Are Satanists serious?

[CFLarsen]

Now I’m more confused.

BUWAHAHAHAAA!! All parrrrrrt of my secret cabal....(hiss, hiss, hiss)

Not a religion in the sense that their Satanism doesn’t fit the dictionary definition of “the service and worship of God or the supernatural”? Or are you saying they are more of a cult, or philosophy than religion?

I guess what I’m getting at is, of those Satanists you’ve encountered, do you think they believe in the supernatural, a God, a Devil, and so on. Do they make supernatural claims, and do they believe them, or does their deceit make it impossible to say?

If some do have supernatural beliefs and a theology, though you seem to say a straight answer would be impossible, I’d simply like to know what they are and how exactly they relate to Christianity.

Given that Satanists don't (necessarily) speak the truth, I have to admit that relying on what they say is a bit silly.

I haven't heard any Satanist say that he believed in the Devil as he is commonly known: Evil, split-footed, sulphur-smelling. What I hear mostly is some vague referrals to something that is "greater" than all of us, or even the contrary, that there is nothing supernatural at all. I usually use the "Holy Trinity" (so to speak) to see if something is a religion:

1) There has to be a divine creator of the universe.
2) There has to be worship of this divine creator.
3) There has to be a set of moral values that one must follow (usually to get to Heaven or the like).

(Didn't Shermer use this at TAM1 or TAM2?)

I can't see the Satanic divine creator, but I do see worship from satanists, although it is usually of themselves. As of moral values....it seems that "moral" is one word that will give satanists a heart attack.

CFLarsen boosts my uncertainty with this ominous-ness:

BUWAHAHAAAAA....... My Shaolin magic is worrrrrking....

I have to wonder what makes them more than atheist libertarians and what activities they do that are in need of monitoring?

Anyone who thinks they can "morally" lie needs to be monitored. I am not talking about baby-sacrifices, but more of being aware of them, e.g. when they are in the media (especially when they are not admitting to be satanists).

It’s probably that to ask what Satanists believe is a lot like asking what Christians believe. You have your Mormons, Catholics, and liberal Episcopalians who may only see their church as a philosophical stance sans the supernatural. But I’d still like to know what the faithful believers in a supernatural Satanism believe and claim (assuming they aren’t all just confused surly teens out to rebel).

Well, the best would be to get a self-confessed satanist to join up, but I doubt you will succeed...

 

[Piscivore]

Anyone who thinks they can "morally" lie needs to be monitored.

Umm... Authors? We lie all the time. Happily, and with great enthusiasm. I lie to my children to amuse myself- and them, to a lesser extent. And of course, sometimes it is more moral to lie than to tell the truth.

 

[RamblingOnwards]

I am not talking about baby-sacrifices,

I awas under the impression the whole 'satanistic ritual abuse' thing was another Fundie fairy tale.

You mean you people have actually met people who claim to be satanists? Or people who claim to used to have been a statanist, but are now something other than Christian?

I've only known one person who claimed to be a satanist (as well as a drug dealer), but he kinda lost his credibility when he bitched about not being able to smoke during Ramandan.

 

[Yaotl]

Hail Eris

All Hail Discordia!!!

 

[TragicMonkey]

I've only known one person who claimed to be a satanist (as well as a drug dealer), but he kinda lost his credibility when he bitched about not being able to smoke during Ramandan.

I knew a self-proclaimed satanist in college. She had to take a break from satanism the week she ran out of black eyeliner and couldn't get to the store.

 

[CFLarsen]

Umm... Authors? We lie all the time. Happily, and with great enthusiasm. I lie to my children to amuse myself- and them, to a lesser extent. And of course, sometimes it is more moral to lie than to tell the truth.

That's not what I meant.

 

[CFLarsen]

I awas under the impression the whole 'satanistic ritual abuse' thing was another Fundie fairy tale.

It is. Sorry for not making that clear.

You mean you people have actually met people who claim to be satanists? Or people who claim to used to have been a statanist, but are now something other than Christian?

Yes, I've met satanists. Not to be trusted.

I've only known one person who claimed to be a satanist (as well as a drug dealer), but he kinda lost his credibility when he bitched about not being able to smoke during Ramandan.

Ah.....was his name Mr. SmokeTooMuch...?

 

[c4ts]

All Hail Discordia!!!

Half a ton of flax indeed.

 

[Scot C. Trypal]

BUWAHAHAHAAA!! All parrrrrrt of my secret cabal....(hiss, hiss, hiss)
....
BUWAHAHAAAAA....... My Shaolin magic is worrrrrking....

[gasp] Where is 1inChrist when I need him?!

Anyone who thinks they can "morally" lie needs to be monitored.

OR THIS COULD HAPPEN:

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0094/0094_01.asp

In the media? It could be anybody… Marilyn Manson? The allegedly kinky Bill O’Reilly? Tinkey Winkey?

I certainly agree with you that habitually deceptive folks should be monitored, difficult as that may be. I'm just unclear on what Satanists do exactly. Is there some sort of unifying goal for them? If it's simply lying to get ahead in life with no moral qualms about it, then I, unfortunately, know of many a covert Satanist.

Well, the best would be to get a self-confessed satanist to join up, but I doubt you will succeed...

There you have it Satanist lurkers. Step up and explain your self. Please.

 

[Jas]

OR THIS COULD HAPPEN:

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0094/0094_01.asp

Well, the new age healer's costume seemed about right. And the hookups to grampa's nipples were pretty kinky.

 

[plindboe]

I usually use the "Holy Trinity" (so to speak) to see if something is a religion:

1) There has to be a divine creator of the universe.
2) There has to be worship of this divine creator.
3) There has to be a set of moral values that one must follow (usually to get to Heaven or the like).

So Buddhism isn't a religion in your opinion?

 

[c4ts]

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0094/0094_01.asp

I remember the time I spoofed that tract, back when we had better woo woos. At least Franko the "logical deist" was original. Sure he contradicted himself a hundred times, never fully expounded upon his philosophy, and based his knowledge of the universe off of Star Trek and whatever drugs he was doing at the time, but arguing with him was somehow entertaining. Remember when he got kicked off of Deism.org? Good times, good times. Though I would really hate it if he returned and hijacked every thread with his contradictory position on free will.

 

[CFLarsen]

So Buddhism isn't a religion in your opinion?

That's a good question!

If we are talking about what traditional Buddhism teaches, then I would say no. Even though there are (or may be) supernatural forces around us, the world hasn't been created by them. So, out goes 1 and 2. There is, however, a strong emphasis on 3.

That some Buddhist teachers are treated as if they were divine, is quite another matter.

The problem with calling Buddhism a religion is that we should also call any political or moral ideology a religion: Politics also tells us how we should live, e.g. by suggesting what is legal and what is not (based on morality).

But it is somewhat of a grey zone.

 

[Dancing David]

There are many different kinds of Satanists,
1. Those who recite the lord's prayer backwards and all that, they are basicaly Reverse Xians.
2. Those like Aton levey who are more of the Merry Prankster , out to just yank on people's chains.
3. Those who commit evil because they think it is cool, the Rock and Roll Satanist, they sacrifice kittens and topple gravestones.

Those who
4. Are labeled Statanists by the mainstream churches.
a. witches, pagans and anything that is not thier church.
b. The OTO and other quasi masonic orders that are pagan in nature and practise but get labeled as Satanist.

5. The recreated Satanists who refer to themselves as "luciferians", followers of Set, Typhonites.

 

[1inChrist]

Satanists are very serious. They bathe in evil and worship the Beast. They are the scum of the earth and no different than demons in my opinion. They are human demons and are to be avoided.

 

[The GM]

Satanists are very serious. They bathe in evil and worship the Beast. They are the scum of the earth and no different than demons in my opinion. They are human demons and are to be avoided.

1inC,
Today is the Sabbath. What are you doing posting on internet message boards? Tsk..tsk...

 

[1inChrist]

1inC,
Today is the Sabbath. What are you doing posting on internet message boards? Tsk..tsk...

Since when is posting on an online forum work? Think before you speak.

 

[Thumper]

Since when is posting on an online forum work? Think before you speak.

I know I'm online avoiding work.

 

[Bikewer]

Human Demons....Those are Vampires! Oh wait, that's Buffy.

Well, no doubt unpleasant at any rate.

 

[The GM]

Since when is posting on an online forum work? Think before you speak.

Since *you* posted that it was your *job* to bring the Good News of His Glory here.

Think before you troll.