I am a satanist, and the majority of people that i meet have a whole different perception on satanism, than what it actually is.
I would like to know what you think it is, and hopefully I can teach you something about it...
satanists do not worship the devil; they worship themselves. they believe in indulgence, not abstinence. they believe in love AND hate; because to be able to fully experience one (love) you have to experience the other (hate). it's about self respect, your own selfish needs; for that's the only way that you can accomplish things in life.
by the way, i am a Laveyan Satanist - it is a religion that is about individualism, and accepts Hyman's natural desires (whether it's seen as good or bad by others.... IE. sex before marriage is a "sin" to most Christians, while others believe it's just a fact of life; humans natural desires.)
Satanism condones making your own decisions based on your own needs, as long as it doesn't cause physical harm to others. (IE. murder)
Satanists do NOT "sacrifice babies or animals" ...that's murder, and very much frowned upon.
Satan represents all of the inner most natural desires. for instance; greed and envy are sins to Christians.. whereas, to a satanist, greed and envy contribute towards ambition and ultimately success in life.
you don't just "become a satanist". A true satanist has always known. They practiced the beliefs, before even hieing about Satanism, or reading about what it actually is.
I've been a Satanist the majority of my life; but I didn't really know about/fully comprehend the actually religion until about two years ago.
I do not believe in "god" or the "devil" - they are simply fictional characters. "god" is seen as perfect, whereas the "devil" has faults. in other words, the "devil" is closer to what a human being actually is.
EVERYONE IS SELFISH. there is no good deed that doesn't provide satisfaction, happiness, etc. Making someone smile or laugh or helping someone through a different time are all selfish deeds. They make you feel satisfied, a better person, etc. A satanist does this - but to people who are deserving of it (meaning they don't show kindness to people who are rude, dishonest, untrustworthy, etc.), but a satanist ultimately does what's best for THEM - bettering themselves and being accessing in life.
LaVeyan Satanism is philosophy founded in 1966 by Anton LaVey. Its teachings are based on individualism, self-indulgence, and "eye for an eye" morality. Its adherents define Satanism as a "Left-Hand Path" religion, rejecting traditional "Right-Hand Path" religions such as Christianity for their perceived denial of life and emphasis on guilt and abstinence. Unlike Theistic Satanism, it does not literally worship Satan, but rather uses "Satan" as a symbol for people's natural inner desires. The rational Satanist should internalize his god, and therefore worship himself; hence the Satanic maxim, "I am my own god"
The Nine 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.
9)Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as it has kept it in business all these years.
You are on the wrong side of things...God Bless.
God teaches the opposite..that you walk in love putting others first. You aren't to be selfish or self serving. Where has selfishness ever got anybody? When you are into yourself you are easily offended, defensive, wanting to get even, and it's hard to have joy. Wheres the peace in that?
It depends on the branch of Satanism that one follows.
I don't buy into the whole Hollywood stereotype about what Satanism is..I think that is about as "true" as how they portray
Wicca (I am a Wiccan, BTW.) or Voudoun.
I knew a gentleman that was a LaVeyan Satanist, very nice guy indeed, and it seemed that this branch of Satanism was different than some others.
From what I know of the religion, it seems to stress the rights of the individual, celebrates Lucifer's rebellion against Yahweh as a victory, and is about exalting the self against all other things.
I don't think Satanists are inherently "good" or "bad" any more than followers of any other religion are.
Depends on which flavor of satanism you're talking about.
The one I know of is the LeVay brand of Satanism which is just an ethical philosophy, in general they are atheist and do not worship the devil. That is, do what you want and that is the law.
I truly believe that even Satanists can become Christians. I am interested in the subject of Satanism and would like to learn more. I understand that not all Satanism is devil worship but there are many different sects of Satanism. I perceive those blood drinking Satanists are giving them bad reputation, right? Well, I used to be like that.
answer: I like LaVey Satanists. I have friends that are LaVey Satanists and I have friends that are theistic Satanists. Both religions are upfront, honest and very much with common sense.
I'm not Satanic, I am called by my gods. If not I'd probably be a LaVey Satanist.
I think there are a whole lot of people out there practicing the principles of the Church of Satan - but they call themselves many other things. I think it is closer to human nature than most people would like to admit.
That is a very sad outlook on life, you obviously have led a very pitiful existence if you can only think about self, self and self again. It is the most beautiful thing in life to be able to help someone else and lighten their burden or to make someone smile or laugh. Satanism does not enter my thoughts as it is not worthy of consideration, it's just a veil to hide behind and a wind up from you just to get everyone back up.
I could probably teach YOU something about it. A great deal of the inspiration behind Satanism came from the same God that gave us Christianity, Buddhism. Hinduism, Islam ET Aili. Some of it is accurate, but it is as full of falsity and false beliefs as is modern-day Christianity. I could in a very few sentences point out the statements you have made that are demonstrably untrue but a full treatment would take much more than the very circumscribed space Yahoo allows. There is today only one source of beliefs that are totally rational and devoid of falsity. I do not say that lightly. I have studied far more than anyone else I know. I think when the carefully hidden (or so I thought) books on Satanism were found when I was about twelve, I got in more trouble over them than the Playboy magazines I had stashed under the mattress that also were found.
Some people claim faith is blind, but my faith is a carefully considered, carefully reasoned and very reasonable, rational and defensible faith. Were atheist Stephen Roberts (1901-1971) standing in front of me this moment, I would say to him, ?I contend that we are both men of faith. I just have faith in one more thing than you do, and for very good reason. When you fully understand why I also dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I believe in mine, and you will believe also."
Faith, is it self hypnosis?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkJEc4cb7AWghM5V4uOVjUXty6IX;_ylv=3?qid =20080528181951AAvzslE&show=7#profile-info-5ad5598dc77782773e361b3821253d4eaa
Are you certain there is a God?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnorQftCDjg5yXgPjZxqd7Lty6IX;_ylv=3?qid =20080705162027AAXZnO8&show=7#profile-info-tl2pMkOcaa
What Kind of Religious Customer are You?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnaEz63SgrKLzML_Ve6WXxzty6IX;_ylv=3?qid =20080504023424AA30t4e&show=7#profile-info-rFFYCmOGaa
For Christians open to serious debate only., Origin of god?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuI5Hzf0Yk9teKCqdRDx17fty6IX;_ylv=3?qid =20080709133055AAHooJ0&show=7#profile-info-Lh7Ft43oaa
(This one got me blocked by the ask er) Do atheists need to remember that all religion is the enemy to which no mercy should be shown?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnaEz63SgrKLzML_Ve6WXxzty6IX;_ylv=3?qid =20080707022522AA0KBql&show=7#profile-info-pvNNTZ3gaa
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There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose. Arise and, armed with the power of faith, shatter to pieces the gods of your vain imaginings, the sowers of dissension amongst you. Cleave unto that which drawer you together and uniteThou.
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 217)
The Jews await the Messiah, the Christians the return of Christ, the Moslems the Mahdi, the Buddhists the fifth Buddha, the Zoroastrians Shah Bahram, the Hindus the reincarnation of Krishna, and the Atheists - a better social organization! Baha'u'llah represents all these, and thus destroys the rivalries and the enmities of the different religions; reconciles them in their primitive purity, and frees them from the corruption of dogmas and rites.
Multiple part answer to this one. I have read your whole question so these first few obviously don't apply to you I don't want to go into the specific established groups but more the broad stroke groups of satanists that I have personally encountered. I apologize for any errors that I may make, happy to be corrected.
The rebellious Christians: Personally think are the really deluded ones, as they often talk about Satan and all these 'ancient' rights based on a deity that as he is seen in the modern view pretty much was invented by the church to vilify pagan religions, and as you look at him through history he gains more and more traits from whatever the groups were around that most threatened the church at the time.
The 'old god' satanists: I have much less problems with this set in general since they have some bases in reality as it were. You have two among these, the ones who warship satin as the light bringer and teacher who identify Satan as the one of the gods maligned by Christianity. And those who view him as a god of frivolity and other things of the flesh, going back to how Christianity used symbolism associated with pagan religions to form a lot of the physical features associated with Satan. The latter of these two I usually question a bit since they are taking a god as a singular that is usually part of a dualistic or polytheistic religion so he is out of context without his counterpart.
Conceptual Satanists: Those that don't view Satan as a an actual entity but as a representation of a concept or ideology. Definitely the ones I get along best because usually they have thought out their views and not just gone with some dogma since I respect anyone that has put effort into their thoughts instead of using religion or spirituality as an excuse not to think.
Please correct any errors I have made, as I don't have a very in depth understanding of the specific groups and their teachings, just what I have personally encountered and what I have gleaned from how a myriad of satanists have explained their beliefs to me over the years.
what are your thoughts on Satanism...?
