SATANISM

[zebo-the-fat]

How can Satanism and Atheism be the same?
Satan is supposed to be an angel who was chucked out of heaven for being a naughty boy, atheism is a state of not believing that god(s) exist, therefore, go god, no heaven no satan.
Silly question!

[MR. Macabre 666]

Any other members of TST here on this forum? Are Satanism and Atheism basically the same? All non-theistic Satanists are Atheists, would anyone else here consider themself to be a Satanist then?
The vast majority of christians go apeshit if they see an inverted pentagram or crucifix on anything or anyone. I've got both of those covered, I'm a huge fan of black/death metal music and have worn a band/concert shirt everyday for 40+ years. This is no exaggeration, I've got an enormous collection of band, occult, Halloween, and horror shirts. Of course, they're all black. Right now, I probably have 150+ shirts.
I started collecting and wearing them after I went to my first concert in 1980, it was RUSH on their Permanent Waves tour. I still have the shirt from that show stored in a box in the garage.
I'm also heavily tattooed. I started getting tattooed over 20 years ago, all by the same artist. With the exception of the 3 memorial tattoos on my chest, everything else is occult, Satanic, heretical, or Halloween imagery.  I also have 2 band logos tattooed on one of my arms.
I've been retired for almost 8 years now(damn that went fast) and wore a concert shirt everyday while I was working. I was always a blue collar employee, so I always had a company shirt on top of it, so it was never an issue.

There are a small number of Satanists who actually believe that Satan is real and worship him like christians worship their imaginary god. There aren't any  written rules or instructions for how they should worship him, so in my opinion, they make it up as they go along. Most are harmless, while a very few can be dangerous or just plain stupid in their beliefs/practices.
I consider myself to be an Atheist/Satanist because it makes other people uncomfortable or uneasy whenever I'm out in public, unless I'm at a show. It has some advantages, no one ever fucks with me and/or my wife whenever we're out in public.
Of course my wife and kids dislike it, but they know that I'm the same person regardless of what I look like, so they've accepted it.

I can understand the appeal of the aesthetics. It's a look that works best when you've got total commitment, as you do. 

Other than the looks, is there anything to Satanism (as it applies to you) that makes it different from non-Satanist atheists? Are there any values or lifestyle choices that go against the US mainstream? Like, I don't know, Communism or accelerationism or violent crime?

No, not really. I've been an Atheist for as long as I can remember. Politically, I'm a conservative, which apparently is rare for someone with my beliefs, or lack thereof. I've been a metal music fan since the mid 70s, and as I've gotten older, my tastes in music haven't "mellowed" like most older peoples have. Mine have been going in the opposite direction for the past 20 or so years now. I've grown to love the darker, heavier, more evil forms of metal music. I listen to it several hours a day, it helps keep me sane in this fucked up world we're living in.
I've never been arrested or committed any crimes, I was too busy trying to support our family for over 35 years, until I was forced to retire in 2015. I've never consumed alcohol, smoked, or used drugs either.
I'm a "normal" retired 64 year old who loves American muscle cars and trucks, collects Hot Wheels cars with our 6 year old grandson, and is a lifelong metal head. The fact that I look like a serial killer that no one fucks with is a plus. As long as our grandkids aren't afraid of me(they're not) I'm happy being different.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

How can Satanism and Atheism be the same?
Satan is supposed to be an angel who was chucked out of heaven for being a naughty boy, atheism is a state of not believing that god(s) exist, therefore, go god, no heaven no satan.
Silly question!

There is considerable overlap. Satanists (particularly of the LaVey) don’t believe that Satan exists and don’t worship him. The view him rather as a symbol of individuality, freedom, responsibility, and so on. The Satanic Temple is much the same, but more socially conscious.

There’s actually no conflict in the term ‘atheistic Satanist’.

Boru

[MR. Macabre 666]

How can Satanism and Atheism be the same?
Satan is supposed to be an angel who was chucked out of heaven for being a naughty boy, atheism is a state of not believing that god(s) exist, therefore, go god, no heaven no satan.
Silly question!

The 2 best known Satanic organizations are TST(The Satanic Temple), and the Church of Satan. The COS was started by Anton LeVey in the late 60's, and TST was founded in the late 90's IIRC by Lucien Greves. Both of them are basically Atheist groups that use Satanic imagery and language as a metaphor, because it never fails to get the attention of any or all christian organizations.
They always go apeshit, which is the kind of reaction that makes them all look like morons. It makes their members feel like they've done their job.
I've been a member of TST  for a few years now.

[MR. Macabre 666]

I don't understand why having tattoos and liking rock music seems to define you.  I also don't see the connection with Satanism.

Maybe it's because I'd identify myself in those terms, after husband, dad, and grandpa. Looking/living like I do is a lifestyle that I've happily chosen, and will continue to do so. It's what I am, a tattooed black metal fan who loves his family first, but also loves going to shows when I can, continues to get tattooed, and listens to music for several hours a day.
Ever since I can remember, I've always loved horror movies and books, Halloween, the occult, anything dark or forbidden or evil. That's why my wife gave me my nickname several decades ago.
When I first started getting tattooed, my first one was a headstone with the words THE END on it and a couple of jack-o-lanterns in the background. You know what they say,"once you get your first, you want more" is very true. Now, over 20 years and 150+ hours later, I went from being a person with tattoos to being a tattooed person.
I have 3 memorial tattoos on my chest for my mom, my older sister, and our granddaughter Piper. Everything else is either Halloween themed, Satanic and/or Occult themed. I have several Latin phrases on my chest, arms, and back. I figure if someone is curious enough to ask me what it says, I'll gladly tell them. I have several Satanic images and sigils, not because I worship him/it, I don't worship anything or anyone, but because it makes people uncomfortable whenever I'm out it public. I fucking hate religion, and have nothing but contempt for it. I enjoy mocking them whenever I'm able.

[arewethereyet]

I don't understand why having tattoos and liking rock music seems to define you.  I also don't see the connection with Satanism.

Maybe it's because I'd identify myself in those terms, after husband, dad, and grandpa. Looking/living like I do is a lifestyle that I've happily chosen, and will continue to do so. It's what I am, a tattooed black metal fan who loves his family first, but also loves going to shows when I can, continues to get tattooed, and listens to music for several hours a day.
Ever since I can remember, I've always loved horror movies and books, Halloween, the occult, anything dark or forbidden or evil. That's why my wife gave me my nickname several decades ago.
When I first started getting tattooed, my first one was a headstone with the words THE END on it and a couple of jack-o-lanterns in the background. You know what they say,"once you get your first, you want more" is very true. Now, over 20 years and 150+ hours later, I went from being a person with tattoos to being a tattooed person.
I have 3 memorial tattoos on my chest for my mom, my older sister, and our granddaughter Piper. Everything else is either Halloween themed, Satanic and/or Occult themed. I have several Latin phrases on my chest, arms, and back. I figure if someone is curious enough to ask me what it says, I'll gladly tell them. I have several Satanic images and sigils, not because I worship him/it, I don't worship anything or anyone, but because it makes people uncomfortable whenever I'm out it public. I fucking hate religion, and have nothing but contempt for it. I enjoy mocking them whenever I'm able.

I guess I don't understand why it is how you have presented yourself here a couple of times.

I am wife, mother, grandmother (GiGi), and tattooed.  I just don't introduce myself as tattooed.  But, you do you.

Just trying to understand why you lead with it here.  Husband is tattooed...all my kids are tattooed and I am sure once the oldest granddaughter hits 18, she will be too.  So far she has had to settle for piercings.  It's just a thing, doesn't define any of us.

[MR. Macabre 666]

Maybe it's because I'd identify myself in those terms, after husband, dad, and grandpa. Looking/living like I do is a lifestyle that I've happily chosen, and will continue to do so. It's what I am, a tattooed black metal fan who loves his family first, but also loves going to shows when I can, continues to get tattooed, and listens to music for several hours a day.
Ever since I can remember, I've always loved horror movies and books, Halloween, the occult, anything dark or forbidden or evil. That's why my wife gave me my nickname several decades ago.
When I first started getting tattooed, my first one was a headstone with the words THE END on it and a couple of jack-o-lanterns in the background. You know what they say,"once you get your first, you want more" is very true. Now, over 20 years and 150+ hours later, I went from being a person with tattoos to being a tattooed person.
I have 3 memorial tattoos on my chest for my mom, my older sister, and our granddaughter Piper. Everything else is either Halloween themed, Satanic and/or Occult themed. I have several Latin phrases on my chest, arms, and back. I figure if someone is curious enough to ask me what it says, I'll gladly tell them. I have several Satanic images and sigils, not because I worship him/it, I don't worship anything or anyone, but because it makes people uncomfortable whenever I'm out it public. I fucking hate religion, and have nothing but contempt for it. I enjoy mocking them whenever I'm able.

I guess I don't understand why it is how you have presented yourself here a couple of times.

I am wife, mother, grandmother (GiGi), and tattooed.  I just don't introduce myself as tattooed.  But, you do you.

Just trying to understand why you lead with it here.  Husband is tattooed...all my kids are tattooed and I am sure once the oldest granddaughter hits 18, she will be too.  So far she has had to settle for piercings.  It's just a thing, doesn't define any of us.

I'm not really sure, it was the first thing that popped into my head. It may well be because when you see me for the first time, it's the first thing you'll see. No one here knows what I look like, and I'm proud of the work that I've had done. 
Other than that, I don't know.

[Belacqua]

I've grown to love the darker, heavier, more evil forms of metal music. I listen to it several hours a day, it helps keep me sane in this fucked up world we're living in.

This makes a lot of sense to me. 

My niece is a music therapist, and I've discussed this stuff with her. She says that when a client is upset or mad about things, the last thing you want to do is play cheery music and say "lighten up!" Especially when they have good reason to be mad about things.

[The Grand Nudger]

Well, I don't have any tattoos...and I think I can count on one hand the number of black metal songs I dig.  I'm pretty sure I don't own a single piece of black clothing.  I'd show up to a funeral in a tan suit with pink flair.  If there isn't anything else to satanism (or at least what it means for you) then I don't think we're in the same club, no.  

OTOH, we probably have some shared experiences and tastes.  My kids don't think I'm cool either...pretty much one of the curses of dad-dom - but also because I'm legitimately not cool.  I have nothing but contempt for bad religion, at least, and I've been known to mock it from time to time.  I wear a bunch of pagan bric-a-brac when I wanna look pretty.

[arewethereyet]

Well, I don't have any tattoos...and I think I can count on one hand the number of black metal songs I dig.  I'm pretty sure I don't own a single piece of black clothing.  I'd show up to a funeral in a tan suit with pink flair.  If there isn't anything else to satanism (or at least what it means for you) then I don't think we're in the same club, no.  

OTOH, we probably have some shared experiences and tastes.  My kids don't think I'm cool either...pretty much one of the curses of dad-dom - but also because I'm legitimately not cool.  I have nothing but contempt for bad religion, at least, and I've been known to mock it from time to time.  I wear a bunch of pagan bric-a-brac when I wanna look pretty.

I love you so much.  When I am not learning from you, I am laughing.