Church of satan

[weezyfosheezy]

I met preacher of Satanism before. So what is it like, just do what gives you pleasure at all expense and that is a good thing? To silence the super-ego? I'm fairly sure that would end the world. Didn't really feel like prying because to each is own

[Taiyounoryu]

Church Of Satan? Like Anton Lavey's whole deal right?
Laveyan Satanism is definitely.. A different approach to seeing life. These form of satanists don't see lucifer as a deity and Lavey himself called Satanism a "selfish religion" or something to that effect.

"Satanists do not believe in the supernatural, in neither God nor the Devil. To the Satanist, he is his own God. Satan is a symbol of Man living as his prideful, carnal nature dictates. The reality behind Satan is simply the dark evolutionary force of entropy that permeates all of nature and provides the drive for survival and propagation inherent in all living things. Satan is not a conscious entity to be worshipped, rather a reservoir of power inside each human to be tapped at will. Thus any concept of sacrifice is rejected as a Christian aberration—in Satanism there’s no deity to which one can sacrifice"

^ this basically sums up the lavayen views. Spiritual focus is directed at the Satanist, rather than a god or deity. You could basically say it's a "different" approach to self empowerment. I can't say I've read any of Lavey's books for a few years, but he has wrote some interesting things. It's more of a philosophy than a religion by far.

[Rin]

Lavey's Church isn't satanism at all, imo, it's basically atheistic amoralism, the 'Satan' part is just there to represent their philosophy and, I imagine more importantly, to draw the angry and disaffected anti-christian crowd. They can deny god, worship satan and not worship satan all at the same time! It's perfect for the teenager who wants to shock his church going parents without actually doing anything seriously crazy.

From what I've seen, most of the people involved in the Church in a serious manner are a bit cooky. In various interviews they're constantly talking about the 'death of christianity' and a 'new satanic era' and all sorts of nonsense, as well as making bizarre claims about the history of Satanism/Lavey's personal life. A lot of them also have various occult beliefs/magical practices which directly contradict Lavey's beliefs and philosophy.

As far as I'm concerned, they're just another weird new age cult to come out of the 60's who wouldn't have attracted mainstream attention and probably would have died off now if Lavey hadn't had a flair for showmanship and the foresight to appropriate the whole satanic name/image.

[dodaive]

I think the LeVey Faith is about preying on predators not innocent victims. Most Christian churches teach the followers to be victims. Exactly where does the immorality come into play?

[Nahemah]

Lavey's Church isn't satanism at all, imo, it's basically atheistic amoralism, the 'Satan' part is just there to represent their philosophy and, I imagine more importantly, to draw the angry and disaffected anti-christian crowd. They can deny god, worship satan and not worship satan all at the same time! It's perfect for the teenager who wants to shock his church going parents without actually doing anything seriously crazy.

I would say this description fits JOS much more snugly,IMO.

COS seems a valid enough system to me,a life philosophy based on the here and now and living well in this lifetime.I don't find it amoral either,it's certainly not of the same moral values as some other religious/sprituality driven philosophies,but amoral? That part confuses me too.

[Taiyounoryu]

I wouldn't say Laveyan Satanism is immoral. Oddly enough, I like to think of it like Buddhism with a darker twist. They have the same views as living in the moment and etc.

Nahemah, I wouldn't say the description really fits JoS. For about a year I was involved with JoS, so I know a good bit about it. JoS follows a spiritual satanist form. They believe demons and satan are actually entities while CoS doesn't. The only way that they fit that description is the crowd they try to gather, and that they are a little off for the most part. Lol.

[Nahemah]

They believe demons and satan are actually entities while CoS doesn't. The only way that they fit that description is the crowd they try to gather, and that they are a little off for the most part. Lol.

Yes,it was that I was referring to.Spiritual Satanism is also a valid belief structure,I think,but I should have clarified better,soz.

Their leaders penchant towards Neo Nazism is concerning also.

How did you find them,in that regard? If it's ok to ask?

[Taiyounoryu]

Yea, the whole neo nazi bullshit I've never liked, Umm, for a simple answer I was a lost kid looking for an answer. Something to follow and believe in. After about 6 months to a year of following this, things went pretty bad.
Constant nightmares, lightbulbs blowing up, things in my house moving around, doors opening by themselves, literally day after day I was haunted by demons til I quit all ties. After everything, I can't say I want to go back to that. I'll stick to my energy work, at least this way I dont end up with demons trying to munch on me.

[Rin]

I said 'amoral,' not 'immoral,' quite a difference.

JOS is an interesting case too, because they have a lot of legitimate occult practices tied into their belief system. Sadly it's just enough to trick those who are new and vulnerable into buying the rest of their bullshit, I read their site avidly for a week or two when I was much younger and borrowed a bit of their practical working, but abandoned it when I realized how completely batshit insane they really are under the surface ('neo-nazi racism' meet 'conspiracy theorist nutjob' crazy).

Most of what's on JOS is just ripped shamelessly from other sources, so ditching them is no real loss, but a lot of people don't realize this if JOS is one of the first resources they come across when searching for occult or alternative spiritual practices. Fortunately JOS' bad reputation has spread, so as soon as they come in touch with other occult communities they're enlightened and able to move away from that group and their bizarre/potentially dangerous beliefs.

[Taiyounoryu]

Yea, when I practiced I only did the satanist thing. I always kept my ideas about equality. I don't know how those people have so much hate to be honest lol. They are a little whacked out man.

[Nahemah]

COS seems a valid enough system to me,a life philosophy based on the here and now and living well in this lifetime.I don't find it amoral either,it's certainly not of the same moral values as some other religious/sprituality driven philosophies,but amoral? That part confuses me too

I know you said amoral Rin,I questioned that because COS has clear definitions of conduct,in effect a moral or ethical code,re the Satanic Statements.


Thanks for sharing your experiences guys.It's very helpful.

We've discussed JOS here recently in other topics and I have warned folk about them,but it's fantastic to have you both confirm the shady aspects for us from the inside view. [thumbup]

[Rin]

I know you said amoral Rin,I questioned that because COS has clear definitions of conduct,in effect a moral or ethical code,re the Satanic Statements.

Meh, I'm sure we could debate the subject for days, but I'm also sure that we both have better things to do with our time :p