Who I Am and What I Believe in Satanism

[NLDSatanist666]

Hello all. I've been on this forum for about a month, but I haven't formally introduced myself yet.

As you may have gathered from my username, I am a Satanist. My beliefs in Satanism don't fit well into either the Theistic or Atheistic camps, so I just call myself an Independent Satanist. I believe that all the gods/Angels/demons/spirits humanity has ever believed in are really semi-sentient aspects of the human mind. From my standpoint, evocation, UPG or invocation is interacting with a version of yourself. However, my beliefs are subject to change as I learn more about the occult (I'm rather new and inexperienced, but I'm currently creating a massive reading list to remedy that problem [crazy]).

Satan is a difficult aspect for me to explain, but my best explanation for him (I'm going to use the pronoun "him" with Satan because I think of Satan as being male) is that he is an aspect of hidden knowledge, rebellion, man's carnal nature and repressed parts of the psyche. I also think of him as being a nature deity, similar to Cernunnos, as well as a deity of magick and occultism.

Other deities I am interested in are Odin, Dionysus, Zeus, Cernunnos, Loki, Poseidon and too many more to mention.

I was raised as a Liberal Christian, but became more devout as I got older. But I disliked a lot of aspects of my faith and eventually became an atheist and antitheist out of frustration. But as an atheist, I was still fascinated by one aspect of my previous faith: Satan! I loved reading about Satan, thinking about Satan, listening to music about Satan...basically if it involved Satan, I was into it. One day I found the Church of Satan website and their philosophy really clicked for me. But then I found the Joy of Satan website and what they said made even more sense to me...until I found the Neo-Nazi part. Then I left the JoS and just became a regular Theistic Satanist. I also experimented with various Pagan paths. My beliefs evolved until they finally became what they are today.

This is who I am and what my beliefs in Satanism are.

Ave Satanas! [devil]

[Nahemah]

I believe that all the gods/Angels/demons/spirits humanity has ever believed in are really semi-sentient aspects of the human mind. From my standpoint, evocation, UPG or invocation is interacting with a version of yourself. However, my beliefs are subject to change as I learn more about the occult (I'm rather new and inexperienced, but I'm currently creating a massive reading list to remedy that problem [crazy]).

My own beliefs are similar, though I include a version of interaction with other minds, as well as interaction with a version of my own. [geek]

I like that you are open to changing beliefs in light of new information, that's smart and always remember that critical thinking applies too, with all that reading you will be doing. [grin]

Other deities I am interested in are Odin, Dionysus, Zeus, Cernunnos, Loki, Poseidon and too many more to mention.

Interesting list, are there any female or androgynous deities in there somewhere, other than Loki?

...But then I found the Joy of Satan website and what they said made even more sense to me...until I found the Neo-Nazi part. Then I left the JoS and just became a regular Theistic Satanist. I also experimented with various Pagan paths. My beliefs evolved until they finally became what they are today.

I despise JoS and all that they stand for and I'm glad you survived them, you'll be all the stronger for it.

Experience can be a great teacher.

Hello, formally and welcome to the forum. [cool]

[NLDSatanist666]

Interesting list, are there any female or androgynous deities in there somewhere, other than Loki

Isis, Frigga and although she's not technically a deity, Lilith. I read an article about her mythology on Encyclopedia Satanica and it intrigued me. Parts of her mythology reminds me a lot of the mythology of Iblis (the Islamic version of Satan) as they both refused to submit to Adam/Adim in the Garden of Eden.

Hello, formally and welcome to the forum. [cool][/quote]
Thanks!

[NLDSatanist666]

I figured I should post a reply to this thread as my beliefs have now changed somewhat.

I have examined my beliefs and decided that a more accurate label for them would be Luciferianism (at least I feel this would be a more accurate label). I still believe in the gods as aspects of the self and all the other things I stated above, I just now identify as a Lucferian.

[Frumens]

I figured I should post a reply to this thread as my beliefs have now changed somewhat.

I have examined my beliefs and decided that a more accurate label for them would be Luciferianism (at least I feel this would be a more accurate label). I still believe in the gods as aspects of the self and all the other things I stated above, I just now identify as a Lucferian.

What is the difference between Satanism and Luciferianism?

[NLDSatanist666]

I figured I should post a reply to this thread as my beliefs have now changed somewhat.

I have examined my beliefs and decided that a more accurate label for them would be Luciferianism (at least I feel this would be a more accurate label). I still believe in the gods as aspects of the self and all the other things I stated above, I just now identify as a Lucferian.

What is the difference between Satanism and Luciferianism?

Luciferians and Satanists both have a lot in common, but they're not the same. There are several main differences that set the two apart.

1.) Lucifer not Satan.
Luciferians, as their title implies, focus on Lucifer and not Satan. Some consider Lucifer and Satan to be different aspects of the same being/symbol/thing, others consider the two to be separate beings/symbols/thing. As for who Lucifer is, that varies based on the individual Luciferian. Some view him as a Fallen Angel, some as an ancient god that predates Christianity, some as the All, some as the monotheistic ruler of the universe, some as a symbol, some as an aspect of the self...and there are many more interpretations of Lucifer.

2.) Apothesis
Luciferianism places a lot more emphasis on acheiveing godhood than Satanism (though there are types of Satanism that focus on this as well). Whether this is literal self-deification or allegorical self-deification depends on the individual Luciferian.

3.) Balance
Luciferianism focuses more on balance than Satanism. Balance between light and dark, indulgence and abstinence, etc.

4.) Wider Variety of Resources
Satanists usually use demons and devils (either literally or as symbols). Luciferians usually use demons, devils, angels and other spirits.

5.) Different Deities
Satanists usually focus on Satan and demons. Luciferians focus on Lucfer. Some focus on Lilith and Sammael as well.

There are more differences, but these are some of the key ones.

[Frumens]

I figured I should post a reply to this thread as my beliefs have now changed somewhat.

I have examined my beliefs and decided that a more accurate label for them would be Luciferianism (at least I feel this would be a more accurate label). I still believe in the gods as aspects of the self and all the other things I stated above, I just now identify as a Lucferian.

What is the difference between Satanism and Luciferianism?

Luciferians and Satanists both have a lot in common, but they're not the same. There are several main differences that set the two apart.

1.) Lucifer not Satan.
Luciferians, as their title implies, focus on Lucifer and not Satan. Some consider Lucifer and Satan to be different aspects of the same being/symbol/thing, others consider the two to be separate beings/symbols/thing. As for who Lucifer is, that varies based on the individual Luciferian. Some view him as a Fallen Angel, some as an ancient god that predates Christianity, some as the All, some as the monotheistic ruler of the universe, some as a symbol, some as an aspect of the self...and there are many more interpretations of Lucifer.

2.) Apothesis
Luciferianism places a lot more emphasis on acheiveing godhood than Satanism (though there are types of Satanism that focus on this as well). Whether this is literal self-deification or allegorical self-deification depends on the individual Luciferian.

3.) Balance
Luciferianism focuses more on balance than Satanism. Balance between light and dark, indulgence and abstinence, etc.

4.) Wider Variety of Resources
Satanists usually use demons and devils (either literally or as symbols). Luciferians usually use demons, devils, angels and other spirits.

5.) Different Deities
Satanists usually focus on Satan and demons. Luciferians focus on Lucfer. Some focus on Lilith and Sammael as well.

There are more differences, but these are some of the key ones.

Very educational. Thanks for sharing.

[RoseRed]

Nice to meet you.

Labels can be quite helpful at times, especially when we're defining ourselves. Sometimes, they can become a burden if you cling to them for too long.

I look forward to talking with you.