I was just curious to hear peoples thoughts on Satanic atheism (Church Of Satan, Satanic Temple).
To much self. Not enough collective.
I like what they do, countering religious misappropriation of gov't funds and public property. Plus, the reactions of xtians are sometimes funny.
I dunno. Feels like making use of the n-word to fight racism.
I know they exist, and sometimes hear them pop up doing something I broadly agree with. But I haven´t taken the time to learn about their organization in dept.
Not of much use, sorry.
Also, welcome to our little band of heathens.
Make an intro thread and tell us about yourself, whydoncha?
I don't believe in Satan anymore than I do God. There is no evidence for either. I understand Satanists are making outrageous demands and protesting their right to their own foolishness in an attempt to shine a light on the religious foolishness that our hypocritical leaders pander to. I understand the tactic, but I'm not sure if it's the right way to approach the problem of our government favoring foolishness. Our government spends more than half their time engaging in foolishness, anyway, so what Satanists could achieve is but a drop in the bucket.
But maybe we can only set straight one foolhardy pursuit at a time, so I tend to ignore them and say, "Let them do their thing." But that is the same thing everyone else does about religious fanatics trying to take over public education, deciding what women should do with their bodies, who we can love legally, and turning democracy into a caliphate. People just ignore religious fanatics and say, "Let them do their thing."
Since trying to talk sense to foolish nut bags has no effect, I can't really think of anything better than what Satanists are trying to do. But wouldn't it be interesting if somehow it turned out that there was only one true god, and he was Satan? Man oh man! That would sure monkey wrench a whole bunch of idiots.
Le Vey used the Satanic Bible (that he wrote) to show the fallacies in the Christian bible.
Quote from: Dantalion on January 24, 2022, 11:23:33 PM
I was just curious to hear peoples thoughts on Satanic atheism (Church Of Satan, Satanic Temple).
It is simply the mis-use of the word 'atheist'.
Who are you and why ask the question on this board? Are you a member? Are you a troll much like the christian trolls who fly by and ask similar questions?
Quote from: Mike Cl on January 25, 2022, 08:53:08 AM
It is simply the mis-use of the word 'atheist'.
I've met atheists with some strange ideas, but I've never actually met a Satanic atheist. The atheists I know all operate on an intellectual level that is far removed from the God/Satan level of functioning. There's not much reason to waste time in such an intellectual fog.
Quote from: SGOS on January 25, 2022, 09:10:35 AM
I've met atheists with some strange ideas, but I've never actually met a Satanic atheist. The atheists I know all operate on an intellectual level that is far removed from the God/Satan level of functioning. There's not much reason to waste time in such an intellectual fog.
My experience is much the same. I see no connection between a satanist and an atheist. I'd even say it would not be possible to claim atheism and satanic worship at the same time. Satanism is just another type of woo. I must admit though, that I do like to watch christians getting their panties in a knot about satanists. I get the feeling this person is just another troll passing by.
Quote from: SGOS on January 25, 2022, 09:10:35 AM
I've met atheists with some strange ideas, but I've never actually met a Satanic atheist. The atheists I know all operate on an intellectual level that is far removed from the God/Satan level of functioning. There's not much reason to waste time in such an intellectual fog.
I see Satanism as a tactic to challenge Christian privilege in America. Satanism works because it is the dark side of Christian lore-- Christians cannot dismiss Satanism as not real without dismissing their own religion. Satanism can be particularly effective in the current culture since conservatives have adopted "religious freedom" as a propaganda slogan. Satanism is not about worshipping Satan any more than "religious freedom" is about freedom to practice a religion other than Christianity. Satanists are countercultural and troll Christians, e.g. when Satanist Temple members celebrated gay love with ritual at grave of Fred Phelps' mother (Westboro Baptist Church).
(https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/enhanced/webdr01/2013/7/17/17/enhanced-buzz-7801-1374098395-19.jpg)
Quote from: GSOgymrat on January 25, 2022, 09:38:46 AM
Satanism can be particularly effective in the current culture since conservatives have adopted "religious freedom" as a propaganda slogan. Satanism is not about worshipping Satan any more than "religious freedom" is about freedom to practice a religion other than Christianity.
I understand the strategy, and I even have fun watching these guys do their thing, because I get joke or the irony or whatever, and it's especially fun seeing that Christians don't get it. Well, some Christians... the one's who show up here from time to time.
We don't hear about Westboro Baptist Church anymore. Are they planning what to do next? About 5 years ago, I was visiting an old girlfriend in Kansas, and she drove me by the Phelps' family compound. There were a handful of people outside protesting the church, but no one from the Church was outside protesting back. I had the feeling they wished people would just leave them alone. lol
I think they went down hill after Fred got dementia and eventually died in 2014. I also think they lost the culture war with the gays-- "God Hates Fags" is dated and just doesn't have the impact it once did. God Warriors have transitioned into antivaxers, Qanon, and Trumpists.
Quote from: GSOgymrat on January 25, 2022, 10:23:11 AM
I also think they lost the culture war with the gays-- "God Hates Fags" is dated and just doesn't have the impact it once did.
I wonder if they actually may have helped the gay movement by creating a backlash toward their own less than Christian behavior. But who knows, I'm constantly surprised by how people think.
I have no interest in groups, clubs or organizations of such that require to some degree, attendance and some type of order prescribed by anyone not me.......but I understand some people need to be part of something....meh.....a forum is about as far as i am willing to go to talk with people, let alone sit in a room with a dozen nut jobs dressed up for halloween....
Quote from: SGOS on January 25, 2022, 10:05:16 AM
We don't hear about Westboro Baptist Church anymore. Are they planning what to do next? About 5 years ago, I was visiting an old girlfriend in Kansas, and she drove me by the Phelps' family compound. There were a handful of people outside protesting the church, but no one from the Church was outside protesting back. I had the feeling they wished people would just leave them alone. lol
WBC was a money making scheme. They would protest funerals of military personnel who died in Iraq and then sue for their first amendment rights thing. So the federal government made it illegal to do that and Phelps is dead so they can't think up a new scam.
Quote from: GSOgymrat on January 25, 2022, 09:38:46 AMI see Satanism as a tactic to challenge Christian privilege in America. Satanism works because it is the dark side of Christian lore-- Christians cannot dismiss Satanism as not real without dismissing their own religion. Satanism can be particularly effective in the current culture since conservatives have adopted "religious freedom" as a propaganda slogan. Satanism is not about worshipping Satan any more than "religious freedom" is about freedom to practice a religion other than Christianity. Satanists are countercultural and troll Christians, e.g. when Satanist Temple members celebrated gay love with ritual at grave of Fred Phelps' mother (Westboro Baptist Church).
Agreed. They're an excellent counter to theocrats who insist on "teaching" religion in schools (not that one) or religious monuments on public lands (not that one). When their hypocrisy is revealed, it really undercuts their argument.
On the whole, I'd say that Satanists are useful allies of convenience, since we have common cause through our mutual disdain of theocrats as well as a lot of shared values, particularly when it comes to freedom of belief. Though antireligious atheists tend to be put off by even the facade of religiosity and any sort of God/Satan talk, even if it is mostly in jest. To say nothing of occultism/magic, which is certainly a strange preoccupation for a subgroup of self-described atheists and off-putting to the more scientific-minded atheists.
Quote from: GSOgymrat on January 25, 2022, 10:23:11 AM
I think they went down hill after Fred got dementia and eventually died in 2014. I also think they lost the culture war with the gays-- "God Hates Fags" is dated and just doesn't have the impact it once did. God Warriors have transitioned into antivaxers, Qanon, and Trumpists.
When I was a Christian (Pentecostal, Lutheran, Baptist), the Westboro church was often considered the example of what not to emulate. My Baptist church was even quick to point out that they weren't a part of any Baptist organization. Whether or not that's true, I don't know, but it was clear nobody wanted to be associated with them, even if they did agree with the overall message. My Baptist church was probably more offended by the protests at the military funerals than the "God hates fags" thing, though. People who serve on military are basically demigods to fundamentalists.
In many ways, I think they are kind of silly.
But, they are good at pointing out Christian hypocrisy and privilege.
Problem is, so many Christians won't see it, because they are so buried in their privilege.
Quote from: Simoon on January 26, 2022, 05:26:55 PM
In many ways, I think they are kind of silly.
But, they are good at pointing out Christian hypocrisy and privilege.
Problem is, so many Christians won't see it, because they are so buried in their privilege.
Hello there. I see this is your first post here. Why don't you introduce yourself in Introductions (http://atheistforums.com/index.php?board=2.0)?
All two of the Satanists I've met have been cool dudes, so I don't have any problem with them. They seem harmless and in fact do some good by pointing out all the violations of church and state we do over here.
I guess, on second thought, I find it objectionable to tie atheism to satanism. Why? Why include us? Atheism is not satanism nor versa vice. This could be why idiot xians keep saying we worship the devil, when the fuckin devil is made up bullshit as well. Go off and do your thing….leave me out of it.
Quote from: aitm on January 28, 2022, 12:35:43 PM
I guess, on second thought, I find it objectionable to tie atheism to satanism. Why? Why include us? Atheism is not satanism nor versa vice. This could be why idiot xians keep saying we worship the devil, when the fuckin devil is made up bullshit as well. Go off and do your thing….leave me out of it.
I'm pretty sure Christians think we worship the devil because they see the world through the false dichotomy, where if you're not serving their god, you're serving Satan. That, and they can't wrap their heads around the idea that someone could just not believe in any gods. We must secretly know their God exists, and we just pretend we don't, because we want to sin.
Quote from: aitm on January 28, 2022, 12:35:43 PM
I guess, on second thought, I find it objectionable to tie atheism to satanism. Why? Why include us? Atheism is not satanism nor versa vice. This could be why idiot xians keep saying we worship the devil, when the fuckin devil is made up bullshit as well. Go off and do your thing….leave me out of it.
"If you don't believe in God then you have to believe in Satan". So saith my hillbilly cousins. An' they kin't be wrong, theys speakin' fer GAWD!
I was in a Levy satanic forum for a few months until I learned they batshit crazy
I'm jealous.
The dark forces of Satanism are nothing compared to the market forces of capitalism.
(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/8c/7f/f5/8c7ff56452648f00030b4309fe91aa07.jpg)
"What do you not understand about the word Fritos?" :)
(https://i.redd.it/ik8yhyc919g81.jpg)
They have their moments. 😈
I absolutely love this.
Quote from: Hydra009 on January 25, 2022, 11:56:49 PM
On the whole, I'd say that Satanists are useful allies of convenience, since we have common cause through our mutual disdain of theocrats as well as a lot of shared values, particularly when it comes to freedom of belief. Though antireligious atheists tend to be put off by even the facade of religiosity and any sort of God/Satan talk, even if it is mostly in jest. To say nothing of occultism/magic, which is certainly a strange preoccupation for a subgroup of self-described atheists and off-putting to the more scientific-minded atheists.
I don't have any use for religion, but that didn't stop me from becoming an ordained SubGenius (https://subgenius.com) 'minister'. I should see if I can get Pastafarian credentials, too.