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ArchivesRe: Oh my non-existant deities!
in reply to a message by Lilith
"1) Do some Satanists worship a Satan (not the Christian Devil, but a Satan)? Any Satanists? Previous Satanists, as opposed to modern Satanists?"
Some do. Most don’t. Those which do, call themselves “Traditional Satanists.” (Satanists call them something else.)
The majority which don’t, are the “Modern Satanists” – or just plain “Satanists”. Satanists don’t worship any living deity. Rather Satanists *emulate* the archetype which is called “Satan”. In literature, Satan himself refused to bow down in worship to any deity or authority figure, therefore it’s silly for anyone calling him- or herself a Satanist to do what Satan himself wouldn’t do.
From the FAQ at the Satanism 101 website: "Satanism and devil worship are two distinctly different animals. Devil worship is what it is: the worship of an external deity, much as it could be labeled inverse Christianity. The Satan in Satanism is an archetype, one many know by name and is relative to the culture. Some Satanists choose different aspects of this archetype, depending on geography or just plain aesthetics, but the same characteristics still hold true. It would make little sense for us to claim to embody the archetypal qualities of Satan (rebellion, rational self-interest, carnality, etc.) on one hand, and then attempt to worship an anthropomorphic Satan on the other. In laymen's terms, it's hardly rebellious to worship a figure that represents rebellion. Devil worshipers need to be subjugated, ask for it by their own actions. The Satanist finds such unproductive and one-sided activities to be draining and useless (not to mention hypocritical)."
"2) Is the philosophy of Satanism body over mind?"
I’m not sure I understand this question. Satanism is a belief-system which celebrates physical indulgence, as well as rational thought, creativity, and individualism.
I dunno if that's cleared up anything for you, but I appreciate the "nice, long, pseudo-intellectual post". :)
And hey! It wasn't so far down the page that I didn't notice it. :)
-- Nanaea
Some do. Most don’t. Those which do, call themselves “Traditional Satanists.” (Satanists call them something else.)
The majority which don’t, are the “Modern Satanists” – or just plain “Satanists”. Satanists don’t worship any living deity. Rather Satanists *emulate* the archetype which is called “Satan”. In literature, Satan himself refused to bow down in worship to any deity or authority figure, therefore it’s silly for anyone calling him- or herself a Satanist to do what Satan himself wouldn’t do.
From the FAQ at the Satanism 101 website: "Satanism and devil worship are two distinctly different animals. Devil worship is what it is: the worship of an external deity, much as it could be labeled inverse Christianity. The Satan in Satanism is an archetype, one many know by name and is relative to the culture. Some Satanists choose different aspects of this archetype, depending on geography or just plain aesthetics, but the same characteristics still hold true. It would make little sense for us to claim to embody the archetypal qualities of Satan (rebellion, rational self-interest, carnality, etc.) on one hand, and then attempt to worship an anthropomorphic Satan on the other. In laymen's terms, it's hardly rebellious to worship a figure that represents rebellion. Devil worshipers need to be subjugated, ask for it by their own actions. The Satanist finds such unproductive and one-sided activities to be draining and useless (not to mention hypocritical)."
"2) Is the philosophy of Satanism body over mind?"
I’m not sure I understand this question. Satanism is a belief-system which celebrates physical indulgence, as well as rational thought, creativity, and individualism.
I dunno if that's cleared up anything for you, but I appreciate the "nice, long, pseudo-intellectual post". :)
And hey! It wasn't so far down the page that I didn't notice it. :)
-- Nanaea
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