From: nsz@pell4l7.alleg.edu 
Subject: Re: Christians to the Lions
Organization: Allegheny College
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1992 02:28:48 GMT

In article <1992Sep15.025404.18362@sol.ctr.columbia.edu>  
locklin@titan.ucc.umass.edu () writes:
> OK here's some more FAQ fodder 
> It has been pointed out to me that I've been polluting the cyberspace  
with
> too much attention to EEEDIOTS. This is correct; though I have an  
excuse:
> I've been practicing my typing speed (no-really). I've decided to say  
something
> worthwhile (the uproar of one hand clapping) about preaching on  
alt.satanism...
> 
> ---------------------chop with double-headed axe  
here------------------------
> 
>   Quite often, members of fundamentallist christian groups see fit to  
post 
> various evangelical messages in alt.satanism. The reason for this is not
> clear. It has been suggested by various members of this net, who I shall
> lump under the convenient category,"Satanist"; that the reason for this
> posturing is that many, perhaps most Born-Again christian types are  
closet
> masochists. It has also been suggested that christians need to save a  
certain
> number of souls to get a good seat in paradise, similar in spirit to  
selling
> candy-bars or magazines to fund various extra-curricular activities in  
school.
> Presumably Satanist souls, being sold to the devil already, are worth  
more 
> points. While these theories have some merit, considering the teachings  
of 
> their (allegedly) chosen religion, an attempt should be made to be open  
minded
> enough to see their side of things.
>   Many Christians, when asked why they do this, respond something to the  
effect
> that it is chairity, something they do out of the goodness of their  
hearts,
> out of concern for people etc. etc... Well, if the christian is really 
> concerned with people, why not preach to those who have not heard the  
message?
> Most "Satanists" are well aquainted with the messages of christianity.  
They
> have been preached to ad-infinitum, and are fed up with it. That is part  
of the
> reason they are Satanists instead of plain- old agnostics. Many  
Satanists are
> deeply offended by these posts, with good reason. Christians, imagine  
this if
> you can:
> 
> You live in a society pervaded by Satanic beliefs, morals, and customs.  
Most
> people you know are Satanists. Your parents might have been Satanists.  
You are
> afraid to come out of the closet and declare your chosen religion for  
fear of
> violence, descrimination and censure by your peers. You have one place  
where
> you can discuss christian philosophies, history, politics, and theology;  
on
> USENET!
> BUT, these Satanists will leave you no peace! They have the entire world 
> dedicated to their philosophies, but must interfere with this place with  
silly
> questions, criticisms, and even preachiness. They see it as something of  
a
> freak-show. While christians have no problem explaining their beliefs,  
having
> the Satanic doctrines shoved in their faces is just too much...
> 
> NOW; take all the "christians" and interchange them with all the  
"Satanists"
> to get the true picture of what goes on here.
> 
> Now consider this: you will never convert a satanist over USENET. You  
either
> 1) are too infuriating
> 2) look like a fool
> 
> There is NO logical reason to convert to christianity. The only appeals  
are to
> the emotions, and as stated before they either look foolish or  
infuriating.
> Things like, "But Jesus LOVES you; he died for your sins!" or
> "Your soul is in danger!!" are appeals to guilt and fear respectively;  
not
> reason. As most Satanists have chosen this path out of reason, these  
appeals
> will never work. As for those Satanists who are so for emotional  
reasons, their
> minds are as closed as that of the Born-again christian.
> Perhaps, if indeed preaching is done for humanitarian, and not  
egotistical
> or masochistic reasons, your energies are better spent educating those  
who
> know little of your faith; those born atheistic, communists, buddists  
etc.
> If, as suspected, your purposes are more egotistical (look reverand; I 
> converted a Satanist!) forget it. There are no "lost souls," waiting to  
be
> found, in this community. For the masochistically inclined, we suggest
> self-flagelation. It costs less disk space, is probobly more satisfying,  
and
> is certainly less offensive to the general public...
> 
> otherwise;
> GROWL! BOOGA BOOGA! 
> HASTUR ASTAROTH LEVAITHAN ISHTAR!!!!!!!!!
> XILKA XILKA!
> BESA BESA!
>   
> go away already...
> 
> -------------------slice with broken bottle  
glass------------------------------
> 
> well, comments?
> definately got to have something like this in a FAQ
> (alt.pagan & alt.magick have one I believe)
> 
> yrs. under the elder sign...
> 
> -Scott
	I hate to say it, but I don't think this is going to work.  If a  
Chrisian feels so obligated to convert a Satanist that the Christian has  
gone as far as to post letters in alt.satanism, then this letter, for all  
its logic and emotional content, is not going to stop them.  Consider  
this:  if a Christian is responding not out of reason, but out of "good  
will", reason is certainly not going to sway the Christian.
	It was a good effort, though.  I applaud you for that.