I was just thinking how strange it was that all of the negative connotations people will automatically draw into the foreground of conscious thought with regards to satanism really only come from it's name. For the most part Satanism is a lot more world friendly than many other religions, oweing to its self-involvment. By this I mean that Satanism as a religion has very little to do with the outside world and focuses on the individual and his relationship with himself which I think should be the essential nature of all religion. Religion is a personal choice, not a matter of right and wrong. I may disagree personally with other religions but I respect them. The only thing I will admit openly to disliking is not religions but religious organisation, or rather the politics of religion. In it's principle I think Satanism is a very good religion to follow, promoting honour, strength, natural justice and truth- blunt truth- but all on a personal level, and all work towards the ultimate goal of happiness of the individual in question without unjustly harming others. Is the goal of self-happiness at no cost to anyone else such a terrible goal? Then why does such a stigma surround the whole philosophy merely because of it's name? Are we that ignorant, vain and foolish a species to think we can judge an entire belief based on whether or not we like it's name?
What are your thoughts on the matter?

I see what you are saying. I wonder, though, if the name came from a form of rebellion against religion. It could be rebellion that is being questioned rather than the deepest intention of Satanism.

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InterfaithForums.com-Where your ideas and beliefs count.

but isn't history really built on rebellion? can we really name one great person who achieved greatness through doing what they were told?

George Washington. (Among others... but it's relative.)

But aside from that - is "achieving greatness" an important goal for everyone? Anytime we make a broad generalization in order to change the status-quo you set the stage for the next "rebellion" because you're promoting a homogenization without addressing the fundamental reasons why rebellion exists.

Among achievers of greatness - if everyone achieves "it"... nothing is great...

Is like "you're unique... just like everyone else."

Great.


Edit - I would say most people that achieve something great do not do so with that same necessary intention.

It is called scapegoating.
People need something to blame for a lot of things, and so the powers that be (TPTB), knowing this, vilify and demonize whatever they see fit, or whatever serves their purpose.
Look at the history of the Jewish people, especially in Europe for the past several thousand years.
Or look at the hemp/cannabis issue and the related drugs issue.
Or the never-ending middle-east crisis.
If you dig a bit into the facts related to these things and learn how to recognize the hype and the distortions you will have, or should have an epiphany, or at least some insightful realizations about the reality we inhabit.

As to the devil worship you are talking about IMO most of it is rubbish and has absolutely no truth to it whatsoever. It is more gothic/horror theater and just serves the purpose of the original vilification, adding more fuel to the fire.

Greatness is completely relative.

To one person, it is the accumulation of financial wealth, to another it is fame, to another, political achievements, to another, enlightenment, to another it is saving lives. There are as many different concepts of what constitutes greatness as there are people.

Some people view Lincoln as the greatest President the US has ever had. Others view him as the most vile and pernicious. It's all relative, and I believe has little bearing on whether they were "told" to do something or not. (Told what? By Whom?)

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Advaita Vedanta information

I had some one who is into Satanism put in a friend request for my MYspace last night. I haven't accepted it but not because of the Satanism. I have other friends on there into witch craft and such..I am Interfaith after all. The reason I haven't accepted their request is because of the profanity on their page.

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RevKathyV

http://www.myspace.com/divinelightinterfaith



www.divinelightinterfaithministry.com

Hi,

Satanism has a very darkside that they do not want to expose to the general public, I will if you would like me to, there are material you can download of testimonies of former members of this religion that will shock you!

The leaders of this religion know that they will not be ably to grow in members if the truth was known so they make up lies so that people get interested to come and have a look, what they will probably see is that it is a big party and think it must be cool to be part of this movement, as you stay longer satan's grip gets stronger on you and makes it more difficult to leave the church, it is then when you get sucked into getting powers and the things you need to do to receive it! ;( You think you are in control, but you are actually so lost and unprotected that you are at the mercy of the devil and his demon buddies and will live in fear!

I WILL NEVER WANT TO BE ONE OF satan's SERVANTS, because I have more power than him through the Holy Spirit living in me and he is beneath me! If he should kill me by any chance he will do me such a favor, by making me even stronger!

In the Name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth who died at Calvary I command fear, hate, anger and all other negative emotions to leave your body and if they will not leave they will be overtaken by the Love of God now! BE FREE!!

AMEN...

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Matthew4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him

Don't you think if you really wanted to you could dig up this kind of info from former members of ANY religious order, including your own?

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Advaita Vedanta information

You might, but Christianity is not a lie, there is no deceiving in the Bible. Any man can get corrupted and there are cases where people used Christianity to enrich and empower themselves over others, you are right, but the person who did that was not a true Christian, because he did not follow the Word of God!
If you can find me this kind of info from members of my religious order , I will appreciate it! ;)

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Matthew4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him