"I don't see what Islaam and BDSM have to do with each other either. But that is probably because I am not a Muslim. I live every day as both a Christian, and a sub....so it is easy to see the overlap and connections between the two."

I didn't mean to confuse anything with my question to you in IM. I tend to ask most Christians I meet at some point "have you ever read the Quran", just as on another forum I visit that has several Pakistani members I posed the question "Have you ever read the bible". The all-time record still stands at 2 yes, about three dozen no's. BUt that all has nothing to do with the issue at hand, beyond my own curiosity. (I make it pretty well known that I swear allegiance to no particular faith.)

"I certainly am not trying to make any sweeping, mass conclusions, and I don't think anyone else here is either. "

The individuals here don't, but that's generally due to the fact that frankly, we have a high intelligence quotient in our membership.

For me, the issue of religion and being in the lifestyle is a non-sequitor. Mainstream religions (as a collective whole) have so many taboos about sex that I tend to think it's probably best to not use religion as more than the most basic of starting points in terms of exploration related to that subject. In terms of the spiritual end of what sex, and relationships mean... well, I would say much as you did to end your post. To each their own.