Thoughts on Satan or Satanism? Only four answers last time, hopefully more people will step up to the plate?

Question

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/satanism#sa...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/satanism...

Read those if you would like to learn more, but basically they say this:

Mainstream Satanism is more or less a philosophy than a religion. It is believing in being your own god of sorts, of going out and changing the world yourself rather than waiting for spiritual aid or instruction. True, there are other factions that really worship Satan and Evil, but mainstream, not really.

Satan in Judaism: Satan is a title that means "adversary" or "accuser" He is an enemy of Man, but not an enemy of God. He is the servent who tests Man's faith.

Satan in Islam: Again, Satan is a title for adversary or something close. Given to the Jinn (genie) Iblis, whose job is to test Man's faith. Condemned for disobeying God.

Satan in Christianity in a few seconds...

Satan in Christianity: Angel who was formerly one of God's favorite, but led a rebellion against him and was thrown out of Heaven and into Hell. Convinced Adam and Eve to take part in the original sin that made them get exiled from garden of Eden. Generally thought of as pure evil, and who spends much time trying to lead others astray.

Answer 1

"Mainstream Satanism is more or less a philosophy than a religion. It is believing in being your own god of sorts, of going out and changing the world yourself rather than waiting for spiritual aid or instruction. "

This is exactly what humanity MUST do if it is to come out of the intellectual darkness of religion--however, I see no need to attach the label of "Satanism" to it (yet another non-existent deity), when "humanism" works just fine. There is no invisible, all-powerful deity who will hear humanity's pathetic prayers and solve all our problems for us. If the world is to be improved, it will be improved through the efforts of HUMANS, not GODS.

We have historical evidence for this. It is people, not God, who developed the medical profession to where it is today. In times past, people died of many diseases that we can now treat, cure, or at least curtail--influenza, polio, smallpox, cancer, heart attack, strokes, malaria, chicken pox, mumps, measles, etc. God never cured or eliminated a single disease and never responded to a single prayer, but when HUMANS began developing cures, improving sanitation, and figuring out the causes of illnesses, then health began to improve for millions all over the world. This is just one example of the superiority of the intellectual mind over belief in an imaginary entity.

Answer 2

Satan? Here's a thought, or rather a series of them that lead to a certain possibility ... Paul said, in the Christian New Testament, that "Satan goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." I believe he was refering to a quote in the Gospel of Thomas, where Jesus reportedly said, "Blessed is he who devours the lion, for he shall be truly human. Cursed is he who is devoured by the lion." About one hundred years ago these two thoughts were brought together by a Persian Holy Man, Abdul Baha. Admittidly he had no knowledge of the Gospel of Thomas because it wasn't discovered untill the 1950s, but I do believe he had an understanding of the true nature of Satan. Abdul Baha was asked, "What is Satan?" He replied ... "The insistant self." It is in overcoming our own ego that we truly become our real Self. When we do this we devour the lion. When we allow ego full reign, when we live without thought or control of any kind, we are devoured by the lion. That's MY thought concerning Satan. ~~~ SatanISM? Well, from the people I've known that were close to the Church of Satan, its prety much a benign philosophy akin to what you described, but with a good dose of "If it feels good, and doesn't screw over any one else, go for it." It did seem close to humanism. All of the above is just MY take on the thing. Which, if you will print out and attach a buck to and then take to MacDonalds, they will give you a small coffee for in return. But you GOTTA attach the buck (it may take two in some areas) for it to work. And you GOTTA ask for coffee. Otherwise all they'll give you is ... a blank stare. ;-) ~ Peace & Blessings ~

Answer 3

I don't believe in an all evil entity such as Christianity's Satan. It was a general term for the Jews, which is probably why Jesus had no problem calling Peter "Satan" when Peter suggested that Jesus was doing something wrong by "working" on the sabbath.

Answer 4

i think it is a step backward for society, from what ive seen its all about promoting the self. humanity needs to realise that we are all in this together and help each other out. im not saying christianity is the only religion with anything good though.

Answer 5

I don't think Satan exists. It is a made up entity to scare people into being good.

Answer 6

Evil entity and evil people.

Death and the spiritually dead.

Sentenced to perish and the mortal souls.

Answer 7

here buddy, this is so more than 4 people answer. it's very interesting to see the dare i say it? EVOLUTION of satan through religion, lol. and there. it's not really blasphemy.