(May 10, 2011 at 2:08 am)Shell B Wrote:(May 10, 2011 at 1:50 am)Cinjin Cain Wrote: Although I certainly know nothing about Satanism (and by your post it sounds like you know very little about it either), I find it hard to believe that a religion called Satanism doesn't have at least some doctrinal calls to worship and/or praise Satan.
Believe it or not, mainstream or "LaVey" Satanism has nothing to do with Satan, in the Christian sense. Satan is a symbol to them. Most of them don't even believe in a deity of any sort. Of course, there are Satanists that do believe in Satan. Some that even believe the bible is true. It is a very diverse religion. (I read a book about it once. It was there. I couldn't resist)
I know that "LaVey" satanists are allowed to practice any religion, even though they are satanists, if they think that divulging the secret beliefs would not be a good to them (e.g. a priest or a pastor or an archbishop or something can be a satanist, while pretending to be a very faithful servant of God. He wouldn't say to his fellows that he is a satanist, because he would lose reputation, friends, money, etc.)
As about believing in God, I know it's written that:
Satanic Bible, Book of Lucifer, — W A N T E D ! — GOD DEAD OR ALIVE Wrote:It is a popular misconception that the Satanist does not believe in God. The concept of “God,” as interpreted by man, has been so varied throughout the ages, that the Satanist simply accepts the definition which suits him best. Man has always created his gods, rather than his gods creating him. God is, to some, benign—to others, terrifying. To the Satanist “God”—by whatever name he is called, or by no name at all—is seen as the balancing factor in nature, and not as being concerned with suffering. This powerful force which permeates and balances the universe is far too impersonal to care about the happiness or misery of flesh‐and‐blood creatures on this ball of dirt upon which we live.
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Just as the Satanist does not pray to God for assistance, he does not pray for forgiveness for his wrong doings. In other religions, when one commits a wrong he either prays to God for forgiveness, or confesses to an intermediary and asks him to pray to God for forgiveness for his sins. The Satanist knows that praying does no good, confessing to another human being, like himself, accomplishes even less—and is, furthermore, degrading.
As about the Bible, it is impossible for a satanist to believe the Bible without being picky. In other words, he may believe in some way the bible and get to the conclusion that Jesus Christ is actually Lucifer, or something. But really, sincere devout christians they cannot be, as the satanic bible vehemently opposes christianity and the christian bible as being the ultimate truth.