I want to be open about my religion

[JSB]

Originally Posted by chrisrushton

the only bad thing about satanism is being called satanism, apart from that it's a very empowering religion, at least the Symbolic version of it. I'm not so sure about worshipping the actual devil (with the pointy beard and horns) though. If you wanted to pigeon hole me into a specific religious box, it'd probably be Symbolic Satanism.

Unfortunately, like all religions, it's been packaged in a way to make it attractive to people who are disenfranchised with their own religion or beliefs. it also seems not to be well understood by the majority.

Calling this religion "Satanism" is intentionally provocative and deliberately shocking to the mainstream of society. This is fine if it is what one wants to achieve, but there's no point in creating a "Satanic" religion and then grumbling about how misunderstood it is --- like being a candidate of the Go ♥♥♥♥♥ Yourself Party and then wondering why nobody voted for you even though you had ran on a really good platform.

Personally, I have no respect for LaVey or the religion he created; it comes across as a publicity gimmick, a (marginally successful) marketing ploy for a religion that apparently doesn't really believe in the existence of a being called Satan, yet uses the name to attract people fed up with mainstream Christianity. Who knows, maybe the ideas are great, but why not let the ideas stand or fall on their own merit rather than piggyback on the shock and fear of the Bible Belt?

LaVey brings to mind an attention-starved teenager trying to annoy his parents. What's the point?

[Karlil]

Sorry for being off topic. I just cant help but wonder why.

Say if you believe in Satanism because you believe in the existence of satan, then surely you would believe in the existence of God which beg the question why satanism.

In the case where you don't believe in the existence of satan, then why would you even bother being in the religion?

[CroMagna]

You're very right. I think there may have been an approval neediness issue. The question remains though:

Do I tell people and get allow them to reject me? OR
Do I keep it to myself?

[MidasGirl]

Originally Posted by CroMagna

You're very right. I think there may have been an approval neediness issue. The question remains though:

Do I tell people and get allow them to reject me? OR
Do I keep it to myself?

Are you kidding?

Either you are going to be a rebel, or you are going to be a conformist. You can't half-ass those two archetypes. Asking strangers on a forum how you should behave about your chosen religions already shows you are just a wanna-be rebel. Why choose to be in a religion you are ashamed of? I've heard Gene Simmons is a satanist, model someone like him. If you're going to be a rebel, you can't also seek approval from conformists (re:your friends and family). It'll never work! Your approval will come from those who admire rebels.

[CroMagna]

Ok ok

The reason I wanted to keep it a secret is because so few people understand this religion that I could end up with only 2 friends (my two best friends). Right now I have many.

[YourHumbleNarrator]

If you know what you want and what's motivating you, the answer should be obvious. There's no possible way this thread couldn't have exhausted it's usefulness to you by now. You have to make a choice and you have to accept the implications and the consequences.

[Time]

Originally Posted by Liveformx64

I would argue you aren't any more a "satanist" than you are Christian or Buddhist for there are things you agree with in all of the doctrines as well as things you don't agree with.

Why try to fit yourself into all these different boxes? Can you not just take from each what feels best and drop the rest? It seems to me like you are longing for a sens of family or community, therefore you try on belief systems like a valley girl on a shopping spree.

For what its worth: be YOU no matter who agrees with you or not. Be you and don't apologize to anyone for it. Be you and wear it proudly. Be you to the fullest extent you can be and your life will explode with opportunities to be yourself even more than you could ever imagine. Be your own religion.

Very well said, LiveForm.

[Time]

Originally Posted by CroMagna

Ok ok

The reason I wanted to keep it a secret is because so few people understand this religion that I could end up with only 2 friends (my two best friends). Right now I have many.

Not to be facetious, CroMagna, but I find it odd that a Satanist values friendships.

Isn't friendship a generally positive dynamic, depending for its survival on honesty, reliability, humanity, empathy, etc.?

None of the above characteristics gell with my image of the devil.

I would have thought a Satanist could not possibly have "friends". Companions, yes. Fellow-travellers, team mates, yes. But not friends.

I think your biggest problem right now is not whether to tell your friends about your religion or not. It's more about you finding out who you really are, not them.

[YourHumbleNarrator]

It's not as though Satanists are inhuman. Their aim is to indulge, not lobotomize themselves. They're quite capable of love, just be sure you never scorn them.

Isn't friendship a generally positive dynamic, depending for its survival on honesty, reliability, humanity, empathy, etc.? [...] I would have thought a Satanist could not possibly have "friends". Companions, yes. Fellow-travellers, team mates, yes. But not friends.

And how would you define a worthwhile companion that doesn't form a relationship with you possessing many, if not all, of those traits?

Of course friendships take on a different dynamic as a devoted Satanist. The same thing happens whenever you devote yourself to a spiritual discipline; your choice will alter your entire perception of reality. However, the differences may not be readily apparent to the uninitiated, and I doubt most Satanists would give their love to those not on the same path. (Love is a very selfish thing. "I give you my companionship because I see and admire the parts of you that reflect me.") It is, after all, a very selective kind of love, one that has to be earned and one that can be lost. (Say two of them have the same goals. If friendship is more important than the goal in question, one should question his choice of being a Satanist. Furthermore, if the other finds out he risks losing that person's respect. One can respect a friend who becomes a rival but cannot be friends with someone who would stifle his own ambition.) I think many Satanists would argue that all love is like that, they're only different in that they're honest about it.

[Mynder]

Time, there are different "types" of satanism. The "Crowley and LaVey Style" of satanism isn't really what you'd imagine it is.

Basically iit falls back on the golden rule, and "do what thou wilt, an it harm none". There are different interpretations about whether the "an it harm none" is or should be part of it, but there you go. It has very little to do with how most Christians picture Satan, and as was said before, served more to gather publicity than really worshipping the devil as such.

Of course, you will always find "satanists" who get a kick out of sacrificing animals and torturing, etc. - usually teenagers or young adults who need to produce a feeling of superiority and rebellion. These "dark cults" are usually what the average person connects with satanism.

If CroMagna follows the former, or even a more open style of personal religion, then the label "satanism" is basically meaningless, because it isn't about worshipping the devil at all. It just serves to confront others and derive some feeling of superiority out of shocking them with the term "satanism".

See how big of a discussion this has sparked here, and read the responses with a "good christian upbringing" in mind, and you will understand how the harsh responses may have come to exist.

CroMagna needs to decide whether his main goal is simply his/her own spiritual growth, and finding a belief system that works for him/her, or whether his main goal is to offend/rebel/feel different from "mainstream".

To find the love for others, CroMagna may first have to find the true love for him/herself, shedding dependency on others. It's simply about finding your own way. Sometimes this requires moving out of everybody's comfort zones.

[YourHumbleNarrator]

Originally Posted by Mynder

Of course, you will always find "satanists" who get a kick out of sacrificing animals and torturing, etc. - usually teenagers or young adults who need to produce a feeling of superiority and rebellion. These "dark cults" are usually what the average person connects with satanism.

They're less Satanists than they are anti-Christians. They're essentially Christian in their beliefs, they just do the opposite of what they're supposed to do. They're more guilty of doing what they do for shock value than legitimate Satanists are.

If CroMagna follows the former, or even a more open style of personal religion, then the label "satanism" is basically meaningless, because it isn't about worshipping the devil at all. It just serves to confront others and derive some feeling of superiority out of shocking them with the term "satanism".

Not quite. Satan serves as a symbol of the carnal, and that's extremely important. You could substitute Satan for another symbol but the symbolism is essential, and it wouldn't be anymore acceptable to mainstream society regardless. Sure, some Satanists may do it solely to express a feeling of superiority (and there's no denying that any Satanist worth his salt is going to be an elitist, but that doesn't automatically translate into dickishness) but they're usually toying with the idea of Satanism rather than practicing it.

[Time]

So, not only do Satanists display honesty, reliability, humanity, empathy, etc., but they're also even more honest than most of us?!

Hmmm, my humble narrator, that would suggest that Satanists are exactly what Christians claim to aspire to be!

I'm confused.....

[Time]

Originally Posted by Mynder

Time, there are different "types" of satanism. The "Crowley and LaVey Style" of satanism isn't really what you'd imagine it is.

Basically iit falls back on the golden rule, and "do what thou wilt, an it harm none". There are different interpretations about whether the "an it harm none" is or should be part of it, but there you go. It has very little to do with how most Christians picture Satan, and as was said before, served more to gather publicity than really worshipping the devil as such.

Well, okay, that I can understand. If, as seems to be the case, the descriptor "Satanist" can be used falsely, then one must be by default sceptical of anyone using it.

Maybe that's Cro Magna's real problem. A lot of what he wrote did hint at a simple garden variety social awkwardness. Myabe that's the real problem, but he is embarrassed to say so. Calling himself something as clearly provocative as a Satanist may be his way of "girding his loins" before addressing people - even people at an anonymous internet forum.

Of course, you will always find "satanists" who get a kick out of sacrificing animals and torturing, etc. - usually teenagers or young adults who need to produce a feeling of superiority and rebellion. These "dark cults" are usually what the average person connects with satanism.

These dark cults are what I connect with Hollywood, personally, and are therefore useless.

If CroMagna follows the former, or even a more open style of personal religion, then the label "satanism" is basically meaningless, because it isn't about worshipping the devil at all. It just serves to confront others and derive some feeling of superiority out of shocking them with the term "satanism".

Exactly.

See how big of a discussion this has sparked here, and read the responses with a "good christian upbringing" in mind, and you will understand how the harsh responses may have come to exist.

CroMagna needs to decide whether his main goal is simply his/her own spiritual growth, and finding a belief system that works for him/her, or whether his main goal is to offend/rebel/feel different from "mainstream".

To find the love for others, CroMagna may first have to find the true love for him/herself, shedding dependency on others. It's simply about finding your own way. Sometimes this requires moving out of everybody's comfort zones.

Applause!!

[themaster]

Do I tell people and get allow them to reject me?

You should change the wording if you want to lessen the rejection as suggested several good names such as "New Age" "Personal Religion" etc. have been offered that our neutral..

You know I don't know why the word satan or satanist has a negative definition too it.. when I examine it I think that must be a society belief..

Do I keep it to myself?

If you want growth and expansion you have to tell them.. see a religion is you.. as I stated before.. if you wish to remain in the dark then do so..

But do remember that the way you tell your religion says more about you then anything.. if you’re cocky, arrogant and rebellious.. (as described a teenager) it just means your purposefully seeking a negative reaction.. if you’re passive and happy that means you’re just sharing some information about yourself.. if the other person has a field day, just ignore them..

[Daffy Duck]

Originally Posted by CroMagna

The reason I wanted to keep it a secret is because so few people understand this religion that I could end up with only 2 friends (my two best friends). Right now I have many.

It depends how you display it.

If you just say, "Hey everyone I'm a Satanist woo hoo!", then you might run into some resistance, because many think Satanist = worships Satan.

If you say, "Hey everyone I'm into honesty, reliability, humanity, empathy, etc.", then everyone will be more open to that.

[princelucfiehr]

CroMagna...I had the same problem when I was living back in Texas (fyi Im 17), the brother of a close friend of mine found out I was a satanist (though I admit I was asking for it, as I would honestly asnwer when people asked about my beliefs, and at least ten new people each day would come ask me about my very different beliefs- it was the bible belt!- But I was never attacked or anything. Im a pretty, skinny, popular blonde girl, so they just thought me a bit strange, and moved on. Others wanted to know more ) and my friends mother is uber-catholic, and freaked...but then I met her, and her opinion flipped, and he and I could hang out again. He later told me she thought I was a very sophisticated and pretty girl. Normally I object to people being impressed with me only for my looks (I have brains and mad drawing skills too!), but when it means I can keep my buddies- then how now!
Erm, I'm not concieted. It's just facts.
Now, for you...only you know who you can trust with this information. I currently go to a private catholic school in california, and only my closest friends know of my religion, and support, as most of them are closet pagans, one's Hindu. You can call it something else....to your family. You can gauge reactions from others by bringing up a story about a "friend" of yours coming out about satanism- and you dont know what to do, so you ask the person you're testing for "advice" on what they would do if they were you. This also works for testing for homophobes. I've had to use it for both, with success. Or just have a "dont ask, dont tell" policy. You'll just have to think hard about this.

And reading through the posts...I could not ignore ORECLE. I have to wonder if the "e" was intentional based on the spelling in your posts, or if you really missed the "a" key while siging up.
I will advise everyone else to just resist the urge to respond or argue with Orecle, as s/he (I apologize for not taking note of gender) is being completely unresponsive to reason, and any arguing will only result in wasted time and boiled blood.

....and of course, I'm not going to follow my own advice.

For the love of opera! Are YOU for real? I am still astounded when I encounter such complete thick-headed ignorance/stupidity (if this wasnt clear enough, I AM insulting your intelligence...keep in mind YOUR intelligence, as I have known very smart, accepting and intelligent christians, having grown up with them. I have the honor of calling some of them family) as displayed by your respones on this particular thread (as you may well be quite smart and eloquent in say...math. I cannot know). You cant spell, and your grammar (not to mention reasoning...) is as atrocious and rotten-smelling as my best friend's feet.
And I know a lot about Christianity, having been forced by my grandparents (all FOUR of them) to attend their respective churches: Catholic, mormon, baptist- EVERY friggin' sunday, until one died, one became schitzophrenic, another went to prison, and the other was kicked out of the family for allowing the imprisoned grandparent to do what got him thrown in prison for the rest of forever...all of them were sickenly fundamentalist. All of the above events happened when I was 13. I wondered if it was a sin to be so happy about bad stuff happening to family members, but that was the dogma talking. So DONT throw the "you dont know nuthin" bs at me. 13 years, 4 hours every sunday (and I was starving the whole time, as it was family practice to eat breakfast AFTER church). Oops...do I sound bitter?
There have been nice-r memories, such as when the mother of my step-father tried converting me to her church and taking me to the youth group...to their credit, I had fun there. Most of the time. Sometimes they were a little brain-dead.

So naturally I am proud to say I'm a satanist! And its not to spite my family, as none of THEM know, and I have no desire to tell them, as I enjoy having them as my family (the grandparents were the only ones I had SERIOUS issues with).

And as you do know SOME things about the church of satan, I assume you have poked your holy phalanges around the "new age" section of borders, or crept onto Mr. La Vey's site (spell it right, or Jesus becomes Geezuhz). I hope you repented for that, or else I might have to see your snotty, self-righteous self down where the party is.

For the record, Satan is used symbollically as a strong and noble adversary. An example to live by, to enjoy our lives, and not be caught up in dogma induced guilt, and ....look it up, I'm sure you know where to look. And yes, I described satan as Noble...we are not strictly speaking about the biblical devil (who, btw, if you read the book of job, it is implied that he hangs out with god pretty often up there in heaven, like old chums- as God asks where the devil has been, as if "hey, its been a while!" and Lucifer, who is described as the fallen one- it is a reference to venus, the morningstar, and to the king of babylon, who fell like the morningstar before the sun at dawn. And in latin lucifer means "light-bearer" or someone who dispells darkness. Satanists like this name also, for it can be interpreted as spreading knowledge and truth in the darkness of ignorance. Did you know all of that about your bible? Then again, I have heard that the english translation is innaccurate, so I could be wrong- but you cite from it as well, your any evidence you pull from it would become equally invalid...) Satan is more of an archetype. Satan displays great inner strength and nobility in his bautiful speech to his army in the begining of Paradise Lost by John Milton, right after he had been cast from heaven...even though he trembled inside from being shut out from heaven forever. It is such fortitude that we admire. We too feel like society's adversary. Satan is the first anti-hero, first byronic character, etc.

Its okay if satanism still disturbs you, its just proof that secretly it fascinates you...or else you wouldn't fight it with such fire! You would simply ignore it and go on with your day, if it didnt intrigue you in some frightening way. And its okay. We all have our fascinations. Mine is....Twilight. I tell everyone I hate it, but Im so glad its around, because I've had so many good laughs from making fun of it!

Please, if nothing else, entertain the possibilty that things are not so black and white or absolute. Think about it the same way you might contemplate a world ran over with zombies or dragons.

I await your subsequent word-for-word analysis and defense of your honor as a wo/man of god (again apologies for ignorance of your gender). If you have forgotten, I'm a chick.

Oh, and just to see some different takes on satanism: joyofsatan.com, brotherhoodofsatan.com...darn, I've forgotten the others...there are different sects, just like with other religions.
And just for fun, did you know that satanism (along for wicca/witchcraft) are legal and registered religions? When you join the army, its one of the options to have listed on your dog-tag. I just think its nice trivia fact. So if you have beef with the gov't for some reason, you can tell your christian buddies that the government supports satan, and offer that as proof. If they buy that...that would be sort of sad actually...

Er, anyways, thanks for those who bothered to read through all of that. This being a public forum, youre all free to reply as well.

[CroMagna]

Ok so it's pretty much decided that I should come out with it. To keep it to oneself is to prevent growth and live in darkness. I guess I could say something that's technically true but not so easy to misconstrue. This will be especially useful when I live in Latin America, as it may be more provincial and superstitious there.

"New Age" sounds the best because it is a New Age religion, and I'm interested in other New Age concepts like the ones presented at this site (namely polarity).

Any other ideas? Like maybe only befriend people who wouldn't care either way?

By the way I'm a girl. That's why it's CroMagna instead of CroMagnon.