Ask a Satanist - A thread to explain what Laveyan Satanists actually believe

[Selkis]

Hi! I’m new and a LaVeyan Satanist. I’m sure you all have one idea of Satanists or another. I’m afraid I can’t explain the Theistic branches, but I started this thread to answer any questions or misconceptions you might have. This thread is intended to be nothing more than a simple Q&A for people who want to know the truth about what we believe. I’ll gladly answer any questions you might have. But, this is not an argumentive thread. I’m a nice person, but any preaching, proselytizing, bigotry, insulting, and etc. will be ignored. This is a friendly thread and I want to keep it that way.

Ask away!
Selkis

 

[strngrnrth]

This topic comes up now and then. A lot of us already know, maybe all do. I was into that for a while along time ago. I’m glad it’s not part of my life anymore.

 

[adstrinity]

Pleased to meet you, Selkis. As I understand it, Satanist beliefs are practical but not overly charitable, right? It is primarily on the individual. This being the case, welcome to the forum. You’ll fit right in, fine.

 

[Selkis]

What is it you already know? If you were really a LaVeyan Satanist, then it’s highly unlikely it was a bad thing.

 

[Selkis]

Pleased to meet you, Selkis. As I understand it, Satanist beliefs are practical but not overly charitable, right? It is primarily on the individual. This being the case, welcome to the forum. You’ll fit right in, fine.

I guess you could put it that way. Good to see some people can accept others as they are.

 

[Wyatt]

I know a bit about LeVeyan Satanism. Let me give it a shot. LeVeyan Satanism, although a common misconception, is not a theistic religion, but an atheistic one…and not even really a religion at that, but rather a philosophy. It is the complete antithesis of Christianity. It sees Christ as a myth used throughout the ages by the Catholic Church to frighten and control people, and believes that one should pursue whatever pleases them, provided it does not cause any undue harm to others. Sound right so far?

God’s blessings to you (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and welcome to the forum,

Wyatt

 

[Dauphin]

Do Satanists believe in Satan?

 

[Selkis]

I know a bit about LeVeyan Satanism. Let me give it a shot. LeVeyan Satanism, although a common misconception, is not a theistic religion, but an atheistic one…and not even really a religion at that, but rather a philosophy. It is the complete antithesis of Christianity. It sees Christ as a myth used throughout the ages by the Catholic Church to frighten and control people, and believes that one should pursue whatever pleases them, provided it does not cause any undue harm to others. Sound right so far?

God’s blessings to you (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and welcome to the forum,

Wyatt

Very good! That’s pretty accurate! Although you might be being a little harsh, we don’t condemn Christianity or anything. My best friend is Catholic

 

[Wyatt]

Do Satanists believe in Satan?

To LeVeyan Satanists, Satan is more of a metaphor for following all of the drives and pleasures of human nature. They reject Christ so they believe that one should indulge in such pleasures as much as possible because, like most atheists believe, there is nothing after this life. They aren’t much like actual theistic devil worshipers.

 

[Selkis]

Do Satanists believe in Satan?

LaVeyan does not, Theistic does. They’re separate religions. Satan is a symbol for individuality and rebellion, not evil or sin. We only use Satan because Christianity the current main religion, where as in Norse pagansim we would use Loki. It’s not supposed to insult or shock anyone. It’s just a sign of individuality from the mainstream.

 

[Wyatt]

Very good! That’s pretty accurate! Although you might be being a little harsh, we don’t condemn Christianity or anything. My best friend is Catholic

Apparently you don’t subscribe to the same branch of Leveyan Satanism that Marilyn Manson does? Anton LeVey himself nicknamed him Reverend Manson, and he is quite anti-Catholic/anti-Christian, but to be fair…I suppose there could be radicals in your group too, just as there are people that bomb abortion clinics and still claim the title of “Christian” and who’s actions we also find to be quite reprehensible.

 

[Selkis]

Apparently you don’t subscribe to the same branch of Leveyan Satanism that Marilyn Manson does? Anton LeVey himself nicknamed him Reverend Manson, and he is quite anti-Catholic/anti-Christian, but to be fair…I suppose there could be radicals in your group too, just as there are people that bomb abortion clinics and still claim the title of “Christian” and who’s actions we also find to be quite reprehensible.

Satanists come from all walks of life and can disagree or even hate each other. I don’t like Marilyn Manson, because he’s just being discriminatory. Discrimination against anyone should never be allowed in a peaceful soceity. He just exploits Satanism for the publicity. I wouldn’t consider him a real Satanist. Oh and yes, I am part of the Church of Satan founded by LaVey.

 

[Wyatt]

LaVeyan does not, Theistic does. They’re separate religions. Satan is a symbol for individuality and rebellion, not evil or sin. We only use Satan because Christianity the current main religion, where as in Norse pagansim we would use Loki. It’s not supposed to insult or shock anyone. It’s just a sign of individuality from the mainstream.

If you like rebels, and aren’t completely opposed to reading the Bible, you might enjoy the part of Scripture in the Book of Acts talking about St. Stephen. He stood up to the Jews and proclaimed Christ, and was even stoned to death for it. He’s my patron Saint by the way.

 

[Selkis]

If you like rebels, and aren’t completely opposed to reading the Bible, you might enjoy the part of Scripture in the Book of Acts talking about St. Stephen. He stood up to the Jews and proclaimed Christ, and was even stoned to death for it. He’s my patron Saint by the way.

My views are atheistic. The Bible isn’t offensive to me. It’s just a book, it’s not going to hurt me lol. I’ve picked up my friend from masses on Sundays more than once, I’m not bothered by Christianity in and of itself.

 

[Wyatt]

My views are atheistic. The Bible isn’t offensive to me. It’s just a book, it’s not going to hurt me lol. I’ve picked up my friend from masses on Sundays more than once, I’m not bothered by Christianity in and of itself.

Oh ok…that’s good to know that you aren’t offended.

May I ask you a question? How do you and your friend keep from getting into arguments about religion? I have a friend who is agnostic, and every once in a while he tries to get me to watch some documentary or read some book that he says “disproves Christ’s existence.” We would get into a full blown argument if I didn’t just decide to let it go and not discuss it further. How do keep from offending your friend, and how does your friend keep from offending you?

 

[Selkis]

Oh ok…that’s good to know that you aren’t offended.

May I ask you a question? How do you and your friend keep from getting into arguments about religion? I have a friend who is agnostic, and every once in a while he tries to get me to watch some documentary or read some book that he says “disproves Christ’s existence.” We would get into a full blown argument if I didn’t just decide to let it go and not discuss it further. How do keep from offending your friend, and how does your friend keep from offending you?

We accept we’re different. We both think it’s immature to just try to assert our own opinions on each other. We’re very much alike and in all honesty, it’s not that hard for Christians and LaVeyan Satanists to be friends. There’s no rule against it =P Also, we were friend since 1st grade, so being different religions wasn’t a tough thing to get used to after all our years knowing each other.

 

[Wyatt]

We accept we’re different. We both think it’s immature to just try to assert our own opinions on each other. We’re very much alike and in all honesty, it’s not that hard for Christians and LaVeyan Satanists to be friends. There’s no rule against it =P Also, we were friend since 1st grade, so being different religions wasn’t a tough thing to get used to after all our years knowing each other.

Were you and your friend both raised in your religions…or did one of you convert at a later time in your life? Also, are both of you devout followers of your faith?

I’m going to throw something out there that may come as kind of a surprise. My friend who is agnostic (sometimes borderline atheist) is also a practicing Catholic. He goes to Mass every week with his family and receives Communion. He’s agnostic, but secretly. Yet away from Church he is pretty bold denouncing Christ, although he doesn’t rule out the possibility that there is a God. I’m not sure how serious he is about his views though. I think he have these views more because he’s wanting to be trendy or something. The reason I say that is because he is a huge fan of Penn & Teller, and especially Penn & Teller Bullsh*t. Penn Jillette, as you may know, is a hardcore atheist, so naturally he idolizes him (the thing I don’t know is whether he idolizes him because he is an atheist, or whether he is an atheist because he idolizes him).

Oh well…I’m getting pretty long winded here. I would just like to say that, while we are learning about your beliefs…I hope you take the time to get your feet wet and learn a bit about our beliefs too. We, too, are a diverse group of people, and I hope you find your stay here pleasant.

 

[Selkis]

Were you and your friend both raised in your religions…or did one of you convert at a later time in your life? Also, are both of you devout followers of your faith?

I’m going to throw something out there that may come as kind of a surprise. My friend who is agnostic (sometimes borderline atheist) is also a practicing Catholic. He goes to Mass every week with his family and receives Communion. He’s agnostic, but secretly. Yet away from Church he is pretty bold denouncing Christ, although he doesn’t rule out the possibility that there is a God. I’m not sure how serious he is about his views though. I think he have these views more because he’s wanting to be trendy or something. The reason I say that is because he is a huge fan of Penn & Teller, and especially Penn & Teller Bullsh*t. Penn Jillette, as you may know, is a hardcore atheist, so naturally he idolizes him (the thing I don’t know is whether he idolizes him because he is an atheist, or whether he is an atheist because he idolizes him).

Oh well…I’m getting pretty long winded here. I would just like to say that, while we are learning about your beliefs…I hope you take the time to get your feet wet and learn a bit about our beliefs too. We, too, are a diverse group of people, and I hope you find your stay here pleasant.

I was raised with LaVeyan Satanist parents and she was raised with Catholic parents. She was devout for a bit, then fell away for her personal reasons, but now she’s entirely devout again. Children under 18 aren’t allowed to join the CoS, we think that’s something they need to decide for themselves when they’re adults. But, I’ve always been one at heart, so it wasn’t hard to become one, obviously. As for your friend, he’s probably just doing it to be cool, or to fit in. I wouldn’t consider his current religious guise very honorable, and I wouldn’t consider his agnostic/atheism very authentic. More or less immature. I try to learn about other religions. Honestly of all the Christian branches I think Catholicism is the most authentic. They made it after all.

 

[Selkis]

Ok, I’m tired and it’s late. So…I’m off to bed, see ya later!

 

[ribozyme]

Ok, I’m tired and it’s late. So…I’m off to bed, see ya later!

So what is Satanism again? Could I sum up your beliefs by saying that is merely John Galt’s speech mixed in with Catholic ritual?

I think that is an apt description of Satanism.