Satanism

[caine]

I just thought that i might how those here feel about Satanism, also I would be interested on knowing how familiar you are with it.

[watershield]

As in Wicca, there are many forms of Satanism.
Back in the 70's we focused on the energy that the satanic imagery could generate. We would build on the negative energy (fear) of the neophytes of the things unknown to them.

I really wasn't associated with more than a year or so (never really did become part of the coven) before I grew tired of the ritual.
All seemed to be a version of the Roman Catholic ritual in a way.

But then, most traditions that are bound up in ritual seems to flow that way. To organized, to structured, to narrow minded and restrictive.

[Goth]

I've only studied LaVeyan Satanism in any real depth.

I agree with some of the rules, statements and sins...makes a lot of sense.

[caine]

To be a little honest I am almost sick of hearing about LaVeyan Satanism and Spiritual Satanism never being mentioned it makes me feel left out being a theist myself versus the modern satanist being an atheist. Not many people even moderns are able to understand this kind mostly because it is like Satanist a very broad term.

[kelticsorcerer]

check out *the temple of set* on google for a cool sort of satanic spirituality

[sobek]

yes they are pretty good keltic. if memory serves the temple of set were originally people who seperated from the "church of satan"

[kelticsorcerer]

yes, the founders say that the temple is just the church of satan grown up

[sobek]

i have thier website stored in my favourites, i read a little but i always find new stuff to read up on i rarely get time to do anything beyond sufficient depth.

[caine]

Thanks but I'm already quite familiar with the Temple of Set and the history of its founder Michael Aquino

[Desladon]

Caine, I must comend you for this post, for previously to reading it I really did not know anything about satanism. However over the last week or so I have done a bit of research and now feel as though I have a broader view of not only satanism but spirituality in general.

I strongly agree with several fundamental principles of this religion such as embracing individual identity, questioning authority, combining science and spirituality as allies rather than foes in determining the answers to the "big" questions. I particularly liked some of what I read from the Temple of Set's official page on not allowing ones individuality to become lost within a universal conciousness. It rather seems like an ideology based on personal discretion and furthering individual development.

With that said it does still seem to be a religion which attempts to control its members. It utilizes fear and anger to attract members. I have to say it does seem to attempt to attract members based on a hatred of christianity, which is unfortunate because the general doctrine seems like it could stand on its own. I understand that such an organization has reason to point out negative interactions in the past with christianity, but really wasnt that bound to happen? You start a church and you call it the church of satan, I'd be really suprised if no christians got a bit uppity. The biggest criticism is all the attrocities committed by christianity, how the religion is one of ideological principles made to appeal to the dumbed down masses, in my opinion I think it would be hard to avoid, who knows what christianity was when it initially emerged, its really a matter of interpretation, and this religion developed into power, that power fell into the hands of men, and naturally men abused that power. Even this religion in the wrong hands over enough time, who knows how it may be able to be twisted.

But the members are encouraged to think, to develop on their own. Good, so why does one have to call himself under any one religion, or worship any patron god. Just a thought but I think its best not to worship under any particular entity. Rather the only things we should direct our energies to are the force of life, and our fellow man. (Oh additionally it does seem a bit of a selfish sort of a belief, all the power for those who want it, can't help everyone, I don't think you really can help everyone, but you know the whole but by the grace of god there go I thing)

Basically what it comes down to is that although i do think devloping yourself is important, as is seperating from the universal being and maintaining strong definitions of self, this religion is only encouraging more divisions among mankind which is what religion has done throughout history and so it is really no different than the rest. The end goal at this point in time, at this current juncture in history needs to go beyond that, develop yourself and mankind, maintain a strong sense of self and a oneness with all things, life isn’t about things going one way or the other, never has been never will be, life as we know it is duality, and to live by any theology where we pretend it isn’t is really just a waste of our species time and potential.

Thats just my two cents

~Desladon

[caine]

I do not see how Satanism tries to control its members seeing as Satanism is more than just the Temple of Set and the Church of Satan, Satanism is less of a religion and more like a entire kind of religion. Also Desladon Satanism doesn't attempt to attract members the satanic community has very little if any interest in attracting members. Satanism doesn't find people, people find Satanism. Also though I generalize we Satanists try not to get other people's business unless we must or we are asked.
"This is a very selfish religion" Anton Lavey Founder and dead former High Priest of the Church of Satan.

[watershield]

Satanism is less of a religion and more like a entire kind of religion.

HUH! What did you just say?

Satanism doesn't find people, people find Satanism. Also though I generalize we Satanists try not to get other people's business unless we must or we are asked.

And yet, here you are!

Either you know what you want to say and just know how to phrase it or your just confused in general. In any event, you've got me confused about what it is your attempting to tell us.

[caine]

I hardly consider being part of any online forum to be getting in the business of others.
Satanism as I said is not so much one religion but a kind like neo-paganism. Satanism has a wide variety of beliefs which may or may not share a central common points. I would say Satanism or Satanist is a very broad term like witch which is why I believe calling it one religion may not be some very correct.

[Jen]

There are many different types of satanism is what caine's trying to say. I know a lot of satanists would like to call their beliefs more of a philosophy than a religion and while I have read up a bit on satanism I'm certainly not that knowledgable about it.
From what I have learnt it seems that satanists are inclined to be the ones reponsible for their spirituality and not hold faith in an outside divine being for providing them with spiritual enlightenment. They see themselves as the divine being and accept all responsibility for what happens in their lives.
Satanists come across to me as being a bit of a cop out. While I do agree with a lot of the philosophy, I can't help but feel that they are taking the easy way out. There's nothing wrong with viewing yourself as the most important thing in the world, but I believe that along with those feelings and beliefs should also be a certain amount of humbleness.
But maybe I've read it all wrong. You've certainly dredge up my interest in the subject again caine.

[angelis]

Satanism......
I don't like people that practice it, but all the insights on the ((religion)) are good. Don't get me wrong I got a lot of information on Satanism. I figure this that if I need to protect myself from others that harm me or others I better know my enemy then let them be able to harm me with what is not known. So I will post all I got of this topic. Even if it is not something I am fond of.