Sex toys have found religion.

The ever-burgeoning novelty industry has broken what’s probably the last barrier of mainstream acceptance and has been embraced by a number of religious-based websites that offer sex novelties for couples who want to spice up their spirituality.

Christian, Jewish and Muslim-based novelty sites are now offering their flocks sex aids along with a dose of scripture.

The Daily Beast reports that entrepreneurs have found a new niche in the reported $15 billion industry and a unique way to market to sex toy consumers who consider themselves pious but are turned off by the explicitness and overtly sexuality of most novelty sites.

One leading Christian sex toy site, Book 22 (named after the Biblical Book of Solomon) was founded by Joy Wilson nearly a decade ago when she realized she needed something more to jazz her and her husband’s sex life after their second child was born. The explicitness of most novelty sites offended her so she decided to take matter into her own hands — so to speak.

Now, Book 22 is facing competition from rival vendors including Hooking Up Holy, (with a tagline of “Spouses Who Play Together Stay Together”), Kosher Sex Toys, El Asira, Intimacy of Eden, and Covenant Spice.

Aimed primarily at married, heterosexual couples, the sites are even being supported by a number of community leaders.

Kosher Sex Toy consultant Rabbi David Ribner told The Beast, “Religious people do it like everybody else. Why shouldn’t they have access to toys that make their lives more satisfying?”

The site’s owner Gavriel, a 25-year-old furniture salesman said, “There is nothing wrong with having all the sex you want.”

In fact, some of the new religious sex retailers believe that their holy scriptures not only condone, but require a healthy sex life. El Asira founder Abdelaziz Aouragh noted that Islamic belief stresses that men and women must “reach their peak” during intercourse and only after that is the “deed complete.”

Most of the new sites are found though Google searches and ship a few hundred orders a month, but business is growing.

Some use quotes from scripture or other religious messages to soften the sex, but products include vibrators, lingerie, whips, lotions, clitoris stimulators and more. But some draw the line based on religious doctrine and customer concerns.

For example, some Christians will balk at anal items or condoms (but special orders are not uncommon), the El Asira Muslim site will sell only Sharia-compliant items, and Kosher Sex Toys won’t stock male masturbatory aids (because “God frowns on wasted potential according to the Torah”).

Packaging for the most part is toned down and shipped in plain boxes.

But the holy use most of the same Chinese manufacturers and local distributors as the typical novelty industry.

Although selling sex toys with a religious hook may be a clever way of further exploiting a growing industry, the purveyors of these new sites claim their mission is to educate and build mutual respect between couples — something the secular industry segment has been touting all along.

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CNBC.com says that the U.S.’ poor economy and rising unemployment rates are behind the recent rise in sex toy sales.

With less disposable income, many individuals are finding comfort in staying home and snuggling close their lover … and by snuggling, I mean f*cking. So, on Friday nights instead of that hot date to the movies, dinner, anywhere requiring money — that typically ends in the bedroom, couples are cutting to the chase, picking up some wine, chocolate and cock rings on the way home and making it a Blockbuster porn movie night.

Don’t have a job? Wondering what to do with all that free time? CNBC cites the 9 percent unemployment rate and growth in self-employment as another masturbation motivator.

Investing in a high-quality toy isn’t only for the privileged, in fact, considering the 10-year warranties offered on some products, CNBC quotes a Parisian online sex toy retailer as estimating its use to work out to “less than a penny per use, which makes it a much better investment than the stock market.”

Another factor that continues to drive the sales of sex toys is of course the Internet, which continues to serve as a mask for society to hide their inner demons and desires. Now people are allowed to perv out with minimal risk of being outted.

And ultimately, we can also thank Britney, Rihanna, Katy Perry and every other salacious pop tart preparing our youth for the sexy times ahead.

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A British study has found that in the next 10 years, sex toy sales will keep pace with smartphones to the tune of 400 million globally.

According to the Women, Sex and Shopping report from the Hewson Group, thanks to more mainstream acceptance of sex — due mostly to celebrities who publicly discuss their sex lives — the “pleasure goods” industry is poised to explode.

The findings also found that more than 40 percent of British women view online porn and said that women have a strong desire to buy products designed to enhance their sex lives.

The study as reported in the Daily Mail, was based on a survey of 700 women, plus a second group of customers at five female-owned sex shops.

Sex toys could be sold alongside lingerie, while designer brands and even jewelry chains might jump on the sex novelties bandwagon and manufacture their own products, the report suggested.

“We think that by 2020-2025 sex toy purchasing will run at over 400 million units per annum. In context, that’s about the same as smartphone units shipped per year,” the researchers said.

Right now, nearly 4 million sex toys are said to be sold in the U.K. every year.

Hewson expects the global market to grow from $9 billion a year to $65 billion by 2020.

“What we can be certain of is that around 35-40 percent of women aged 18-65 in the U.K. use a sex toy and that 40 percent or more of the under 30s regularly use online pornography.”

The report noted that the new data reflects a trend that began in the ‘70’s and that the industry has been held back in the past due to an association with the sleazy, male-dominated porn industry.

But a “revolution” has occurred, driven by women who are more powerful at home and in the workplace with higher incomes who could spend more than $300 a year on these items.

“Neither of these possibilities effectively existed 30 years ago and the extent of sex toy use should really elevate the subject from ‘dirty little secret’ status to a recognition that toys are important in the lives of millions of women,” the study said.

The report stated that more than 60 percent of women find the idea of buying a sex toy to be ”exciting.” “Women are motivated by far more basic instincts than are commonly ascribed to them. The erotic, the naughty, the forbidden and even perhaps the slightly sordid all have their appeal.”

Women are controlling their own sexuality in a way not seen in history, according to the report, and it maintained that, “Sex toys and the pleasure goods market will become an expression of this emancipation.”

It also said that older views of women’s use of porn that only associated sex with love and relationships has been dismissed, and what women want from porn isn’t so different from men.

Celebrity endorsements of sex toys by stars such as Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria and Halle Berry have acted as “validators for brands and women alike,” according to the report.

The study pointed to the success of upscale lingerie chains like Agent Provocateur and smaller outlets such as Coco-de-Mer and Sh! Women’s Erotic Emporium as examples.

“It would appear logical that by 2015 what is acceptable and, perhaps, expected in mainstream retail is the linkage between lingerie, perfume, fashion and erotica. Any department store with a lingerie floor should probably be looking at how they include a concession area that is both discreet and alluring,” the study noted.

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Adam & Eve celebrated its 40th anniversary this week.
The company began as the first condoms-by-mail outlet in the U.S. and later helped make vibrators and adult novelties accessible to adults from coast to coast. When the VHS tape made adult films and adult stars popular in the 1980s, Adam & Eve was the premiere provider. It continues as a video leader today with DVDs.

Besides Adam & Eve’s catalog and website, Adam & Eve currently includes a production division (Adam & Eve Pictures), a franchise department that now has Adam & Eve stores open from California to Florida and private label Adam & Eve toys.

“We have brought pleasure to millions of adults and we are proud of the sex-positive role Adam & Eve has played in American history,” Adam & Eve President Phil Harvey said. “No one else has the reach … the history that Adam & Eve has.”

Through Saturday, Adam & Eve is celebrating four decades in business with a buy one, get one on sale with 40 percent off.

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Topco Sales’ line of Bree Olson sex toys are WINNING shoppers over with all the recent exposure of Charlie Sheen and his “goddesses.”

“The Bree Olson line of toys has always been popular here at Topco Sales,” explains Desiree Duffie, Director of Marketing and Public Relations. “The recent Charlie Sheen exposure has put sales through the roof.”
There are 15 Bree Olson toys — some of the most popular include a replica of her butt in doggystyle position and a full sized Bree Olson blow-up doll. Topco also has strokers modeled after the goddess’ vagina and ass, as well as vibrating toys.

“The replica Bree Olson pieces were molded from the sex goddess’ body,” explains Vanessa Pellegrini, Director of Product Development for Topco Sales. “Almost every part of Bree Olson’s body was molded to make various kinds of CyberSkin toys. CyberSkin is the material we use to make the toys feel amazingly realistic. We’ve even made replicas of Bree Olson’s face and breasts. Since the sex toys are molded directly from her body, guys actually can feel what it’s like to be Charlie Sheen!”
With all of the entertainment new outlets buzzing over Charlie and his salacious lifestyle that includes two live-in girlfriends (Bree and Natalie Kenly), even adult retailers having their share of Tiger blood.

Castle Megastore is getting in on the action with a contest to win Topco’s Bree toys. All of the information can be found on the adult chain store’s blog.

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Fleshlight.com has been redesigned with a new look and features to enhance the e-shopping experience for consumers.

The company aim to improve upon connecting with visitors to the site, while taking full advantage of social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

The newly revamped Fleshlight.com also features a made-over testimonials section as part of the Buzz category, highlighting thousands of endorsements from satisfied customers.

“We have the best product for men, we have the best girls in the business, and we are going to continue to do everything we can to provide our customers with the best website possible,” CEO Steve Shubin said.

But Bambi, why do you care about Fleshlight? They make silly flashlight-shaped masturbators for people with penises (men)….

Fleshlight said it plans on expanding its female sex toy offerings. And I happen to be quite fond of those flashlight-shaped masturbators. The Fleshlight craze among men is truly fascinating. Check out the Buzz section of Fleshlight.com – a celebrity ambassador! Even Silent Bob loves Fleshlight! (director Kevin Smith, the genius behind “Clerks” and “Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back,” “Dogma,” others)

For now, the Female Toys section features vibes from Screaming O, Lelo, Bswish and the We Vibe II. However, according to Fleshlight, ladies can expect to see some proprietary goods from the company in the near future. His & her Fleshlights? Sign me up.

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Sex toy online shopping has taken a leap into a new dimension, with the release of a platform by E-Com Technology, which allows shoppers across Australia and New Zealand to view a range of novelties in three dimensions.

Since the advent of online shopping, consumers have had to rely on simple images and product descriptions to make purchasing decisions. Now, apparently, a company called E-Com Technology is aiming to change that.

Currently, online adult distributor TEK Distribution – along with another overseas retailer Sex.co.nz — has the company’s shopping cart system that includes a unique technology that renders a three-dimensional image of a product from any angle.

The system allows online customers to virtually turn products upside down, zoom in for closer inspection, or give them a spin. A virtual tape measure is also included, so that customers can see exactly how big a product is.

To see how it works, check out this example from TEK Distribution’s online store.

An E-Com representative said that the system can cope with objects as small as a wedding ring and as large as a VCR and precision that uses up to 80,000 stop positions in a 360-degree rotation.

Perhaps it’s not necessary to know a dildo’s measurements down to the decimal level … but good to know the tech is out there! The zoom function is great for close-up inspections.

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I recently discovered the simplicity of buying from Fun Factory’s website. It’s visually pleasing and what can beat being able to shop discretely from the comfort of your own home?! The website features PDF-formatted manuals for various items and colorful images.

The site also features the latest releases, promotions and contests. I was also pretty shocked to learn that you can get a replacement for items that are broken or defective even without a warranty.

Because my item was purchased locally (I live in Cali — so does FunFactory’s U.S. distribution location) I received it in less than a week!

FunFactory’s products, including its new line of Click n Charge magnetically rechargeable vibes, are created in Germany.

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Talk about a toughie! Sooo many great innovations in sex toys – it would take another decade to list them all. My top pick(s) —one targeting women, the other is for men — were chosen based on their awesome use of technology… Even though, of course, we all know you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to get off but it is almost 2010 — get with the times! Sheesh.

The OhMiBod Collection

I am a huge music fan — I am almost as passionate about my tunes as I am about boning. Since 2006, OhMiBod has found exciting new ways to combine the two. Their collection of music-powered massagers come in all shapes, colors and sizes. This year the company partnered with DJs and a rock band for specially designed product releases and corresponding music playlists. OhMiBod’s Boditalk and Boditalk Escort are cell phone activated vibes that will last throughout an entire call! If you have an iPhone and an OhMiBod vibe, it will vibrate to the sound of the caller’s voice — amazing! The collection is reasonably priced starting at around $50. With their Pleasure Packs, you get a group of goodies at a discounted price!

RealTouch

After two years in development, the RealTouch was officially released this year. A lube reservoir, heating coils and oppositional conveyor belts make up the football-size device that mimics handjobs, blowjobs, anal and vaginal sex through haptic feedback through its web component. A USB link connects the device to a computer, then men can put their penis in this machine and e-fuck hundreds of porn stars — gay or straight AND anime — via VOD giant AEBN’s library of porn videos encoded to work with the device. Retailing at $199, RealTouch users also must purchase movie rentals by minutes. Currently, the RealTouch is only PC compatible, but there are plans to roll out a Mac version and a hands-free Bluetooth option.

Exciting Innovations in Green

I heart the environment. Without it we would have nowhere to masturbate or have sex. Again — many, many novelty manufacturers have developed new ways to not pollute our Mother Earth, such as rechargeable vibes. But two companies, in my eyes, have really gone beyond the call of duty.

RecycleYourSexToy.com

The nonprofit organization launched a year ago with the mission to safely dispose of used or broken vibrators, dildos and plugs from manufacturers and adult businesses as well as individuals. Instructions on how and where to mail the used toys are offered on the site and once you do, you get a $10 gift card redeemable at VibratorShopping.com. Upon receipt, the toys are cleaned and disassembled with parts such as rubber, silicone, plastic and batteries sent for recycling, which process them for reuse.

The Earth Angel

This vibe is referred to as the first to feature green technology. It is designed with a hand-powered battery recharger, and made using recyclable material. The Earth Angel was developed in Ireland and is manually operated with a hand crank that recharges its internal power source. Eight minutes of cranking offers the user one hour of operation, and the core also can be connected to a USB charger. The Earth Angel is eight inches long and features four levels of vibration. Its outer shell and packaging are both made from phthalate-free recycled plastic. In other words… get off guilt-free!

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My friend Mimi checked out Tantus’ first foray into metal sex toys…seems she’s a big fan!

Alumina’s sleek, sexy style was intriguing and they look like they could make me cum for days! The Revolve and the Pace designs did not let me down. Once I got home I took them out of the matte black packaging (I felt like I had just bought something fancy from the Saks Fifth Avenue cosmetics department), I warmed them up and got myself nice and wet.

The Revolve’s shape on both sides worked perfectly to hit my entire G-spot. (I couldn’t believe how much I could squirt till I got this!) The shape of the Pace is great allowing it to stay awesomely in place during sex. It also filled me up for invigorating DP (that’s Double Penetration for you vanilla folks!) action and produced a sensational pressure inside me as it rubbed against my boyfriend’s cock.

What I love the most about these products is the heads are interchangeable and unscrew easily, allowing for a different sensation with each piece. To sum it up in one word, the Revolve and Pace are INCREDIBLE! I definitely recommend these to anyone that wants to spice things up in the bedroom alone or with a playmate.

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