Religion

FaustianLogix posted...

This is all very well worded and very true. The name "satanism" does tie into a number of negative things, however this isn't something I have an issue with. It's more the complexity of having to explain it to someone who doesn't understand that actual devil worship isn't involved in it at all. At least not in a literal sense, anyway. In a nutshell, it is as Polish said above. Indulgence as opposed to abstinence and so on (the opposite of what Christianity stands for) and worship of the self instead of a higher being. For me specifically this was something I manifested in my behavior as a greater degree of self control. This, in turn, led to me not only quitting smoking and drinking (which I had done since I was 14 as a coping mechanism) but also to dealing with my anger management problems.

It sounds like you have built up your willpower a bit since adopting the religion. That's good. However, do you need to be a part of a community adhering to such dogma as "magic", when you can clearly see it's nonsense? It seems to me you can take the lessons you've learned from the religion and move on. You could throw off the trappings of ritual and dogma, and just do what it is you need to do. I'm sure there are plenty of indulgent, self worshipping atheists out there. And many of them probably don't have to practice 'magic' when they find the concept and lack of effect completely ludicrous.

EDIT: Ironically, it sounds like I'm trying to proselytize atheism here as if it was a religion. I only noticed it after re-reading my post. I just meant to write that from what you wrote it seems as if you're pretty much an atheist already but have some weird compunction to continue with rituals that you find nonsensical. I don't think you need to, but obviously that's a decision only you can make.

FaustianLogix posted...

LastManStanding posted...

Can you tell people here how Satanists have much higher reach into the world, than people realize.
During your soul searching, did you pick Satanism because you are rejecting worshiping Christ?
I'm a Catholic by the way, disciple of Christ, and I'm very well aware of Satan.

I don't know so much about how high they reach into society, but they are more similar to a business than a religion. They don't believe religions should be tax exempt for starters and pay their own bills and such. Because of that they have the one large, central church that they run. I believe it's in New York but I haven't taken an interest in the actual church.

As far as my soul searching, I came upon Satanism because I had taken an interest in a lot of various religions (and theology in general, I'd like to take some college courses in the future if possible). For some very personal reasons I chose Satanism because it filled a niche in my personality that helped me overcome hardship in my life and has since made me into what I think is a better person overall.

It is a hierarchy and yes it is ran as business.
The ones on the very top have direct access to Satan, in promise of riches, pleasures, etc. I think there is no allowance for drugs at that level because that is a sign of weakness.
Did they seal you with something, or enchanted you?
The thing is that you might not feel it now, but if you will try to leave you will find out is not so simple.
Listen if something weird starts to happen, just scream Jesus save me.