[Zaranell]

ratty, on March 10 2010 - 07:30 PM, said:

I'm atheist, but I don't know why anyone would want to call themselves a Satanist if they are really atheist, it makes it look like you believe in superstition, just the evil version. Why not look for something that tries to accurately convey your beliefs?

For one thing, such a label does convey my beliefs quite accurately. No one ever converts to Satanism; people like me read The Satanic Bible and see a reflection of themselves in it. All the codes and morals in that book are what I've followed my whole life. I had called myself an atheist until I read it, and it basically just gave a specific name for what I believe in. Atheism only describes one aspect of a belief system. While I share the skepticism of other atheists, some of them believe in turning the other cheek. I sure as hell do not.

As for it making me look like some devil-worshiping baby-sacrificing angsty teen retard, that's to be expected. That concept alone is common myth, as mentioned above. Explaining what it really means, however, can be a useful tool in determining (at least one part of) people's psychological aspects. I generally don't tell people this until after we've got to know each other and I've shown myself not to be a douchebag. If they can realize that actions speak louder than words and are open-minded enough to accept my explanation, then they're smart enough that I'd want to hang around them. If, however, upon the revelation of my religious affiliation (if you want to call it that), they start throwing holy water on me or making a crucifix with their fingers, it's easy to tell they're retarded and I want nothing more to do with them. I mean, hell, just look at this thread. I noted my religion, and instead of being lambasted, I was asked by Scragbite to explain it. That tells me he's not stupid enough to immediately jump to conclusions.

TL;DR: in some instances, I can weed out close-minded idiots from my circle of friends. Not that I've really had to do this yet, but you get the point. Besides, if they hear the "S word" and start freaking out, they probably won't talk to me anymore anyway, so that works out.

ON-TOPIC: I would also note as ratty did that I know not very many people are as mentally deficient as the woman in the video. My best friend whom I've known since preschool is Mormon, and I wouldn't invite him to my house if he was that crazy.

[ratty]

I see your point, except I wouldn't call someone mentally deficient for assuming someone that says they are a Satanist worships Satan, its a reasonable assumption. It's just a really misleading label, you're clearly not overly concerned with being understood, and I respect that, but that's where we can agree to disagree. I'd only willingly accept a label if it clearly described what it was without explanation, and at the very least doesn't imply something completely different than what I believe in. It just doesn't seem that productive.

p.s. if this thread keeps going, we'll have to split it out into its own thread.

[Scragbite]

A religious debate on nom? Although it wouldn't be much of a debate - seems like there are a lot of open minded people on this forum.

Do Satanists have their own Bible? I wouldn't mind reading it. Paradise Lost was an awesome book so I'd imagine it something like that.

[Zaranell]

ratty, on March 10 2010 - 09:22 PM, said:

I see your point, except I wouldn't call someone mentally deficient for assuming someone that says they are a Satanist worships Satan, its a reasonable assumption.

I didn't mean to say someone is stupid just because they believe a common misconception, I meant to say that if they refuse to accept a correction of it just because it's contrary to what they think they know, they aren't particularly intelligent. I completely understand if someone thinks I pray to the devil when I first tell them what I am, but I don't understand why some people can't get past the initial stigma of it, even after an attempted explanation.

Scragbite, on March 10 2010 - 11:06 PM, said:

A religious debate on nom? Although it wouldn't be much of a debate - seems like there are a lot of open minded people on this forum.

Yeah, this is more of a discussion than anything else.

Scragbite, on March 10 2010 - 11:06 PM, said:

Do Satanists have their own Bible? I wouldn't mind reading it.

Yeah. It's called... The Satanic Bible. I mentioned it in my previous post. It's a hell of a read.

...okay, I swear, when I first typed that sentence, I didn't even think of the pun. But seriously, if nothing else, it gives a different point of view on life in general. Just be aware that when Anton LaVey starts talking about Lesser and Greater Magic, he doesn't literally mean swords-and-sorcery type shit. Neither of them are required practices either.

[Pwnacus Maximus]

THIS ENTIRE FORUM IS DARKSIDED! IT REEKS OF EVIL THINGS! ZARANELL IS NOT A CRISTIAAAAAAAAAAAAN!

But seriously though. I think that you could save yourself a hell of alot of Greif If you can figure an alternate name of what you beleive in.

[Luska]

Although I respect all other religions (and I find many of them interesting), I myself do not have any defined beliefs. I just don't care or think about my own religion.

[Scragbite]

Quote

The Satanic Bible. It's a hell of a read.

LOL! Someone should print that quote next to the title.

[Phaze]

Oh I remember this old video.

I once visited a roleplaying forum that got attacked by a Christian troll. I think she was just making it up, though, because she did reference "God Warrior" at some points.

[Zaranell]

Pwnacus Maximus, on March 11 2010 - 03:47 AM, said:

But seriously though. I think that you could save yourself a hell of alot of Greif If you can figure an alternate name of what you beleive in.

Grief? Are you kidding me? The looks on people's faces are priceless sometimes.

[FljegmA]

As an atheist this woman offends me but her reaction is funneh