Satanism

[Replicon]

This thread is to start a discussion stemmed indescribable's thread, since he doesn't really want a full-on discussion in there. Here are some of the things this religion SUGGESTS 1.When in another’s lair, show him respect or else do not go there. 2. Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal. 3.Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the other person and he cries out to be relieved. 4.Do not harm little children. 5. Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food. 6. When walking in open territory, bother no one. Hey Nekratal, that was a really interesting post! I've always known that satanists aren't who the media cracks them up to be, but I've never followed up on that belief. Thanks for teaching everyone something really neat! I really like the list I'm quoting, because it's actually 100% practical. There's nothing about strange gods or using names in vain. It's all stuff that basically "a good person should follow". However, I also really appreciate your wording - that these are things the religion SUGGESTS. Most religions don't "suggest" anything, they say "do this or you're a bad person." The libertarian twist is nice, since it's ideaological, instead of political. Because of all this, I do have to mention Moonbeam's excellent observation: Why bother calling yourself a Satanist then? If this is the Satanist philosophy, why do they use the name of one of the main bad guys in the monotheistic religions? Seems like bad advertising for such a benign sounding philosophy. Yea, what Keeper asked--do real devil worshippers not get to call themselves Satanists because you guys took the name already? Both of those questions are ones I was going to ask you myself. I guess the wording kind of makes it like a religion (worshipping a man-made god is worshipping the self by proxy, so just worship yourself directly). But my question is, what does this "worship" give you? It's probably not a ritualistic worship, but rather something more personal, but I'm trying to figure out what sets it apart from being agnostic, with libertarian views. cheers!

[Nekratal]

In this religion satan represents many things we stand for, such as indulgence insted of abstinance. He also represents that we should show love to people who deserve it. Aslo he is a general symbol for rebeling and becomeing your own god. Satanists who worship satan are called theistic satanists. In this "worship" I just try to get what I want. I know that sounds selfish but that is within myself. That doesn't mean I don't want to help others.

[awakened_mind]

Satan is the representation of all that man-kind has done. I think if you choose to worship such, you're going in the wrong direction. Just an opinion.

[Nekratal]

First of all I do NOT worship satan, I dont believe satan is real. I just believe that taking action myself will do more than praying to god. The religion is basically about fundemental individualism. The ones who are taking the wrong path in my opinion are the ones that actually worship satan (theistic satanists).

[Adrenaline Junkie]

First of all indescribable is female and my student The whole idea of satan was created to control peoples fear in order to make them believe the views of christianity. The devil i think is always more of a metaphorical symbol that symbolises the evil caused by doing wrong. Its all aload of rubbish if you ask me.

[Replicon]

"Worship" doesn't take on the conventional sense in this context, I think that's what's causing a mental gap here...

[Replicon]

First of all indescribable is female and my student Oops sorry . I'd go edit the 'he' but the button disappears after a while it seems...

[Nekratal]

Replicon you are exactly right. If anyone has ever heard of humanism, that is what this is just a little different. If you guys read this (you probably don't want to ) you will understand more. Just skim through it if you want. Thanks, Nekratal God Follows up on the concept of "I am my own god" with a full explanation of the Satanic egocentric view of the world. This short essay states that as all gods are of human creation, worshipping an external god is to worship another human by proxy; therefore, the sensible, Satanic approach is to create your own god, namely yourself, and to "worship" this god. The result, of course, is to view oneself as the most important of all beings, and to adopt an unapologetically self-centered view of the world and course of action. III. Some Evidence of the New Satanic Age This essay is longer than the previous essays; following the first two that denounce traditional religion as hypocritical and self-hating, this one offers Satanism as an alternative and opposite, a religion suited to human needs. It begins by suggesting that the Seven Deadly Sins are in fact all instinctual to human nature and not sinful at all. It states that they are all unavoidable urges of mankind, carefully selected by Christianity to ensure that all men will inevitably sin, as no one can avoid engaging in these instinctive urges. LaVey submits that this is a device to guarantee that humans within the Christian religious framework will surely sin and have no choice but to beg God for forgiveness; therefore, dependence upon the Christian church is assured. Instead, LaVey states that as all of these so-called sins are natural to humans, they should be embraced and even considered virtuous. This excerpt, for example: Envy and greed are the motivating forces of ambition - and without ambition, very little of any importance would be accomplished.[1] He goes on to explain that in this modern age, religionists have had to constantly reinterpret their own texts in order to keep up with the demands of people that they be permitted to indulge their normal human desires. LaVey views this as both hypocritical and evidence that these religions are inherently obsolete and should be discarded entirely, to be replaced with a religion better suited to man's needs. Satanism, LaVey suggests, is that religion. LaVey then justifies Satanism as a religion by explaining that it is not merely a philosophy. He explains that one reason man has always had religion is because he has a need for dogma and ceremony; Satanism acknowledges this, and therefore supplies its adherents with dogma and ceremony in the form of magic and ritual. LaVey claims that it is precisely this trait that distinguishes Satanism from Humanism or other essentially atheistic philosophies, and makes it a true religion suited to man's carnal nature. LaVey concludes the essay by explaining that even other religions or new-age movements that claim to supply adherents with magic have failed in this by distinguishing "white magic" from "black magic;" LaVey claims that all magic is one and the same, as all of it is done for the glorification of the magic user and therefore (like all human actions) is essentially selfish. He suggests that a Satanist may choose to help those he cares for, including himself, or condemn those he hates, but in all cases what he does is at his own discretion and therefore done for selfish reasons. IV. Hell, the Devil, and How to Sell Your Soul In this essay LaVey now explains why, if he does not believe in literal concepts of gods or devils, he chose the name "Satanism" to describe his religion. LaVey points out the Hebraic origin of the word "Satan" as a term to mean "adversary", not only applied to a supernatural being but to any person who is your opponent. He likewise describes the mythological and literary significance of Satan in history, from the Greek Pan to the "scapegoat" used to absorb men's sins to the co-opting of pagan deities and devils by Christianity. LaVey's final assessment is that as Satan and all the devils have represented man's carnal nature made sinful, and the opposition of everything from servile god-worship to conformity, Satan as a literary and mythological figure is the ideal symbol for a religion that exalts man's carnal and independent nature. LaVey's view of Satan might be best compared to John Milton's literary Satan, a proud and independent beast. V. Love and Hate A surprisingly short essay given its importance, here LaVey explains in no uncertain terms how Satanists view matters of love and hate, and their role in human affairs. LaVey makes it very clear that although Satanism is an uncompromisingly selfish religion, he defines selfishness according to what an individual truly wants. Therefore, if a person should honestly care for another person and wishes to express love, then he should do so wholeheartedly; a truly selfish person can acknowledge that if a person is loved by him, then they are important by virtue of his love. This can be compared favorably to the arguments of ethical egoism—that what sometimes benefits others can be beneficial to oneself, but that one must always have one's own interests first in mind. LaVey never suggests that love is not a natural emotion in man, and on the contrary suggests that loving select individuals is very natural, but he does claim that to love all people (to be altruistic) is not only a philosophical mistake but is in fact impossible and even damaging to the ability to truly love those few individuals who deserve it. LaVey explains that hatred is likewise a natural emotion in man and therefore not to be shunned. He makes clear that hatred should be directed at those who deserve it by virtue of their actions to offend the individual, and like love, it is senseless to universally apply hatred to all mankind. He muses that while Satanism strongly advocates both individual love and hate, because white-light religion has such a strong aversion to acknowledging hate as a natural feeling in man that to merely mention that Satanism permits individuals to hate their enemies, Satanism is automatically portrayed as a hateful religion, a claim he maintains is false and ignorant of the true ethics of Satanism. VI. Satanic Sex Contrary to the popular opinion that Satanism advocates promiscuous behavior in all individuals, in this essay LaVey actually lambasts the "free love" movement (a movement very much in motion in the 1960s when LaVey wrote The Satanic Bible) as being equally restricting as the white-light view that any unholy sex is wrong. LaVey's stance, once again, takes a purely individual approach to sexual matters and ethics. He maintains that while some people are indeed happy with sexual promiscuity, some are, by their nature, happier with much less sexual activity, or perhaps no sexual activity at all. LaVey believes that neither of these states is unnatural or deserving of condemnation, but rather that it is a decision for each individual to make concerning their own sexual tastes and activities. From this basic principle, LaVey then expounds upon this by pointing out exactly what is and is not permissible Satanic sexual activity. The basic premise of what is permissible is summed up by the maxim: Satanism encourages any form of sexual expression you may desire, so long as it hurts no one else.[2] LaVey quickly explains that this does not preclude sexual sadism/masochism, as "so long as it hurts no one else" must be interpreted to mean "who does not wish to be hurt." This statement openly condones homosexuality, bisexuality, polyamory, premarital or extramarital sex, sexual games including BDSM, multiple partners, and any other such proclivity, while at the same time not excluding heterosexuality, monogamy, or "traditional" marriage. Satanism views all such activities as entirely equal[citation needed], and deserving of the same respect. LaVey also specifies asexuality as a valid expression, for one for whom sexual activity is simply not desired. LaVey claims Satanism to be the first religion to openly take this stance. However, the same statement therefore excludes any such activity as rape, pedophilia, or other sexual activities in which any of the participants are unwilling or unable to give knowledgeable consent (as is the case with a child). Satanism also expressly forbids illegal activity of any kind. This therefore puts to rest claims that Satanism condones child abuse or criminal activity. VII. Not All Vampires Suck Blood One of the most famous essays from The Satanic Bible, it is here that LaVey coins the term "psychic vampire". LaVey defines a psychic vampire as one who attempts to psychologically manipulate others by systematically playing the victim; for example, a person who constantly uses some minor physical flaw as an excuse for their shortcomings and a means of gaining sympathy and favor from others. LaVey believes that people who use a victim status as a means to induce guilt in others are fundamentally weak, and therefore to be shunned by Satanists. (LaVey does not imply that anyone with a flaw is automatically weak, but rather that the use of that flaw to gain sympathy and favor is weak.) LaVey advises that such people are psychologically draining (hence the term "psychic vampire") and should be dealt with mercilessly and discarded before they are permitted to take control of the lives of vital individuals. VIII. Indulgence NOT Compulsion Here, LaVey puts forth Satanism as an essentially Hedonistic philosophy; however, LaVey's approach to hedonism is epicurean in nature. LaVey states clearly that he believes that man should always tend towards indulgence, not abstinence. Whereas other religions seek to dictate what man should abstain from (which according to LaVey, is most of his natural urges), Satanism seeks to encourage man to indulge all his carnal desires (so long as they fall within the bounds of Satanic ethics, see the essay on Satanic sexuality for example). Satanism, as an atheistic religion, holds that as there is no afterlife and therefore no paradise or heaven, all happiness and satisfaction must be attained here, on earth. LaVey therefore advises that you indulge to the greatest extent possible, that your days on earth may be best spent. However, LaVey also cautions against failure to exercise self-control, and especially engaging in self-destructive behavior masked as "indulgence". This is commonly used as a Satanic argument against such things as drug use. LaVey also points out that religionist guilt preventing them from enjoying themselves is in fact only compulsion masked as religious piety, a compulsion to self-denial. IX. On the Choice of a Human Sacrifice In this essay, LaVey unequivocally condemns the practice of killing or harming an animal for ritual or magical purposes, in direct opposition to the common belief that Satanists advocate this practice. He states that to harm an innocent animal is a gross injustice and magically useless.

[Adrenaline Junkie]

Oops sorry . I'd go edit the 'he' but the button disappears after a while it seems... Haha! We all make mistakes, i know what you mean about the edit button, it disappears quite fast after making a post.

[Xaqaria]

It still boils down to being sophomoric and juvenile. Instead of calling it what it is, You put a certain spin on it solely to rub it in the face of those who created the character with which you are representing yourself. Its a teenage brat religion rebelling against an overbearing parent religion.

[archdreamer]

Its a teenage brat religion No need for ad hominem attacks here, they just cloud the issue, and are irrelevant and unfriendly. Age/sex/race discrimination moreso.

[Ardent Lost]

What i don't like about this particular form of Satanism is the fact that it seems to be based solely on a responsive cause. I mean, as pointed out in a post above, the definition of the word in this context can be seen as "adversary". Why? Why not just be what you want to be because it's what you want to be. I don't know much about Satanism, admittedly, but it all reeks of angst. It's just another reason to rebel, rather than move away from what it is you're not aligned with. As with any religion, the whole idea seems silly to me. I'd rather just call myself a person and align my beliefs with and only with my own world and my own thoughts and feelings.

[Xaqaria]

No need for ad hominem attacks here, they just cloud the issue, and are irrelevant and unfriendly. Age/sex/race discrimination moreso. Its not an attack, its a metaphor. An accurate and fitting metaphor.

[archdreamer]

My apologies. I misinterpreted your words as attempting to characterise the followers of satanism as 'teenage brats' or 'juvenile', where you were actually refering to the concept of satanism itself, by way of metaphor. I retract my previous comment.

[dodobird]

As long is you call yourself Satanists, people will not look favorably on your ideas. Its like I invent a religion called Hitlerism, which is devoted to civil-rights. Who will ever take me seriously? But I'm sure the people involved in the texts of this kind of Satanism know that. So why do they still call it Satanism? It must have some reason. Maybe they want people to be suspicious of them for some reason?