Shanti.Lightdancer@f718.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Shanti Lightdancer) (10/20/90)
This is to Lewis and anyone else who can provide some *basic* information. I'm in the strange position, on RIME conferences dealing with Magick and Religion, of contending that Satanists should have freedom to discuss their religion and to practice it. I also contend that we Wiccans must avoid throwing Satanists to the Christians to keep the latter off our backs. I've also discussed the difference between real Satanists on the one tentacle and teenagers and dweebs playing Satanist on the other. I have contended that the latter are dangerous. One witch has contended that the former are dangerous too. I'm coming across queries like the following: DB>BTW, you used the term "real" satanist, do you have a definition? DB>I'm truly curious, because I have the pretty much typical view. (By which he means the typical Christian view.) Also, I'd like comments on the following message in the same conference: MS>-> Since I'm not a Satanist, I'm not entirely sure about this, but I MS>-> *believe* that many contemporary Satanists are more inclined to MS>-> worship Satan or a similar deity that relates to personal interests MS>-> than communal ones without acknowledging orthodox Christianity at MS>-> all. Again, I could be wrong about this. MS> MS>Discounting fringe "nutcase groups", Satanists view Satan/Lucifer/Da MS>Debil as a force of nature, NOT as a deity. Their "rituals" are almost MS>always for the purpose of "psychodrama" to open up the mind to new MS>perspectives of thought. MS> MS>Many Satanists believe in -A- God... not necessarily Christianity's MS>god. And many Satanists do NOT believe in God. Any God. MS> MS>Given their view of Satan as a personification of natural forces, this MS>makes perfect sense. Thanks to all who help me out with this. Peace, DDShanti -- uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!718!Shanti.Lightdancer Internet: Shanti.Lightdancer@f718.n105.z1.fidonet.org