On Cowardice

Originally posted by Garnet: Yorick and G'kar, I agree, this line of discussion is counter-productive for all concerned. Not to cast *any* aspersions on *anyone* (reread if necessary) but Yorick is approaching this from both his own personal observations and from a strong Christian background. I respect that even if it does frustrate me to no end when it *appears* that his mind is closed to any new info (*NO* insult intended, just my own observation) which counters his own exposure to horrific acts perpetrated upon innocents by psychotic sickos using the Freedom of Religion we have in order to try to get away with perversions! It frustrates me, not because I think he's a close-minded individual (rather, I think he is *not* close-minded at all! Rather the opposite) but because of his exposure to these individuals who have corrupted the laws and *any* religion to try and justify a sickness of their warped little minds! and the consequent and understandable unwillingness to delve further to attempt to discover if they are the exception rather than the rule. (reread, please. That came out rather convoluted) If I had in my power to undo the pain and torment the young woman has gone thru at the instigation of her demented father and his insane cronies, be assured I would. In a heartbeat and not think twice. But I don't. If I could bring to light the illegalities and insanity of some of these other individuals, I would (and have done on a much smaller basis where I live--but they weren't satanists, just kids trying to claim power by summoning demons--completely different and got way out of control). All I can do is as I already do--take action when I can, research unceasingly, and then share what I learn with others. Again, Yorick, I mean absolutely *no* disrespect to either your beliefs, your feelings or your experiences. G'kar, It would seem that even tho we approach the topic at hand by a slightly different path, we essentially see it in a similar light. I find myself completely in agreement with Yorick's assertion that these individuals who call themselves satanists are evil-doers and ought to be held accountable (actually, I want to use much stronger language, but I don't think the mod quad would allow it!). They perpetrate the worst of crimes and seek to justify it by claiming it is part and parcel of their worship system. Bullshit! It would seem you have had similar exposure to satanists as I (tho more so, as my personal links are relatively new) and have found through your own research of the topic that Satanism is not the black, subversive Path betrayed both in horror movies and in the press when one of these groups goes for the scare factor. Again, I am not condoning satanism or any other religion as good or bad, right or wrong. *ALL* religions, indeed all beliefs even of the secular sort, can be and routinely are corrupted by individuals seeking personal power and gain. This has happened throughout history to all the mainstream religions I can think of, which is why there are so many denominations! Yorick is right--this line of discussion needs to be ended. We all three have very valid points, I feel, even if they do differ. From my seat, I say to you both, I greatly respect you both--and even more so since this discussion. Garnet

Garnet, great post. I dont think Yorrick is closed-minded, and I tried to shed a little clarity in what I said before about open-mindedness. I'm all all for sickos getting what they deserve, paricularrly because I find it hard to sit back and watch someone ridicule beliefs that I, in part share, and that some of my close friends take fully to heart. I dont hink any intentioanl ridicule was put forth, at least I hope not.
Anyway, I have respect for you and Yorrick as well, and I apologize to Dio for taking over his cowardice thread with satanic back and forth.
Cheers to ya,
Scott

[Diogenes Of Pumpkintown]

2 cents:

Yorick, G'Kar is quite correct regarding the medieval christian church taking the Horned God of older pagan traditions and associating him with the Devil as a means of converting peoples to Christianity and turning them away from the older pagan traditions. In those older traditions, the Horned God had no such connotations of evil as was imposed upon him later by Christianity.

Today, as G'Kar said, some people choose to call themselves "Satanists" in defiance of what they perceive as the Church stealing and perverting the concept of the Horned God, as a means of claiming him back.

I can't say that I agree with that sort of defiance in choosing the name, though. It seems unnecessarily provocative.

In short, there are really at least two distinct types of "Satanists" -- those as G'Kar described, which are really going back to pre-christian pagan traditions, and those who really do get kicks out of worshipping or pretending to worship the Christian Devil. I think the latter are in the minority, being really quite rare, from what I understand.

[This message has been edited by Diogenes Of Pumpkintown (edited 10-11-2001).]