Are Satanists evil?

[thecolorsblend]

What do you mean by reaching?

"Reaching" is a term used when someone (you, in this case) tries to relate one thing to another using completely irrelevant evidence and information.

 

[super animator]

i was talking about satanism and not catholicism.

... How do you miss the notation, that I was talking about Catholicism?

 

[ViaCrucis]

If so, how and why is it different to followers of any other religion we believe to be false? Could it be because we believe Satan exists?

My instinct is to say that Satanists are evil, but I'm not sure that's actually consistent with my view, or it might even be hypocritical.

And if we do decide they're evil, what does that mean in practise? Avoid Media Produced by them even if their beliefs aren't the subject matter?

Just some musings of mine that I'd be interested to hear other people's opinion on.

No more evil than anyone else. According to mainstream Christian thought since everyone is, universally, sinful then there really can't be "better" or "worse" people. The infant Martin Luther King, Jr. and the infant Adolf Hitler aren't any different, that is, as far as their basic, fundamental humanity is concerned. The fundamental difference is thoughts and actions, engagement with our fellow man in the world.

Thus it becomes a matter of action, what we do, what we say, what we think; and conversely what we have left undone and left unsaid. That we sin is fundamentally part of the problem that we are innately sinful; but there are clearly massive differences in the temporal effects of sin. Stealing a chocolate bar and murdering someone are obviously different and should be regarded differently, they aren't equal.

My point: Satanists are not evil, not in the sense that somehow being a Satanist makes them any worse than anyone else--the individual actions of a Satanist might be more evil, if what they are doing is indeed evil. A Satanist is no more evil than a Christian; and indeed a Christian may do far more evil in their life than a Satanist; as such neither being a Satanist nor being a Christian can determine the civil good we might do, or the potential evil we might commit against our neighbor; and when we, as Christians believe, stand before God as our Judge we will all have to give account for how we conducted ourselves, especially in relation to "the least of these".

It is also for this reason that the Christian must never regard themselves righteous, or holy, or morally excellent; but instead as St. Paul says "boast in nothing save for the cross of Jesus Christ", we are without reason to boast due to sin, and we therefore have hope solely in the merciful God who loves the world, is gracious toward all, in through and by Jesus Christ.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Sammy-San]

Unlikely since he counsels his viewers to believe in Our Lord, avoid things he (and, for that matter, others) believe to be associated with satanism such Quija boards, he speaks against premarital relations, he is pro-life, he sponsors nativity scenes for Christmas displays, his has started his own ministry, etc. The things King instructs people not to do are sins. The things King encourages people to do are either morally neutral or else are obviously positive things.

These are not the things you would expect an agent of the devil to do. Why would Satan want people to avoid sin??? And yet King encourages people to avoid things that are objectively sinful.

By their fruits, you shall know them. The things King encourages people to do will lead them to God or, failing that, at least won't lead them to the devil.

Careful.

You caught the part about me being Catholic, right?

Because I've studied a bit about satanism (only in summary) because I want to know who they are and what they believe. By and large, what King describes is who satanists truly are and what they truly believe. His descriptions of their methods of recruitment, infiltration and other things are absolutely spot on.

King has discussed possession, infestation and the like in some of his videos and interviews. I have studied a bit about demonology and if King's instructions are followed, the odds of having problems with infestations are pretty low. Again, what King says regarding demons lines up perfectly with what I've studied concerning demonology.

His fruits have deepend the faith of thousands of people and his instructions lead people (1) away from the devil and (2) toward Our Lord.

Again, I can understand if his testimony triggers severe cognitive dissonance for you because he's Catholic but everything he says lines up with satanism, demonology and Catholic doctrine. You can like that or you can dislike that but it's a bit presumptuous to casually dismiss King's testimony because muh bible or something.

Do any of King's activities lead people to God?

 

[Strathos]

Interestingly, a thread was started by a Satanist in the introductions forum a few days ago, but it seems to have been deleted for some reason.

 

[Armoured]

If so, how and why is it different to followers of any other religion we believe to be false? Could it be because we believe Satan exists?

My instinct is to say that Satanists are evil, but I'm not sure that's actually consistent with my view, or it might even be hypocritical.

And if we do decide they're evil, what does that mean in practise? Avoid Media Produced by them even if their beliefs aren't the subject matter?

Just some musings of mine that I'd be interested to hear other people's opinion on.

I don't believe there are any sincere, bonafide Satan worshipers. At least, not in the mediaeval, black mass and virgin sacrificing, selling your soul contract signed in blood, Damien from The Omen stereotype of popular culture.

 

[Nithavela]

I doubt that open satanists are very welcome here. I wonder if there are some who don't tell about it.

I was actually once asked if I were a satanist, myself.

 

[Armoured]

I doubt that open satanists are very welcome here. I wonder if there are some who don't tell about it.

I was actually once asked if I were a satanist, myself.

Historic reenactors, particularly dark age types, are often accused of it.

 

[timewerx]

The modern satanism rules (by La Vey) forbids members from breaking the national law. Which means they cannot murder, cannot steal, etc etc.

It seems they exist only to annoy Christians (from which the term "satan" came)

 

[Armoured]

The modern satanism rules (by La Vey) forbids members from breaking the national law. Which means they cannot murder, cannot steal, etc etc.

It seems they exist only to annoy Christians (from which the term "satan" came)

They're basically trolls, and don't worship anyone or anything in the traditional sense. They certainly aren't "Satanists" in the sense of believing they are worshiping a literal Satan.

 

[Nithavela]

The modern satanism rules (by La Vey) forbids members from breaking the national law. Which means they cannot murder, cannot steal, etc etc.

It seems they exist only to annoy Christians (from which the term "satan" came)

Well, they can, just like the christian gods forbids murdering and there are plenty of christian murderers.

 

[Strathos]

I don't believe there are any sincere, bonafide Satan worshipers. At least, not in the mediaeval, black mass and virgin sacrificing, selling your soul contract signed in blood, Damien from The Omen stereotype of popular culture.

I wouldn't be too sure about that. Out of sheer statistical probability, they almost certainly exist.

 

[Nithavela]

People believe in crazier stuff. Like, in the greek goddess of strife and chaos.

After all, much of the background of satanism comes from the bible and associated texts, and there are a lot of christians.

 

[Desk trauma]

I don't believe there are any sincere, bonafide Satan worshipers.

Luciferians and theistic satanists do exist. Should you ever meet some be sure to point out that they are just heretical Christians.