From: locklin@henry.ece.cmu.edu (Scott Locklin)
Subject: Re: xians here
Organization: Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 08:26:59 GMT


In response to Ross' request for information as to the philosophy
of Satanists; Read Anton LaVey's Satanic Bible. If you don't bother
reading the literature of your philosophical enemy you are in NO position
to attack their positions as you know not where they stand... Most Satanists
are ex-christians; which gives them a at least some kind of idea what 
xtian beliefs are (an interesting point;you don't find too many satanists
who come from agnostic or atheist families-I'll come back to this later)

As far as beliefs or philosophy goes; I'll try explaining what I consider to 
be the main points (note; some Satanists have no philosophy or beliefs
satanism is just the way they are... consider most Roman Chatholics; ask
the average R.C. to elucidate his/her religious beliefs/philosophy and
you will likely get a blank stare...)

I think THE main point of Satanism is that it is a LIFE-affirming religion
this is directly orthoganal to the christian life denying beliefs (the meek 
shall inherit the earth & waiting for the afterlife for your pleasures ect)

Satanism is honesty; we are all animals; lets enjoy it rather than pose as 
something we're not.

Satanism is the use of all the resources available to the human animal;
we should develop and strengthen the hidden powers of the mind.

Satanism is self-reliance; we need no gods in our universe we call on the
gods within us all.

These are some points to consider, I don't have the "Satanic Bible" with me
or I would have been more eloquent in my presentation (as well as the fact
that it is 4 a.m. and I am fashed!). The key phrase is Life-Affirming;
Xtianity (modern day xtianity-I do not include the old Gnostic-christians
in my sweeping generalizations; these mystics were the true followers of
JC) is a religion of slaves,(to use a tired old phrase) an "opiate of the 
masses" that makes them easier to control by denying them life, it denys
people taking responsibilty for their actions;perfect anecdote:

I had a roommate who was a devout fundamentallist Xtian. This guy used to
harp on me for listening to music with "satanic" lyrics and try to get me
to come to his 'meetings' (probobly because I knew more about the bible
than he did heh-heh). This guy was screwing 3 women at once; one his 
girlfreind of 6 years; one was a virgie who thought he was going to marry
her; and the other was married!!! Now I personally have nothing against all
this (and was doing his first gf anyway :)) but isn't this a little more
serious than listening to music with nasty lyrics?? How hypocrytical...
Not trying to say all xtians are like this;just a useful example to get a
point across about hypocracy. The guy really believed he was saved because
of his faith & had a holyer than thou attitude about life in general...

Another key point to remember is that most Satanists are ex-christians. Some
of it probobly has to do with the transition into adulthood;satanism represent
a breaking of childhood ties to religion. This does not reduce its significanc
in any way;after all how many xtians are xtians because they were brought up 
that way? The least you can say about Satanism is that is a conscious
choice in its practitioner; this represents a maturity most xtains lack; how
many bother to question the tenets of their faith, or even know what they are.

Suggested reading; Prometheus Rising by Robert A Wilson
Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey
Black Flame and Abrasax magazine...

-Scott
Newsgroups: alt.satanism