#147857 - 02/26/06 03:09 AM
"Practicing" Satanism
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Registered: 08/22/03
Posts: 1223
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Quite often, I come across those all for telling as many as possible about being practicing Satanists.
I know what is intended with this pairing of words, and on the surface there is nothing suspect about it. However, it almost always strikes me as leftover sheepishness.
"Please don't expect much from me right now, I am only at the practicing stage after all.."
Since when is there such a thing as a non-practicing Satanist?! I mean hell, since we're designating..
As I have said elsewhere and before, to illustrate my point: Every time I look at Boris, lounging on his favorite windowsill and soaking up the sun, I think to myself that he more than likely never had to practice at being a cat.
It is exactly the same for The Satanist.
A Satanist should not have to be told to go with his or her natural talents.. To improve at that which is lacking.. Point and laugh at those deserving such..
So how about those that are stop practicing Satanism and start Living It? How about taking the time for inventory as objective as is possible and figure out what needs to be fine-tuned and then practicing that which can enhance the personal example of Satanism In Action?
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#147858 - 02/26/06 04:42 AM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: sCara]
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CoS Warlock
Registered: 03/09/05
Posts: 2770
Loc: Here.
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Practicing Satanism? I'd like to think I got it right the first time 
_________________________
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#147861 - 02/26/06 11:16 AM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: sCara]
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CoS Warlock
Registered: 11/01/05
Posts: 2352
Loc: Europa
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Quote:
I know what is intended with this pairing of words, and on the surface there is nothing suspect about it. However,
This is where we begin to differ - I think that that's all there is to it, and the other understanding of the word "practice" (upon which you proceed to elaborate) is completely irrelevant here.
Semantics.
I practice Satanism, as in, I put Satanism into practice.
To be honest, there is no such thing as a non-practicing Satanist, simply because someone who is not practicing Satanism, is not a Satanist.
I direct the reader to Dictionary definition of "practice" (noting which definition is listed first, even), and the ChurchOfSatan.Com Theory/Practice page.
To say otherwise would be akin to suggesting that one should get a different doctor because one's own doctor is "only practicing" medicine, at his medical practice.
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#147862 - 02/26/06 11:35 AM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: sCara]
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CoS Witch
Registered: 07/25/01
Posts: 12944
Loc: The Solid State
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Likewise, I raise an eyebrow and think cheekily, "I got it right the first time," when I hear that someone "practices" a religion, but just keep in mind, that's not the only meaning of the word. "Practice" also implies that one engages in the lifestyle and the rituals of something, and actively embodies and believes in the values of that something.
I occasionally use it in the way Lingua laid it out, that one "practices" Satanism, in that one is engaged in the practice of Satanism.
_________________________
"Gentlemen, the verdict is guilty, on all ten counts of first-degree stupidity. The penalty phase will now begin."--Divine, "Pink Flamingos."
"The strong rule the weak, and the cunning rule over all." HS!
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#147864 - 02/26/06 02:47 PM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: sCara]
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CoS Member
Registered: 07/06/05
Posts: 2785
Loc: America
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Often I've found that people who make it an issue to inform someone that they are a practicing <insert label>, are often going out of their way to convince themselves that they are practicing. The exception to this I think would be professionals who can only improve their skills by constantly applying them, i.e., a medical doctor. I think Satanists would fall into the latter category. No Satanist is perfect, there is always room for improvement in all areas, including the application of Satanism. The differance between the real Satanist and the second hand immitation is that the real Satanists don't just say they are practicing, they ARE practicing, whether or not they bother to say anything about it.
_________________________
"If a man empties his purse into his head no one can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest." -Benjamin Franklin
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#147867 - 02/26/06 05:38 PM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: sCara]
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CoS Member
Registered: 01/21/06
Posts: 274
Loc: Hell
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Quote:
"Please don't expect much from me right now, I am only at the practicing stage after all.."
Aesthetics - Desire, Timing, Imagery, Direction, The Balance Factor.
Magic does not always work.
_________________________
"Satanists are epicurean, skeptical atheists who see Satan as a symbol of pride, individualism, and the quality of questioning all dogmas. The word in Hebrew means 'adversary' and so we are each 'Satans' to the doctrines that would have people use faith instead of reason to understand the universe in which we live. Our goal is to enjoy this, the only life we have and not waste it in anticipation of a mythical afterlife or an imagined apocalypse." - News 31 May, XLI A.S. in Reguards to The Satanic High Mass that happened on 6/6/6
- Noxilenticus Zodameranu
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#147868 - 02/26/06 06:04 PM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: sCara]
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Registered: 11/22/05
Posts: 441
Loc: Holodeck 3
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#147869 - 02/26/06 10:58 PM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: Noxilenticus]
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CoS Warlock
Registered: 01/17/05
Posts: 2062
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Quote:
Magic does not always work
I would say instead : Humans are not always aware with the different parameters.
_________________________
Has left the board.
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#147870 - 02/26/06 11:56 PM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: sCara]
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Registered: 03/22/05
Posts: 499
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when i read the term practicing it strikes me like they are active and aware in their satanism. dunno why...
_________________________
One stupid post too many.
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#147872 - 02/27/06 01:13 PM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: sCara]
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CoS Reverend
Registered: 07/28/01
Posts: 11183
Loc: New England, USA
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>>Since when is there such a thing as a
>>non-practicing Satanist?!
I have never understood the concept of a "non-practicing" anything. Actually I can understand the term "non-practicing Jew" since being Jewish can describe ethnicity as well as religion. But with any other religion, the modifier just doesn't make any sense. Yet I've seen so many "non-practicing" Catholics for example, who disagree with what most of that church teaches and don't go to weekly masses. I think they just don't have the guts to stand up and say "I'm not a Catholic". It's usually a mix of Goodguy Badges and perhaps fear of family ostracizing.
Why else might people take up the label "non-practicing [whatever]"? Some of them claim to believe in the dogma, but just don't go to church. Sometimes it's because they simply don't hold their religion to be an important part of their life, or find services to be boring, don't like who leads the local services, don't know how to take things seriously for an hour, or are embarrassed to show their face after so long an absence. Granted there are some very good reasons why a Satanist might not ritualize at a given time, but these aren't among them!
_________________________
Reverend Bill M. http://www.devilsmischief.com: Carnal Comedy Clips, Netherworld Novelty Numbers, New hour every week. Download the mp3 now! http://www.aplaceformystuff.org: Tales of Combat Clutter and other Adventures (Wenn du Google's Übersetzer verwendest, um diese Worte zu lesen, dann bist du ein Arschloch.)
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#147873 - 02/27/06 01:29 PM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: Bill_M]
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CoS Warlock
Registered: 11/01/05
Posts: 2352
Loc: Europa
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Non-practicing Catholics can be ok. Because they can believe all the Catholic dogma etc... Never go to mass, use contraception etc... Then plan to make a deathbed confession, have their Last Rites, etc, and all will be made well. Catholicism perfects this, though I think other branches of Christianity (and Islam) have similar sorts of loopholes if one wished to look carefully for them.
Non-practicing Jews, as you say, can denote ethnicity.
Non-practicing Buddhists and Hindus? There are the "I'll be good in my next life" brigade.
But I get what you're getting at, anyway.
Definitely no non-practicing Satanists, though, as such would be an oxymoron.
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#147874 - 02/27/06 02:57 PM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: Bill_M]
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CoS Witch
Registered: 07/25/01
Posts: 12944
Loc: The Solid State
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Hear hear.
I wish more people would have the courage and fortitude to realize that they aren't Catholic/Methodist/Buddhist anymore, even if they were raised that way, and not continue to pretend.
Or at least, for the love of beets, they could decide to shift over from pretending, to lying. At least there, you're being honest with yourself.
Maybe it's just because I'm a religion nerd, but I think one's personal philosophy is far too important to be dabbled in superficially or self-deceitfully. Either shit or get off the proverbial pot, says I. Either practice Catholicism and believe in it truly, or tell it to get bent and go become a Rastafarian or something.
_________________________
"Gentlemen, the verdict is guilty, on all ten counts of first-degree stupidity. The penalty phase will now begin."--Divine, "Pink Flamingos."
"The strong rule the weak, and the cunning rule over all." HS!
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#147875 - 02/27/06 03:39 PM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: Linguascelesta]
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CoS Reverend
Registered: 07/28/01
Posts: 11183
Loc: New England, USA
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>>Definitely no non-practicing Satanists, though,
>>as such would be an oxymoron.
It would be fun saying that in a begrudging way to a non-Satanist though, just to see how they'd handle it. "My religion? Well I'm a Satanist, but non-practicing."
_________________________
Reverend Bill M. http://www.devilsmischief.com: Carnal Comedy Clips, Netherworld Novelty Numbers, New hour every week. Download the mp3 now! http://www.aplaceformystuff.org: Tales of Combat Clutter and other Adventures (Wenn du Google's Übersetzer verwendest, um diese Worte zu lesen, dann bist du ein Arschloch.)
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#147876 - 02/27/06 03:44 PM
Going through the motions
[Re: TrojZyr]
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CoS Warlock
Registered: 11/01/05
Posts: 2352
Loc: Europa
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I agree. When I was at school (not a church school per se, but a large 500 year old private school, very traditional, etc), there was a regular prayer session in the morning assembly, whereby our headmaster or another lofty teacher in flapping black gown would announce gravely "Let us pray", and say a prayer, while everyone in the hall would remain silent, bow their heads, and say "Amen" when he had finished. Now, some of them were Christians. Many were not. But all went through the motions dronefully. I never did, and when it came to bowing heads, I always remained proudly upright (it got Me into trouble a few times, but only very minor trouble, as they couldn't actually enforce anything so religious). Beyond raising religious objections, I often said "He said "let us pray", not "let us duck", anyway". By the end of My seven years in that school, there was My good self and one other who had followed My lead, who did not duck when the magical words "let us pray" were spoken, and did not mindlessly drone "Amen" at the end.  <- Ghost of the past
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#147877 - 02/27/06 05:23 PM
Re: "non-practicing"
[Re: Bill_M]
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CoS Warlock
Registered: 06/05/02
Posts: 7140
Loc: Canada
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Quote:
Yet I've seen so many "non-practicing" Catholics for example, who disagree with what most of that church teaches and don't go to weekly masses. I think they just don't have the guts to stand up and say "I'm not a Catholic".
Because there's more to religion than beliefs and values.
There's also feelings and habits, which are inculcated in ritual, from childhood.
I've heard lapsed or non-practicing Catholics describe themselves as "ethnically Catholic", meaning that although they don't believe in Catholic dogma or Christian tenets, they still recognize that they're habituated to the Catholic way of doing things and seeing things.
For my part, I didn't really appreciate the extent to which I'm "ethnically Presbyterian", until I started talking about religion with Catholics. My indifference to organized group ritual; my sense of my own rightness, and disinclination to build consensus or compromise where issues of principle are concerned; my iconoclasm; my workaholism; my tinge of shame when I have to throw food away or otherwise waste money -- all of this is quite independent of my beliefs in Christianity, but is characteristically Presbyterian, and they even play a role in how I realize Satanism in practice.
It's these little differences that make culture interesting. 
_________________________
reprobate
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#147878 - 02/28/06 05:21 AM
Re: "non-practicing"
[Re: reprobate]
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CoS Member
Registered: 10/18/05
Posts: 581
Loc: Brighton, England
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Quote:
For my part, I didn't really appreciate the extent to which I'm "ethnically Presbyterian", until I started talking about religion with Catholics. My indifference to organized group ritual; my sense of my own rightness, and disinclination to build consensus or compromise where issues of principle are concerned; my iconoclasm; my workaholism; my tinge of shame when I have to throw food away or otherwise waste money -- all of this is quite independent of my beliefs in Christianity, but is characteristically Presbyterian, and they even play a role in how I realize Satanism in practice.:mummy
I find this interesting, as I was brought up within the Protestant Church of England, and reconize many of the traits you list!
When I got involved in Buddhism in my twenties I realised after a while what I was really doing was 'practicing Protestant Christianity with Eastern trappings'- I still displayed many of those same traits, but justified them through Buddhist not Xtian rationalisation - When I became aware of it it was a real eye opener for me.
Even since realising I am a Satanist those Protestant thoughts still raise their ugly heads at times, and although I see them for what they are, I would be a fool to think they do not excert some influence, even if only subconsciously.
This does not mean I believe them, they just seem so ingrained from my childhood. it will take a bit longer to root them out and silence them fully!
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#147880 - 02/28/06 10:36 AM
Re: "non-practicing"
[Re: reprobate]
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CoS Reverend
Registered: 07/28/01
Posts: 11183
Loc: New England, USA
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>>Another interesting thing I've noticed: Catholics are
>>much more guilt-motivated
I've always noticed that a disproportionate number of Wiccans have been raised Catholic. At some point I concluded that the liking of organized group ritual, the polytheistic-like approach to saints, and consecrating objects never went away. Likewise I went through both of those phases myself, but some concepts never left me.
_________________________
Reverend Bill M. http://www.devilsmischief.com: Carnal Comedy Clips, Netherworld Novelty Numbers, New hour every week. Download the mp3 now! http://www.aplaceformystuff.org: Tales of Combat Clutter and other Adventures (Wenn du Google's Übersetzer verwendest, um diese Worte zu lesen, dann bist du ein Arschloch.)
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#147882 - 02/28/06 11:06 AM
Re: Going through the motions
[Re: Linguascelesta]
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CoS Witch
Registered: 07/25/01
Posts: 12944
Loc: The Solid State
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It's not just that. I mean, I usually bow my head and/or follow along when I'm at a religious service, or at an event that requests it of me, because I don't feel the need to make a social stand.
What makes it so irksome is how people pretend they believe something that they really don't, or only retreat back to something during times of crisis, or during the holidays, and don't notice. People don't pay close enough attention to what they believe to notice that the label doesn't match the actual contents of the box, so to say! I don't get how you can be oblivious to your actual own religious beliefs.
I'll definitely agree with Reprobate that one's upbringing does influence one's habits and such. I do notice that people who were raised Catholic tend to have a certain nature and temperament, versus those who were raised Buddhist, regardless of what those people practice now. One's upbringing does leave a mark, for good or for ill, upon oneself. But, that still doesn't mean one is a "non-practicing Catholic" if one really doesn't care for Catholicism anymore---it means one was raised Catholic, is all.
_________________________
"Gentlemen, the verdict is guilty, on all ten counts of first-degree stupidity. The penalty phase will now begin."--Divine, "Pink Flamingos."
"The strong rule the weak, and the cunning rule over all." HS!
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#147883 - 02/28/06 05:09 PM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: sCara]
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Banned
Registered: 12/27/04
Posts: 1449
Loc: New York State
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Using the logical equation IF a is true AND b is true THEN aUb is true I am a practicing Satanist: a: I practice playing the guitar. b: I am a Satanist aUb: I am a practicing Satanist.  Sorry, just had to be a wise-ass! 
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#147886 - 03/02/06 08:01 AM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: crackergirl]
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CoS Member
Registered: 10/18/05
Posts: 581
Loc: Brighton, England
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Quote:
I've never used the term "practicing Satanist" before, and probably won't due to the fact that I'm not really sure what the distinction between this term and just plain Satanist would be.
To me, calling myself a 'practising Satanist', rather than just a Satanist adds more confusion than clarity.
Afterall, by my understanding what other type of Satanist can there really be?
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#147887 - 03/02/06 11:15 AM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: crackergirl]
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CoS Priestess
Registered: 11/01/04
Posts: 617
Loc: Viking Bay
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In the UK there is 'Practicing and Practising'. This clarifies the differences more. I always remember this a 'Practice with a C for Clinic, as in Doctor's'.
I think you are getting confused between 'To do or perform (something) repeatedly in order to acquire or polish a skill' and 'To carry out in action'.
There is no such thing as either a 'practicing' or 'practising' Satanist.
_________________________
"...I Myself am Heaven and Hell"
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#147889 - 03/06/06 03:42 PM
Re: "Practicing" Satanism
[Re: DarkApollyon]
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CoS Member
Registered: 09/16/03
Posts: 1803
Loc: Lycopolis
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Quote:
A Satanist whose hobby or fetish is Satanism per se, is no more of a Satanist than one who, realizing the indulgence advocated by Satanism, accepts the Name. The difference between the man or woman who’s a practicing Satanist, from an identity Satanist is that the practicing Satanist looks at the picture, while the identity Satanist studies the frame.
--Dr Anton Szandor LaVey
The World's Most Powerful Religion
*************************************
Perhaps this is what self described "practicing" Satanists are referring to.
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