Atheistic LaVeyan Satanists?

[Protium]

We just got a new member on the Perth Atheists and he claims to be an Atheistic LaVeyan Satanist. I've never heard of this term and was wondering if anyone else has.


LaVeyan Satanism is a religion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion) founded in 1966 by Anton Szandor LaVey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Szandor_LaVey). Its teachings are based on individualism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individualism), self-indulgence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonism), and "eye for an eye (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_for_an_eye)" morality, borrowing philosophically from Friedrich Nietzsche (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Nietzsche) and Ayn Rand (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_Rand), and drawing from the rituals and ceremonies of occultist Aleister Crowley (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleister_Crowley). Employing Crowley's terminology, its adherents define Satanism as a "Left-Hand Path (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-Hand_Path_and_Right-Hand_Path)" religion, rejecting traditional "Right-Hand Path" religions such as Christianity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity) for their perceived denial of life and emphasis on guilt and abstinence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstinence). Unlike Theistic Satanism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theistic_Satanism), LaVeyan Satanism does not focus on literally worshiping Satan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan), but, rather uses "Satan" as a symbol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbol) of carnality and earthly values, of man's inherent nature.

I'm curious on everyone else's opinion on this.

[balans]

Oxymoron, just like calling yourself an Atheistic Christian or Atheistic Mormon.

To me it falls into the same category as Wicca and New Age woo-woo, appeals to people that feel the need to rebel from their Christian upbringing or societal norms but still need the comfort of a dogma, rituals and supernatural beliefs. The term Atheist is probably just tacked on the front to add to the shock value.

[The Irreverent Mr Black]

The Picky-Weedier on LaVey says it all for me. His charlatanry (look at all those claims of bonking Marilyn Monroe, being a psychic detective, etc, that are refuted by all other sources involved) is no different from that of Swaggart, Humbard, Roberts et al, for my couple of Maundy farthings's worth.

I'm deeply suspicious of anybody who wants to lead anything: it's frequently one of the first signs that something is wrong with a person.

[Protium]

So far my thoughts exactly... thanks chaps. I hope he comes to our next Meetup.

[davo]

they are basically 'I am the centre of everything'

It's not 'satanism' as such in the old ways, tho the terminology was brought about to use it as a way of striking back. They do however recognise deamons etc (if you go by the writings of Aleister Crowley), .. cthulhu and all that ...

basically they are new-age nietzsche centralists. and I don't have a lot of time for them as they do believe strongly in powers outside 'known' that effect our day to day lives.

To identify as such is to accept the belief in daemons as per Poe, Crowley etc ..I hope he proves that wrong.

[GUDLUSS]

Yes, they use Satan as a metaphor for 'me', so Satanism would be like "Meism". They have their own ten Satanic virtues and ten sins. About a year ago I toyed with the idea of joining this since it's the complete opposite of the mainstream religions; it accepts human nature rather than rejecting it, but I didn't because it was too much like a religion. I guess this is the reason uninformed religious people call atheists 'Satan worshippers'.

[Seamus]

@Protium:

The hint is claiming to follow that old nut case and all round areshole Aleister Crowley. His life reads more like the diary of a self indulgent and rebellious schoolboy with poor potty training than that of a genuine "mystic" or scholar.

(he also wrote the most appalling poety)



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleister_Crowley#Controversy

[SchizoDeluxe]

Satanism is no different than Christianity, just worshiping the other side of mythological figures

[Protium]

Hey SD. Be interesting if he comes to the next meetup... I hope you come, I haven't seen you for ages.

[SchizoDeluxe]

Yeah would be interesting, could overshadow the speech lol I may show up, just depends on whether I'm working that night.