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Madmaxepic
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Satanism is not a religion, anymore then Inca human sacrifice rituals are.
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MJJean
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Religion- N.- the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
Looks like Satanism is a religion. Now, Inca rituals aren’t a religion. They were a part of a religion.
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MacQ
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Holly3278
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I don’t think it should be illegal because of freedom of religion. If we ban one religion, whats to prevent the government from banning another religion, even Catholicism? Don’t get me wrong, I am vehemently opposed to Satanism. However, if we were to make it illegal, that would only open the door to making other religions illegal too and I don’t want to go down that road.
However, I do think that when Satanists steal the Eucharist from Catholic parishes during Mass that they should be prosecuted. Possibly even hate crimes charges could be filed against them if they desecrate the Eucharist which they often do. Of course they would need sufficient evidence that the Eucharist was really stolen by said person or group in order to file charges against them. Perhaps Catholic parishes ought to put up security cameras inside the church.
Last but not least, we should all make reparation for the serious crimes against God and the Catholic Church which are not just committed by Satanists but which are committed by many others as well. Even Catholics commit crimes against God and the Catholic Church. It’s called sin. We should all make reparation for such things. I think Our Lady of Fatima asked for reparation to be made for sins against her immaculate heart.
However, I do think that when Satanists steal the Eucharist from Catholic parishes during Mass that they should be prosecuted. Possibly even hate crimes charges could be filed against them if they desecrate the Eucharist which they often do. Of course they would need sufficient evidence that the Eucharist was really stolen by said person or group in order to file charges against them. Perhaps Catholic parishes ought to put up security cameras inside the church.
Last but not least, we should all make reparation for the serious crimes against God and the Catholic Church which are not just committed by Satanists but which are committed by many others as well. Even Catholics commit crimes against God and the Catholic Church. It’s called sin. We should all make reparation for such things. I think Our Lady of Fatima asked for reparation to be made for sins against her immaculate heart.
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Jerbear
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I don’t think the government should start banning any faith. That is a slippery slope to start. Here in Iowa (don’t remember where exactly), there is actually a school district that has banned satanic symbols in school and non-Satanists are actually are saying that they are not allowing students to express their faith and if a person is allowed to come in wearing Christian attire then they should allow students to wear attire supporting whatever their faith is.
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Madmaxepic
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Satanism is not a faith, it is evil incarnate. The school I went to, in Canada might I add, certainly did not allow Satanic symbols in the school, and rightly so.
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sallybutler
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Two other definitions
A particular system of faith and worship
A pursuit or interest to which one attaches supreme importance
Should we also ban football (it has been said that an outer space visitor might be excused for thinking football is a religion, the huge crowds, tailgate rituals, etc), belief in the free market (the invisible hand of the market, talk about super natural), Hinduism (they have different deities than Christians), Pastfarian (who should judge the effectiveness of a colendar)?
In the U.S. our laws don’t define what can or cannot be a religion. Yes, some of my examples were silly. But we don’t define religion based on what people do or who they say they believe in. If we did just on behavior, lots more activities would be defined as religions that currently aren’t and lots of current religions would be taken off the list.
And banning it won’t make it go away. Only Christ returning will.
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Jerbear
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I’m not saying I respect Satanism or whatever it’s called but exactly how is it not a faith?
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Contarini
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Define a “real religion.” I think you will find it difficult.
In fact, that’s the basic problem with the concept of freedom of religion, in my opinion. There is no generally agreed-upon definition of religion in the first place.
With Satanism, we’re talking about several different possible things. There’s the “Church of Satan,” which is really just a form of atheism. There are confused teenagers. And there are stories, mostly told by Christians (some of whom claim to be former Satanists but often seem to be rather unreliable character), of horrific ritual abuse and sacrifice. Obviously the latter should be illegal–but specific instances seem hard to document.
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Aelred_Minor
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I agree, for the most part. Hinduism and Buddhism are hardly religions in the usual Western sense of the word, but most of us would agree the practice of these things would fall under “freedom of religion”. This is why I would outlaw black magic, defined as magic which aims to harm other people, rather than anything that could be labeled as a religion, such as Satanism.
Regarding the reality of ritual abuse and sacrifice, I’m skeptical of the comfortable idea that it’s all a Christian myth. The Black Mass seems to be a real thing. Remember the recent story about the students who wanted to hold one at Harvard University. Also some years ago in Schenectady some people were sacrificing cats in a cemetery. Don’t know if they were Satanists but creepy stuff does happen.
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dbrake80
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So, what exactly is SatanISM?
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BlueEyedLady
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No. No religions should be banned. Now certain religious practices? Yes. That’s why polygamy is not legal, FGM is not legal, and a whole host of other things are not legally acceptable.
I think one of the most chilling things I’ve ever heard was when Herman Cain, a serious contender for President of the United States said that Muslims in the United States are not entitled to 1st amendment protections because Islam is not a valid religion. A proposed ban on Satanism is the same thing, and I do not like the implications of these kinds of laws.
theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/07/herman-cain-doesnt-believe-in-the-first-amendment/242079/
christianpost.com/news/herman-cain-52841/
I think one of the most chilling things I’ve ever heard was when Herman Cain, a serious contender for President of the United States said that Muslims in the United States are not entitled to 1st amendment protections because Islam is not a valid religion. A proposed ban on Satanism is the same thing, and I do not like the implications of these kinds of laws.
theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/07/herman-cain-doesnt-believe-in-the-first-amendment/242079/
christianpost.com/news/herman-cain-52841/
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Madmaxepic
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Okay, then instead of banning Satanism, why not ban its practices, such as by banning veneration of Satan?
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sallybutler
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Nope. Then people will want to ban veneration of Mary.
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Zoltan_Cobalt
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I would leave satanism alone unless it violates civil laws or hurts people.
Satan is the opposite of God. Good vs evil.
If some poor souls want to worship satan …what better proof of the existence of God.
Great question for an atheist. “If there is no God, why do people worship His opposite?”
Satan is the opposite of God. Good vs evil.
If some poor souls want to worship satan …what better proof of the existence of God.
Great question for an atheist. “If there is no God, why do people worship His opposite?”
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Coatimundi
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That would be in Urbandale, which is to say, metro Des Moines.
Students in the class agreed the policy provision discriminates against a student practicing Satanism as a religion and goes against the freedoms of speech and religion afforded by the Constitution, Thompson said.
Thompson’s actions have drawn praise from officials with the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and an organization called the Satanic Temple. Both groups argue that school districts have no right to restrict a student’s religious expression.
Thompson said he doesn’t agree with any pillars of Satanism.
He and school district officials said they are not aware of any students who practice the religion in the district. But as a matter of principle, Thompson agreed to speak out.
desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/urbandale/2014/05/24/urbandale-dress-code-satanism-satanic-satan-symbols-ban-revives-free-speech-debate/9531261/
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Aleisternacht
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If the practice of Satanism becomes illegal, the practice of all religions and belief systems will soon follow. “Freedom of religion or no religion at all”. As some have pointed out, it will be a slippery slope indeed.
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Aleisternacht
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A system of individualized beliefs. Some are atheists, while some are Devil Worshippers and others are Demonologists. It is as wide and varied as the denominations of other established religions.
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Madmaxepic
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MacQ
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Actually it is NOT a fallacy.
In the US, we have a constitution that guarantees our rights and freedoms.
When you decide than one person of group doesn’t have those rights, it really means that NO ONE has them. Because: If someone can take rights away from one group and get away with it, the precedent is set, and they or someone else can (and will) do it to others.
So Yes. it IS indeed the very epitome of a slippery slope.
Recall that…‘First they came for the jews…’
And then there’s the minor detail that God gave us free will. Who are you to take that away?
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