MY PROBLEM WITH SATANISM
ilikeyourribcage:
I was originally going to include this as one point in my monthly Hate Lists, but it didn’t fit right (in terms of both my usual tone and usual content). So here:
I generally don’t agree with one lifestyle choice as a direct opposite to another, and - whichever way you look at it - Satanism is entirely reactionary. It is largely dependent on the shortcomings of Christianity and other ‘mainstream’ religions. If it didn’t have this to rely on, it couldn’t stand as ‘interesting’ enough to influence people towards it.
Satanists believe theistic religion limits the enjoyment of life. But then why not reject the idea of religion all together? Why does your life philosophy still need a label and group and a clique? The answer seems to be, the human ego. To feel superior and elitist; a part of a few special and important people. This makes Satanism no different to buying any other feel-good idea being sold out there. It simply would not work in keeping or gaining followers, without this aspect of flattery and exclusion - therefore Satanism cannot be as intelligent as it claims to be.
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First off, I just want to begin by saying that you’re fully entitled to your opinion and I’m not trying to start some grand debate which will inevitably end up back at square zero, much like most. Next, I’m glad to see that you at least have some understanding of what Satanism is as opposed to the many people who do still in fact believe that it’s nothing but devil worship and I want to thank you for doing that research thus far. I’m sorry you feel the way you do about us, but the case must be made and we can only hope to do that by clearing up said misconceptions. Even if you do have the full story and disagree, that’s completely fine to us. I’d prefer you fully understand us before you dismiss us. We understand that by far, it isn’t for everyone. We don’t need high quantities of people, just high quality people. I apologize if this comes off as me attempting to inarticulately shout my opinion to overpower yours — that isn’t my intention. This is just my input for people who are of your same mindset for reference on my own blog.
You say you don’t agree with rebels without cause? Good, you shouldn’t. Neither do we. We believe there should be a reason behind everything you do, especially when causing conflict such as this. I respectfully disagree that Satanism is entirely reactionary. Anton LaVey may have created our philosophy out of disgust for religion, namely Judeo-Christianity… so far, that is true. However, the tenets of Satanism are almost entirely prehistoric as they are strictly based upon our own nature as a species as opposed to “god-given” mandates that practically should be considered prehistoric. The only difference is that true Satanists are gentlemen who take full responsibilities for their actions. This immediately negates one’s claim that it is “dependent” on other religions because Satanism was in the works of LaVey’s head before it was even called as such. Basically, he formed his own religion during his occult “Witches’ Workshop” days where he spoke as a teacher to those interested in occult sciences in his own home. Once he had the rough draft of his new scratchings, him and his colleagues agreed that he had made the very foundation of a new religion of the flesh instead of the spirit… and it was awfully antithetical to Christianity. From there on out, it was only too necessary to call it Satanism because of just how much the religion was the opposite of the big three monotheistic religions. Not to mention just how much symbolism is related with Satan as a fictional figurehead. Thus, in 1966, the church was born. Three years later, he and his “council of nine” had completed their final copy to be printed off as what we now know as The Satanic Bible.
You’re correct in saying that we believe theistic religion hinders the full potential of enjoying life, but only as far as we, the Satanists are concerned. Personally, I see people whose religion gives them more joy and comfort out of life than anything else they have tried (or so they claim.) Why take that away from them? That isn’t my place nor anyone else’s in my opinion. If it works for them, great, I’m happy for them. So long as it isn’t pushed upon me through educational, political, or societal means, I’m completely fine with it. Sadly, this isn’t the case and to me, anti-theism becomes necessary only so far as to push religion back behind it’s own borders where it belongs.
However, to answer you on why we don’t reject the notion of religion altogether, the answer is simply because we recognize how necessary religion is to some. When most people hear the word “Religion”, instead of thinking about philosophical codes on which one lives their lives, they just think “Jesus”, “God”, and getting out of the comfort of their bed early on Sunday mornings. Why do we need a label for our philosophy? I would say it’s the same reason there are different names for different genres of music. We are atheists, for sure… but we adhere to a strict moral code that not all other atheists may agree with that define us. What do you do when the language you speak doesn’t have a word to define something new? I would hope you’d make a word for it! The rest of this particular question is out the door beyond there because another one of the biggest misconceptions about Satanists is that they’re part of a group or clique. Nothing could be further from the truth because the Church of Satan isn’t a place where we all go to gather and do “evil” things — that would be against the very behavior Satanists condemn. In fact, nothing really happens there aside from what you might find in an office: planning and paperwork. To put it in better terms, instead of thinking of the Church of Satan as a group for gathering, think of it as a mutual admiration and promotion society wherein members may help other members out if they so choose. One must give careful consideration to the differences between a “group” and an “organization”.
On the elitism, you’re right. We are an elitist organization. We are so because we strive to do the very best for ourselves and our loved ones though achieving our maximum potential as human beings. Our elite interests are also based in eugenics, as we see it as beneficial to the human species that our generations under us receive the best possible traits and living conditions that we, as parents can provide. Above all though, is the drive to succeed in finding ultimate happiness in life. All of this however, does not mean that we condone the behavior of those who would call themselves Satanists, but join the club as a fan rather than a member. These would be the people you mentioned, only wanting to feel cool and better than everyone else. No, the true Satanist strives to achieve instead of putting on this façade and having delusions of adequacy. Gaining these people under our banner is a parasitical side effect that has to be dealt with swiftly, unfortunately.
About your claim of Satanism not promoting individuality, where is your proof? Are you basing this on your past negative experiences of our “fans” instead of members? The only similarities between many Satanists are purely philosophical. Satanists come from all walks of life; we all come from different backgrounds and have a very wide range of interests. Many Satanists don’t even share the same political views. Eclecticism is ever-present — and this is strongly encouraged.
At the risk of sounding “angsty”, I’m afraid I have to agree that Satanism definitely demands a lot of study before anyone can even begin to argue for its case. That may very well be the reason that you heard this, that they ran out of quotations. Even if that is the case, isn’t that true about anything that isn’t widely understood?
You may think it’s “boring” and that’s all fine and good. Like I said, it’s your opinion and I respect that. However, the intention isn’t to entertain, but rather to be used as a tool to improve one’s own life in the best way possible. It’s just the powerful imagery used that attracts so many of the youngsters to it’s literature. Let’s just say that there’s a reason that it hasn’t “died out” and continues to grow just like there’s a reason one of the Church of Satan’s mottos is “We’re looking for outstanding individuals” instead of “Smoke crack, worship Satan”.
What is for sure is that we can both agree on what the ultimate rejection of religion (though I prefer calling it “spirituality”) is and that is exactly what I am doing. I was following the eleven Satanic rules of the Earth before I had ever known they were printed on paper and found myself in them once I finally read them. In essence, my own personal version of “good and well and happy” was what I was and still am following today because nothing changed after my discovering of The Satanic Bible. This is why it’s said that Satanists are born, not made.
I’m not holding my breath in the hopes that your opinion might have changed from what I said here, but I sincerely do hope that I was able to at least clarify a few things. I also just wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity to dust off my writing hands after a long while of them being used for nothing but college class work.
Take care and have a “hell” of a day. :)
Invictvs
(Source: raingirlblog)
