They are simply not one of us.

----

So much is revealed with so few words.

A person comes and and chooses an avatar to represent themselves.

"One picture is worth one thousand words."

Then the person writes and writes and writes but finally explains that he really isn't ready to call himself a Satanist yet.

They do not take the time to actually learn what that word means.

They can't restrain themselves from writing about their infinitely important personal opinions long enough to determine what Satanism actually is or who they are in relation to it.

Why?

Because they are in a big hurry.

(Where they are going other than the cemetery is quite beyond me).

They are programmed by the internet culture to expect instant answers to any and all questions.

Concise.

Simple.

Prepackaged.

Premasticated.

You do not have to be smart to see exactly who is who when they come here and post.

You only have to look.

It is truly impossible to miss.

You do not have to be a detective or a genius.

They will tell you - in great detail - why they are not Satanists.

Even though they do not even know what that is.

Dr. LaVey studied patterns in human behavior. He made it a point to constantly confirm these patterns when he met a new COS Priest or person of interest. He could tag people very easily, all based on his observations and confirmations.

We have an opportunity here to study some of these patterns, displayed by the ones Magister Nemo refers to in his post.

It is all there for those with eyes to see.

Devil's Brood

Equally intriguing are those who style themselves Satanists but clearly are not.

They speak what they think are the "right words", and yet the words ring hollow.

They sport the traditional affectations, though it's merely an act to try to impress others.

They choose a path that exalts the individual, yet endeavor always to follow the herd.

They may even become members of the Church of Satan, yet remain ever oblivious to what it truly means to be a Satanist.

Are you a Satanist?

Any answer that doesn't ring true to the core of your being is a lie.

To thine own self be true.

Sort of recalls in my mind Warlock Blackthorne's definition of "Black Sheep." The herd with black paint (on fingernails, lips, eyebrows, or just on their avatar). They attempt to speak the language and use the symbols, but don't comprehend (and/or apply) the philosophy.

"People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own soul." Carl Gustav Jung.

I think that your post, Magister, it just a looking glass to a "common - accepted" human behavior.

Empty posturing is annoying to me. What's more annoying to me are folks that want the title of a Satanist, but yet cannot accept the harshness that the philosophy entails:

The judgment that a Satanist deals out and desires at the same time.
The disdain and apathy for opinions from people who do not matter to the Satanist.
And the independent nature of a Satanist, that has such immense integrity that it cannot be stopped.


Of course, many of these empty-posturing folks are probably used to the blind acceptance that egalitarianism has afforded them; which under egalitarianism, anyone can be anything that their whims or wallet can get them.

I've noticed that many of these people, before they stomp off like a frustrated child (or are banned) spout off the idiotic accusation "You Satanists are just like Christians!" As if a Satanist will reply "Oh no! Not the Christians. We must change our ways. We won't judge you anymore. We will forgive your idiocy. We will accept the fact that you are a drug addict and a loser. Just don't compare us to those 'judgemental' Christians!"
Fools.

How right you are Magister, people are very transparent- all you have to do is pay attention.

Or, maybe they're just a bunch of lazy bastards.

To me it seems there are hordes of stoners, wannabe teenagers, counter-culture youths that flock to this site for the label and the idea, the very idea of Satanism is something that excites them, and empowers them with so much more than their life of trying to be daring and shocking and apart from the herd.

Not to say Satanists don't find Satanism exciting, we all embrace the image, the theatrics that is in the very essence of Satanism.

But much too often it is the case of people who want to be, and simply are not. It would be strange in usual situations to say what I'm about to say, but I think it apply here when people say, 'practice what you preach', and delight in it too.

I know some here think I'm a meanie, and I am! But I am also fair and just. I just wanted to share my thoughts.

I see more hordes of "lay researchers" who just want to "know a bit more" about Satanism and "talk to real Satanists". Why such people are so sure that we'd want to talk to them is something that continues to escape me. Besides, all the information is there to be enjoyed by anyone who seeks it, one of the key defining points of Satanism is that it is rational and non-esoteric. If you're still not getting it now, you never will.

I think Magister Nemo's point is timely, there seems to be a large influx of the "I like what I'm reading but I'm not sure I'm a Satanist" type. Good for you, but we are and that's what we come here for. Now kindly GO AWAY.

More than anything, this is something I find amusing.

There is of course an antithesis to the "good guy badge" which is the "bad guy badge" - and what can be more bad than Satan? Consequently, quite the number of people who are having insecurity issues, social fear, etc., that they are reluctant to face, will rather try to hide behind a pretentious "bad guy badge" - under the false assumption that this will make them "somebody".

I am not so much condemning anyone for this. Life can difficult for many - and I understand that you can feel the need for a mask for a period of time, until you build your own identity in truth. However, this DOES get tedious with time, and I am trigger-happy with the "retard" label if this sort of behaviour carries on much beyond the age of 25...

Oh, please...don't be a meanie to me. I can't handle it!

Come closer. I need a hug now.

Interesting idea.

Don't worry Fala, I'll be gentle.

Yes, my eyes are black...but I'm not that pale.

Oh, I think that the psychological mechanisms behind that sort of thing are common enough, insofar that we will all have to live through that fragile age of illusions where we believe that taking on an identity will also bestow upon us the power of that image, sort of like a civilised-cultural version of paleolithic hunter magic. However, sooner or later we all have to realise that the only thing that really counts is what we actually DO, whereas "who we think we are" really is of little relevance except for perhaps to a handful of people who are playing the same game as us.

I think there's also the whole fear of labels in general. The mentality is that taking up a label means conforming to ideas that aren't one's own. I've never been comfortable with the "I'm my own religion" stance. In reality I think those types are just too afraid to commit to a principle for fear of making mistakes, and too uncreative, unorganized, or just plain unimaginative to adopt a system that works for themselves. Personally I like having some kind of framework that I can productively work with.

To me, the "I'm my own religion" stance, or again, "I am a Buddhist, but I don't believe in this, this, or this" Are for people who either have not found the PROPER label for themselves, or in general, do not have their beliefs and philosophies in line. I can't hold any scorn for the ladder, as not everyone finds out who they really are, right away, or at all. Without going into the fact that this could be because of personal weakness (Which is likely the case) the bottom line is that these people are not ready to adopt anything as a label. They then succumb to the former stance, which is a group of people I cannot personally respect.

If you don't have a title, there is no use in following one that you do not believe in fully. Whether it be Satanist, Buddhist, Christian, Athiest, etc, etc.

Hello
Hi all of you. Nemo. It isnt so easy just to make decision. If you entry- it can be no exit :-)
with respect
Margaret

"They are simply not one of us."

I find them more entertaining than anything, though they are annoying.
They are very transparent but I use it to my advantage.
They make good company when I am lonely and are easy to control.
They find me very intriguing.
They imagine a greater existence, which I laugh at, but promote to them.
They spend their whole lives addicted to other people's opinions of themselves.
They are slaves to the television.
Overall, I laugh, and enjoy.
People suck.

Thanks for letting us know that...five and half years after the discussion ended.

Yes, I think it is largely due to the fact that we are living in a "microwave" society now that expects everything to be delivered instantly. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), this has not yet extended to knowledge.

If there existed a chip to implant that gave you instant knowledge on a given subject, many in today's society would be lining up for their "instant fix".

Sadly, when someone asks a question, and the answer they seek involves reading they will run in the other direction. Reading requires too much effort. So at best they will just skim the article to get a very basic (and often incorrect gist) of the authors intent. Thinking they are now "well read" in the field they go out into the world as recently self-championed experts in the field.

These sort of people do more harm than good to the name of Satanism, however we will always have to deal with this sort of person. They are also often not the "stayers". They are looking for a cool label for themselves and identifying themselves as a "satanist" boosts their flaccid ego for a short time until the novelty (and lack of attention they were hoping to achieve) wears off. Then it will be onto the next "shock value" act they can involve themselves in to impress their friends.

Just my thoughts!

Hail Satan!