Satanic Sculpture at Illinois Statehouse.

[Thermal]

I would bet most of them are Protestants who left their sect.

Left, and summarily rejected in toto. Not evolved from, per the other examples.

 

[BobTheCoward]

Left, and summarily rejected in toto. Not evolved from, per the other examples.

Distinction without a difference.

 

[Thermal]

Distinction without a difference.

Major difference, in the context of whether or not they are a religion.

TST has summarily rejected all tenets of religion and religious thought...and claimed to be a religion of it. The other examples embraced the spirituality or trancendency or whatever of their sects.

It's funny to claim to be the religion of no-religion. You could shave with that edge. I did when I was a teenager.

 

[Lithrael]

It's funny to claim to be the religion of no-religion. You could shave with that edge. I did when I was a teenager.

Edge? It’s the near unanimous opinion expressed by the vocally religious towards anyone who says out loud they’re atheist. I’d call it more like rolling with the punch than being edgy.

 

[Thermal]

Edge? It’s the near unanimous opinion expressed by the vocally religious towards anyone who says out loud they’re atheist. I’d call it more like rolling with the punch than being edgy.

Not sure I'm following you. You think TST is being pushed around by the Christians, or at least somebody? TST seems to be the more aggressive thorn in the paw, AFAICS.

 

[BobTheCoward]

Major difference, in the context of whether or not they are a religion.

TST has summarily rejected all tenets of religion and religious thought...and claimed to be a religion of it. The other examples embraced the spirituality or trancendency or whatever of their sects.

It's funny to claim to be the religion of no-religion. You could shave with that edge. I did when I was a teenager.

And then added a bunch of stuff. I'm an atheist and I'm not signing up for their substitute ethos and substituted beliefs.

 

[Thermal]

And then added a bunch of stuff. I'm an atheist and I'm not signing up for their substitute ethos and substituted beliefs.

The stuff they added is satirical window dressing, not substance. The t-shirt you wear need not reflect your core belief system.

The Church of Satan, IIRC, still plays at some kind of ritual magic. They would fit more closely to an actual religion, if also ultimately a send-up.

 

[BobTheCoward]

The stuff they added is satirical window dressing, not substance. The t-shirt you wear need not reflect your core belief system.

The Church of Satan, IIRC, still plays at some kind of ritual magic. They would fit more closely to an actual religion, if also ultimately a send-up.

This is their argument

The idea that religion belongs to supernaturalists is ignorant, backward, and offensive. The metaphorical Satanic construct is no more arbitrary to us than are the deeply held beliefs that we actively advocate. Are we supposed to believe that those who pledge submission to an ethereal supernatural deity hold to their values more deeply than we? Are we supposed to concede that only the superstitious are rightful recipients of religious exemption and privilege? Satanism provides all that a religion should without a compulsory attachment to untenable items of faith-based belief. It provides a narrative structure by which we contextualize our lives and works. It also provides a body of symbolism and religious practice — a sense of identity, culture, community, and shared values.

I do not have a narrative structure or engage in religious practice. They do. And it separates them from me.

Satirical window dressing is no different than the fake gods worshipped by other religions.

 

[Thermal]

This is their argument



I do not have a narrative structure or engage in religious practice. They do. And it separates them from me.

Satirical window dressing is no different than the fake gods worshipped by other religions.

Consider what they claim Satanism provides: 'a sense of identity, culture, community, and shared values'. The same attributes could be applied to a sports fan. This is not what makes a religion, IMO, although the courts have ruled that they don't know what the hell does either.

Your atheist lifestyle need not be similar to theirs. They openly claim to be atheistic, and evidently do nothing whatsoever that is consistent with the concept of a religion...till it suits their socio-political agenda. Good for them, in that light.

Pulling a Potter Stewart, I don't know where the line is between what a religion is or isn't, but these cats are solidly on the not-religion side of it.

 

[Lithrael]

Not sure I'm following you. You think TST is being pushed around by the Christians, or at least somebody? TST seems to be the more aggressive thorn in the paw, AFAICS.

I just mean I don’t think that “ok fine, I’ll play by what you’re going to call me anyway” is what “being edgy” is. It’s more, idk, embracing the straw man.

 

[Thermal]

Hey, now this is really interesting in context of this discussion, and hasn't been noted yet IIRC: the NY Times reports that there is another display at the rotunda. It is a Solstice display by a vehemently anti-religious group that has been there for years, alongside the nativity and menorah and all. No one is raising any stink about it, AFAIK.

The times also reports that David Druker, spokesperson for the statehouse, says that it has only recieved a few complaints about snakey handy thingy.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/06/us/satan-statue-illinois-capitol.html

 

[Thermal]

I just mean I don’t think that “ok fine, I’ll play by what you’re going to call me anyway” is what “being edgy” is. It’s more, idk, embracing the straw man.

I gotcha. I think that TST was more proactive and assertive in creating their persona, though. They may be embracing the strawman, but it seems quite willingly and enthusiastically, based on their writings.

 

[Shadowdweller]

Disagreed. Their stated mission of Christianity is the salvation of its adherents, and conversion of the 'heathen'. Deposing is not actually on their to-do list, at least in theory.

You're not even remotely familiar with the concept of Abrahamic religion, are you? Christianity? Islam? Protestant reformation? Church of England?

 

[Thermal]

You're not even remotely familiar with the concept of Abrahamic religion, are you? Christianity? Islam? Protestant reformation? Church of England?

I am familiar with the concept of the Klan, too. Got a point you'd like to get to?

 

[Senex]

#BLM
Bare Ladies Matter

Always. No matter how cruel, brutal and domineering the Christian majority is, no matter how long the Christians and their brain washed minions try and shame women concerning their unclad bodies, no matter how many evil people try and silence alternative beliefs to their own, my yard is and always will be open to the skyclad wiccans and their apprentices.

#BLM

 

[Beelzebuddy]

Always. No matter how cruel, brutal and domineering the Christian majority is, no matter how long the Christians and their brain washed minions try and shame women concerning their unclad bodies, no matter how many evil people try and silence alternative beliefs to their own, my yard is and always will be open to the skyclad wiccans and their apprentices.

#BLM

Sure, you say that now, but when the skyclad dicks show up you'll find yourself doubting the sincerity of their beliefs.

 

[Thermal]

Sure, you say that now, but when the skyclad dicks show up you'll find yourself doubting the sincerity of their beliefs.

I knew you'd come around. Some swingin' skyclad schlong puts socio-religious rudeness right into perspective

 

[Beelzebuddy]

I knew you'd come around. Some swingin' skyclad schlong puts socio-religious rudeness right into perspective

You seem a little fixated on penis displays. Are you aware that there's religions with exactly that?

 

[Senex]

Arkansas readies to be schooled by the Baphomet statue. The Satan Temple rules!

 

[Thermal]

Arkansas readies to be schooled by the Baphomet statue. The Satan Temple rules!

Are they being dicks about it, though?

JK. This is exactly what TST should use their religious status to achieve