Gotta love how…

people constantly feel the need to let everyone else here know what the inverted cross meant… practically two millenia ago, if the man existed.

Newsflash: Times change, and with them, their symbology too. Nearly two thousand years is more than enough time to do so for this one. Don’t believe me? Think about how fast the swastika’s meaning changed. It’s all about what the general populace thinks about a symbol that determines its most real definition. (See: Existentialism)

So pull up your pants, you pseudo-intellectual fucks. The “Cross of St. Peter” is no symbol any Christian would find themselves wearing, nor is it symbolic of atheism or Satanism.

It’s a simple rejection of Christianity and/or otherwise Christian values. Nothing more—nothing less.

crassculture asked: Hey man, your blog is seriously one of the few blogs I care enough to keep up with. Always quality stuff. Even though I'm not as devoted to Satanism, I certainly approve of and even follow most of its tenets.
I was wondering, however, what is the Satanic stance on tattoos and body modification? I understand that LaVey disapproved of all types of body-harm, but I get the idea that he only meant the ingestion of any type of substance that might impair judgment, reason, or autonomy over one's body. I'm very curious. Do you think tattoos/body mod. can be/should be/are a part of Satanic aesthetic?

Thanks very much, I’m glad you’re enjoying it.

The Satanic stance on body modification is just that—the Satanic stance, meaning that it’s left up to the individual to decide their opinion on their own.

Some Satanists view body modification as potentially damaging to their careers and thus limiting the total potential one has for finding the most enjoyment out of life. By this, I of course mean how unacceptable tattoos/piercings/etc are in the workplace. Like it or not, people frown upon it—nothing can really be done about that. Well, that is of course, if you hide it. One somewhat-famous Satanist I know of out there once said that it would be best if you entrench yourself in the position of your dreams first by doing the best job you can possibly do so that your employer couldn’t even think of finding a replacement—then would be the time do mod yourself to your heart’s content.

Then there are others, who oftentimes are very easily pointed out in a crowd, who take it on as a challenge. They’ll go into their career fields looking like other-worldly beings, but prove that this culture of people is more than capable at being competent in their skills.

Personally, I’m on the former’s side. I, myself, have a tattoo, but It’s obviously underneath my shirt (over my heart), which won’t ever be exposed in any kind of professional setting anyway. I feel like one has to feel unnatural without their tattoo design that they have in mind in order to get one, but that’s just me.

So, what do I think of body modification in relation to the Satanic aesthetic?

Are they? It depends on the individual.
Can they be? Absolutely.
Should they be? Only if the individual is responsible enough to consider and take on the negative associations people will pair them with, be they visible or not.

Responsibility to the responsible.
Invictvs

eugenicist asked: Thank you for reprinting "What, the Devil?" Very interesting reading; I've bookmarked it for future reference.

It seems to me that, if you give people, with a certain amount of intelligence, moral sense and self-discipline, freedom of action and from want, the results will generally be good. But I've never seen a serious discussion of what happens to people without those qualities. Nowadays, you can't even admit that such people exist! I think that LaVey says something like "use them or ignore them," but I guess I don't think along those lines, because many of those people are in congress.

I know that Satanism isn't a political point of view, but what do you think? Saying "fucking idiots" is satisfying, but it doesn't change anything!

You’re very welcome.

I’m not sure what his exact words on the subject were, but I’m quite certain that they can be simplified to just that. From my personal point of view, there are tons more of them who aren’t in congress and are mine for the manipulating, should I choose. However, if they do happen to be in congress, all I really can do is vote against them (providing that they’re proponents of something that affects me negatively) and empower the other side, be it something I see as good or a lesser evil.

It’s a question with answers differing depending on the societal level at which it’s asked. Dealing with an idiot in the grocery store parking lot could potentially ruin my day while dealing with a religious nut holding the reins of where the country is going could potentially ruin my life. The only commonality is that all situations can be controlled for my own good; the strings of the puppets are always there—it just takes someone keen enough to see and use them.

skarrlettkrowsnest asked: Thanks for the follow! HS!

I don’t believe I did, but I’m looking forward to seeing your interviews!

Hail Satan,
Invictvs

Atheist Challenge: Day I

At what point did you know you were an atheist? Why did you become one, what were the factors leading up to the decision, if you weren’t always one?

I personally don’t believe I was ever anything other than an atheist, though I did try to consider myself otherwise.

I guess I was around 12-15 when I noticed all the inconsistencies and incompatibilities between religion and the nature of mankind. I started thinking about all of the logical fallacies set forth by the church and bible.

My single mother thankfully never forced me to go to church like the rest of my family. Of course, there were those times around the holidays that she wanted me to be around the family in church… and boy were those times fun. It was that young age that I discovered how boring, sterile and downright awkward churches were in comparison to everyday life for people. It just wasn’t… normal and acceptable human behavior to me.

As stated above, I didn’t always consider myself an atheist. I called myself a “Christian” because it was a term I didn’t hear all too often. Most of my family just referred to themselves as Catholics. I once told my mom I was a Christian and she said “No, you’re a Catholic.” to which I replied “No, I’m a Christian. I like that word more.” Heh, I guess you could call that one of my earliest memories of rebellion… and all for the sole reason of phonetics! I had no idea what all that nonsense was about and I’m very fortunate to not have had it pounded into my head to begin with.

One memory I’m fond of came from when my mother was picking me up from the daycare I was at a long time ago. It took me five minutes of thinking about it in the car, after which my thoughts spoke aloud to her: “You know, the devil deserves respect too.” Pausing abruptly, she replied “and why is that?” I said “Because he’s a god too… and everyone’s always picking on him.” The car was quiet all the way back home.