Quote:
Originally posted by Chewbacca:
Its refrshing to see the truth exposed about satanism and the lies of old church propaganda revealed. Altering another religions diety like they did with the Horned One and perverting it into an evil type was a brilliant way to scare the peasants into converting and to gather more land and money. Today it is ironic, that as a "religion" Satanism doesnt seek to convert anybody, you cant really count "black mass" publicity stunts. Its a very "come if ya will" society, although it does have its spokepeople. I think its certainly not for everyone, for it takes character to acknowledge ones own darkside and the potentcy of ones own lust, just as it takes wisdom to place these aspects of oneself into a healthy perspective and with self-authority.
I find it amazing that anyone who has read the original post, or some of the thoghts shared throguh the course of the thread would still hold prejudice against someone who calls themself a satanist in the decisivly "non-gothic" way.
You know they used to blame minoritys for all sorts of heinous crimes based out of ignorance and fear of the unknown and the different, dont fall into that trap again. Prejudice against Satanists in light of common knowldge is just plain sad. A satanist could be your doctor, lawyer, cop, military officer, stockbroker, me ect.
As a witch of sorts, I identify alot with Satanism. Some of the philosophy (personal responiblity, authority, and power); symbolism (phallace, ritual knife), and ritual practice( consecrating space and casting a circle) of satanism correlates with my practice of Witchcraft and invokations of the masculine side of creation or the God (depicted with horns in some archtypes) . My perspective differs from most Satanists because the Godess, or the femine side of creation gets equal coverage in my self-growth through rituals, prayers and practices. Some witches focus more on the goddess. Also I accept the unseen, or spiritual realm of life with the same weight as the physical or seen realm. I seek balance living as a spirit inside a body with a spiritual existance and destiny beyond my body. Satanists focus soley on the expirience of phyical existance, having no concern of an after-life or spiritual existance. It isnt practical to them to waste the little time we have as a mortal concerned about what happens if we are not. I agree with this to the extent that it balances with my spiritual belief that my consiouness and soul shall endure beyond this mortal coil.
Words can be lacking when it comes to personal first hand expiriences involving communion of spiritual nature. There is an old saying:
"Nothing will ever beat seeking enlightenment and truth for yourself, it may be not what you expect or exactly what you asked for."
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G'kar, we've had this discussion before.
Judaism is one of the oldest continually practiced religions in the world. The concept of Satan has existed for thousands of years in this faith, not to mention Islam and Christianity.
It seems simple to me. Why call yourself a Satanist, if you don't believe in the historically accepted concept of the personality? Why not invent another name? Tasanists? Natasists? Saantism?
It's not hard. Satan is a being. If you don't follow that being, don't try confusing the issue with the "We're Satanists but we don't believe in Satan"
When I speak of Satan, I speak of the personality that has been spoken of for thousands of years. Most humans do. The vast majority in fact.
Historically when people come along with a new or revived theological worldview, they give it a clear, new identity. Scientology. Theosophy. Sunni Islam. Lutheranism.
It helps for clarity. Identity. Knowledge.
But then the Satan of the bible is all about deception. Confusion. Lies. Mistruth.
The biggest attempted con is that he doesn't exist.
He cannot create, only pervert.
Now, I'm not telling a Satanist what to believe or not to believe, I'm suggesting that if they honestly wish to have a clear identity, without the confusion, then give the concept another name. Otherwise they are fighting an uphill battle.
Language is an untamed, unchainable beast. Trying to dictate what a word is in the face of what it is used as, is like attempting to stop the tide.
[ 05-20-2002, 12:07 PM: Message edited by: Yorick ]