Don't get me wrong i like LeVayan Satanism very much, but i don't understand why it's so popular, is it because of the shock factor, or do people like the teachings, or what?
Thanks!
http://www.churchofsatan.com/home.html
http://web.satanism101.com/
I'm almost as bad as the Christians? What???
What are you talking about, it's just a question?!?!?!?!?
What? I'm not a Satanist, that's why I'm asking this question Lil
If you state your a Satanist around the general public, they instantly fear.
State that you're a Satanist around Christians, and they shit themselves/throw bibles at you.
That's the appeal, rot fl.
I think initially its the shock factor, the same reason kids dress in Goth, but after being exposed to it for a while, it becomes the philosophy.
The Goth kid syndrome tends to wear off after a while and people like yourself who are still into it are there for the philosophy not the 'wow' factor you get when you claim to be a satanist right?
Satanism appeals because it's very into individuality, freedom, challenging authority, and so on. It misses the mark in that one can be a free individual and challenge authority without being a Satanist. I think that people like the shock value and they also like the idea of self-worship. It's an interesting contradiction - a religion that is anti-religion.
I believe the appeal comes from it's appearance of being anti-everything else that everyone else does, meaning, it's not mainstream, it's not following the crowd, it makes one look like an individual, unique.
Individualism. Power of the Self.... with a slight risk of sociopath.... But, every religion has it's risks and benefits. This is why I believe conversion is so important.
The principles and sins make a lot of sense to some, more sense than many of those in Christianity, in fact.
11 Satanic rules of the Earth:
1. Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.
2. Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure they want to hear them.
3. When in another?s lair, show him respect or else do not go there.
4. If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy.
5. Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself.
9. Do not harm little children.
10. Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food.
11. When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.
Sins:
1. Stupidity?The top of the list for Satanic Sins. The Cardinal Sin of Satanism. It?s too bad that stupidity USN?t painful. Ignorance is one thing, but our society thrives increasingly on stupidity. It depends on people going along with whatever they are told. The media promotes a cultivated stupidity as a posture that is not only acceptable but laudable. Satanists must learn to see through the tricks and cannot afford to be stupid.
2. Pretentiousness?Empty posturing can be most irritating and USN?t applying the cardinal rules of Lesser Magic. On equal footing with stupidity for what keeps the money in circulation these days. Everyone?s made to feel like a big shot, whether they can come up with the goods or not.
3. Solipsism?Can be very dangerous for Satanists. Projecting your reactions, responses and sensibilities onto someone who is probably far less attuned than you are. It is the mistake of expecting people to give you the same consideration, courtesy and respect that you naturally give them. They won?t. Instead, Satanists must strive to apply the dictum of ?Do unto others as they do unto you.? It?s work for most of us and requires constant vigilance lest you slip into a comfortable illusion of everyone being like you. As has been said, certain utopias would be ideal in a nation of philosophers, but unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately, from a Machiavellian standpoint) we are far from that point.
4. Self-deceit?It?s in the ?Nine Satanic Statements? but deserves to be repeated here. Another cardinal sin. We must not pay homage to any of the sacred cows presented to us, including the roles we are expected to play ourselves. The only time self-deceit should be entered into is when it?s fun, and with awareness. But then, it?s not self-deceit!
5. Herd Conformity?That?s obvious from a Satanic stance. It?s all right to conform to a person?s wishes, if it ultimately benefits you. But only fools follow along with the herd, letting an impersonal entity dictate to you. The key is to choose a master wisely instead of being enslaved by the whims of the many.
6. Lack of Perspective?Again, this one can lead to a lot of pain for a Satanist. You must never lose sight of who and what you are, and what a threat you can be, by your very existence. We are making history right now, every day. Always keep the wider historical and social picture in mind. That is an important key to both Lesser and Greater Magic. See the patterns and fit things together as you want the pieces to fall into place. Do not be swayed by herd constraints?know that you are working on another level entirely from the rest of the world.
7. Forgetfulness of Past Orthodoxies?Be aware that this is one of the keys to brainwashing people into accepting something new and different, when in reality it?s something that was once widely accepted but is now presented in a new package. We are expected to rave about the genius of the creator and forget the original. This makes for a disposable society.
8. Counterproductive Pride?That first word is important. Pride is great up to the point you begin to throw out the baby with the bathwater. The rule of Satanism is: if it works for you, great. When it stops working for you, when you?vie painted yourself into a corner and the only way out is to say, I?m sorry, I made a mistake, I wish we could compromise somehow, then do it.
9. Lack of Aesthetics?This is the physical application of the Balance Factor. Aesthetics is important in Lesser Magic and should be cultivated. It is obvious that no one can collect any money off classical standards of beauty and form most of the time so they are discouraged in a consumer society, but an eye for beauty, for balance, is an essential Satanic tool and must be applied for greatest magical effectiveness. It?s not what?s supposed to be pleasing?it?s what is. Aesthetics is a personal thing, reflective of one?s own nature, but there are universally pleasing and harmonious configurations that should not be denied.
9 satanic statements:
1. Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence!
2. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams!
3. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit!
4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates!
5. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek!
6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires!
7. Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his ?divine spiritual and intellectual development,? has become the most vicious animal of all!
8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification!
Unlike the mainstream religions, Satanism teaches you to question things and think for yourself. Rather than believe everything some book tells you, study it and come to your own conclusion of what it means to you. Satanist strive to become god like instead of fearing a god they claim to love.
Redshirt has it - for some the principles of the religion make more sense than other religions or just atheism. For some people, "surrendering" ones life to god, humility, and turning the other check isn't in their very basic nature.
CofS members don't believe in a deity but still want the pageantry, ritual and inspiration of an archetype and the trappings of religion - hence the CofS
Theist Satanists do believe in a deity but not as the Christians understand him. It's similar to CofS but with actual belief in a deity (or deities) - like Setians.
Sadly, Satanism is only available because of the myths of Christianity that inspires this belief in Satan.
Satan is as real as the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, and those that believe in and dwell on Satanism need to retool their thinking and find more positive outlets for their time.
Well there are 2 things. First and for most is the shock factor. The moment you tell someone you.re a Satanist there are instantly intimidated. Secondly there is the fact that Satanism is the worship of self you being God or God-like.
Its like anti-Buddhism! I read red shirts answer and I have to say some things make sense while other ideas of Satanism are barbaric. Revenge is much worse for yourself than just turning the other cheek!
I believe that Buddhism is a philosophy that makes more sense! Its all about finding true peace and happiness while Satanism is about doing what ever you want!
Whats the Appeal of Satanism?
Lil
