ATHEISM vs SATANISM

ATHEISM

Atheism is the mindset that no deities exists and we have to believe in ourselves to get things done. We do not believe in a Heaven, we do not believe in a Hell. We are self sufficient and like taking responsibility for our actions. We do not put the blame on some unseen demonic force or forces. 

SATANISM

I read "The Satanic Bible" by Anton Szandor LaVey and I honestly didn't see any actual difference between Atheism and Satanism, except that they are more violent people. The one rule they follow is, "Hate your enemies with a whole heart, and if a man smite you on one cheek, SMASH him on the other!; smite him hip and thigh, for self-preservation is the highest law!". I mean, obviously, there are atheists that feel this way too, but this is an act straight from anger. From what I can tell, these Satanists, they are more of an "eye for an eye" type of group. So, as I was reading this book/bible, I ended up starting to agree with some of their thinking. Satanists actually believe that you yourself is "God". How great is that! Then I got toward of the end book and let's just say... it got "different".

RITUALS

I was starting to think they were actually Atheists that just titled themselves Satanists to aggravate Theists! I continued reading and about around page 46, the book started talking about performing rituals. Actual witchcraft, let's just say that I became very upset with Mr. LaVey. He did a 180 degree spin from talking about being your own "god" and believing in only yourself and other people, to performing "Magick". I was blown away with the anger behind all of these rituals he mentions. It involves burning things and literal screaming and yelling. In a way, he makes it seem like violence is okay when performing a ritual and then a paragraph later he says that you should commit violence; I'm not exactly sure what he was trying to accomplish.

GETTING IN TOUCH WITH HIGH PRIEST

I think what I can take away from this book/bible, is that he was mad at the world one day and decided to create some "religion" to amplify his feelings towards whoever he was mad at. I didn't know what to think after reading this and tried getting in touch with The Church of Satan. I tried getting a phone number and was ignored. I tried getting in touch with various social media they are on and I was ignored. I received an email back saying to read the FAQ on their website or read their book, which I had both done and none of my questions were answered. I wanted to set up a phone interview but nobody from the organization would give me the time of day. 

WRAPPING UP

In the beginning I wanted to believe that Satanists were the same as Atheists, but towards the end I quickly realized we are nowhere near the same. They still believe in an actually deity, and they still hold services with someone in charge. I don't understand what Anton LaVey was trying to accomplish when he started this "religion", but somehow he got people to worship the "devil" in his own hypocritical way. Religion is a waste of time and it needs to stop brainwashing people. That's all I have for you all today, I will see you all tomorrow 😊

-Jay