Satanism

[FreezBee]

Hi;


Sometime ago I asked, why Satanists do not have their own forum on TWeb, and it was suggested that settled myself and my fellow Satanist here in the 'Wicca | Neo-pagan Religions' forum.

That was actually my original thought, but then I became uncertain whether Satanists really do belong here.

It may depend on the variety of Satanism, certainly.

To look at it historically, it is worth noting that the Hebrew god Yahweh, while presumably a god of light, had some association with the Sinai Peninsula, possibly named after Sin, the Aramaic mmon god and therefore a god of darkness.

My theory is that (the Christian) God and Satan really are one and the same, and the Bible cannot really tell them apart. But I don't think of them as a kind of super humans, more as philosophical principles (whatever that means )

Does this toll a bell?


- FreezBee

[FreezBee]

Ok, all you Easter Bunny worshippers, where do you hide? Malista? Justin? The rest of you?

What this forum could need was some more life -- there is literally not much happening here. What do you all suggest we do about it?

We can't burn a church, so we won't do that.

Some time ago I joined the Danish branch of Church of Satan and asked, if had been wronged by a pastor, who had called a poem I had written, anti-religious. Is a person anti-religious, just because that person uses religious symbols that do not exclusively belong to Christianity in a different way than Christians?

That is your question for the month of June (with the activity level in this forum I may have an answer by June 2013).


We'll all go to hell, together!
- FreezBee

[SteveF]

I noticed that Freezbee just started a thread in the wicca forum that mentions satanism. As I'm not allowed to post there, I thought I'd ask what satanism actually is since I have absolutely no idea. My knowledge of satanism stretches to having heard of Aleister Crowley and to a character in The Reality Dysfunction which I just finished reading.

So, what is satanism? What do satanists believe? Who or what do they worship? What relationship does this bear to the satan commonly referred to within Christianity?

[Estel]

Today, Satanism is kind of an umbrella term that covers a lot of different beliefs/philosophies.

There is self styled Satanism, which would be the kind practiced by disturbed teens who have seen one too many '80s horror movies and decide to sacrifice their pet to Satan in exchange for something in return. This type believes in Satan as an actual being and makes Faustian pacts with the devil. I'm guessing that a self styled satanist doesn't remain a Satanist for long because they either end up in jail, committing suicide or coming to their senses before it's too late.

There is Laveyan Satanism, which is the type practiced by the church of Satan. I would guess that the majority of modern Satanists are of this type. The church of Satan doesn't really believe in Christianity or Satan. They see Satan as more of a Nietzschean will to power kind of thing. They have more of a secular outlook on life and they worship their own ego. Laveyan Satanists see humans as just another animal that should honor and obey animal instincts such as lust, the desire for revenge, want of possessions etc. Laveyan Satanists do not believe in breaking laws or causing trouble. They view human laws as important, but not God's law. They do practice a little black magic and pretend to worship Satan and demons, but if you read The Satanic Bible, it doesn't seem like they take their magic seriously. The Laveyan Satanist believes that death is the end of existence and there is no afterlife. The Satanist believes that he/she can avoid death through strength of will and love for life.

There are Satanists who view Satanism as a metaphor for dark neo-paganism. When they say they are satanists, they are really saying that they worship pagan gods/esses like Erishkigal, Tiamat, Loki, Inanna, Set, Lucifer etc. This type does not believe in Christianity or Satan and views Satan as a myth created by Christians to demonize pagan religions. The belief systems of this type are very diverse because they all worship different deities or combinations of deities. These people range from peaceful hermits to misanthropic murderers. This type practices magical rituals and takes their ritual very seriously. Some believe that their rituals will reawaken or strengthen the pantheon of deities and will usher in a new era of darkness/chaos.

I'm sure there are more types, but I haven't had the time to look into it in any more detail than I already have. As a Christian, I think it's important to study all kinds of belief systems in order to communicate more effectively with those who hold those beliefs. I hope this helps.

[Zeluvia]

Okay, I saw you flirting around with the girls in Apologetics, and picked up from a thread there that you and your pile of stones had run off to the Neo-pagan forum. Strictly speaking, I suppose I am not supposed to post here, but since I can cast a horoscope, read tarot cards, throw the I Ching, cast a spell or three, interpret the bumps on your head and the lines on your hands, and occasionally dance in the moonlight naked and drunk on wine, I figured I would bend the rules.

My first question, how did you abuse the symbols, and which symbols? And a symbol is a representation of a "meaning" so did your use of it change the meaning? Did the pastor mean you were anti religous because you failed to respect his idea of the meaning of that symbol?

And what was the poem?

[Storico]

Just an FYI... Malista hasn't been here in a long time. Justin chose to take off from T-Web. I haven't seen Durthorin in here very much lately, either, come to think of it... hmm..

And yeah, I read the Wiccan/Pagan forum in a shameless attempt to learn more. Yay. (That, and friends are having a wedding AND a handfasting ceremony next summer, so with his wicca and her pagan-friendly ways, I've been gabbing with them about the particulars and stuff.)

[Storico]

Okay, I saw you flirting around with the girls in Apologetics, and picked up from a thread there that you and your pile of stones had run off to the Neo-pagan forum. Strictly speaking, I suppose I am not supposed to post here, but since I can cast a horoscope, read tarot cards, throw the I Ching, cast a spell or three, interpret the bumps on your head and the lines on your hands, and occasionally dance in the moonlight naked and drunk on wine, I figured I would bend the rules.

Awesome, Zeluvia. Anyone tell you lately that you rock? You do. (And FreezBee just throws them, but that's another thread!)

[Ryokan]

Ok, all you Easter Bunny worshippers, where do you hide? Malista? Justin? The rest of you?

What this forum could need was some more life -- there is literally not much happening here. What do you all suggest we do about it?

We can't burn a church, so we won't do that.

Some time ago I joined the Danish branch of Church of Satan and asked, if had been wronged by a pastor, who had called a poem I had written, anti-religious. Is a person anti-religious, just because that person uses religious symbols that do not exclusively belong to Christianity in a different way than Christians?

That is your question for the month of June (with the activity level in this forum I may have an answer by June 2013).


We'll all go to hell, together!
- FreezBee

Out of curiousity, how do you think Karl would feel about you being a Satanist? Methamphetamine of the masses, maybe?

[FreezBee]

Gee, you've all been busy, while I have been off-web for the weekend

Okay, I saw you flirting around with the girls in Apologetics, and picked up from a thread there that you and your pile of stones had run off to the Neo-pagan forum. Strictly speaking, I suppose I am not supposed to post here, but since I can cast a horoscope, read tarot cards, throw the I Ching, cast a spell or three, interpret the bumps on your head and the lines on your hands, and occasionally dance in the moonlight naked and drunk on wine, I figured I would bend the rules.

Way to go, Zeluvia

But since I am not supposed to flirt with you, I can't go further than that.

My first question, how did you abuse the symbols, and which symbols? And a symbol is a representation of a "meaning" so did your use of it change the meaning? Did the pastor mean you were anti religous because you failed to respect his idea of the meaning of that symbol?

The pastor thought that my use of a crucifix was anti-religious because it was specifically mentioned as a crucifix and placed in a position that could be misunderstood. So it is not that I failed to respect the meaning of that symbol, but that I used to meaning to mean something else.

And what was the poem?

What more specifically are you asking about? The name of the poem was "The Farewell" ("Afskeden" in Danish, my native language), if that's what you are asking about.


- FreezBee

[FreezBee]

Awesome, Zeluvia. Anyone tell you lately that you rock? You do. (And FreezBee just throws them, but that's another thread!)

I haven't started throwing them yet -- I am just gathering stones this far

Out of curiousity, how do you think Karl would feel about you being a Satanist? Methamphetamine of the masses, maybe?

Ok, on repeated requests I have decided to change my political stance. I just think that it is an intolerant world that cannot accept that a person is both Satranist and marxist at the same time

But this is not the time for that fight .. but some other day, ...


- FreezBee

[FreezBee]

Just an FYI...

I am all ears.

Malista hasn't been here in a long time.

I noticed that, but where's she hanging out then?

Justin chose to take off from T-Web.

Hopefully not for a long time?

I haven't seen Durthorin in here very much lately, either, come to think of it...

Could it be that they have all gone off to prepare the celebration of Summer Solstice? That would explain it all, wouldn't it?

And yeah, I read the Wiccan/Pagan forum in a shameless attempt to learn more. Yay. (That, and friends are having a wedding AND a handfasting ceremony next summer, so with his wicca and her pagan-friendly ways, I've been gabbing with them about the particulars and stuff.)

Ok, interesting, does that mean that you could stand in for Malista in this forum?


- FreezBee

[Nazaroo]

For useful information about satanism as it has been promoted in North America go here:


Satanism and its Founder/Promoter <-- Click here.


The founder was a flakey cult figure who got a book contract. His actual church was a lot smaller than his claims.

The whole project was yet another false religion funded as an experiment by the CIA.

[Bill the Cat]

Moderated By: Bill The Cat

Steve, I am merging this thread to the thread in the Wicca/NeoPagan forum and allowing you permission to post in that thread. If you desire to post in one of these areas, please PM a moderator. We generally let anyone post there if they behave and get permission. I have no doubts that you will follow the decorum.

***If you wish to take issue with this notice DO NOT do so in this thread.***
Contact the forum moderator or an administrator in Private Message or email instead. If you feel you must publically complain or whine, please take it to the Psychotherapy Room unless told otherwise.

[SteveF]

Thanks for your response Estel. Your first example sounds familiar! I wonder how many people worship the Satan of the bible, in all seriousness?

PS; sounds good Bill.

[tmancour]

Thought I'd add my two drachma.

I would have to say that a poem that mis-uses the crucifix (already a symbol blatantly misused -- once a proud symbol of Roman Pagan authority denigrated to a sigil of often-hypocritical radical monotheism. Sad.) isn't anti-religious, you are merely using it to mean something they didn't want it to mean. That's the funny thing about symbols. For example, the upside-down cross is not a Satanic symbol, as widely perceived by the ignorant, but a RCC symbol of (I believe -- someone correct me if I'm wrong) St. John.

Personally, I consider ANY discussion of Satan vs. Jehovah as mis-placed on the Neo-Pagan list, as both religions rely on texts for their arguments, while the vast majority of Neo-Pagans don't consider the texts in question spiritually relevent or personally valid. If you didn't hear it from a real tree, it ain't the real thing.

Arion