Religious survey

[Etoile]

Thank you for the explanations on suffering; that does make sense.

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.

I hope I never come across that way. I may not believe in God (especially not the monotheistic God of the world's major religions), but I certainly would not criticize someone for their belief in him/her/them. In fact, it's quite the opposite: occasionally I envy those who do believe in God. I envy their source of comfort, the entity they have to blame or pray to, and their ability to trust - have faith in - something they cannot see. (I am aware that many believe they can see the work of God in their world, but actually seeing the deity isn't as common.) I wish I could have those things, but I can't, it's just not in me.

So I definitely would not bash someone on tthe basis of their religion. Even my distaste for my uncle's work isn't connected to his Catholicism or his relationship with his God - it's about the degree of his fanaticism and the ferocity with which he pushes it on others.

 

[O'Mac]

I hope I never come across that way. I may not believe in God (especially not the monotheistic God of the world's major religions), but I certainly would not criticize someone for their belief in him/her/them. In fact, it's quite the opposite: occasionally I envy those who do believe in God. I envy their source of comfort, the entity they have to blame or pray to, and their ability to trust - have faith in - something they cannot see. (I am aware that many believe they can see the work of God in their world, but actually seeing the deity isn't as common.) I wish I could have those things, but I can't, it's just not in me.

So I definitely would not bash someone on tthe basis of their religion. Even my distaste for my uncle's work isn't connected to his Catholicism or his relationship with his God - it's about the degree of his fanaticism and the ferocity with which he pushes it on others.

I agree with your distaste of fanaticism, and I think it can be a slippery slope for individuals and when they let excessive zeal cloud their logical judgement. That's not to say people should not be happy in their beliefs or want to proclaim their faith. I find myself incredibly proud of my beliefs and how they shape what sort of person I am. I notice all to often that some people mix an admission of faith as an attempt to convert others, however, even when there is no intention to do that.

As I've said regarding my own faith, I am a practising Deist with a background of traditional Baptist/Presbyterian beliefs. My flatmate is athesit, I have two Muslim friends, my girlfriend is Wiccan, and another friend is Roman Catholic. We are all intensely proud of who we are, but I wouldn't say there is any urge from any of us to convert the others in our group.

In my case, believing in God hasn't sprang out of a need for comfort or to place blame. I grew up in an atheist family (my father a devout believer in nothing) and have always been interested in the hard sciences of physics, logic, and biology. I've found that as my awareness and knowledge of the universe expanded, so did my belief in a creator, or God as I refer to him/her/it.

But then I can always remind myself that there is an equal chance that I'm totally way off on what is the real story behind everything.

 

[FinagleFactor]

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.

I agree whole heartedly. I think as with anything in life you will be exposed to things you shouldnt do or participate in. As long as you are true to your beliefs your fine.

 

[jasonlf]

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.

If you scroll back, I made a thread saying basically the same thing

 

[SweetCandy22]

I'm not sure on wether the D/S style fits the way God wants us to be. I have been unable to really speak to Him, being that I am just now accepting it myself. There are certaintly a lot of implications to consider and a lot of confusing ideals...

 

[catalina_francisco]

Thought some of you might like this .

Catalina

 

[MasterPhoenix]

Actually Buddhism is a bit out of place in the survey as it is not a religion, but more a philosophy.

Catalina

I am a Buddhist, Myself... and I do think of it as a religion...

 

[catalina_francisco]

I am a Buddhist, Myself... and I do think of it as a religion...

Depends who you read I guess and I think it comes from the thought there is not a supernatural type deity being worshipped so to speak, but more so a path through which you have a part in creating your own destiny and reality...I really don't put a lot of thought into it as I know what I feel and believe. I do miss going to Buddhist retreats and celebrations now I am living here, and being able to converse and eat with the monks whenever time premitted. It just is not that easy to do here.

Catalina

 

[myinnerslut]

im jewish. Sir is jewish by culture, but doesnt actually believe it.

 

[MasterPhoenix]

Depends who you read I guess and I think it comes from the thought there is not a supernatural type deity being worshipped so to speak, but more so a path through which you have a part in creating your own destiny and reality...I really don't put a lot of thought into it as I know what I feel and believe. I do miss going to Buddhist retreats and celebrations now I am living here, and being able to converse and eat with the monks whenever time premitted. It just is not that easy to do here.

Catalina

I think a lot depends on the school of Buddhism and who it is taught.

If I may ask, which is the school you practice?

Myself, I practice Nichiren Shoshu.

 

[lil_slave_rose]

i guess if i had to pick an organized religion it would Christian, though i do not go to church, and i don't believe to have a relationship with God that i have to go to church. i don't listen to what others preach for the most part, i read the bible and interpret it the way i see it. i voted that i'm spiritual not religious because i don't believe the way most Christians do....

 

[Zinfandel]

I was raised without too much religion, though if we were anything it was Protestant. I am now Jewish by conversion.

 

[Etoile]

Thought some of you might like this .

Catalina

Wow, their product line has seriously expanded since they started. In the beginning they just had the Jackhammer Jesus, Baby Jesus Buttplug, Virgin Mary, and Buddha. I took a look through the new ones, I think the Jackhammer Jesus is still my favorite. It's got that convenient handle!

 

[FurryFury]

Wow, their product line has seriously expanded since they started. In the beginning they just had the Jackhammer Jesus, Baby Jesus Buttplug, Virgin Mary, and Buddha. I took a look through the new ones, I think the Jackhammer Jesus is still my favorite. It's got that convenient handle!

Okay, that did it. I had to look!

LOL.

Fury

 

[catalina_francisco]

I think a lot depends on the school of Buddhism and who it is taught.

If I may ask, which is the school you practice?

Myself, I practice Nichiren Shoshu.

I read from a variety of schools and traditions, and also used to visit a variety of centres in Oz which belonged to various traditions. The Chinese one near my home was a good on in that it was always open, and had a lot of ancient texts to lookat and though limited by language, receive instructions on the content of. Primarily I am a follower of Tibetan Buddhism, Gelug in particular, but like all things I find there is value in many of the forms available. I tned to share the belief of the DL in that all religions have the same basic philosophy and aims, and there is no reason why understanding cannot be held between all to live in peace. I also love that he is not stodgy, and unlike many in high positions is quite open about his own shortcomings in reference to Buddhist ideals and principles and does not try and sell an ideal of attempting perfection or nothing.


Catalina

 

[MasterPhoenix]

Glad that you have found your path...

*sigh* I miss going to temple more often.

 

[liberatedslave]

I used to be a Jehovah's Witness which follows the Bible closely and does not permit sex before marriage. I left for a multitude of reasons but still have respect for the faith. It was a good path but not one that I felt able to take.

Last year I met my Sir and things progressed between us. I could not rejoin the witnesses now unless I split from him or married him. Sir is not at all religous. I miss the companionship of the congregation but accept that I simply don't have a place there now. I would not join another, more accepting church, I prefer to stay as I am.

I do read the Bible, though not as often as I used to and I do my best to be a good moral person and I know that's due to my spiritual side.

 

[Etoile]

That's an interesting topic: secular morality vs. religious morality. For example, I'm an atheist and I love being one, but I think it's wrong to commit murder. Not because God said don't kill, but because we are each our own sovereign beings, and we don't get to make that choice for someone else. This isn't related to BDSM though...I think I'll explore it further on my own site.

 

[liberatedslave]

That's an interesting topic: secular morality vs. religious morality. For example, I'm an atheist and I love being one, but I think it's wrong to commit murder. Not because God said don't kill, but because we are each our own sovereign beings, and we don't get to make that choice for someone else.

Yes, I completely understand how you feel. When I first left my church I felt so liberated but in reality I remain the same person I was when I believed in it wholeheartedly. I still have a strong sense of morality and justice. The atheists that I know share your opinion that behaving in a savage, selfish, destructive way is an evolutionary step backwards and an insult to themselves and humankind as a race.

I also disagree with taking life but I can empathise with some people who have been treated so badly that they would want to. I also think that some people (paedophiles, murderers, Saddam Hussein etc) have forfeited their 'right' to life by choosing to destroy the lives of others. The human rights complaints that prisoners in UK jails make are usually laughable in comparison with the crimes they have committed.

 

[Netzach]

That's an interesting topic: secular morality vs. religious morality. For example, I'm an atheist and I love being one, but I think it's wrong to commit murder. Not because God said don't kill, but because we are each our own sovereign beings, and we don't get to make that choice for someone else. This isn't related to BDSM though...I think I'll explore it further on my own site.

It irks me to no end that people insist that without religion we couldn't have morality. That people who don't believe in God have nothing to answer to. I've found quite the opposite. I admire atheists, I wish I could be that certain about anything....


What I do like, and what jives with my science sensibilities, is the idea that all the stuff out there is tethered together. Even through something like space, or coincidence - I have the sense at my most enlightned and selfless moments that all this shit fits together in some way that's far beyond my mere comprehension. And I find the infinitely tiny and minute and pointless little speck of my existence in this grand scheme to be a comforting thing. At my most depressed I can go out into the city and look at people or look at trees in the park and realize : whatever I'm crying about isn't that fucking important when you get down to it.

I don't have a cute catchphrase for what I mean. I like the Stephen Mitchell translation of the Tao with lots and lots of Korean Zen liner note quotes.

 

[Blushing Bottom]

Heathen here...

d

 

[FurryFury]

It irks me to no end that people insist that without religion we couldn't have morality. That people who don't believe in God have nothing to answer to. I've found quite the opposite. I admire atheists, I wish I could be that certain about anything....


What I do like, and what jives with my science sensibilities, is the idea that all the stuff out there is tethered together. Even through something like space, or coincidence - I have the sense at my most enlightned and selfless moments that all this shit fits together in some way that's far beyond my mere comprehension. And I find the infinitely tiny and minute and pointless little speck of my existence in this grand scheme to be a comforting thing. At my most depressed I can go out into the city and look at people or look at trees in the park and realize : whatever I'm crying about isn't that fucking important when you get down to it.

I don't have a cute catchphrase for what I mean. I like the Stephen Mitchell translation of the Tao with lots and lots of Korean Zen liner note quotes.

Once again, I agree with you.

Funny how that keeps happening!



Fury

 

[Etoile]

It irks me to no end that people insist that without religion we couldn't have morality. That people who don't believe in God have nothing to answer to. I've found quite the opposite. I admire atheists, I wish I could be that certain about anything....

I am very certain that God doesn't exist...but I'm still not sure who killed JFK.

 

[BeachGurl2]

It irks me to no end that people insist that without religion we couldn't have morality. That people who don't believe in God have nothing to answer to. I've found quite the opposite. I admire atheists, I wish I could be that certain about anything....


What I do like, and what jives with my science sensibilities, is the idea that all the stuff out there is tethered together. Even through something like space, or coincidence - I have the sense at my most enlightned and selfless moments that all this shit fits together in some way that's far beyond my mere comprehension. And I find the infinitely tiny and minute and pointless little speck of my existence in this grand scheme to be a comforting thing. At my most depressed I can go out into the city and look at people or look at trees in the park and realize : whatever I'm crying about isn't that fucking important when you get down to it.

I don't have a cute catchphrase for what I mean. I like the Stephen Mitchell translation of the Tao with lots and lots of Korean Zen liner note quotes.

Hmmmmm, very well said, Netz. And in many ways, this falls right in line with my philosophies. I'm spiritual, but very opposed to organized religion, as I don't believe that what we have as organized religion would be anything near what my God would want. I do believe in a God, but it's not necessarily the God defined in Christian texts. My religious beliefs are a bit of a mish mash between several major religions. It's interesting to me that all of the major world religions have the same basic tenets, and yet people in general believe that without a Christian God there can be no moral code. Yes, I was raised in a Christian household, church on Sunday and Bible reading every evening as a family - Lutheran, no less. My children were baptised as babies in private ceremonies at home rather than in a church by a pastor of my mother's/grandmother's church. And yes, when I got married, I married in my grandparent's church by the same pastor who baptised me as a baby. However, I live my life everyday based on my own moral code that I defined for myself after studying many of the world's religions and philosophies. What I believe to be good and true. And with that, I sleep just fine at night.

 

[Toa_lin]

I am an Aethiest, I simply do not see any religion that can explain why life has been soo harsh to me and those I care about... the closest I foudn was deism... but it didn't quite cut it, though it IS interesting to talk about.... Anywho, back on topic. Oh wiat, that's all I feel liek saying, nvm, "NEXT!"