I've been reading your CoS site. It's interesting to say the least.

On thing I can't figure out is why you call yourselves Satanist and practice "satanism".

I've read the philosphy, and plan on reading the Satanic Bible soon. You say there is no God or Devil (aka Satan, Lucifer, Belezibub, etc..) and that each person is their own individual God. Yet you use "Satan" as the symbol of your philosphy.

I am not doubt going to hear that "Satan" and "God" are Judeo-Christian creations, and not to automatically equate your philosphy with that of the Christian "Satan".

But that is exactly what any rational, english speaking person is going to. Satan is evil, hence the term Satanist denotes someone who worships evil. You are obviously not evil, because two of your rules is don't harm children or animals. Why associate yourselves with evil if you don't want to be perceived as such. Why get upset if someone thinks you're a bad person when they come to find that you are a Satanist. You can't redefine the word Satan and expect the world to follow.

Rationally speaking, it's more harmful to your cause useing Satan as your symbol when there are more creative symbols you could use to express your philosophy.

Unless... That's the bottom line. This guy LaVey is using the same technique as Marilyn Manson and Howard Stern; useing shock value to gain exposure.

Just some confusion I hope you can clearify.

Satanists haven't re-defined Satanism. Satan embodies the same qualities to us as it does to the rest of the world. The difference is that we don't consider pride, rebellion, individualism and selfishness to be evil. There will always be people who tack on slurs about abuse etc to our religion, but this abuse is not and never has been what Satan fundamentally represents.

As far as other people's opinions are concerned, if they are likely to hinder us by knowing that we are Satanist then we simply don't let them know. As for the others.........their ignorant opinions don't bother us because as far as we're concerned, they don't matter.

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Why get upset if someone thinks you're a bad person when they come to find that you are a Satanist.

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We don't.

... this answer by Magister Nemo.

And of course you should read The Satanic Bible in order to fully grasp what Satanism is.

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Rationally speaking, it's more harmful to your cause useing Satan as your symbol when there are more creative symbols you could use to express your philosophy.

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The symbol of Satan serves as a necessary filter for those who cannot divorce themselves from conditioned and IRrational fears. It is also, as Dr. LaVey once said,"..most stimulating under that name.".

Think beyond the ideas of good and evil.

The other replies should cover why we use the name. Think about this in addition:

Think of the worst thing the Judeo-Christian Satan, supposedly the embodiment of evil, ever did. Did he kill any humans? Rape anyone? Injure anyone? Destroy anyone's property? No, only God ever got to do those things.

All Satan ever did was rebel against God and tempt humans to do the same. If Christians think that is the essence of the prime evil, *they* are the ones with the fucked-up ideas of reality.

And if they equate the name "Satan" with harming children and animals, they are not even familiar with their own mythology. Again, the good guy was always the one who took sacrifices.

That is a very good point Perndog. I've never really thought about it, but you are absolutely correct.
Thank you for that bit of information, I do love learning.

Well said, Pazuzu.

"In other words, the reason it's called `Satanism´ is because it's fun, it's accurate and it's productive."
Anton LaVey

4 June XXXIX A.S.

Read the FAQ.

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On thing I can't figure out is why you call yourselves Satanist and practice "satanism"... plan on reading the Satanic Bible soon

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In many respects, you're asking the former because you haven't done the latter. Read the book, and THEN ask questions. Educate yourself first.

Often when this question is asked, it is meant to put Satanists on the defensive. And although I can't speak for others, I refuse to place myself in that position merely to enlighten you. So, read the book, the FAQ, and the Church of Satan website, and then return with educated questions, if desired.

>Rationally speaking, it's more harmful to your cause
>useing [sic] Satan as your symbol when there are more
>creative symbols you could use to express your
>philosophy.

What exactly this "cause" of ours that you speak of? People who are so self-righteous that they can't get past a mere label are people we wouldn't want in our camp to begin with.

Actually, nevermind. I'm sure this thread will be rightfully locked soon. But hey! Maybe it's not to late to make an introduction post, just as the guidelines say.

Compared to the millenia-strewn years full of crimes againsts humanity that the Xtian church is guilty of, Satan is a proverbial Quireboy in comparison...


"I don't practice magic. It's the 21st Century for cryin' out loud. Get a life already!"