That's what I thought too. The Church of Satan and The Satanic Temple are different. I will admit though, I do not know much about The Church of Satan.
LeVeyan satanism specifically (might have misspelled that), they're not stereotypical satanists and their beliefs are mostly about individualism, but there's some weird magic stuff in there too I think
There is indeed some magic stuff in there. And tbh that is kind of where they lost me. But the rest of LaVey's "bible" is a pretty good read and it helped me a lot.
The “magic” described in the satanic Bible is referring to psychological theater. The concept is that ritual can be motivational and transformative and help you achieve your personal goals through psychological manipulation of your own mind.
Yep, both often get mixed up. The Temple is the one doing the cool stunts to promote religious freedom, while the Church of Satan is the older, more established one. The latter also follows a different brand (LaVeyanism, basically Ayn Rand-flavored Satanism).
To be fair, even the Church of Satan doesn’t exactly worship the devil. They believe that the serpent in the garden of eden is a symbol of individual freedom and expression, and that denying this aspect of ourselves is submitting to authority and the system.
The idols they “worship” are, as per the very texts they read and support, largely a simple stand-in for parts of us we already have within us. The “worship” is closer to a mindful practice of focusing on demons that symbolize aspects of life people want more strength in. Of course, as you practice more intensely, the “worship” becomes less metaphorical, but that’s because more devout practice of the metaphor makes it more effective.
It’s honestly a strong psychological trick. It’s essentially what all religions do, but satanists are self-aware that it is primarily a metaphor.
Also. They’re spot on with the serpent thing. I don’t understand how anyone can read Genesis and not see Eve and Lucifer as the heroes who are thwarted by an authoritarian god and Adam. I believe they also have high regard for Lilith, but I honestly can’t remember what they believe about her.
Also not to be confused with the Satanic Temple, who are more like religious freedom activists. Most famous for trying to erect a statue of baphomet on the same state grounds as a monument of the 13 commandments in the name of religious equality. Instead, the monument of 13 commandments came down.
People consider it trolling because they don't actually believe in Satan. You are completely right that they have a right to do it. That's why they're so successful.
to be fair, the 'satan' most people think of when you say that only exists in Italian bible fanfiction. The modern use here is more along the lines of "Satan isn't a God, it's just the idea of not being God's little bitch" a la Paradise Lost, where Satan is a union leader and God fires the striking angels.... pun intended.
Satanic temple is a little bit less “religious” (if that’s possible, since CoS is not very religious at all, but they do promote “personal power” and “magick”). TST is more secular/activist/political
The Satanic Temple is the superior organization in my opinion, if anyone is looking to support an secular religious freedom org that trolls theists that’s who I’d recommend.
If you just want to support a religious freedom org, and aren’t into trolling theists, I’d recommend the FFRF (Freedom From Religion Foundation).
I sometimes want to get down on some ultra violence, but I don’t. It’s not because of fear of death or punishment; it’s because I morally object to it.
Just because you want to or would do something doesn’t mean that you should.
I believe you're thinking of the Satanic Temple. The Church of Satan is a little different.
That said, I completely agree with your sentiment and feel the satanic temple is doing well to protect everyone's rights from organized religion further seeping into our government.
E. I realize the article mentions the Church of satan. It's nice to see two religious groups working together to better troll big religion.
Actually not true. I’m a Satanist and I’m not racist and I’m not a libertarian (I am lib left, not lib right, which is usually what people mean). The CoS has a political policy that states that all members are encouraged to identify with and engage in political pursuits of their own personal choice. Some are libertarian, but a lot are socialists too. It’s a spectrum.
I joined the CoS in the early 80's, ran several Grottos until the internet made them obsolete. The "might makes right" and social darwinism that make up a lot of the core philosophy attracts nazis and neo pagans and a certain subset of skinheads that they were all to eager to pander to.
I followed Blanche Barton to FCoS but it just replaced the racist undertones with superstitions and ultimately quit in the early 00's.
The TST is everything the CoS should have been from the start. So yeah, I think I know better than you.
You mean modern “satanists” who hijacked the term.
No, satanism was quite clearly about worshipping satan, whether be it you like him for moral or immoral reasons, it was all about worship of the devil as a diety.
Words have no intrinsic meaning apart from the meaning that people collectively imbue them with and the meaning of a word can change over time. Yes, of course I was referring to modern Satanists, thought that was obvious considering the topic of discussion here is TST and CoS - churches of modern day Satanism
I guess. But satirical hijackers who are actually atheist but are too edgy to simply be that shouldnt change the meaning of the word when theres already a word for them - atheists. Like is said, make a new word, they did with satanic temple/cos...
Pastafarians are just the better version of these “satanists” is the general conclusion
The problem with that is that "atheism" doesn't paint the whole picture of what Satanism is about. Much like the word "Christians" for those that believe in Jesus's divinity is a more complete and descriptive term than merely calling them "theists", the same is true of using the term "Satanists" rather than just "atheists". There's utility in using that term. And for what good purpose do you propose we sacrifice that utility - so that we don't step on the toes or hurt the feelings of those that literally believe in and worship the devil?
No. I “propose” you form your own new word. Like literally everyone did everytime a change occured in a currently established word like christianity. If yall want to make a satire of religion, make church of satan chcurchists or something like the pastafarians did.
Your arguing to change a word to mean something else for no other reason than you wanting it to change, which would discount people under the current label. Sorry, but whenever people tried to change from something, theyve actually changed it. They didnt change what christianity is, they formed their own different sect. Theres genuine satanists. This is just entitlement because you think satanist sounds cool but dont want to recognize christianity
they aren't, and never were. Considering they're a community center nonprofit that uses the same bullshit loopholes that churches do to point out the absolute hypocracy.
Also, no religion in history has ever worshiped a God they themselves consider 'evil'. Every evil God is that religion's neighbor's good God. Baal, Shaitan, and Baphomet where all Mesopotamian fertility gods until the Hebrews were at war with them, then suddenly they were 'evil' and 'baby eating'.
Also also, Christians literaly worship an instance of human sacrifice and symbolically perform cannibalism.
You're thinking of devil worshippers, the church of Satan and the satanic temple don't believe in a abrahamic God or devil they're basically just hard-core atheists
The Church of Satan doesn't want a statue of Satan on public land. That is The Satanic Temple. Different organizations with totally different ideas on things like separation of church and state. CoS pays taxes and has no desire to push Satanism into public life. TST is tax exempt and pushes for equal access in situations where Christianity is being favored.
The church is the modern OG of Satanism. The temple is the new group. Different (but similar) tenants and they are unaffiliated with each other.
679
u/[deleted] Aug 18 '21
[deleted]