Christianity.

[alexanna]

Well, I was surprised though looking back now there are references all over the place. I'm just starting to recognize more D/s in the world around me and it's sometimes an ahah moment when I notice something I was unaware of before. The thought of Jesus' death as a submission is incredibly powerful for me and actually I think is an amazing example of how beautiful submission can be. Tho I really, really don't want anyone to put thorns in my hair or stab me with a stick. A cross might be ok tho...and leather is always good...*meanders off to explore more biblical inspiration*

i confess that i do wonder if my ardent quest for a Daddy hasn't been to replace the loss of my Heavenly Father who has been with me since i can remember but i know now was only a creation of mine and man's imagination.

i loathe him and the terrible power he excersized over me. i miss him.

 

[FurryFury]

LMAO!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5I57uXkIFI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5I57uXkIFI&feature=related

 

[Netzach]

If the self sacrifice was a point of submission for Jesus then to whom was he being submissive? It's way easy to say to "the people", "humanity", "God", etc but given the events that led up to his crucification I'd have to say it was something different.

Let's assume that he knew that they were going to kill him. He could have fled but didn't. The whole thing points to an ethic that he was stamping his iron clad belief upon. In my opinion he died in order to stay true to his teachings.

Which brings me to the people that contributed to his death. Pilate tried to let Jesus go but the mob had been whipped into such a frenzy that they may have overthrown the Roman occupiers. It's a mob, they are mindless and someone directs their behaviour.

The church. It's known that Jesus lived a life quite unlike those that he was king over. The temple priests had massive power, wealth and influence and the teachings of Jesus were opposite of those things. God was not to be found in a building or behind the support of an organized religion. He was king of the jews, not king of the jewish religion. He led by example, he had only himself, his skills and the truth. It was not enough. When he tried to teach his people that God was in everyone and not in an organization that demanded tribute the church became his enemy and his fate was sealed.

I don't think he died for our "sins". I think he died while teaching his last lesson, giving his last sermon and he did it not with words but by example. For me, that lesson is not in any book nor can it be taught by any church. I think it's already inside each of us already but we just let ourselves get distracted from what it is. I think the lesson learned is different for everyone. Just depends on where you are in life at the time you learn it.

So that's why I don't like organized religions. They don't live their lives in the way that Jesus did.

It's interesting to me that everyone who was so impressed by this guy who said "hey, you don't need these people to talk to God - just do it yourself! Get some water thrown on you, believe in what I say, and you're golden" (literally those are the only PHYSICAL commands, I think the Lutherans are right with this one b/c they keep it pretty close to the bone ritual wise) - and they take this and they make 10,000 laws and expectations and "must dos" around it in a hundred sects who hate each other.

The thing is, I think rules make it easier. I think it becomes a lot harder when you really are left to figure out on your own "ok, what if any of this do I actually believe and put stock in? What does this mean in my mind?"

 

[intothewoods]

It's interesting to me that everyone who was so impressed by this guy who said "hey, you don't need these people to talk to God - just do it yourself! Get some water thrown on you, believe in what I say, and you're golden" (literally those are the only PHYSICAL commands, I think the Lutherans are right with this one b/c they keep it pretty close to the bone ritual wise) - and they take this and they make 10,000 laws and expectations and "must dos" around it in a hundred sects who hate each other.

The thing is, I think rules make it easier. I think it becomes a lot harder when you really are left to figure out on your own "ok, what if any of this do I actually believe and put stock in? What does this mean in my mind?"

Oh, hell yes rules make it easier! I'm not surprised to see people seeking other communities that are like religion in this regard. It gives their lives structure.

 

[kinkyknickers]

He was born in a manger.

He was tempted by the devil in the desert.

He said eat my body and drink my blood.

He willingly wore a crown of thorns.

He died on a cross because he told to.

Jesus Christ was the original Sub.

 

[FurryFury]

He died for me? Man is that heavy. Having a debt from before you were born. I hate shit like that. If I'd been asked, I would have had to say, "No thank you."

 

[Netzach]

Metaphoric Jesus is in a state of continual crucifixion and miraculous, persistent rebirth and resurrection. What I posted earlier - how the quiet unobtrusive minds who say things like "we've got to take care of one another" are totally drowned out by mob mentality - "bigger church, hate the sin, MUST go every week or you're damned" Fortunately for the world damn hippies like that never completely go away.

 

[Betticus]

He died for me? Man is that heavy. Having a debt from before you were born. I hate shit like that. If I'd been asked, I would have had to say, "No thank you."

They have that whole thing where you have to "accept" the dogma.

 

[Kajira Callista]

He died for me? Man is that heavy. Having a debt from before you were born. I hate shit like that. If I'd been asked, I would have had to say, "No thank you."

I know better then to step into this thread and say anything but...he dies so that God could understand what suffering was. We suffer all the time and God didnt know what it was so he created his son to come and be us so he could know suffering.

 

[intothewoods]

I know better then to step into this thread and say anything but...he dies so that God could understand what suffering was. We suffer all the time and God didnt know what it was so he created his son to come and be us so he could know suffering.

Really? I'd never heard that. I'm Jewish, so I only know a handful about Christianity. That's interesting. Thanks, KC.

 

[Kajira Callista]

Really? I'd never heard that. I'm Jewish, so I only know a handful about Christianity. That's interesting. Thanks, KC.

You're welcome.

 

[FurryFury]

I know better then to step into this thread and say anything but...he dies so that God could understand what suffering was. We suffer all the time and God didnt know what it was so he created his son to come and be us so he could know suffering.

I don't have a problem with people posting whatever they want to as long as it's not an attack on someone.

 

[Kajira Callista]

I don't have a problem with people posting whatever they want to as long as it's not an attack on someone.

What i meant was most of the posts in here are nastiness towards myself and my beliefs, so they are an attack on someone. Directly or indirectly, they still sting.

 

[intothewoods]

I agree with KC. It's one thing to present your point of view. It's another to start a thread just to bash the religion of people who, quite frankly, are in the minority on these boards.

 

[kinky_meh]

I believe. For me, there is a God, but i have a big prob explain people why do i think so. They always start the "IF" there was a God, there wouldnt be this and that, shit. And frankly, i dunno what to say then, yes.

I saw people get healed after the pastor pray for them, so yes, for me, there is a God. I understand some of the people, who think different tho.

A good friend of mine is diing on very bad illness, i wouldnt go to him and say there is a God. I dont think he would believe while hes muscless are diing slowly and he with them, too. Some things happening without a reason, without us ever be able to understand "WHY". Think its life.

My dad died very young, too. We prayed for him, he still died. So did many friends of mine, believers or not. Husband of my she-friend died 2 days after their wedding. He was just 28 and he was even a preacher. He still died and nobody can say "it was Gods will for him to leave this early". I heard people say so and i say its bullshit. He died yes. We will never know WHY. It doesnt change the fact that God does exist, at least not for me.

Ya know, you cannot blame God for all the bad in this world. The bad is in us, people. Not in God. But thats just my personal opinion, i have no need to force someone believe there is a God. For me, there is.

 

[FurryFury]

What i meant was most of the posts in here are nastiness towards myself and my beliefs, so they are an attack on someone. Directly or indirectly, they still sting.

I'm sorry you feel that way. Clearly IMO, this thread was meant to be humorous and not an attack on an individual.

I agree with KC. It's one thing to present your point of view. It's another to start a thread just to bash the religion of people who, quite frankly, are in the minority on these boards.

Incidentally, I believe there are far more Christians on the boards I'm on than any other religion.

 

[bridgeburner]

My husband is an atheist.

But he won't walk under a ladder and freaks over breaking a mirror.

And here I thought I was the world's most superstitious atheist. I don't see that it's illogical. Just because I don't believe in a sentient creator doesn't mean I don't believe in woo-woo, you know?

 

[Netzach]

And here I thought I was the world's most superstitious atheist. I don't see that it's illogical. Just because I don't believe in a sentient creator doesn't mean I don't believe in woo-woo, you know?

Makes sense to me, but I've been told by many atheists that my belief in woo-woo excludes me from the club.

 

[bridgeburner]

Makes sense to me, but I've been told by many atheists that my belief in woo-woo excludes me from the club.

I put those folks along the lines of certain Christian sects who say that other sects are excluded from the club because of differences in doctrine.

If one wants to be scientific about it --- and I can only indulge so far since my education is lacking --- quantum physics could hold all the answers from ghosts and ESP to "positive energy," time travel and the elusive shmoo. I mean, just because we don't have answers doesn't mean there aren't answers and just because there are answers doesn't mean we can figure them out. I've never been presented with any convincing reason why atheism and "magic" are mutually exclusive.

But then my definition of atheism is the belief that there is no sentient creator. That isn't necessarily everyone else's belief. I even have a great affection for the Church. I've got nothing against religion itself and have long-standing, personal ties and warm feelings about certain traditions and practices and beliefs.

No, my beef isn't with any particular belief system, it is as always with people who feel entitled to persecute, oppress or disenfranchise others based on those beliefs be they theist or atheist.