Thomas II

What is your opinion about this web site?
http://www.vexen.co.uk/religion/lnx.html

There's a lot of good information there but then I also noticed that they
are involved with satanism...
I always thought that satan was god's counterpart, but if there is no god how could there be a satan?
What do you think?

Y.B

Satanism != Satan worshipping.

Hydra009

I assume you're talking about the Church of Satan link? That's LaVeyan Satanism. Whatever else one may call it, it's definitely not worship of Satan like worship of a god. Satan is seen as a symbol, an archetype of individualism (as opposed to divine servitude) and emphasis on the development of the self that one aspires towards, rather than an actual being. For them, "Satan signifies our love of the worldly and our rejection of the pallid, ineffectual image of Christ on the cross."

It's explained a little better than I could do at LaVeyan_Satanism and left hand path.

Splarnst

I have no interest in anything Satanic of any variety. I think it's particularly harmful to associate atheism and Satanism because, while you can redefine Satanism all you want, you can't really disassociate all the negative connotations in people's minds. So people think Satanism = evil, atheism = Satanism, ergo atheism = evil. That is bad.

ughaibu

Revolutionary: You seem to be overlooking the possibility that "people" might actually be atheists, themselves.

Thomas II

So the Church of Rosemary's Baby is better than the Church of Little Baby Jesus?:huh:

I thought that the purpose of being an atheist is not to worship another imaginary holy,
or un-holy,cow...:huh:
Why get off divine servitude to get into satanic servitude?
Isn't it the purpose to be off any kind of servitude?

Splarnst

How so?

Even if some atheists don't have those associations, most theists do. I am concerned about the image of atheism and connecting it with Satanism creates a negative image among most people. It certainly irritates me, as an atheist.

ughaibu

Okay. All my life, most of the people I've been surrounded by have been atheists, so for me it's difficult to imagine anyone confusing atheism with satanism. I'm still having difficulties understanding the extent of religious obsession in the US.

Thomas II

Christians would like to kill two birds with one shot. They have done it before in history and they keep doing it by associating atheism with satanism.
And satanists enjoy the link to atheism because they use us to discredit their "bad" guy, god.
I rather not be associated with anyone else.

We are like Switzerland! :grin:

Splarnst

Yup, it happens all the time here. I think it's better to stay away from Satanic imagery. Plus I personally really hate all that stuff.