Lessee...Rejecting Christianity with accepting Satanism is like becoming a PETA activist without telling people not to eat meat or sending them brochures that say 'your fisherman daddy is a MURDERER' no srsly.
That analogy makes no sense. You're comparing leaving one particular group without joining another particular group to joining a group and then not fulfilling the stereotype of a member of that group (although in the case of PETA that stereotype might be justified, but that's beside the point.) There seem to be no parallels in the things you're comparing here, and at any rate it's quite possible to reject Christianity without joining another religion. I've done it myself, it's not that hard.
Actually im saying through rejecting christianty and not accepting satanism, or another antichristianity religion, youre not following through, im sorry if my comparison confused you :P
[...]are on two opposite ends of a one way spectrum. I'm still a little confused.
Well I wasnt directly referring to them that way, it is true. Had Christianity not existed, neither would Satanism, and if there were no Satan, Christianity would crumble. My comparison was solely to state that if you have enough reason to be anti-christian, you likely have enough reason to be Satanist. Again like most religion based comments, thats just my opinion. Just like, (and i may be wrong) Aethiests(sp?) have plenty reason to be anti-christian but theyre not. so its just my opinion biasing my comments.
Actually, I'd say that it's those who reject one religion just to join up with another that aren't following through. They're all just based on uncritical belief and pre-packaged externally dictated behavioural codes (which are also accepted uncritically,) and when it comes down to it there doesn't tend to be much difference between the individual flavours thereof.
That's good, I really like your explanation of religion. :] But I like my "uncritical belief and pre-packaged externally dictated behavioral codes " and im gonna stick with them.
Well I wasnt directly referring to them that way, it is true. Had Christianity not existed, neither would Satanism, and if there were no Satan, Christianity would crumble.
That's good, I really like your explanation of religion.
That's all well and good, but my explanation of religion was part of my rebuttal to your assertion that people who leave Christianity but don't become Satanists aren't following through. Do you have a counter-argument to this, or are you conceding that you were wrong in that assertion?
Yeah that's definitely a step-down from me. I cant truly say that everyone that isnt Christian should, or will become satanist, and it was wrong of me to make that assumption. I have no Counter-argument.
I think I know what you're saying, though, though it might not have fully translated through your initial analogy.
You're saying that those who find reason to reject Christianity but don't spread the word aren't following through. Your argument is that it should be your duty to spread your revelation to others and openly oppose Christianity, and Satanism in this form is a way to do that.
If that's the case, and I'm pretty sure it is, I choose not to preach the good word for several reasons.
1) A good number of people who are strongly, openly Christian are so deep within Christianity that no amount of logical argument will draw them from their sheltered cocoon. I decide to spend my efforts in other places, namely discussion forums like this where people are actually will consider the arguments of others.
2) I don't know for sure that I'm right. I'm completely convinced, but I still reserve the tiniest shred of compulsory doubt, and so I would feel hypocritical joining another religion.
3) If I'm truly right, it really doesn't matter what people believe, they'll all fall into oblivion anyway, and if religion makes them feel better, then I'll let them have it. Of course, there are rare instances when religious belief can inspire acts that hurt others, and I wish that I could convince those people to alter their ways, but see point 1.
It really makes no difference what other people believe about your choice of religion (Well it shouldnt.) But people will be critical no matter what you decide. Such as Christians telling mainly anyone who isnt christian or doesnt go to church that they will 'burn in hell for all eternity' or something along those lines.
My position for religion is that it should be a personal thing. Not because your parents are that religion, not because a boy/girl can only date people of their faith, just because it makes you happy and gives you closure. I hate it when people stop liking someone because they refuse to convert. It’s ok to tell someone about your religion, but to many people push other to join and act like if you don't it’s a sin that will cause you to burn in hell.
One guy told me I was going to hell for playing Halo... because of the swear words... and the killing...
Oddly, he first mentioned the swearing, and when it became a full blown "What the hell is wrong with you?" kind of moment he mentioned the killing, it's like he wasn't thinking.
I'm sure everyone has loads of fun stories about conservative Christians. My step-dad once seriously told me that fossils weren't any indication of past life, that they were just placed there by the devil to lure nonbelievers from the light of Jesus.
You know what would be awesome? For us to have an all-Orange Belt field trip to the creation museum in Kentucky.
And since the website seems to be a bit obtuse, here's an article that gives a more normal description of the place. Look for Solomon's House a bit down the page.
Part of me wants to visit the Creation Museum and laugh at it, but the other part of me realizes that they'd get the last laugh, since I would be paying money for a ticket to get in, money that would ultimately support their cause and let them build more sophisticated velociraptors with saddles, or hire even more porn stars for their videos.
Panda, I've read through the thread and I still have a question: Why are you a 'Satanist' as opposed to just an atheist, or a secular humanist or an existentialist? What about LaVeyan Satanism specifically attracts you? I think that's what John was hoping to glean from this thread.
Well, to be honest with you, It took me a really long time of researching different religions to find one that conformed best to my beliefs, as opposed to me changing my beliefs for a religion, you see? And I stumbled across Satanism and it just clicked, better than Atheism or Paganism, etc. It just seems to fit how i feel about every-day instances, about enjoying what you have now instead of walking the thin line in hope of paradise post-mortem.
Alright, I have a question that is probably dumb, but I'll use the excuse that I've never known anyone who was satanist (at least not openly)...
If Satanists believe in Satan, do they believe that they're going to hell? Do they believe in a hell? And if so, is that hell the same hell that christians believe in?
If Satanists believe in Satan, do they believe that they're going to hell? Do they believe in a hell? And if so, is that hell the same hell that christians believe in?
Ahh I really hate to say it but im essentially the newbie at my religion, as it;s only been about a year there's still a lot of gray areas, and this really shouldnt be one of them. So to be honest, i dont know. 0.o and its not a dumb question because i dont even know xD I still plan to do a lot of learning about it :]
And only some types of satanist believe in satan as a being, I however, dont.
Huh. Lol, does anyone else know? It's something I've always wondered about Satanism. But then I thought that Satanists were pretty much for the devil, since I associated the devil as the opposite of christianity.
I think I mostly try to avoid any religious discussions, really. Since I don't really consider myself Christian but still have a whole lot of pent up guilt about not going to church or worshipping anything left over from when I was crazy religious as a kid, I have conflicting feelings about it all. One part of me thinks that religion in all societies was mainly created to maintain order, and to establish a moral guideline to how this particular society should behave. The other part of me realizes that, when I WAS religious, I could physically feel something part of me that simply is not there now. Whether THAT is purely psychological or not, it WAS a very comforting feeling, that some being was with me at all times to watch over me.
On top of the inner conflict, my boyfriend and his family are very religious (his grandfather was a minister, his sister's going to grad school for theology and also wants to be a minister, the whole family is generally very involved in the church), and because of that I try to readdress the thought of christianity from time to time... so far it's led to a not-so-great discussion we had at one point, and me feeling less and less sure of what I really 'believe.' He's not over-the-top and his family is the most loving, non-judgemental people I have ever met ...cept maybe his oldest sister :-P , but for the rest of them! Surely they've got SOME philosophy going great for them, lol.
Having these conversations over the internet where I don't have to talk face to face with anyone is much more comfortable. That way none of you can judge me while I admit to anything, yay!!
Using "find" to see anywhere in the text it said "hell," I thought this was the most interesting quote: "Since man's natural instincts lead him to sin, all men are sinners; and all sinners go to hell. If everyone goes to hell, then you will meet all your friends there."
Sounds pretty fun! From reading the tiny bit of text around the found words, I get the impression that Satan is more symbolic than anything else, and that it only symbolizes the disagreement a Satanist has with Christianity. Am I getting closer?
Sounds pretty fun! From reading the tiny bit of text around the found words, I get the impression that Satan is more symbolic than anything else, and that it only symbolizes the disagreement a Satanist has with Christianity. Am I getting closer?
You're pretty much Dead on. like practically exact.
Comments
Well I wasnt directly referring to them that way, it is true. Had Christianity not existed, neither would Satanism, and if there were no Satan, Christianity would crumble. My comparison was solely to state that if you have enough reason to be anti-christian, you likely have enough reason to be Satanist. Again like most religion based comments, thats just my opinion. Just like, (and i may be wrong) Aethiests(sp?) have plenty reason to be anti-christian but theyre not. so its just my opinion biasing my comments.
Okay, I can accept that.
Sweet. :]
*Cracks neck* Ah.... so who else has questions?
...leave it to NoLonger... >_>
You're saying that those who find reason to reject Christianity but don't spread the word aren't following through. Your argument is that it should be your duty to spread your revelation to others and openly oppose Christianity, and Satanism in this form is a way to do that.
If that's the case, and I'm pretty sure it is, I choose not to preach the good word for several reasons.
1) A good number of people who are strongly, openly Christian are so deep within Christianity that no amount of logical argument will draw them from their sheltered cocoon. I decide to spend my efforts in other places, namely discussion forums like this where people are actually will consider the arguments of others.
2) I don't know for sure that I'm right. I'm completely convinced, but I still reserve the tiniest shred of compulsory doubt, and so I would feel hypocritical joining another religion.
3) If I'm truly right, it really doesn't matter what people believe, they'll all fall into oblivion anyway, and if religion makes them feel better, then I'll let them have it. Of course, there are rare instances when religious belief can inspire acts that hurt others, and I wish that I could convince those people to alter their ways, but see point 1.
Whatever floats your boat guys.
Oddly, he first mentioned the swearing, and when it became a full blown "What the hell is wrong with you?" kind of moment he mentioned the killing, it's like he wasn't thinking.
You know what would be awesome? For us to have an all-Orange Belt field trip to the creation museum in Kentucky.
And since the website seems to be a bit obtuse, here's an article that gives a more normal description of the place. Look for Solomon's House a bit down the page.
EDIT:I love how they're closed on christmas...hahahahhhhh
Does that shed some light on the subject? :]
If Satanists believe in Satan, do they believe that they're going to hell? Do they believe in a hell? And if so, is that hell the same hell that christians believe in?
Ahh I really hate to say it but im essentially the newbie at my religion, as it;s only been about a year there's still a lot of gray areas, and this really shouldnt be one of them. So to be honest, i dont know. 0.o and its not a dumb question because i dont even know xD I still plan to do a lot of learning about it :]
And only some types of satanist believe in satan as a being, I however, dont.
I think I mostly try to avoid any religious discussions, really. Since I don't really consider myself Christian but still have a whole lot of pent up guilt about not going to church or worshipping anything left over from when I was crazy religious as a kid, I have conflicting feelings about it all. One part of me thinks that religion in all societies was mainly created to maintain order, and to establish a moral guideline to how this particular society should behave. The other part of me realizes that, when I WAS religious, I could physically feel something part of me that simply is not there now. Whether THAT is purely psychological or not, it WAS a very comforting feeling, that some being was with me at all times to watch over me.
On top of the inner conflict, my boyfriend and his family are very religious (his grandfather was a minister, his sister's going to grad school for theology and also wants to be a minister, the whole family is generally very involved in the church), and because of that I try to readdress the thought of christianity from time to time... so far it's led to a not-so-great discussion we had at one point, and me feeling less and less sure of what I really 'believe.' He's not over-the-top and his family is the most loving, non-judgemental people I have ever met ...cept maybe his oldest sister :-P , but for the rest of them! Surely they've got SOME philosophy going great for them, lol.
Having these conversations over the internet where I don't have to talk face to face with anyone is much more comfortable. That way none of you can judge me while I admit to anything, yay!!
Im not pushing it on you or anyone else but if you or anyone else has further curiosity you can find your answers there.
Sounds pretty fun! From reading the tiny bit of text around the found words, I get the impression that Satan is more symbolic than anything else, and that it only symbolizes the disagreement a Satanist has with Christianity. Am I getting closer?
You're pretty much Dead on. like practically exact.
Sweet dreams