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EvilGeoff -> RE: BDSM and Religion (9/24/2005 3:59:47 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: GADomCpl
..... I'm just curious how many people on this site consider themselves Christian and if so how do you see your lifestyle affecting your religion?
First, let me say that I am a Christian and take my faith and spirituality seriously.
Next. let me say that I NEVER confuse religion (man made rules and dogma) with faith and spirtuality (one's personal walk with their Higher Power as they have come to understand Him/Her/It/Them...)
And then let me say that frankly, after studying the Bible many an hour and in thoughtful prayer and contemplation I came to several conclusions.
1) God and Jesus really don't have anything against D/s, MS, sadism or masochism. What really yanks their collective chain are things like lying, cheating, stealing, jealousy, pride, etc. Seriously. Consider Solomon, David, Saul... the great Kings of Israel. Hundreds of wives, concubines, slaves.... Did poly and sex lead to their falls from favor? No. Jealousy did. Envy. Pride. God was okay with the sex and lots of partners thing.
2) Paul had issues, including homophobia. Almost all of the anti-sex stuff we find in the Bible was written by Paul. He expected Christ to return TODAY, every day, to establish His kingdom on Earth. ANYTHING that would be a distraction for getting ready for Christ's return, Paul viewed with anathema. This included sex, marriage, and having children. He only very relutctantly agreed to marriage as way to keep from "sinning" but he always preached celibacy as the desired course of action. Sad man.
3) Ephesians 6:5-8 - Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is upon you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. (NIV)
4) Eph 6:9 - And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. (NIV)
5) Tit 2:9-10 - Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will the teaching about God our Savious attractive. (NIV)
The New Testament specifically recognizes master/slave relationships and addresses them in these and other passages. REAL owners and slaves, not the kind that were about it consensually or for fun, but those who were born into it, or bought and sold in it, or captured and forced into slavery, were normal in Christ's time and His teachings reflect that.
The need for discipline, leadership, integrity, honesty, mercy, compassion, celebration, meeting the needs of spouses, partners, slaves... all these and more are addressed within the context of the Bible and our Christian faith. Do NOT confuse the dogma of the various religions with Gods word and teaching. Read, study, and integrate it into your heart on your own and come to a fuller understanding of yourself. May you find peace within yourself as I have, as you continue your journey of discovery and growth.
Yours In Christian Kink,
- Geoff
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