Let’s talk Religion and Sexuality: Satanism
Satanism is a misunderstood ideology. Many people believe it is about sacrificing animals or participating in rituals that call Satan up to strike a deal. This is a major misconception.
There are many divisions of Satanism. Unlike the Christian faith, Satanists tend to disagree on their fundamental principles. They argue amongst themselves whether Satan exists and if they’re worshipping him or themselves.
Basically, Satanists do certain things, but they don’t believe in certain things.
Many of the divisions claim to have roots in LaVeyan Satanism, named after Anton LaVey. LaVey started the Church of Satan in 1966 and claimed to be the authority on all things evil. He charged $2 for entry to his lectures and the Church of Satan was born.
The common theme in all the branches is promotion of self. All forms of Satanism claim that life exists to consume and selfishness is a virtue. Some believe that the only existence they have is on Earth, and they live for the moment.
LaVeyan Satanism has 11 commandments:
Finally, there are the nine Satanic sins: stupidity, pretentiousness, solipsism, self-deceit, herd conformity, lack of perspective, forgetfulness of past orthodoxies, counterproductive pride, and lack of aesthetics.
Overall, Satanism isn’t what most people think it is. Based on these commandments and statements, Satanists live pretty normal lives. Although much more worldly than religions such as Christianity and Buddhism, Satanism is not exactly the Satan-worshiping cult than people think it is.
Very well put. I’m glad you solved your conundrum.
It sounds as tough satanism is just an effort to be the antithesis of the mainstream religious; a way to disengage from their limiting point of view.
I would tend to disagree with your assertion that Satanists disagree more than Christians. There are Christian faiths which deny the Trinity, question whether “God” is really a being of more of a force, and even question the divinity of Jesus. Satanists, in agreeing to believe in the Self, actually have a great deal more in common. The primary division is between those who believe the Self means the Immanent Self (the materialists) or the Soul of Psyche (the transcendentalists).
I was disappointed, by the way, that the article does not discuss sexuality as the title of the series implies. Satanism has welcomed gay and bisexual Priests since its beginning as a formal religion, putting it well ahead of most other faiths.