The Church of Satan
 

Does this seem like something you would get into?

Hmmmm...very interesting read! I really had no idea what Satanism was all about. Its actually more rational and realistic than I had previously thought. I found that I do agree w/most of the philosophy. What I like is how they acknowledge natural human emotions and the lack of guilt associated w/feeling and acting on these emotions.

But Satanism makes me nervous in how self-centered it is. The bit about it being ok to put curses on people and that there is no white or black magic, just magic. I think thats crap. I believe in Karma, but obviously these folks dont care about Karma.

Still, if theyre trying so hard to be the anti-religions religion theyve already shot themselves in the foot.

But I also appreciate how they acknowledge the human need for ceremony or ritual. I remember talking to a friend who at one time wanted to be a neurosurgeon. Among her readings she learned that the human brain has a need for religious experience. And I found this cool article on wiki if youd like to read into that!

Thoughts? Opinions?

I disagree with any organized religion, even if its purpose is to piss off Christians. In my view, organized religion's sole purpose - regardless of denomination - is control.

And one of their governing rules is "Do not harm little children." What kind of self-respecting satanist gives a damn about little children?

Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party. Or maybe it's something else completely.

Satan is a theistic character. Usually Satanism refers to the worship of that character. I'm not sure how a hedonistic atheist could call him or herself a satanist.

And separating people from their cash.

Will, it's quite simple. A hedonistic atheist merely has to adopt Satanism as a philosophy, picking and choosing the elements that work best as a cohesive whole. This is what virtually every other atheist has done (or has to do) with other religious beliefs or philosophical systems. Atheists do not create a vacuum, nor do they live in one. Most Western atheists I would think base their morality on Judeo-Christian values. There are some who veer into other directions. Satanism could very well be one of them. You don't need to believe in Lucifer to adopt what is perceived as his beliefs and mandates.

I can't stand those guys. Back in college when I worked at the local kinko's, the local priest (or whatever) of the church of satan would bring in his hand-drawn tentacle porn and church bulletin for us to copy. No big deal. Until he came in on the day this new mind-blowingly hot chick's first day of work. She quit the next day.

Nice guy other than that, but still...

I found Anthon LaVey's Satanic Bible to be a very interesting read, actually.

Also, in response to the OP, why would they believe in Karma? It's an Indic belief, so why would the affiliate themselves with other religions?

LaVey admitted that it's mostly to draw in the anti-Christian crowd and gain notoriety. My brother has copies of the Satanic Bible and The Satanic Rituals. One of these days we're going to get drunk and try to summon Cthulhu, and probably incorporate some of the stuff into our Black Metal-style recordings for laughs.

These days, most of the people who are part of LaVey's original church are white supremacists.

So it's like Flying Spaghetti Monster meets people who may be social pariahs?

Nu-uh! really? I wasnt aware of that...

In my experience and from what I've heard from a lot of other people. The term "satanist" is thrown around pretty loosely these days, though, and there aren't a whole lot still involved with the original church. Most of the "satanists" out there are either loosely basing their "religion" on LaVey's ramblings and taking up a reactionary stance to their upbringing.

I also think its rather silly that it costs $200 to *join* the religion and receive a membership card... This isnt Sams Club.

Meh, most religions seem to be aimed at parting people from their cash. Least these folks give you a wallet card.

Are you absolutely sure? Have you seen some of the people who shop there? Sam's Club ain't no Costco.

Not that bad actually...

and

I kinda like that...

Lack of aesthetics? Is the church of Lucifer run by Queer Eye for the Straight Guy?

http://www.vintagesleaze.com/vsimage...randon/933.jpg

Good point. I guess I was just trying to say that in my belief system, these guys are fukt because whatever you put out comes back to you. In the Satanist Hedonistic belief system its all about them. Bad juju in my opinion. So really, there is no argument here, just my own perspective.

I've read the satanic bible cover to cover. An interesting read. LaVey was a very smart man witha very bad attitude (coming from me that says something) Like all religions, 99% of it is crap. The one line in that whole book that I agree with whole heartedly is "Turn the other cheek nay, smite with hip and thigh, for self preservation is the highest law". A few good points and insights here and there, but mostly, it's just about pissing off the christians. Which is something, admittedly, I can get behind.

This made a small amount of beer come out of my nose.

There isn't much aesthetic going on in Queer Eye....

Oh, and I doubt Satanism is a product of the gay agenda. :D

Speaking of Satanism,

Sammy Davis Jr. was a Satanist.

Have you ever seen that man dance? Did you think that was a God-given talent?!

hey! why would folk not find anoton le vey to be funny?
i think he's great: you want to be Naughty and make your mom really mad--be a satanist.
o yeah, and you should pay to do it. making your mom mad ain't cheap.
and besides, it's hard to keep being Naughty--things change---in 2008, you might have to become a white supremacist AND a satanist--back in the old days when straight society was more uptight, making your mom mad wasn't so hard--but now...what can you do?

it just gets harder and harder.
marcuse was right.


i was going to say something about cthulu, but a friend of mine got cthulu plush toys and put them on a piano i was playing during a performance and it made me feel all charlemagne palestine, so i don't associate cthulu with being naughty any more, but only with cute purple multi-armed plush toys.

but the way i figure it, if you're going to head down this road, you might as well join the oto. same ideas but better props and cooler rituals. and mom won't like it,

Not in LaVeyan Satanism.

Because both LaVeyan Satanists and Atheists don't believe in [i]any/i] type of deity.

"We need more athists...and nothing will get you there faster than reading the damn bible..." Penn Jillette

I agree, his writing is on par with a decent internet troll who can write about as well as Lovecraft.

Page 197 of The Satanic Rituals: The Call To Cthulhu

Principal Participant: My brother and sisters of the ancient blood ... the great void of the dark waters and shrieking winds where we lived in ages past...
All: Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.
...
All: KRAKEN - POSEIDEN - SABAZIOUS - TYPHOS - DAGON - SETHEH - NEPTUNE - LEVIATHAN - MIDGARD - CTHULHU! Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn. I'a Cthulhu!
[The figure of Cthulhu appears.]

I don't think I really need to comment about this, but stupidity, pretentiousness, self-deceit. and counterproductive pride are all satanic sins. Teaching that you can summon this ancient being that was invented in the 20th century by Lovecraft does not help their case.

Recent Church of Satan news from their official website:
June 29 - Theory and practice clarification regarding drug use
June 23 - RIP George Carlin
June 20 - Summer Solstice and...
http://www.churchofsatan.com/Graphics/News/MM062208.jpg

Is this really as important as religious doctrine? The ninth satanic sin is "Lack of aesthetics".

On this same news page I read about the Church of Vrilology giving a rune chanting workshop. A quick look at their website made me thinking of them as the Church of VriLOLogy: http://www.vrilology.org/

Concerning the white supremacist claims, I can say that LaVey did record a rendition of "Dixie" for his 1995 album "Satan Takes A Holiday".

My greatest hope for the Church of Satan is that they don't take themselves seriously.