Can Religion and BDSM interests co-exist?

[annie]

I am a christian with a great interest in BDSM and one part of my mind tell me that its alright for both to exist peacefully without conflicting each other. However, another part of my mind is screaming to me that I can only choose 1 of the two and they are like fire and water - one must perished for the other to survive. Can someone help me with this issue because this is driving me nuts.

Just my two cents worth, I am a Christian, and look at it very simply in relation to three main verses in Ephesians. Primarily 5:22, 5:24 & 5:25.

Wives, [be subject] to your own husbands, as to the Lord... But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives [ought to be] to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.

There is also a set of verses in Colossians and l Peter which have the same meaning.

That being said that is how I interrupt the script (and no I'm not going to argue my interpretation with anyone... it is mine, period) so for me at least it is easy to reconcile BDSM and my submission with my Christian faith... or at least should be easy if the world were a simple predefined place!

What hangs me up is more the fact that I didn't marry someone who is able to be "head of his household." Therefore, hard for me to submit to someone incapable (or unwilling) to be in that position, which means neither of us are then living based on my interruption.

And I don't think it is so much reconciling BDSM and religion as it is reconciling some aspects of BDSM with my belief. Which some have stated before. Anal sex/sodomy is a prime example and an issue I struggle with regularly. My interpretation doesn't allow for it, in any form, but my carnal nature loves, enjoys and in some ways thrives on it. So the choice is mine... do I live in "sin" for my pleasure or not? Those issues... you have to decide for yourself how to handle, your interpretation of the religious text as to if it is a sin and then if it is are you are willing to live in "sin" for your primal enjoyment? Somethings can't be reconciled and bottom line are what they are. It then becomes your choice to determine how they are going to fit (or not) into your life style.

Side Note/Rant: I personally think that one has to be careful though after deciding what is a "sin" in their world. Sin is sin and preaching to someone about their "sin" while ignoring/reframing your "sin" so it is acceptable to you is hypocritical and honestly... those are the christains (little c on purpose) who shouldn't be preaching to anyone! I certainly can't cast the first stone... just wish more people would remember that when they decide to "save" those who make other life choices.

[Isabella King]

My belief is that religion is man made and causes far more trouble throughout the world than BDSM ever could.

Spookily, I had just come online to post something, which on reflection, might be better off being added to this discussion.

Humans seem to crave structures in their life and having a mystic higher being to look up to and live according to his rules, works well for some. However, my god is my husband. In effect, I have converted to his faith. I have given up my life to worship at his alter and he in turn has led me on an incredible spiritual journey to submission.

Don't you think that the route to submission resembles the path which people of religion take to be nearer to and better understand their God?
The strict routines, the denial of simple pleasures, the pain and the hardship –these practises are not dissimilar to the spiritual journeys that other cultures and religions often glorify.

After my marriage, my husband asked me to get rid of all my possessions – clothes, books, PC, make up, photos – all the things I’d collected over my life and thought of as being an important part of who I was. I really didn’t want to lose them but I wanted to lose him even less, so I did it. He spent almost an entire day ritually emptying everything I possessed onto a bonfire. He even cut up my passport and driving licence (I have a new licence now) and cut my hair short, so that I was left standing naked and bereft in front of him – the few possessions and items of clothing he’d allowed me to keep, barely filling a packing case.

Since that day he has tutored and nurtured me, from the arrogant twenty year old, know it all that I was, into the humble, giving (if a little feisty at times) person I am now. It has been a spiritual journey of personal growth that happens to have sexual gratification at its core. Is that so bad?

[GearJammer]

Just my two cents worth, I am a Christian, and look at it very simply in relation to three main verses in Ephesians. Primarily 5:22, 5:24 & 5:25.



There is also a set of verses in Colossians and l Peter which have the same meaning.

That being said that is how I interrupt the script (and no I'm not going to argue my interpretation with anyone... it is mine, period) so for me at least it is easy to reconcile BDSM and my submission with my Christian faith... or at least should be easy if the world were a simple predefined place!

What hangs me up is more the fact that I didn't marry someone who is able to be "head of his household." Therefore, hard for me to submit to someone incapable (or unwilling) to be in that position, which means neither of us are then living based on my interruption.

And I don't think it is so much reconciling BDSM and religion as it is reconciling some aspects of BDSM with my belief. Which some have stated before. Anal sex/sodomy is a prime example and an issue I struggle with regularly. My interpretation doesn't allow for it, in any form, but my carnal nature loves, enjoys and in some ways thrives on it. So the choice is mine... do I live in "sin" for my pleasure or not? Those issues... you have to decide for yourself how to handle, your interpretation of the religious text as to if it is a sin and then if it is are you are willing to live in "sin" for your primal enjoyment? Somethings can't be reconciled and bottom line are what they are. It then becomes your choice to determine how they are going to fit (or not) into your life style.

Side Note/Rant: I personally think that one has to be careful though after deciding what is a "sin" in their world. Sin is sin and preaching to someone about their "sin" while ignoring/reframing your "sin" so it is acceptable to you is hypocritical and honestly... those are the christains (little c on purpose) who shouldn't be preaching to anyone! I certainly can't cast the first stone... just wish more people would remember that when they decide to "save" those who make other life choices.

Well said. The few minor differences I have with it aren't worth mentioning more than this sentence.

Annie, I suspect I come from a similar place as you, speaking in terms of "place" regarding beliefs. You hold fast to what you believe, be honestly willing, and the rest is between him and God.

As to the one issue you say you struggle with, I suggest reading Heb 13:4, and realizing that the original Greek means "honorable in all" means honorable in all things or aspects or activities. After that, it's between you and God.

All the best.

Gear

[annie]

Well said. The few minor differences I have with it aren't worth mentioning more than this sentence.

Annie, I suspect I come from a similar place as you, speaking in terms of "place" regarding beliefs. You hold fast to what you believe, be honestly willing, and the rest is between him and God.

As to the one issue you say you struggle with, I suggest reading Heb 13:4, and realizing that the original Greek means "honorable in all" means honorable in all things or aspects or activities. After that, it's between you and God.

All the best.

Gear

Thanks Gear... I'll take a look at it!