Hi. Thanks for your help. My question involves one extra step but shouldn't take more than 10 or 15 minutes to answer. Thank you for taking the time.
When you hear that someone belongs to the Church of Satan, what associations do you have or opinions do you form of this person? What do you base these opinions and associations on? Based on what you know, do you understand Satan as necessarily evil or as a negative force? If so, why is that? Do you think that Satanism is significantly different from Christianity? If so, in what major ways?
After responding to those questions, will you please visit this web site and then return here to answer two more questions. Thank you. http://www.satanicchurch.com/content/9-sins.aspx
Now that you've looked at or read the nine Satanic sins, have you changed your ideas about Satanism at all? Is there anything you've read that makes Satanism look attractive or at least a little less scary?
Thank you for your comments!
Drew (night class)
12 comments:
I believe santanism is wrong for me, yet if another person chooses to believe in it that is their choice. I did read the Santanic sins and I still believe it is wrong. Satan destroys people's lives and their minds, so I believe he is a negative being that influences the mind to do things it usually wouldn't. I believe in God and all that he is and my heart has no room for Satan.
I believe that Santanic Religion or worship is wrong. My life has no room for Satan and his evil ways. Although I have read the sins I still believe it is wrong. Yet if one chosses his own destiny in hell then who am I to judge them. Shannon Black
Associations or opinions? I don't think I form any, mostly because I don't know much about it. I don't know the differences between Satanism, Wiccanism, or Paganism, but I guess I do think of them as all very similar.
A necessary evil or negative force? Hmm. I guess if you believe in goodness or a positive force in the world, by definition there probably is evil or a negative force in the world. I don't visualize that negativity or evil in the form of Satan, however.
Different from Christianity? Couldn't really say because I don't know anything about the doctrine, creed, or practice of Satanism. I think when I hear someone say they practice Satanism, I always wonder if it isn't a rebound reaction from being raised unhappily in a devoutly Christian home. Sort of the ultimate rebellion.
If that's a list of sins, who or what are they sins against? Satan? Yourself? I didn't understand that from the website. And I don't see those values as antithetical to my own spiritual beliefs, which aren't 100% Christian as many people might define it, but they're not Satanist either. So the list didn't change my mind about Satanism, I guess.
I think I would have to know more about Satanism to know if it was unattractive or scary to me. I think it's really interesting and probably pretty brave to bring up the subject in what (I assume) is a group that has been raised with traditional Christian values.
Kim Thoren
From PHIL GOULD,
-good luck with this one-
I was raised on Christian values and to believe that Satan is indeed evil. "..roaming the earth like a hungry lion looking for whom to devour.." I also believe that the ways of satan are disguised very similarly to things we've all seen before, you know--don't-scare-the-potential-converts-before-they-try kind of thing. Do you know what I mean?... Take a look at some of the symbols of satanic worship... they look much like the star of david, or crosses. it's a way to come across as harmless i think.
back to the question... Yes, i believe satan's evil, no, i've never looked into the ways of the church of satan- I don't want to give 'im that "foot in the door".
I really hope this helps!
PHIL GOULD
When I hear that someone belongs to the church of satan instantly I would have to start to laugh. I grew up listening to metal and I remember all these parents getting into an uproar over different bands and songs. They tried to say they promoted the devil/evil all sort of other hilarious stuff. As the kid listening to the record I found this to be silly. I am not religious so I don't even think there is a "Satan" but I was raised in the church and from what I remember I think at least Methodist's viewed Satan as something or someone they were trying to avoid. They are definantly different in views but they both are sprouted from the bible which gives them something in common. I did look at the web site..no didn't change my thoughts at all but it did make me want to find my Ozzy record.
Hannah
Part 1 from Robbin R.
When I hear that someone belongs to the Church of Satan, I think of them in one of two ways: 1) As being a lost soul, trying to reach out and hang on to something, or 2) Trying to get attention by shocking people. I think of Satan as an evil, negative force. Growing up, you always heard the saying, "The devil made me do it!" If it came down to doing something wrong, it was like the old cartoon where God was on one shoulder and the Devil was on the other, and they were fighting with each other trying to get you to pick their view. God always chose the right thing to do, the Devil always chose the wrong.
Part 2 from Robbin R.
After reading the nine sins, I am just as confused as before. For one, I feel Satanism should not quote from the Bible. There was one passage from the Bible, "Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you" (or something like that). After reading this passage, it does make Satanism less scary to me, but I still can't help but feel its a lure to get people interested, but that is probably do to the way I was brought up.
You came up with a very hard question for me to answer. I hope you get a lot of responses. Maybe next time we need to come up with a question, you can give me a break and pick an easier one. (Ha Ha!)
I think the first thing that jumps in to my mind when I read "church of Satan," is the "church of" part. I don't care for organized religion of any sort to begin with so the "of Satan" part is kind of secondary, and more interesting than alarming. Religion/spirituality to me is a highly personal matter and I think poeple are far too willing to attach themselves to a "ready made" philosophy, either so that they have less thinking to do for themselves, or just for that ever so attractive feeling of belonging. Don't get me wrong: I am all for sharing of ideas pertaining to spirituality, no matter if it's just between two people or in a group setting. I just think that people are just way too willing to let others do their thinking for them.
Anyway, on to the "of Satan" part of the question:
I was raised Roman Catholic and was taught that Satan is the wholly evil lord of temptation. Somewhere in the Bible it also teaches us not to eat pork, how to treat our slaves, and when to stone our own children to death, so I am definately selective in my own approach to the good book's teachings (the Bible also conveniently warns against "following the dictates of one's own heart"). I guess what Satanism just leaves me wondering a bit about its origins really. The only ancient texts that I am aware of that mention Satan by his many names seem to be pretty derogatory of him (although admittedly they are all judeo/christian). When exactly along the line did people start to analyze the fallen one and see him in a different light? The list of sins you provided seem to be pretty cohesive, but who wrote them? Christianity has several core beliefs with alot of differences in the teachings among the various denominations; is the church of Satan the same way or do its followers tend to adhere to a strict interpretation of its texts and teachings?
Please don't be frustrated if you feel I am challenging your beliefs; I do the same to many hardcore Christians. There are some interesting ideas in those nine sins you posted, but nothing that would spark any interest in it for me, at least no more than any other religion.
James Koltz
When I think of Santanism I think of evil, the devil. I can't say that I am open minded enough to try it out but if people find that they can relate to it then I won't judge them. I think it is the opposite of Christianity because to me that relates to God, light, and goodness. I've read the satanic sins and think that some of them are all right but over all to me it just sound like a bunch of opinions by pessimistic people. That look on the down side of areas instead of the up side, like not giving the benefit of the doubt to others by expecting them to treat you as you treat them. If you treat everyone with that rule how will we ever be able to trust anyone? Like I said before if someone is part of Santanism fine, but I'll stick to the believing in God and going to chuch sometimes.
Natasha
I think there is only one lord and that's Jesus. I think people who believe in Satan are on the wrong path in life and I choose to stay away from those who want to test my faith. There is NO room in my life for those Satanic believers.
Tamika Newbern
WOW! There are a million thoughts running through my head right now so try to bear with me.
When I think of the Church of Satan I automatically associate it with gothic. I visualize people in black trench coats with black eyeliner and lipstick. I see them performing sacrifices, having mass orgies, and doing just about everything Christians would consider evil. Now that I have been thinking about it for a while, I think that I have been watching a little too much t.v. This must have been where I got my ideas, because I've never read about it and I've never been to a satanic ritual. I'm beginning to think that my perception is all messed up. Throughout history there have been wars between religous societies but I don't remember satinists( I don't know if this is the right term) ever being part of any of them. If they are so evil, then why arn't they mass murdering Christians? I never see anything on the news about the Church of Satan so I don't think they are really doing anything bad. I'm getting the picture that they just want to be left alone to worship as they please and don't really care about making a name for themselves. Do I think Satan is a negative force? I'm going to answer this one with a question I have yet to figure out. Why is it that when we do something good, we take the credit for it, but when we do something wrong, we blame Satan? I think people tend to use Satan's evil as an excuse for doing bad things.
I have read the 9 Satanic sins and I have to admitt that it wasn't what I was expecting. It was extreemly hard to understand (just like the bible) but most of it seemed logical to me. I am a Christian, and Satanism isn't for me, but I definatly don't feel that it is as evil as the majoity of the population thinks. I wouldn't want to worship Satan, but I think it would be interesting to read the Satanic bible. I think I would need the "For Dummies" version though. I know a lot of Christians would probably call me a non-beliver if I were to even open a Satanic bible, but I don't see it this way. I thrive on knowlege and I want to learn everything I can.
Good Luck,
Valerie Myers
When i hear of someone who worships Satan, it makes me feel bad for the person involved. I feel this way because they obviously have not taken the time to read and understand God's word. The worship given to Satan can be given to it rightfully belongs, the one who created us and all things. I don't think bad of the person persay, but i can't condone there actions. They say "hate the crime and not the person" and that's how i feel.
Beverly Burnside
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