn't the pain itself, it's the impact it seems to have on people.

Look at someone who has overcome a horrible situation, where they had all odds against them, and they came through it. They're going to be a better person than someone born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Comfort breeds apathy. Apathy breeds laziness. Laziness breeds people who suck.

 

[FinagleFactor]

Catholic.

Someone said that if you were religious you shouldnt be here on this site? Does this mean I shouldnt go out of the house because of the people I would be associating with or the topics that might be brought up?

Or will I only meet these people here on this site?

 

[jasonlf]

Someone said that if you were religious you shouldnt be here on this site? Does this mean I shouldnt go out of the house because of the people I would be associating with or the topics that might be brought up?

No, it means to ignore ignorant people who say things out of disrespect

 

[O'Mac]

Comfort breeds apathy. Apathy breeds laziness. Laziness breeds people who suck.

Awwww man! And I'm the laziness guy out of all the people I know.

Catholic.

Someone said that if you were religious you shouldnt be here on this site? Does this mean I shouldnt go out of the house because of the people I would be associating with or the topics that might be brought up?

Or will I only meet these people here on this site?

Actually, I find there are more and more anti-theistic people venting their spleen online now then ever before. Now I've got no problem with some vigourous theological debate, and I respect everyone's choice of belief, even atheism. One thing I can't tolerate is the blatant disrespect people have for those of faith. It's as if nobody is allowed to be racist or sexist anymore, but bashing a person's relgious beliefs seems perfectly okay to many.

 

[His_pita]

This is such an interesting thread. I'm a Born Again, Bible believing Christian who is trying to fit my faith and my new lifestyle of D/s together.

I don't have any problem with pain play or anything else in the bedroom because I believe whatever is consensual is permissible. I actually think D/s fits perfectly into my Biblical beliefs in that I agree I should be submissive to my man and he should love me as Christ loved the church.

Simplistic I know, but thats me.

 

[Frotter]

this idea is an element of judism as well...

I'm strange. I made up my own religion where you reincarnate repeatedly and each time you do so you become a slightly better person until you're perfect and then you get to go to heaven. Actually, I didn't make it up. It's based on Hinduism and my Latin American Lit teacher explained it to us in high school and I decided that it sounds about right.

it's not explictitly stated as such, but that is the basic idea in judiasm (sic), that is why there is no hell as such. you keep coming back, each time attaining (hopefully) better spiritual state, etc. till eventually your ready, complete, and able to go to, or become part of, the light...

 

[jasonlf]

it's not explictitly stated as such, but that is the basic idea in judiasm (sic), that is why there is no hell as such. you keep coming back, each time attaining (hopefully) better spiritual state, etc. till eventually your ready, complete, and able to go to, or become part of, the light...

Actually, no it's not. Not even close.

Judaism is based on God's law as given in the Torah (first 5 books of old testament). Find me something that talks about reincarnation, or "light".

I think you are talking about Hinduism

 

[Netzach]

it's not explictitly stated as such, but that is the basic idea in judiasm (sic), that is why there is no hell as such. you keep coming back, each time attaining (hopefully) better spiritual state, etc. till eventually your ready, complete, and able to go to, or become part of, the light...

Yep, no reincarnation in Judaism. But no heaven/hell split either, we don't really fixate a lot on the hereafter at all.

 

[arctic-stranger]

Many buddhists believe in reincarnation as well.