Satanism

I have always looked down upon Satanism as an organized religion. I have no idea how people who supposedly worship an entity who is the perceived antagonist to the christian god. Why in the world would people choose to align themselves with the undoubtedly evil? It just didn't makes sense.

But of course, all those were just derived from the things that the mainstream media. The Satanism that popular culture is familiar with is just the image that is projected by Hollywood, some pretentious metal bands and teenagers who use Satan as an excuse for their criminal acts.

Apparently, Satanism is a valid religion.

The Church of Satan was founded in the spring of 1966 by Anton Szandor LaVey. As much as the hyperactive imaginations of the people in Hollywood would love to make us think that Satanists are intensely blood thirsty sick individuals with an appetite for cannibalism, it is easy to see that based on the doctrines of the Satanic religion and philosophy that the church is just as organized if not more clear-cut with their tenets as opposed to the catholic church.

Satanists are followers of a Satanic religion: Most religious historians, mainline Christians, liberal Christians, etc., view Satanism as Satanists themselves do: as a very small religious group that is unrelated to any other faith, and whose members feel free to satisfy their urges responsibly, exhibit kindness to their friends, and attack their enemies. There are perhaps ten thousand Satanists in North America. By far the largest Satanic organization is the Church of Satan. Accurate membership numbers are quite impossible to estimate.

Satanists are followers of a religion other than Conservative Christianity: Conservative Christians generally believe that there are only two powerful supernatural forces in the world: their God and Satan. A few of them believe that if a person does not worship their God and hold their beliefs, then they must be worshiping Satan. The latter are, by definition, Satanists. Thus, they view all religions different from their own to be are forms of Satanism. This would include established world religions from Buddhism to Zoroastrianism, and might even include liberal and some mainline Christians. Satanists would then make up in excess of 90% of the world's population — i.e. everyone who is not a conservative Christian. Using this definition, the term "Satanism" becomes almost meaningless.

All non-Christians are Satanists: Some feel that all non-Christian religions are forms of Satanism. This would imply that all Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims - in fact about 67% of the world's population are Satanists.

Non-Abrahamics are Satanists: Others feel that all religions other than three Abrahamic religions Judaism, Christianity and Islam, are inspired by Satan and are thus a form of Satanism. By this reasoning, about 45% of the people of the world are Satanists.

Followers of certain small religions are Satanists: Still others feel that the major world religions are not Satanism. However, they view a wide variety of unrelated religions and practices (such as Santeria, Vodun, other Caribbean religions, New Age, Druidism, Wicca, other Neopagan religions and religious Satanism) to be various forms of Satanism. They often include some non-religious groups and activities — as varied as the Masonic order, the Occult, astrology, and tarot card reading — within their definition of Satanism. There would be millions of Satanists in North America by this definition.
religioustolerance.org

Clearly, the media and christian church has definitely put their own spins into the whole Satanist issue. The mere mention of the name Satan almost connotes something evil. In reality, the Church of Satan does not encourage committing "evil" acts. Quite simply put, the Church of Satan's main doctrines revolve on the autonomy of man how an individual should be respsonsible in the life choices that he is to make. More surprisingly, the Church of Satan does not encourage worshipping an entity called Satan. As ironic as it sounds, the church only fosters the idea that Satan is a concept that 'personifies' certain aspects of daily living. They revel in indulgence of wordly pleasures by feeding their primal instincts.

To put this into perspective, let's zero in on the teachings of Satanism:

Similar to Islam, Satanism also has a core group of concepts similar to the Five Pillars of Islam. They are collectively known as the Nine Satanic Statements. A lot of people might expect to see imperatives like destroy the world and kill as many christians as you can, but as you would see, the statements are very much anchored on sane ground.

Satan represents:

bullet Indulgence, not abstinence.
bullet Vital existence, not spiritual pipe dreams.
bullet Undefiled wisdom, not hypocritical self-deceit.
bullet Kindness to those deserving of it, not love wasted on ingrates.
bullet Vengeance, not turning the other cheek.
bullet Responsibility to the responsible, instead of concern for psychic vampires.
bullet Man as just another animal - the most vicious of all.
bullet Gratification of all ones desires.
bullet The best friend that the Christian Church has had as he has kept it in business for

As you could see, there isnt much debate about the contents of the Nine Satanic Statements. They simply tap into the primal aspects of daily living and in the belief that there is no greater form of existence as opposed to what is available now so there is a need to urgently indulge in the pleasure of life.

Just like christianity, Satanism also has a set of rules that followers must live by. Instead of ten commandments, the Satanist stand by a code called theThe Eleven Satanic Rules Of The Earth.

Rule One: Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.

Unlike the christian practice where in compassion and helping the needy without necessarily being asked first, Satanists respect the autonomy of individuals. They give REAL premium on independence and free will - something that mainstreamchristians would never do. christians are generally nosy people - as the people who are clamoring for the banning of the Da Vinci Code movie would prove.

Rule Two: Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure they want to hear them.

This is almost the corollary of the First Rule. Since Satanism puts weight on the privacy of individuals, it has to cut both ways.

Rule Three: When in another’s lair, show him respect or else do not go there.

Once again, its a concept of privacy and respect. I'm even the christians who are reading this would like to believe that they abide by pretty much the same rules.

Rule Four: If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy.

This is where a slight digression can be seen. Whereas christianity champions the whole concept of "turning the other cheek", Satanism upholds the idea of retribution and absolute right to vengeance.

The Rest of the Rules.

. Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal.

6. Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the other person and he cries out to be relieved.

7. Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained.

8. Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself.

9. Do not harm little children.

10. Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food.

11. When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.

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April 26th, 2006 in Uncategorized

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