Satanism As Seen Objectively

[amileegirl]

Let me get one thing straight, I am not talking about the Christian view of Satanism in which everyone of a differing religious or non-religous path is a worshipper of the fallen angel known as Satan in the Christian Religion (this is a Christian construct and Christian deity of evil which is the antithesis of the Christian deity of good). The term witch has also been used in a derogatory way to describe Wiccans, pagans, or any person who does things out of the bounds of Christianity. Wiccans call themselves Witches but it is obviously not the same definition as the Christian one. Therefore, self-named Satanists have a different definition for themselves. Satanism also has nothing to do with the random vandalism by some bored teenagers.

I am an equal opportunity person. I have seen all there is to see on a large number of branches of Christianity, Judaism, Paganism, Wicca, Agnosticism, Humanism, Atheism, and ancient theisms like Mithraism and Polytheism. Not one thing about Satanism as seen outside of the Christian world. I know what it is about but it wasnt because it is "out there" I came accross it many years ago looking up another subject. Since it isn't something that people openly talk about I figured I'd post some information.

Obviously one needs to let go of preconceived notions.

Satanism is about, as far as I can tell, service to the self. Perhaps one might say selfish, yet generous at the same time. It seems from my readings that a Satanist isn't likely to be altruistic in the face of a futile outcome (dying for nothing) but would make a grand soldier (protect from the enemy). I do not consider this a bad trait just differnt and quite human. If anyone has ever played a roleplaying game they might recognize that a Christian would be a Lawful Good (that is always follow the law regardless of wether the outcome would be right) and a Satanist a Chaotic Good (will break the law if deemed necessary for a greater good).

There is one main denomination, as far as I know from my limited reading, and those unaffiliated with any sort of group. Beliefs may differ just like any other religion. And I am sure there are model members of society in the group as well as a few that are eleven eggs short of a dozen (can't be helped).

I don't claim to know much about this, but my mind is open and I can not in good conscience support all religions and then exclude one becaue of bad publicity. I give everyone a fair shake and I expect this journal might get some flack for it.

 

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Religious Satanists:

For some Satan is a pre-Christian philosophy NOT a deity any more than Buddha was. It is a philosphy of power, sexuality, sensuality, virility, and the force of nature. A dash of hedonism, yes, But, again, this has nothing to do with the Christian idea of hell, demons, torture, possession or deified evil. Just because one group says something is so doesn't mean it is. Case in point, many Christians call Atheist evil devil worshippers and atheists don't even believe in supernatural beings of any kind!

From religioustolerance.org:

"Satanism is Satanism not due to our worship of any deity, but for the philosophy that we stand for. We recognize ourselves as gods, and we hold our own perspective on life as holy and revere our own experiences as the only truth we can ever know. " ~Vexen Crabtree

"Satanism is the utter rejection of the spiritual way of theistic religions, and the honest admittence [sic] that we are just animals who evolve as any other complex system." ₁

"You cannot love everyone; it is ridiculous to think you can. If you love everyone and everything you lose your natural powers of selection and wind up being a pretty poor judge of character and quality. If anything is used too freely it loses its true meaning. Therefore, the Satanist believes you should love strongly and completely those who deserve your love, but never turn the other cheek to your enemy!" Anton LaVey

	Major emphasis is placed on the power and authority of the individual Satanist, rather than on a God or Goddess.
	They believe that "no redeemer liveth" - that each person is their own redeemer, fully responsible for their own life.
	"Satanism respects and exalts life. Children and animals are the purest expressions of that life force, and as such are held sacred and precious..." 2 Children and animals are not abused or killed.

	Those Satanists who believe in Satan or Set as a living entity do not worship or demonstrate their faith in him (as, for example, Christians worship and pray to their God).
	They believe that one should live out their lusts and desires, and enthusiastically explore the "seven deadly sins" with other consenting adults.
	They follow many beliefs, practices and rules of behavior which are in conflict with traditional Christianity, and essentially all other religions.
	Uniqueness and creativity are encouraged.
	Many Satanists use as their main symbol the Sigil of Baphomet. It is a goat's head, drawn within an inverted pentacle (5-pointed star with one point downward and two up, enclosed by a circle). Although elements within the Sigil have been in use since the 19th century, the version as shown has been a registered trademark of the Church of Satan since 1983.
	A second Satanic symbol appears above the Nine Satanic Statements in LaVey's book: The Satanic Bible, page 25. It is an infinity sign (a figure 8 on its side). A shortened Lorraine Cross is placed on top. [A Lorraine cross is a Roman '†' cross, with a second, longer cross piece added below the main cross piece.] This is an ancient symbol which alchemists -- many of whom were Satanists -- used to represent brimstone. 2 Brimstone is the element sulfur, and was long associated with Satan by the Christian church. LaVey might have adopted a brimstone symbol as a humorous gesture to poke fun at Christianity.

 

Religoustolerance.org indicates that local groups of Satanists may be called grottos, pylons, temples, or by a similar name. They correspond to Christian congregations and Wiccan covens. Satanists use Magic and other rituals to benefit themselves and their friends, but also use these same rituals to harm their enemies (Amileegirl says:  not unlike damning as done by some energetic Christians).

Satanists have been accused of conducting rituals that are specifically aimed at attacking Christian beliefs and practices. Many authors, almost all conservative Christians, have described alleged Satanic rituals in which religious Satanists recite the Lord's Prayer backwards, or desecrate and use the host and wine that they have stolen from a cathedral. This fiction can be traced back to books written during the late Middle Ages and Renaissance periods.

Amileegirl says:  It would not be a surprise for a Satanist (as any other minority) to be critical of Christianity especially considering the kind of things said about them because of the historical persecution of Satanists and other religious minorities by Christianity.

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I personally see nothing wrong the less altruistic side of humanity. Self preservation is a human condition too! Look out for yourself first before you can hope to help someone else. Nothing wrong with that. Anubis, Hades, Mars, Aries, Set and other deities represent the less flowery side. It is a balance.

Equal representation for all. I can only hope I have done the topic justice with the help of religoustolerance.org

So for those who are outraged because they think it is always about them and about the Chrisitan devil, be outraged but do not spam my inbox with bible passages or other diatribe. I won't read them and it will be a waste of time and pixels.

[lovetocrochet5]

Oct. 29, 2007 at 9:35 PM

Wow.. thank you for sharing.

 

[KristiS11384]

Oct. 29, 2007 at 9:51 PM Thank you for sharing.  I for one was already awaer of this information because I make religioustolerance.org my bestest friend and I often advise others to go to this site, especially when they have questions regarding another person's beliefs!

[krisr169]

Oct. 30, 2007 at 6:04 AM Well done! Knowledge is always a good thing :)

[ElvishLore]

Oct. 30, 2007 at 7:27 AM

Thank you for being open minded. that is rare thing I find when it comes to this subject. Like i said i had my misgivings when my husband began to practice Thiestic Satanism, but with an open mind I studied it, and seen it is not at all what people think. I am glad now he found this path for himself, because it has made him a better person, and much stronger then he already was. It all breaks down to one thing, and it happens to be my favorite saying.

There must be balance, for without darkness there is No light

Blessings to you, and for my husband Ave Satanas 

[Guinhyvar]

Oct. 30, 2007 at 12:51 PM

Hmmm, interesting post. I will admit, I never gave Santanism much thought, mainly because, well, I never knew much about it, so I reserved my opinions for when I actually had something to base it on. From your post, it's certainly more diversified than I ever imagined it to be. I'm glad you took the time to research this, write about it, and post it here, and I'm glad I took the time to read it. Definitely worth it, so thank you.

~Jenna