Heinlen's stuff is pretty political.

Supernaturlist is a bit political, very Environmentalist, Seems anti globilization and socialist if you look at it that way.

[email protected]
Satanism@wikipedia
Satanism@Brittanica

Everyone of them says worship of satan or mocking Christian symbols.

First paragraph of the wikipedia article:

"Satanism is a word which has been used over the years to describe a number of different belief systems in a number of contexts. People claiming to be Satanists—or outsiders claiming to describe Satanism—ascribe a wide variety of beliefs to Satanism. These range from the literal worship of a malevolent spiritual being (Theistic Satanism); to a kind of subversive ritual performance stressing the mockery of Christian symbols (most notably the Black Mass); to the claimed rediscovery of an ancient but misunderstood religion (e.g. Setianism, which conflates Satan with the Egyptian god Set); to the exaltation of hedonistic recreation, and the celebration of selfishness and pleasure."
That's the correct usage.

Well, I've never really used the word satanism in a conversation before. :(

Sentynel-
Right, they just use Satan as an excuse to do those things.

No they don't. True Satanism (as opposed to the church's opinion of OMG SATANISM!!11!!11!!1one) does not involve devil worship in any shape or form. It's simply acting to benefit yourself over others.

So... how is Satanism different from selfishness? Sadism? Rape, greed, BDSM and all the myriad sins, if you commit them, your immeadiatly satanist?

Put it this way: If you believe in god, you aren't immediatly christian. To be christian, you must personalify god as Jesus, view the Crucifix as Holy ect.
To be a Satanist, you must associate with symbols such as the Pentacle, Black Mass ect.

Well, actually to be a Christian you have to call upon the name of the lord to save you and ask for forgiveness and believe Jesus as Lord.

It has nothing to do with symobls, really.

Satanism the religion is more than just selfishness, it's the advancement and benefit of the self over others, as a religion.
It is not devil worship.

Their church is "The first church of Satan." They say, "Hail Satan" in the middle of their so called "masses".

It actually depends on what form of Christianity: Catholic, Orthodox Catholic, and a billion of Protestant religions.

True.

Though it also depends upon the individual person.

Ianna wrote: Well, actually to be a Christian you have to call upon the name of the lord to save you and ask for forgiveness and believe Jesus as Lord.

It has nothing to do with symobls, really.

Which is what I said...

And who really bothers about the subtleties? It's satanism! You become a satanist to shock people, not advance your well being as a religion.

Apollo wrote: Their church is "The first church of Satan." They say, "Hail Satan" in the middle of their so called "masses".

It actually depends on what form of Christianity: Catholic, Orthodox Catholic, and a billion of Protestant religions.

If I sit down in a cardboard box outside my house, start raving about the Flying Spaghetti Monster, but call myself a Christian, am I one? No.



That's Satanism as in the "OMG DEVILWORSHIP!!11!!" variety, not true Satanism, Post.

So then, who identifies themselves with 'true satanism'?

Okay. Did some research. And yes, Satanism is what Sentynel says(didn't feel like suming it up). But, it's also all about being bad and sinfull and having fun doing it. What a charming religion...


However, they still worship Satan, and believe he will save them on the Last Day. Good luck with that...

Oh, damn right it's about being bad and sinful. That's the whole point, and the reason *some* people who call themselves Satanists worship Satan.

Yeah...it's pretty wrong. Delusional, if not demented.
Just an excuse.

Yes.

Just admit you're wrong and let's move on.

What, me? I thought we'd just agreed that I'm right - true Satanism is not about worshipping Satan.