Live Chat

I'm still exploring the possibilities satanism brings you. What are some practical positive things that satanism has brought to your life? Anything negative?

Could you have gotten it without being a satanist? (nevermind being a satanist and not knowing it) Would events have played out differently if you were a humanist?

To me Satan is about nihilism. To me, Christianity was also nihilism, but satanism strikes it in a much more positive chord. Instead of "nothing really matters and man is nothing" it's now "nothing really matters and man is everything"

It's affected a change in my attitude. The case of social anxiety disorder I had is gone. My addictive personality is gone. For example, I can smoke cigarettes regularly for a day, a week, a month, and stop indefinitely with no trouble, though I once was shackled to them for 10 years.

I want to see what satanism has done for you. Maybe it can do that for me too. Was any of this for you more than just an attitude adjustment?

To tell the truth, I'm still in the process of developing more and more in the road of Satanism, and I have a long way to go. But yes...it has certainly benefitted me.
First, Satanism kinda raised me from the life that it used to be earlier. From the shell that I was years back, it made me more aware of myself, more focussed and determined. I know what I want to do in life, where I wanna go. It has taught me to live for myself an to live life to the fullest. Most importantly, it tells to develop myself more and more. At the top of one ladder begins another ladder ladder. There is no end to attaining perfection. But the more higher I go, I become a better God.
Next, it has helped to displace many stupid beliefs that other religions bring, like "Let Go and let God", " Turn the other cheek to thine enemy". Satanism has taught me the rock-solid truth of this world, that Might Is Right.
I used to have that Social phobia too Coel. But the more I'm immersed in the "Unholy" scriptures of Satanism and MCoS, the more better I feel and the more stronger I get.
It has taught, in a way, to come out of bad habits like smoking too. I've left it completely! But...I can never refuse beer and vodka though lol

I was really thinking of more concrete things, like the fruits of this liberating thought, rather than the liberating thought itself. I think you did get around to answering that.



I had new questions about that. I started typing them and realized I was about to hijack my own thread. I'll start a new one.

id say a couple good solid benefits ive obtained are a sense of pride in myself, a kind of empowerment i guess. i suppose ive always had a sense of pride, but seeing myself as my own god has heightened that aura.
also i feel like a weight has been lifted, that so many other people with religions to adhere to have. I dont need to worry about whether or not im "sinning" or being "righteous", but simply surviving. Im comfortable with my own morals, ethics, etc...
is this the type of things you were asking about?

_________________
"Because straight is the gate and LEFT is the way that leadeth to the light and few therefore that find it"

No, I'm thinking of wealth, overcoming an addiction, sex, a job, etc.

First, before I answer the question "what has Satanism brought you," I have to issue one minor correction. I will say, the adoption of a core personal philosophy which incorporates certain principles also regarded as core to Satanism has given me a number of things. I can even compare and contrast the aspects of my life that changed, in some cases dramatically, when I began to give up some of my earlier programming. However, I have to add this clarification: Satanism gave me none of these things. By changing my own attitudes, ideas and behaviors, I was able to achieve these things. Perhaps a minor, but an important, distinction.

Firstly, I've been married for more than 20 years to a beautiful, intelligent, and supportive wife. Prior to that, however, I can say that many of my relationships were entirely unsatisfactory. If I traced them back to the beliefs and assumptions in myself that created and promoted them, there's several stand out in my mind. Firstly, the idea that love is "unconditional," and that one should not apply ideas like fair social exchange to romantic relationships. Secondly, the idea that, "if you really loved me..." you would do XY or Z. for me. And finally, the idea that "forgive and forget" makes everything better. I can say from my personal experience, that a mature partnership based on mutual exchange, shared desire, and high standards is among the possibilities that are out there and perhaps I needed to reshape my thinking and solidify my self image to the point where I felt "worthy" of it.

Secondly, I spend the first half of my career doing work that paid me back in many ways, but not in financial returns. My bachelors degree is in a field that fully qualifies me to move and load lumber at the 88 Lumber Yard. For the past 15 years, however, I've been doing work which, while not particularly enlightening, is extremely challenging and financially rewarding. I can point to the fact that I have been able to pay off my graduate degree, fund a substantial 401(k), save nearly a year's salary, and buy a house. Again, I am not trying to say that I did these things alone, because reference my previous paragraph, nor that they did not also involve intelligence, hard work, and a good deal of good luck.

But, I can also trace this back to changes in my own underlying beliefs and assumptions that enabled it. At one time, I nearly lost a job due to a squabble with the supervisor over a particular hat that he disliked. At that time, I would've told you, "it's not about the hat, it's about my right to dress as I choose within the dress policy." Now, I would tell you, "you almost never win a fight with your manager, and if you think your intellectual and moral freedom derives from your clothes, you are sadly deluded." I mention this primarily as an example of my growing awareness that many people frame as moral arguments disagreements which are really simple ego clashes. Also, at that time, I had yet to temper my natural stubbornness with the realization that you cannot and should not try to win every battle. The costs are simply too high.

The larger decision which enabled all of this was my choice not to pursue graduate education in academics, but in a professional field. As a practical matter, this came down simply to the realization that one works in order to meet ones financial obligations and also to willingness to accept certain realities about supply and demand in the labor market. Especially in this case, I can point to many other attitudes and beliefs that had to change and are in fact still changing. But the point is that coming unstuck from a prior viewpoint was the key.

I have to mention one more assumption that I had to some extent and have seen many people expressing that is absolutely destructive. This is the idea that "money is the root of all evil," or at least is bad in some way. Folks, money is nothing more than an abstract store of value that makes commerce in modern markets possible. I can assure you, as the old saw goes, "I've been rich, and I've been poor, and rich is better."

Now, I am not rich by my own standards, nor am I even Obama rich. But it has been a very long time now since I have had to budget for a four dollar latte. And, there is an assumption that many people make that people who have money have it for bad reasons or are somehow bad people. My experience contradicts that. Most people who have money have it because they work hard, they're smart and they make the right moves, and, of course, they use their resources wisely and don't spend them on useless ends.

Here is the bottom line. Accepting accountability for creating the reality that I Will is a small change, concurrent with many other changes, that contributed to the progress that I feel I've made in the last 20 years. I'd like to tell you that I consistently follow my own philosophy, and that I don't have sticking points, unrealized goals, or Work still to do. I'd like to tell you that I don't fuck up anymore. But, I know the audience, and I know that would be pointless, because it's a shallow lie that wouldn't fly.

Anyway, the subject line is a bit misleading. I would not say that Satanism, per se, has brought me any of these things. But I would say that giving up many of the common Christian or moral conceits and taking responsibility for my own situation was one of the first steps on the road.


XPT

_________________
"When someone asks you if you're a god, you say 'YES!'"

Contact and friendship with more truly wonderful folk, and hours of drinking and discussion over books, food, DVDs, TV, and music. That, and some really cool salt.

_________________
Ebet labour ne zizoner un den.

For once we were gods, so shall we be again!

Yes, I quite agree, and I will be using some of that really cool salt on my dinner in a few minutes.

I will attempt to make this as brief as possible without losing the meaning.

* Discovering Satanism in the first place saved my life. I had gone through a few excruciating years where I fought with the concept that God hated me/was punishing me etc and I didn't want to go on- I was depressed and suicidal.
Satanism helped me to realize that I wasn't being punished but that God simply doesn't exist, and the only one who can help me is me, and that I was responsible for making my own happiness in life. I suffered for a long time, but in those 5 months where I decided to take control of my life, I took myself off of the anti-depressants, did some self-therapy and got rid of probably 80% of my social anxiety after I realized that the judgements of sheep shouldn't weigh so heavily on my self perception.

*Addiction: I was a smoker for years and quit on my own for 3 years. I was afraid to have even one puff in the event that I would be hooked again. BUT, having lived as a Satanist for some time now, I reminded myself that I am in control, and Indulgence, not Compulsion is key. So now I will smoke socially with friends, or even have one on my way home from work, but I have no problem going days or however long without them.

*Work: Before I was very concerned with things being fair, and not competing for positions or raises as I didn't like the confrontation, and didn't feel worthy of being selected above others. I am also not a fan of "sucking up to the boss" and playing office politics.
HOWEVER, twice now in my career, when I felt I was deserving, I was able to give myself a boost- once negotiating a raise above my coworkers, and just recently more hours= larger paycheck.
Due to the economic climate, all of our hours were cut at work. I sent a perfectly timed and toned email to the boss telling her how much I enjoy working for the organization and how much of a shame it would be if I had to leave because of so few working hours after the cut etc....
A few weeks later a staff member at another site went on Stress leave, and though I had the least amount of seniority, they asked me to fill in giving me twice as many hours (even more than my supervisor at the previous site). This caused the others with more seniority to be upset, but I had the "Satanic Sense" if you will, to act at the right time and gain the advantage.

A Satanic mindset has also helped to shape my views on Satanic parenting and the reason behind my working with children, which effects my interactions with them and basically leads into the whole purpose and direction of my life... I won't get into that here....

*Finally, my RELATIONSHIPS:
The Satanic mindset definitely makes for a better sex life, and I feel more relaxed having the sort of relationship where anything can be put on the table- nothing needs to be hidden/shamed.

Actually, I get a kick out of it when A.S' friends ask him the "what are you going to tell your wife about where you were, what you did,etc..." and he informs them about our relationship. Most can't believe it and then they tell me I'm awesome which is always nice to hear.
The best was the Suicide Girl pics- when A.S told his buddy that the account was in My name, and came up with the term "communal porn," his reaction made me smile.
Basically, we only have this one life to live, so why would we want to spend it being possessive, jealous and trying to impose limits on things like how many breasts a person is allowed to see in their lifetime... what a waste!

I could go on, but seeing how my brief points turned into a book yet again, I'll leave it at that. I am really hoping thats what you were looking for, or I typed all that for nothing.

Also, I couldn't have done these things as a Humanist. I see Satanism as Atheism with a purpose- its an active role in the outcome, rather that passively having an open mind.

_________________
"Adapt and Overcome"

MistressLyria@gmail.com
www.myspace.com/lyriasdungeon

wow, thank you very much

wooh, go Lyria! You're a real inspiration...
to be really short, Satanism has brought me to all you clever creatures, which has helped me grow more as a Satanist. Such experience and wisdom couldn't have come from anywhere else on the interwebs. Thanks.
*goes back to sleep*

Your welcome.

Did my response answer your questions?

Is there anything more that you would like to know?

_________________
"Adapt and Overcome"

MistressLyria@gmail.com
www.myspace.com/lyriasdungeon

Satanism hasn't brought any changes to who I am or how I see things or operate. What it has given me is an awareness of who and what I am to a greater degree.

Satanism is a concise and accurate description of what I am, and by labeling this amorphous thing and bringing it into the light a greater mastery of it, and myself, is made possible.

_________________
There is trouble in the forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the maples scream 'Oppression!'
And the oaks just shake their heads

I do have another question, actually. Let's do smoking.

Before you learned you were a satanist, and after you learned you were a satanist. What went through your head when you were trying to quit and you were feeling a strong craving? How did that thinking change, and how did you react to the craving?

And before and after you learned you were a satanist, when you smoked casually, without trying to quit, did different thoughts ruin through your head?

I know the answer to this question, but lets see if I can explain it correctly.

To put it simply, I think its about attitude, belief and control.

Before when I was a (pre-Satanic) smoker, I viewed and felt the habit as any other addict. I felt very strongly that cigarettes had a hold on me that was beyond my control and the compulsion to find a cigarette when I had none was so strong that I caught myself in the act of doing some bizarre things in order to calm the craving.

I managed to quit and went without so much as a puff for 3 years, fearing that just one puff would make me an addict again.

Then, as a Satanist practicing the "indulgence, not compulsion" rule, I truly was at a place in my head where I felt in control of my own will and bodily reactions, so I decided to test my theory that I could smoke when and if I wanted to without needing to.

During the 3 years that I didn't smoke at all, I would still get cravings and I had to learn to control them because I had made the decision to quit and I was determined to stick with that decision. I learned the discipline to say no to those cravings and I employ the same principle now.
I use my head to determine when it is acceptable to myself to have a cigarette (while socializing with friends and on the way to and from work or if I am emotionally upset by something), and if I happen to feel a craving for one during an "inappropriate time" I tell myself NO and will the craving away, asserting to myself that I am in control of my body, not the other way around.

If I ever feel that addiction is threatening to take over my will again, I will "deprive" myself of cigarettes until that temptation no longer presents itself.

"I am in control" is my internal mantra....

I hope that explanation is satisfactory.

Don't hesitate, should you think of anything else.

_________________
"Adapt and Overcome"

MistressLyria@gmail.com
www.myspace.com/lyriasdungeon

A little story goes along with my answer, so bear with me, if you would.

I started my journey in Satanism at the tender age of fourteen. At the time, I was convinced I was completely, utterly alone, and was quite the example of a confused, weak, pathetic youth. Suicidally depressed, trying to cope with seeming harrassment from all sides (school, family, church, belief in some almighty deity, etc.), and generally confused about who I was at the time, I suppose I was the ultimate misanthrope. I loathed everyone and I loathed myself for being human, for being a statistic in a file, for being unable to break free of my own mental bondage.

Much as some of the younger ones who have happened by here recently, I was searching to find out if there WAS a Satan, a being who would grant me supernatural powers if I said a happy little prayer with a happy little candle lit. I experimented with many things and was eventually sent to a place that was darker than most I have known, which I shall not talk about here.

After springing free at the age of eighteen, I took up the same "cross" and continued my life much as I had left it. After a wee bit, my parents threw me to the wolves and my "friends" abandoned me. Left to my own devices, I wandered, traveling via my thumb, I made it to California, where I continued to try and figure out who I was, still depressed, still suicidal, still loathing myself. I purchased a copy of the Satanic Bible from the local store (having read it years earlier, but not sweating the comprehension), and began to read. It was as if I looked into a magic mirror that showed me my own sensibilities. A reflection of what I already knew to be true. What was morally right.

I started taking responsibility for things previously blamed on others. I started to take control of my life, and quit using the substances I was addicted to (with great difficulty). I called an old girlfriend, and removed myself from a hopeless situation, only to find what I had chosen for myself was horrible as well, however, this time I took responsibility for it. I stayed in a somewhat stable environment for a few years, and at the first chance I got, I changed it again. I left, and I left everything behind. I started over with nothing and embarked on yet another road of self-discovery and contemplation.

Now, a few years after that, I have been sober for more than four years, and will not touch the drugs ever again. I can say this as I am not a member of some foolish twelve-step god-fearing bullshit program. I have a (mostly) stable life with a (mostly) stable income. I own nice things, have an excellent relationship with a beautiful woman, live in a place where I am free to indulge in my peccadillios.

My religion, once the heart of contention between my family and I, is now understood and accepted, because I approached the conversation about it as an adult and a Satanist, rather than as a confused, angry child.

In short: Once I discovered I was a Satanist, and truly COMPREHENDED (I can't stress that part enough) what it is to be a Satanist, and took responsibility for my reality, my life improved. Drugs and anguish are gone, replaced with confidence and enjoyment. Do I feel happiness? I am not quite sure what that is supposed to feel like, but I feel pretty damn good. Satanism is the religion where I found my strength, where I found my power.

I am still growing, though, as are we all.

_________________
"Those who call it MagicK..... Aren't."
-Anton Szandor LaVey