Tickling in the context of religion

[yinzer]

I've been going back to the earliest threads on this forum, and came across one about what was apparently the co-founder of the orginal TMF, someone who went by the username 'Psycho.' Sounds like a reasonable guy? 😆 From what I pieced together, it looks like he ended up regretting his decision to start this forum for what appeared to be religious reasons. I've seen similar things happen with tickle models, i.e., Kristen from Realtickling and Crissy Moran.

As someone who was raised in a fundamental Baptist church (particularly bizarre since I grew up in a predominantly Catholic area and most of my extended family weren't religious at all) from the time I was an infant, having my fetishes was a huge conflict for me. It took me years, practically decades of guilt and fear of burning in hell for eternity to finally come to the realization of how insane and absurd our beliefs were, and that most of it was really just utter nonsense. I grew up in what wouldn't quite be defined as a cult, but it wasn't far from it, and I was pretty socially isolated in many ways.

While I no longer deal with the guilt or fear I once did, it still continues to affect me in other ways to this day, and of course, life is lived on a continuum, so you can never really completely escape your past. I don't know if this fetish has any correlation with religion, but suppressing sexuality does seem to lead to deviant, rebellious behaviors. I always found it fascinating when I'd learn about some of the biggest rock stars and their religious pasts, e.g., Axl Rose, Alice Cooper, etc.

Anyways, hopefully Psycho is happy with his decision, but I'm so glad I've gone in the other direction away from what I now see as such a bleak and depressing view of the world. I wish I could get back all of those years I wasted in guilt and fear, but since I can't, I just keep moving forward and try to enjoy the rest of my life, and this definitely includes tickling!

 

[Ghostwriter727]

I grew up in several churches from Baptist to Pentecostal, and a couple of Catholics churches as well. I consider them vital to understanding myself spiritually. I know not everyone will agree, or see things the same way but our Creator made us the way we are for a reason, and I think that we all learn the only way that we can how to walk this walk spiritually.

Its a part of our own life journey, and I think God has remarkable purposes for all of us that we will figure out in time.

All that said; its noteworthy that not everyone who claim to being faithful to God is really "walking the walk" and those who are not "religious" often see both the faithful, and the posers as the same church.

I can only answer for myself, but I'm pretty proud of the person that I've become. God and my spiritual journey has been a huge part of it.

Its a complicated subject, and not everyone will agree with my thoughts, but I'm open for discussing it if you ever want to compare notes.

Sorry if you were made to feel guilty, or shamed for any of your life choices. Churches would be far more legitimate if they did a better job of loving everyone the way Jesus loved everyone.
Nobody ever seems to catch that part of the Book.

Take care friend.
DM's are always welcome if you fancy spiritual discussions.🤘

 

[Toesheldback]

I grew up in a somewhat religious family as a kid, which actually became more so as I got older. I remember feeling shame and guilt and prayed because of what turned me on.

After I was an adult, I was able to engage in more critical thinking - separating what I was taught was real vs. what I saw, experienced, and learned about science. I’ve been an atheist for years now.

People feel comfort in belonging and connection in religion, and that’s fine by me. Yinzer’s childhood is sad and yet common, I’d wager. It would be fantastic if parents could accept their kids for who they are, and not punish or groom them into something that they aren’t.

 

[yinzer]

I grew up in several churches from Baptist to Pentecostal, and a couple of Catholics churches as well. I consider them vital to understanding myself spiritually. I know not everyone will agree, or see things the same way but our Creator made us the way we are for a reason, and I think that we all learn the only way that we can how to walk this walk spiritually.

Its a part of our own life journey, and I think God has remarkable purposes for all of us that we will figure out in time.

All that said; its noteworthy that not everyone who claim to being faithful to God is really "walking the walk" and those who are not "religious" often see both the faithful, and the posers as the same church.

I can only answer for myself, but I'm pretty proud of the person that I've become. God and my spiritual journey has been a huge part of it.

Its a complicated subject, and not everyone will agree with my thoughts, but I'm open for discussing it if you ever want to compare notes.

Sorry if you were made to feel guilty, or shamed for any of your life choices. Churches would be far more legitimate if they did a better job of loving everyone the way Jesus loved everyone.
Nobody ever seems to catch that part of the Book.

Take care friend.
DM's are always welcome if you fancy spiritual discussions.🤘

Ghostwriter, you seem like a genuinely nice guy and I always appreciate your thoughts. I completely get what you mean about the best of religious people getting misrepresented by the worst. I moved away from the religion of my parents to explore Christianity and religions on my own when I was in my twenties, remaining in suspended belief and agnosticism for about a decade as I became a much more liberal Christian till I was in my late 20's, and finally an agnostic atheist in my early 30's, which I continue to be to this day. I came across New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman when I was in my early 30's and was researching the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus, finding his debate with William Lane Craig on the subject. My religious and spiritual journey followed a similar trajectory to Bart's (tho much less educated!), and for pretty much the same reason as his, ultimately the problem of suffering, I stopped believing in any god, particularly the ones described in religious texts.

I grew up in a somewhat religious family as a kid, which actually became more so as I got older. I remember feeling shame and guilt and prayed because of what turned me on.

After I was an adult, I was able to engage in more critical thinking - separating what I was taught was real vs. what I saw, experienced, and learned about science. I’ve been an atheist for years now.

People feel comfort in belonging and connection in religion, and that’s fine by me. Yinzer’s childhood is sad and yet common, I’d wager. It would be fantastic if parents could accept their kids for who they are, and not punish or groom them into something that they aren’t.

Toesheldback, everything you said makes sense to me. When my mom was dying with cancer over a decade ago, dissuading her from her beliefs would have been the last thing I wanted, and what would be the point? She spent her whole life believing and that was what was helping her through her suffering, knowing in her mind she was going to a better place. It was just a strange thing for me to witness as I no longer believed what she did, but I was glad she had that consolation.