True Satanism

[Kunoke]

I want to hear people's feedback and questions on this. What do you know about it? What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of it? I'll answer any question you have to the best of my ability. I think a lot of people misunderstand Satanism and the beliefs it holds, or are too scared to even find out anything about it. I encourage you otherwise.

Why? Because I'm bored, and I love controversial topics.

*Sorry about the double post on the thread, my hand slipped

[Vexond]

When I hear Satanism I think of Satan. To tell the truth I dont know anything about Satanism besides the fact that they worship Satan(thats what I was told). I dont see Satanist(or whatever) as evil people but I dont see them as good either.

[guyfromcrowd]

what do they believe?
sure, "your hand slipped" jk

[Candy Man]

I heard true Satanism is the exact opposite of Christianity.

I know's there's a "Black Bible" but I haven't a clue on the specifics of it.

EDIT: Checked the wiki page. Seems the entire doctrine is based off the act of giving Eve fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. A Prometheus sort of thing.

[Frozen Fate]

Originally Posted by The Froad

I heard true Satanism is the exact opposite of Christianity

That basically is what Satanism is. Also known as 'Devil Worshipers'

[Candy Man]

Looked around at my dad's theology books. It stated that Satanism itself is very rarely praticed and is usually a label slapped onto several different Pagan cults and organizations.

Real Satanists are taught to do the exact opposite of the teachings of God and Jesus Christ. i.e: Thou shalt not kill=murder whenever possible.
Seven Deadly Sins hooray!!................................... so murder when convenient.

[TheMuffinMan]

Most Satanists do not see themselves as "worshiping evil." Rather, most Satanists associate Satan with such values as pride, independence, individuality, knowledge, achievement, thinking for oneself, and exploring unknown and forbidden realms. Contrary to the portrayal of Satanism in sensationalistic tabloids, Satanists do not see any need to sacrifice animals or commit violent crimes in the name of Satan, as the practice of Satanist teaches you to respect all creatures and manner of nature. And a large portion of Satanism are actually agnostic, and do not believe in or worship Satan as a literal entity, but instead regard Satan as a symbol or metaphor of independence, pride, individual ambition, and respect for ones self.

[Vexond]

So basically Satanist just do whatever they want to and thats why people regard them as evil even though most dont actually 'worship' Satan?

[Frozen Fate]

Also, Satanists sometimes wear an upside-down rosary. (I saw this at a 76ers game once, actually. When I was 6 or 7.)

[TheMuffinMan]

So basically Satanist just do whatever they want to and thats why people regard them as evil even though most dont actually 'worship' Satan?

'Satanism' is not one single religion, unlike most faiths which have what they believe pretty much nailed, Satanism is a broad category of varying religions, beliefs, worldviews, that in common share a more favorable interpretation of the figure of Satan.

A short explanation of Satanism by Diane Vera

Christians (and Muslims) regard their "God" as all-good and Satan as evil. But what is "good"? What is "evil"? Many of the moral values espoused in the Bible seem very strange from a modern Western point of view.

In the Garden of Eden story, Adam and Eve are punished for eating from the "tree of knowledge of good and evil." In other words, blind obedience to the Biblical "God" is considered "good," and Satan's gift to humanity; the gift of knowledge, to seek independence and intelligence for themselves, independent moral judgment based on one's own knowledge, is considered "evil." But, like many other educated people in the West today, Satanists do not agree with this idea at all.

In the Book of Genesis, "God" seems to be outright threatened by human knowledge and achievement, both in the Garden of Eden story ("And the LORD God said, 'The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.'" - Genesis 3:22) and then later in the Tower of Babel story ("But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. The LORD said, 'If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.'" - Genesis 11:5-7).

In several books of the Bible, the supposedly all-good "God" commands the Israelites to slaughter various enemy nations in their entirety, in some cases sparing only the virgin girls who are taken as slaves. Nowhere in the Bible is Satan alleged to do anything even remotely as "evil" by modern Western standards.

According to traditional Christian doctrine, the main “evil” thing Satan is believed to do is simply to lead people away from Christ. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing depends on how you feel about Christianity.

From a more down-to-Earth point of view, the worst thing Satan is said to do in the New Testament is to drive people insane. (Insanity is blamed on alleged “demon possession.”) Indeed, if one is careless, one can drive oneself insane through exploring the unknown and seeking to “become as gods,” as Satan invites us to do. On the other hand, if one takes reasonable precautions in pursuing one's explorations and ambitions, one can reap great benefits.

And one Theist sect of Satanism:

We believe that the Christian "God" is not the true cosmic God. To us, the workings of Nature do not suggest that the cosmic creator God desires a personal parental-like relationship with us humans. We believe that the true cosmic God is most likely impersonal, and, therefore, that any god who does relate to humans in a personal way is not the cosmic God. Thus we regard neither the Christian "God" nor Satan as the ultimate God of the universe. We regard Satan as a spirit of the Earth and as a Muse of human innovation.

[Candy Man]

'Satanism' is not one single religion, unlike most faiths which have what they believe pretty much nailed, Satanism is a broad category of varying religions, beliefs, worldviews, that in common share a more favorable interpretation of the figure of Satan.

That's what I said with the labels.

[Vexond]

I think I understand now.

[Kunoke]

Satanism can be categorized into many different sects, yes. The Satanism I practice, LaVeyan Satanism, is the only one that is really organized and has a church. It's not a very large group.

Here you can find most of what you'd need to know, but there are several different websites you can go to. Unlike some forms of Satanism, LaVeyan Satanism forbids ritualistic sacrifice, as well the killing of animals in any other instance. Also, it doesn't worship any deity. In traditional Satanism, the one you've probably heard of, the Christian devil is worshiped. Satan is seen in LaVeyan satanism as sort of a form of human nature, rather than a figure. It's sort of complicated, but the general implication of the beliefs is: "I am my own god (which is the Satanic maxim)." I guess if you were trying to say it simply, it's self worship, or worship of humanity.

[risingfalls]

Well, when I first hear the word "Satanism", the first thing that comes to mind are Devil-worshipers, but I knew there was more to it than that. I had heard that in some Satanism, that they didn't really worship the Devil, but sort of used Satan as a...metaphorical god, or rather a representation of ideals that they consequently live out, but I didn't really know the specifics. I also heard that it was a blatant slap in the face to Christianity, and that it was created just to mock Christianity and its believers.
But after reading the Wiki page, I see there is a lot more behind it than I originally thought, but that some of my prior knowledge wasn't too far off. So thanks for the link.
Like the Wiki page says, it seems very Machiavellian indeed, (the ends justify the means)...and some parts of it do seem very mocking...

[Kunoke]

Originally Posted by risingfalls

Well, when I first hear the word "Satanism", the first thing that comes to mind are Devil-worshipers, but I knew there was more to it than that. I had heard that in some Satanism, that they didn't really worship the Devil, but sort of used Satan as a...metaphorical god, or rather a representation of ideals that they consequently live out, but I didn't really know the specifics. I also heard that it was a blatant slap in the face to Christianity, and that it was created just to mock Christianity and its believers.
But after reading the Wiki page, I see there is a lot more behind it than I originally thought, but that some of my prior knowledge wasn't too far off. So thanks for the link.
Like the Wiki page says, it seems very Machiavellian indeed, (the ends justify the means)...and some parts of it do seem very mocking...

It's true that plenty of LaVeyan satanists look down on Christianity quite severely. I really don't mind Christians, so long as they don't try and preach to me. But just like some other religions, you don't have to agree with every single part to be a true member of the religion.