Satanism and LoA

[Maxwell]

Satanism is a religion based upon the philosophy of Church of Satan founder Anton Szandor LaVey as outlined in The Satanic Bible and other works.

It is NOT devil worship as many commonly believe. It stresses individuality and, "the function of God is performed and satisfied by the Satanist him/herself" much like some of you folks believe. Rule number 7 is: "Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained."

They are kind people, not cruel. They stress self improvement. Do not think I carry with me a negative view because of the ugly "satan" word. I am not a christian, anyway.

My question is, do any of you people consider yourself satanists who hold some of these beliefs? If not, do you have any problems being called a satanist or being labeled as someone who has beliefs kin to satanism?

Satanism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Angela]

From the wikipedia description, LaVey satanism sounds immature, destructive, and evolutionarily unstable.

"Do unto others as they do unto you," the prime directive (you are only to give compassion and sympathy to those who deserve it) sounds like it would be a very attractive religion for adolescent boys who have been victimized by bullies. It just has a very Columbine-feeling to it.

You say these satanists are kind, huh? From the Eleven Satanic Rules:
#4. If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy
#11. When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him

This strikes me more as mean-spirited self-absorption than any kind of personal development I would want for myself.

[Akashic_Librarian]

Yeah unfortunately I would say Satanism is a foolish, immature religion. But thats not what you asked for. I think the LoA is not biased to different religious views, its down to YOU to decide wether it is appropriate.

[Maxwell]

Originally Posted by Angela

From the wikipedia description, LaVey satanism sounds immature, destructive, and evolutionarily unstable.

"Do unto others as they do unto you," the prime directive (you are only to give compassion and sympathy to those who deserve it) sounds like it would be a very attractive religion for adolescent boys who have been victimized by bullies. It just has a very Columbine-feeling to it.

You say these satanists are kind, huh? From the Eleven Satanic Rules:
#4. If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy
#11. When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him

This strikes me more as mean-spirited self-absorption than any kind of personal development I would want for myself.

I respectfully disagree with almost everything you said. First of all, you must be an adult to join the religion. Its not for "adolescent boys."

Those two rules seem to generally say that you may attack someone who is unwanted in your home or is doing unwanted things to you. Seems fair enough to me. Would you not eventually fight back if someone refuses to allow you to be free of them?

You ignore all the other rules about not hurting animals or men unless it is for food in the case of animals or an exception like the rules you sited. It doesn't seem mean spirited like you suggest.

It seems to me that those believing in LoA and subjective reality are equally self absorbed as they at the very least have a few principles in common.

[Maxwell]

Originally Posted by Akashic_Librarian

Yeah unfortunately I would say Satanism is a foolish, immature religion. But thats not what you asked for. I think the LoA is not biased to different religious views, its down to YOU to decide wether it is appropriate.

Can one believe in certain religions, judaism, christianity, or islam and LoA? No, beliefs held about god and the universe would not allow that.This religion, on the other hand, almost parallels those beliefs.

[Akashic_Librarian]

Haha you need to be an adult to JOIN the religion, so its a cult. Not a religion.

A cult has rules, a religion doesn't, on entry Requirments. Haha thats funny. Oh my...Sometimes you should think about what you say before you say it.

[Michael Chui]

Originally Posted by Akashic_Librarian

Haha you need to be an adult to JOIN the religion, so its a cult. Not a religion.

A cult has rules, a religion doesn't, on entry Requirments. Haha thats funny. Oh my...Sometimes you should think about what you say before you say it.

That's an interesting distinction. How do you figure?

[Maxwell]

Originally Posted by Akashic_Librarian

Haha you need to be an adult to JOIN the religion, so its a cult. Not a religion.

A cult has rules, a religion doesn't, on entry Requirments. Haha thats funny. Oh my...Sometimes you should think about what you say before you say it.

Who are you to decide what a cult is and what a religion is? Please site your source if you have one that says an age requirement is what seperates the two. Since when do religions not have rules? Don't eat non kosher food while you chew that thought.

I could care less if they are a cult or religion and I am only stating what I just read. Furthermore, I have no opinion on the matter. Your attempt to belittle me, "Oh my...Sometimes you should think about what you say before you say it," is very childish. You should really make it your intention to grow up.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Maxwell

My question is, do any of you people consider yourself satanists who hold some of these beliefs? If not, do you have any problems being called a satanist or being labeled as someone who has beliefs kin to satanism?

Maxwell, please pardon my vagueness. I was answering your question about MY problems with LaVey satanism, and why although, you're right, there are several ideas in there which which I align myself, the overall tone seems to me to be immature and destructive. (by the way, there are several ideas in other religions which which I feel affinity; I also do not respect those religions.)

My reaction to what I read is that the main thrusts are separationist self-identification as god, rebellion against conformity and vengeance. Those qualities, lumped together as a religion (even with other, more desirable to me, principles), strike me as feeding into a mean-spirited victim mentality, and we've seen that kind of thinking lead to tragedy time and again.

You say one must be an adult to join this religion, but its very precepts are about deciding one's growth for oneself! An embittered, oppressed adolescent is likely to decide for himself that he's an adult, and worthy of joining. Not being recognized as a qualified participant would only add to the luster and appeal for someone who identifies that way.

Also, you asked if I would "eventually fight back if someone refuses to allow me to be free of them" -- if they attacked me with a breadknife, yes! But the Satanic Rules indicate I should "destroy" someone if he bothers me on the street, and "treat cruelly and without mercy" someone who annoys me in my lair. I feel that this type of overwrought vengeance mentality is one of the most destructive forces in society today.

While I think you're right that those of us who are involved in personal development share at least a few of the principles of satanism, it would be fallacious to label us as satanists.

[Shaden]

fallacious

hehe fallacious.

My own view is that satanism is in no way as bad as people paint it out to be. I respect few organised religions and instead choose to do what feels right to me.

Maxwell I liked your comment about subjective reality and how it's believers are as equally self-absorbed as those of sanatism. The difference however is with dualism and non-dualism. A subjective reality believer wouldn't take offence to such a claim as they would see the accuser as a distinct part of themselves. A satanic believer would likely see you as seperate and therefore a threat.

I don't like how the christian faith have painted this fairly tame religion to be a larger then life monster. They did the same with paganism and they adopted pretty much all of major holidays of it. Has anyone else noticed how the Garden of Eden - the so-called paradise - is a paganistic heaven?

Religion draws some funny contradictions on itself at times.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Shaden

hehe fallacious.

Oh, Shaden, you're such a cunning linguist.

[maryelyn]

Originally Posted by Angela

Oh, Shaden, you're such a cunning linguist.

gotta love those linguists...

[Maxwell]

Originally Posted by Angela

Maxwell, please pardon my vagueness. I was answering your question about MY problems with LaVey satanism, and why although, you're right, there are several ideas in there which which I align myself, the overall tone seems to me to be immature and destructive. (by the way, there are several ideas in other religions which which I feel affinity; I also do not respect those religions.)

My reaction to what I read is that the main thrusts are separationist self-identification as god, rebellion against conformity and vengeance. Those qualities, lumped together as a religion (even with other, more desirable to me, principles), strike me as feeding into a mean-spirited victim mentality, and we've seen that kind of thinking lead to tragedy time and again.

You say one must be an adult to join this religion, but its very precepts are about deciding one's growth for oneself! An embittered, oppressed adolescent is likely to decide for himself that he's an adult, and worthy of joining. Not being recognized as a qualified participant would only add to the luster and appeal for someone who identifies that way.

Also, you asked if I would "eventually fight back if someone refuses to allow me to be free of them" -- if they attacked me with a breadknife, yes! But the Satanic Rules indicate I should "destroy" someone if he bothers me on the street, and "treat cruelly and without mercy" someone who annoys me in my lair. I feel that this type of overwrought vengeance mentality is one of the most destructive forces in society today.

While I think you're right that those of us who are involved in personal development share at least a few of the principles of satanism, it would be fallacious to label us as satanists.

That is very resonable. Thank you for clarifying.

[Maxwell]

Originally Posted by Shaden

hehe fallacious.

My own view is that satanism is in no way as bad as people paint it out to be. I respect few organised religions and instead choose to do what feels right to me.

Maxwell I liked your comment about subjective reality and how it's believers are as equally self-absorbed as those of sanatism. The difference however is with dualism and non-dualism. A subjective reality believer wouldn't take offence to such a claim as they would see the accuser as a distinct part of themselves. A satanic believer would likely see you as seperate and therefore a threat.

I don't like how the christian faith have painted this fairly tame religion to be a larger then life monster. They did the same with paganism and they adopted pretty much all of major holidays of it. Has anyone else noticed how the Garden of Eden - the so-called paradise - is a paganistic heaven?

Religion draws some funny contradictions on itself at times.

I like your comments, too. They brought some things to my attention that I did not know and/or had not thought about.