Religion & Roles

[YourCaptor]

We could say "spiritual" instead of "religious" since people don't like the connotations of that word

I purposely avoided "spiritual", because I am not interested in if their is a belief, but if one is devoted to that belief.

 

[intothewoods]

Ok, you do realize that this is a porn board, and that any polls you put up about D/s and religion won't necessarily be consistent of the rest of the BDSM community, cause a lot of actively religious people won't go anywhere near a porn board?

Oh, sub - actively religious, but I think everyone knows that.

Hold the phone...this is a PORN board?

 

[graceanne]

Hold the phone...this is a PORN board?

Yep. I know, it's horrible - all these people at a porn board. IT SHOULD BE OUTLAWED! THEY NEED TO BE PROTECTED FROM THEMSELVES!

Well, except for me, but I'm special.

 

[intothewoods]

Yep. I know, it's horrible - all these people at a porn board. IT SHOULD BE OUTLAWED! THEY NEED TO BE PROTECTED FROM THEMSELVES!

Well, except for me, but I'm special.

Spread the gospel sister!

 

[graceanne]

Spread the gospel sister!

A-MEN!

 

[CheekyBoots]

I purposely avoided "spiritual", because I am not interested in if their is a belief, but if one is devoted to that belief.

That makes sense to me. I have no qualms about referring to myself as 'religious,' but I know a lot of people equate that with kind of an empty blind following. More like a habit, or something, ya know? ["I'm not religious!" is my knee-jerk disclaimer... ^^] I guess when I say 'religious' doesn't accurately define me, it's because it's more than that, not because it's inaccurate.

 

[DeservingBitch]

I was raised catholic, spent all my childhood's sunday mornings in church, and have been taught a fairly liberal 'love your neighbour' version of catholicism.

I don't think I've ever believed in god or 'had faith'. I think there's a lot of great insights to be found in the bible (like in most other religions) and that the world would be a better place if all those self-proclaimed 'religious' people were to actually listen to their god and act accordingly, but I don't believe in god.

I'm not 'spiritual' either. I don't believe in anything other than what I 'know' about this world.

 

[Homburg]

After long, careful study (I have a flipping degree in it), I've determined that I lack the capacity for faith in some godhead. It's just not in me. Respect to those that do, however.

Maybe some day I will figure it out. If not, so be it.

 

[MasterPhoenix]

I am both actively Buddhist and Actively Dominant.

 

[catalina_francisco]

Buddhist and slave...for me, actively refers more to whether you actually believe what you follow and keep it in your daily thoughts and activities more so than if you go to a particular place (church, mosque, temple) on a prescribed day because you feel you should or want to be seen as doing your bit. A building is just that, a building...faith transcends whether you have a man made place available to you in which to worship or meditate.

Catalina

 

[SubKekiLee]

I Was raised religiously... and I am submissive Ive been submissive umm wellI guess most of my life, Do I belive in god.. why yes I do... but I do not attend church.. When I was youunger I was raised Wiccan with a little pagan thrown in for good luck... So Ive had my "faith" experiences.. But to be honest I just belive in faith period... I think my relationship with God is my personal relationship and it is just that MINE... no one elses... I Dont need to go anywhere to share it.. Ive actually been returning to Wicca lately just to experience it and see where it takes me lately... It worked for my mom and her friends and Sir practices it as well.. So.... my 2 cents

 

[YourCaptor]

Buddhist and slave...for me, actively refers more to whether you actually believe what you follow and keep it in your daily thoughts and activities more so than if you go to a particular place (church, mosque, temple) on a prescribed day because you feel you should or want to be seen as doing your bit. A building is just that, a building...faith transcends whether you have a man made place available to you in which to worship or meditate.

Catalina

I am both actively Buddhist and Actively Dominant.

If you are Buddhist what do you do other then apply your religion in your daily life? Celebrations? Meditation maybe?

 

[Netzach]

If you are Buddhist what do you do other then apply your religion in your daily life? Celebrations? Meditation maybe?

This is why I put non-religious. To me, it becomes religion when you do it with other people, it's philosophy/spirituality when you do it alone, which I do, so I said I wasn't religious. That's just my take on it, maybe it's discomfort with religiousness as an idea, but I'm not totally anti or anything.

Spirituality is, for me, like masturbation. Peronal, spontaneous, if you share it with someone else it's kind of a personal, spontaneous, unplanned desire. It's not something I'm comfortable with the whole community being involved with.

 

[intothewoods]

This is why I put non-religious. To me, it becomes religion when you do it with other people, it's philosophy/spirituality when you do it alone, which I do, so I said I wasn't religious. That's just my take on it, maybe it's discomfort with religiousness as an idea, but I'm not totally anti or anything.

Spirituality is, for me, like masturbation. Peronal, spontaneous, if you share it with someone else it's kind of a personal, spontaneous, unplanned desire. It's not something I'm comfortable with the whole community being involved with.

I agree with you about philosophy and spirituality.

But there is for me a whole lot of room between a hierarchical traditional religious setting and what I practice most of the time. There is ritual and tradition that I do by myself, with my family at home, and in other communal settings. I've recently discovered these groups which are community-led rather than led by one person. I know the whole group think freaks you out, Netzach, and there are definitely drawbacks, but it is different than the usual guy at the front on a stage routine.

 

[catalina_francisco]

If you are Buddhist what do you do other then apply your religion in your daily life? Celebrations? Meditation maybe?

Unfortunately I do not get to do as much as I used to when I lived in Oz where I could visit Buddhist communities for meditation, retreats, meals, lessons, peaceful reflection as well as annual celebrations and events. Hopefully as time goes on I will begin to find similar places here. For now I do meditations, readings, discussions based on Buddhism with a couple of people here I know who share an interest in it, as well as being part of some online groups/communities etc., concerned with Buddhism and Buddhist issues.

Catalina

 

[twiggy_the_spider]

well, im a switch and an atheist. I was raised an atheist and after some consideration im quite happy to remain one.

 

[YourCaptor]

Unfortunately I do not get to do as much as I used to when I lived in Oz where I could visit Buddhist communities for meditation, retreats, meals, lessons, peaceful reflection as well as annual celebrations and events. Hopefully as time goes on I will begin to find similar places here. For now I do meditations, readings, discussions based on Buddhism with a couple of people here I know who share an interest in it, as well as being part of some online groups/communities etc., concerned with Buddhism and Buddhist issues.

Catalina

Hmm... ok, I think that fits the requirement for being "actively religious". I will say it is borderline though... but thats cool.

I wish I was articulate enough to define what I mean by "actively religious" without leaving any wiggle room.

 

[Netzach]

I agree with you about philosophy and spirituality.

But there is for me a whole lot of room between a hierarchical traditional religious setting and what I practice most of the time. There is ritual and tradition that I do by myself, with my family at home, and in other communal settings. I've recently discovered these groups which are community-led rather than led by one person. I know the whole group think freaks you out, Netzach, and there are definitely drawbacks, but it is different than the usual guy at the front on a stage routine.

Most people eventually seem to find a circle jerk that suits them, to belabor my bad metaphor - I just haven't found one I'm down with.

 

[intothewoods]

Most people eventually seem to find a circle jerk that suits them, to belabor my bad metaphor - I just haven't found one I'm down with.

Ewwww.

 

[catalina_francisco]

Hmm... ok, I think that fits the requirement for being "actively religious". I will say it is borderline though... but thats cool.

I wish I was articulate enough to define what I mean by "actively religious" without leaving any wiggle room.

LOL, I think the definition changes for a lot of people. I have known people who felt they were very religious, even made it to church at least once a week, but felt that gave them license to treat others like crap and basically rely on forgiveness because they attended service regularly....that to me is far from religious. IMO, you can be deeply religious in the middle of the desert without another soul within cooee, nor a church/mosque/temple in sight....walking inside a building, performing rituals with others, praying with others. and saying you are does not necessarily make a person religious. I have known other people who have never or rarely been inside a house of religion and yet practiced and followed their faith, treated others with respect and care, who I honestly believed to be deeply and unshakably religious.

Catalina

 

[YourCaptor]

LOL, I think the definition changes for a lot of people. I have known people who felt they were very religious, even made it to church at least once a week, but felt that gave them license to treat others like crap and basically rely on forgiveness because they attended service regularly....that to me is far from religious. IMO, you can be deeply religious in the middle of the desert without another soul within cooee, nor a church/mosque/temple in sight....walking inside a building, performing rituals with others, praying with others. and saying you are does not necessarily make a person religious. I have known other people who have never or rarely been inside a house of religion and yet practiced and followed their faith, treated others with respect and care, who I honestly believed to be deeply and unshakably religious.

Catalina

Ture, but thats not really what I am getting at with "actively religious".

Im more asking if you consistently go out of your way for your belief.

 

[catalina_francisco]

Ture, but thats not really what I am getting at with "actively religious".

Im more asking if you consistently go out of your way for your belief.

Uh huh, which to me wouldn't necessarily mean going to church or regular worship with others...I would see going out of your way as meaning you do things, or work on adjusting your life in a way which may not necessarily be convenient, but is done according to what you feel your belief system requires or upholds.

Catalina

 

[rida]

Hmm... ok, I think that fits the requirement for being "actively religious". I will say it is borderline though... but thats cool.

I wish I was articulate enough to define what I mean by "actively religious" without leaving any wiggle room.

Perhaps a better wording for what you are trying to define is asking if people "practice an organized religion". Meaning that they follow codified rituals, go to functions or what not, leaving aside the issue whether they believe in the religious tenets or spiritual tenets underling it.

Because of the nature of this board, as someone else already pointed out, you don't get a lot of people that follow something without giving it much though. On the contrary you probably have a lot of people that define themselves as religious, because they gave it a lot of thoughts, believe in the tenets of the spiritual philosophy behind but do not feel the need to sheeply follow the public codified form of the "organized religion" built around that particular faith. But instead live it in their daily life, in a much more private way.

Does it make sense?

 

[YourCaptor]

bump for more dom and switch votes

 

[YourCaptor]

rebump

more votes appreciated