I have had a lot of subjective religious realizations and insights as of late. But that's not why I'm posting this. I need to find out if I can still call myself a Satanist.

I believe that there is a "God" that is concerned with us for some unknown reason, but I believe that this entity has its' own rules that govern its' conduct, preventing it from intervening in our lives.

I believe that this is what Anton LaVey was getting at when he mentioned the Yezidi cult, describing people who believe in God but believe that it is the Devil who must be appealed to in this life. I also believe that this is what the magician taps into when delving into Anton's 'supranormal'.

Take "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." The phrase itself is a contradiction when people in religious institutions use the laying of hands method, prayer, etc. in order to appear as though they are trying to heal the afflicted. Institutional religion itself is a magic spell cast and endorsed by governments to control its' citizens behavior.

In a certain sense, Anton LaVey is more like Jesus Christ ideal than the masses of Christians. He chose to become a scapegoat, he chose to become like litmus paper so that the truth could be seen.

I used to be upset at Anton's memory because he didn't do a better job, but now I see that he did all he could while maintaining himself. The Christian beast is too strong, its' roots too deep, its' supporters too powerful, for change to occur overnight.

While I suppose it's technically possible to be a Satanist and, say, a deist, the Satanic Bible says "Man has always created his gods, rather than his gods creating him. [...] To the Satanist "God" - by whatever name he is called, or by no name at all - is seen as the balancing factor in nature, and not as being concerned with suffering. [...] This powerful force which permeates and balances the universe is far too impersonal to care about the happiness or misery of flesh-and-blood creatures on this ball of dirt upon which we live."

So I'm not sure why you believe in a supernatural entity that "is concerned with us" in the first place. If the notion is ultimately irrelevant and can't be "known" enough to apply it for anything practical in life, then why believe it?


While LaVey took on the responsibility of the social burdens that would come from forming an organization called "The Church of Satan", LaVey didn't consider himself to be a martyr, nor is that how he's viewed by Satanists. In theory, a person can read and understand The Satanic Bible, and identify as a Satanist without knowing anything at all about LaVey's life.

>> I used to be upset at Anton's memory because he didn't do a better job, but now I see that he did all he could while maintaining himself. The Christian beast is too strong, its' roots too deep, its' supporters too powerful, for change to occur overnight.<<


I would also add to what Rev.Bill has said: The CoS isn't looking to effect change.

Not a super-natural entity, a supra-normal entity. Something that science's searchlights have not yet penetrated. The thing that people try to tap into when performing "magic", be it a Satanic ritual or a Christian prayer. The part of the human spirit, if such a thing exists, that makes seemingly impossible things possible.

I don't believe in it. I believe in nothing; only falsehoods requires belief. It's on the corners of my consciousness. Think of it as a ritual that is always in effect.

It could be that I am simply trying to put a positive spin on a mental illness, but I prefer not to think of it like that.

I do not want to argue with you guys; I think we can all agree that people who are looking to argue on the internet are all goofballs that need something better to do with their time.

But when LaVey spoke of man creating his gods, rather than his gods creating him, I believe that the context was specifically aimed at the fictitious god of Abraham.

And when I compared Anton LaVey to Jesus, the context was not as a martyr. I meant it the sense that both were teachers who sought to elevate people's thinking at cost and personal risk. Martyrdom equals failure to the martyr.

I believe that Anton wanted to change things.. but learned how strong the enemy was. But the Church of Satan refused to dissipate, it simply became a custard that can't be nailed to the wall. It went underground. It is that courage, that will to survive at any cost, that I most respect about this organization. It is parallel to my life story, and it is why I shall remain a Satanist until the day I die.. Satan send that it is later rather than sooner.