Balancing Faith and BDSM

[fetishdj]

I think part of the problem is that her situation is the reverse of that - submissive man and dominant woman... But even so, you are correct on all the rest of it.

[Thorne]

Part of the problem here, as I see it, is trying to reconcile religion not faith. It is very easy to reconcile one's faith with almost anything. Just believe it, deeply. But religion is another story. That is defined by others for you, and to follow that religion means following someone else's definitions of good and bad.

AdrianaAurora states that she was raised a Catholic, but switched. I know of at least three of my own relatives who switched from Catholicism to one Protestant sect or another. Why? Because they could no longer reconcile their faith with their religion. So they found a religion which was more in line with what they believed.

Let's face it. The leaders of the Catholic Church, for certain, picked out their belief system from among many different groups, choosing those which were most in line with their own faith, discarding others which they felt were heretical. All of the Protestant, as well as the different Catholic groups, split from Rome because of differences in interpretation and belief. They then set up there own iron-clad belief systems.

So, if your religion doesn't meet your own beliefs, your own faith, either find one that does, or design your own. Or do without church or religion altogether. Your faith is still there. It doesn't need a building or a preacher to make it valid.

[TomOfSweden]

Part of the problem here, as I see it, is trying to reconcile religion not faith. It is very easy to reconcile one's faith with almost anything. Just believe it, deeply. But religion is another story. That is defined by others for you, and to follow that religion means following someone else's definitions of good and bad.

AdrianaAurora states that she was raised a Catholic, but switched. I know of at least three of my own relatives who switched from Catholicism to one Protestant sect or another. Why? Because they could no longer reconcile their faith with their religion. So they found a religion which was more in line with what they believed.

Let's face it. The leaders of the Catholic Church, for certain, picked out their belief system from among many different groups, choosing those which were most in line with their own faith, discarding others which they felt were heretical. All of the Protestant, as well as the different Catholic groups, split from Rome because of differences in interpretation and belief. They then set up there own iron-clad belief systems.

So, if your religion doesn't meet your own beliefs, your own faith, either find one that does, or design your own. Or do without church or religion altogether. Your faith is still there. It doesn't need a building or a preacher to make it valid.

I just wanted to say that, this is brilliant. I couldn't have said it better, (or nicer). It's your life and Christianity has a personal God.

I found some more technical weaselling tips and tricks. When I say "technical weaselling" there's no judgement in it. What I mean is treating the Bible like a rulebook rather than a spiritual book which is meant to speak to your soul.

http://www.sexinchrist.com/
http://www.gracecentered.com/biblica...f_adultery.htm

[fetishdj]

I just wanted to say that, this is brilliant. I couldn't have said it better, (or nicer). It's your life and Christianity has a personal God.

I found some more technical weaselling tips and tricks. When I say "technical weaselling" there's no judgement in it. What I mean is treating the Bible like a rulebook rather than a spiritual book which is meant to speak to your soul.

http://www.sexinchrist.com/
http://www.gracecentered.com/biblica...f_adultery.htm

I would also like to give thanks to that particular post. It was what I was also trying to say but my intellectuality got in the way

[AdrianaAurora]

Part of the problem here, as I see it, is trying to reconcile religion not faith. It is very easy to reconcile one's faith with almost anything. Just believe it, deeply. But religion is another story. That is defined by others for you, and to follow that religion means following someone else's definitions of good and bad.

AdrianaAurora states that she was raised a Catholic, but switched. I know of at least three of my own relatives who switched from Catholicism to one Protestant sect or another. Why? Because they could no longer reconcile their faith with their religion. So they found a religion which was more in line with what they believed.

Let's face it. The leaders of the Catholic Church, for certain, picked out their belief system from among many different groups, choosing those which were most in line with their own faith, discarding others which they felt were heretical. All of the Protestant, as well as the different Catholic groups, split from Rome because of differences in interpretation and belief. They then set up there own iron-clad belief systems.

So, if your religion doesn't meet your own beliefs, your own faith, either find one that does, or design your own. Or do without church or religion altogether. Your faith is still there. It doesn't need a building or a preacher to make it valid.

I agree completely, there is a difference between faith and religion most people are blind to. I find it absurd when people tell me they are of so and so religion and then they casually break tenants of that religion. Its stupid how people try to force themselves into some artificial religious mold, and for what reason? Each and every one of those molds was created by men, men who don't know it any better than you, not God. I find it hilarious when in lack of a better argument, they come up with that trusted "its in the Bible". Uhmm, actually no! No one knows what was actually in the Bible. The book as we know it is a concoction, a product of the figment of politicians through the ages. The real, original Bible has been destroyed and what little has survived religious leaders systematically try to undermine because it doesn't suit their politics. Its so illogical and cruel to try to mold your faith to suit a particular religion. Your religion and faith should be a perfect fit. I didn't stop being Catholic, because I never was. I believe in a womans right to have an abortion, I believe in gay rights, I don't believe in bashing people, I condone contraception, I believe in forgiving and being nice to others, even those who are different, except forgiving pedophiles, I think its fundamentally wrong to undermine women and I think they make fine priests, and that there is nothing evil about sex...Many people share this beliefs and yet many of them consider themselves Catholics, despite the fact that every single one of this believes is diametrically opposite to official doctrine and strongly opposed by the wrinkly, old creeps. Its mind boggling how laconically they can do that, but ultimately you have to decide whats more important your faith or some religion. So I wrote down my beliefs and found the religion that I was.

MissElizabeth87, I hope you find the comfort that you are looking for. Good luck.

Adriana