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Burning Bibles (and other taboos)

jasonwill2

Well-Known Member
I find that slashing, stabbing, ripping apart Bibles is cathartic. Then I burn them to symbolize the destruction of the emotions attached to what it represents.

In Satanism (my religion):

The point is to face those vague fears head-on.

By facing subconscious fears, you can overcome irrational inhibitions. Ritualized taboo-breaking can help you learn to think more independently -- on a deep level, not just an intellectual level. And it can open a gateway to your subconscious mind, thereby helping you to become more creative and perhaps even opening a door to psychic and spiritual development.
Source: Blasphemy, catharsis, and self-initiation


Have any of you ever blasphemed something, and is breaking taboos part of your religion? What about renouncing former beliefs when being converted? Satanism is not the only religion to do this:

Satanists aren't the only people who practice rites of blasphemy, nor are Satanists the only people who can benefit from such a rite. For example, some Tantrik Hindu sects have an initiation ritual involving violation of orthodox Hindu taboos. And, of course, in many parts of the world, new converts to Christianity are asked to perform a rite of blasphemy against their old religion, destroying their old "idols," etc.
Source: http://theisticsatanism.com/rituals/blasphemy/renunciation.html#non-S
 
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jasonwill2

Well-Known Member
That explains much.

There's more too it than just catharsis, it's about letting go and moving on. It's about seeing a symbol of what once made me helpless, and gaining power over it. Rage, fear, and hysteria meet together in a graceful flurry of blade, paper, and leather as the ritual knife strikes again and again, and in every stroke, every thrust, every tear, I feel part of me inside scream with joy as I am filled with adrenaline, anger, and relief. Then, as the Bible burns and I see the smoke rise... I am filled with utter peace and comfort... calm.

edit: I was exagerating when I said fear and hysteria, more like a nervousness and mania.
 
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mycorrhiza

Well-Known Member
I had no need to destroy books or idols of my old religion (Christianity) as I left it on my own terms and felt no anger towards it. It was never a hinderance for me. Instead, I'm actually gathering books from different religions. Destroying them seems quite pointless in my eyes. I would say that it does nothing towards the religions themselves, it only releases smoke that potentially contains some toxins from glue or synthetic materials in the books (in case of burning, that is).

I know that it makes some people feel better (like a Jehova's Witness I met who felt a lot better after getting rid of the things from her old denomination), but to me it's just a waste of natural resources.

If you want to get rid of the things from your old religion, then it's better to give your books/idols away. The peace you have found in Satanism others will find in Christianity :).
 
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jasonwill2

Well-Known Member
I had no need to destroy books or idols of my old religion (Christianity) as I left it on my own terms and felt no anger towards it. It was never a hinderance for me. Instead, I'm actually gathering books from different religions. Destroying them seems quite pointless in my eyes. I would say that it does nothing towards the religions themselves, it only releases smoke that potentially contains some toxins from glue or synthetic materials in the books.

I know that it makes some people feel better (like a Jehova's Witness I met who felt a lot better after getting rid of the things from her old denomination), but to me it's just a waste of natural resources.

If you want to get rid of the things from your old religion, then it's better to give your books/idols away. The peace you have found in Satanism others will find in Christianity :).

While not everyone has need of this kind of thing, I don't think writing it off as useless in general is correct. Also, I have a book of Mormon... but guess what? No need to burn it, never felt the need to do so, nor never would, because that would be pointless, for me. Bibles, specifically ones I OWN or had owned, and that I sometimes find, do have specific meanings. I found my old pocket Bible a while ago... OT and NT small enough to fit in the pocket, leather-bound and really, really small print. I remember loving that Bible, and had it for 5 or six years. Guess what? That one is next... the most personal Bible of all of them.

I already destroyed all my others, I must burn all of them. Well no, I have two of mine I found recently, and plan to burn them. The other being from 1998 (I was born in 1991)! A very powerful symbol of how kids are lead into their parents' religion to make them happy, despite being too young to really understand. :yes:

I've heard of, and know people claiming to have accepted Jesus at 8, 6, 5, and EVEN FOUR YEARS OLD. :eek:

But rant aside, I find a lot of use in burning Bibles, and in exploring taboos in general.
 

fallingblood

Agnostic Theist
I have to much respect and tolerance for other religions to destroy their books or such. Even when I was an atheist (as well as when I was looking into satanism) I still found value in the Bible anyway because of the literary importance.
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
I have more important things to do than destroy books. I find religious texts interesting to read, all though I have vandalised my copy of the NIV with pictures and writing. I own many vintage, antique Bibles, which I won't destroy in any way simply because I love old things.
I gave away all my Christian items, apart from some which were gifts because of the sentimental value, to a Christian friend. Someone might as well get some enjoyment out of them
 

jasonwill2

Well-Known Member
I have to much respect and tolerance for other religions to destroy their books or such. Even when I was an atheist (as well as when I was looking into satanism) I still found value in the Bible anyway because of the literary importance.

It's not about the value of the texts, it's about what the physical object represents, it's a symbol of breaking a taboo so-as-to destroy the association and emotions tied to that symbol.

It has nothing to do with the content of the Bible.

Is there anyone else here who has ever renounced something when converting, or broken some other taboo after leaving another faith as to disassociate themselves subconsciously from it?
 

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
There's more too it than just catharsis, it's about letting go and moving on. It's about seeing a symbol of what once made me helpless, and gaining power over it. Rage, fear, and hysteria meet together in a graceful flurry of blade, paper, and leather as the ritual knife strikes again and again, and in every stroke, every thrust, every tear, I feel part of me inside scream with joy as I am filled with adrenaline, anger, and relief. Then, as the Bible burns and I see the smoke rise... I am filled with utter peace and comfort... calm.

If you feel the need to destroy the Bible, then it still has power over you. When you really have gained power over it, you'll no longer feel the "rage, fear and hysteria" you describe.

It sounds to me that what you describe is a sort of lashing out at the fact that it still does have power over you.

When you really have let go and moved on, you'll be able to approach the Bible with detachment.
 

Caladan

Agnostic Pantheist
Christians have been burning Jewish texts, and sadly Jews have also been burning Christian Bibles. Jewish texts have also been destroyed by Muslims, and I'm sure vice versa. Burning texts is an old tradition which refuses to die off.

In my country. The 'Holy land'. There were cases of Satanists damaging synagogues and burning Bibles, admittedly it was not a wide phenomenon as in the case of church burning in Scandinavia, but these cases exist almost everywhere.

My breaking of taboos are usually more complex than setting paper on fire. I don't think I can harm Abrahamic patriarchy by burning a Bible. Moreoever, there's more reason in studying the Bible to understand what it says than destroying it. If you want to beat something, study it first. There are copies of Mein Kamp printed today, because people study the text. There are millions and millions of Bibles in the world, and new ones are printted everyday... burning a Bible has only symbolic meaning, but does it accomplish much else?
 

fallingblood

Agnostic Theist
It's not about the value of the texts, it's about what the physical object represents, it's a symbol of breaking a taboo so-as-to destroy the association and emotions tied to that symbol.

It has nothing to do with the content of the Bible.

Is there anyone else here who has ever renounced something when converting, or broken some other taboo after leaving another faith as to disassociate themselves subconsciously from it?

Wouldn't there be a better way then to symbolically break that bondage you feel yourself in then? If it isn't about what the text says, or the value of it, why destroy it?

I think 9-10ths Penguin makes a lot of sense with what he posted.
 

jasonwill2

Well-Known Member
Guys... I've probably done about 50 Satanic rituals in my lifetime... and only 4 of them were blasphemy rites. This isn't something I go out and do every other day.

I have more important things to do than destroy books. I find religious texts interesting to read, all though I have vandalised my copy of the NIV with pictures and writing. I own many vintage, antique Bibles, which I won't destroy in any way simply because I love old things.
I gave away all my Christian items, apart from some which were gifts because of the sentimental value, to a Christian friend. Someone might as well get some enjoyment out of them

Oh, if it's vintage or has value, then don't. But I'm talking about all those stupid cheap ones.

If you feel the need to destroy the Bible, then it still has power over you. When you really have gained power over it, you'll no longer feel the "rage, fear and hysteria" you describe.

It sounds to me that what you describe is a sort of lashing out at the fact that it still does have power over you.

You know what?
When you really have let go and moved on, you'll be able to approach the Bible with detachment.

I was being poetic when I said those emotions, it's mostly just rage, fear and hysteria doesn't really come up in those :D Mostly rage and mania. I was really nervous though before the first time doing it or when I renounced the Trinity though. So I was thinking more nervousness when I said fear and mania when I said hysteria, but I really don't get nervous or manic anymore. The Last time I burned and destroyed a Christian Bible it felt almost mechanical, nothing like the previous times. The more and more I did it, the less and less I felt doing it.

But you say that is still has some kind of power? What it represents, not the actual contents of the Bible. The Bible represents not Christianity, at least not for me. It represents something much, much more personal.

As for "lashing out"? This is a very common practice in my religion... ever heard of the Black Mass as done by various modern groups?

As for it "still having power"... that is what the ritual is for. Over time, I have found myself seeing it more as just a book and less of that personal symbol. To stop the symbol from having power over me can only be done by destroying the symbol, and releasing the emotion attached to it there-forth, as the emotion in the ripping and tearing is symbolically placed into the Bible, which is then completely destroyed by fire - a purification of emotion.

And your right about when I've moved on, but at that it's not about the Bible itself, but what it represents. But who knows? Perhaps I'll be angry one day, and want some catharsis. It isn't rare that some Satanists unfrequently do some blasphemy ritual. Exploring taboos is part of my religion.

Christians have been burning Jewish texts, and sadly Jews have also been burning Christian Bibles. Jewish texts have also been destroyed by Muslims, and I'm sure vice versa. Burning texts is an old tradition which refuses to die off.

In my country. The 'Holy land'. There were cases of Satanists damaging synagogues and burning Bibles, admittedly it was not a wide phenomenon as in the case of church burning in Scandinavia, but these cases exist almost everywhere.

My breaking of taboos are usually more complex than setting paper on fire. I don't think I can harm Abrahamic patriarchy by burning a Bible. Moreoever, there's more reason in studying the Bible to understand what it says than destroying it. If you want to beat something, study it first. There are copies of Mein Kamp printed today, because people study the text. There are millions and millions of Bibles in the world, and new ones are printted everyday... burning a Bible has only symbolic meaning, but does it accomplish much else?

You know what? If none of you are going to read my original post, or check out the links I provided, I'm not going to respond. If people can't understand the power of symbols and what such things can do to our subconscious, then why even bother? I didn't come here to be an apologist for blasphemy in religons.

But I'll try one last time, I always get frustrated by how much people come to topics like these, don't read my sources or explanations, and ask questions that are already answered (and I'm not talking to you specifically but everyone here).

Basically the purpose of blaphemy is to trick your subconscious into thinking your screwed anyways, via double-thinking the ritual, thereby forcing your emotions to catch up with your intellectual mind.

I did study The Christian Bible, I feel I understand it in light of my past beliefs, I understand it, and that is all that matters. But the problem is that my emotional self isn't as fast to change as my intellectual self, and it needs help. This is why in my religion there is blasphemy.

If you (and I am talking to you specifically now) would of read my original post, it did say this essentially.

This kind of thing isn't about burning Churches or mass book burnings, this is about a private, ritualized breaking of a former taboo as a form of doublethink to free yourself from the previous attachment to the symbol. In my case, it has before been just one Bible I owned and me, and that was it.

Also, since I know you didn't read the first link that is entirely explaining the reason and purpose of blasphemy as it's url has "purpose" in it and that is it's title...:

For example, a rite of anti-Christian blasphemy should be performed only after you have fully rejected Christian theology on an intellectual level. If you are an ex-Christian, make sure you have fully examined the arguments against traditional Christian beliefs. (See the arguments against traditional Christian beliefs on my Counter-Evangelism website. It might also be a good idea to participate in some inter-religion debate forums for a while.) You are definitely not yet ready do a rite of anti-Christian blasphemy if you still believe or even seriously consider the possibility that the Christian Bible is an infallibly inspired and historically accurate document, or if you still believe that the Christian God is the ultimate cosmic God, or if your only reason for rejecting Christianity is a moral objection to the cruelties of Yahweh as portrayed in the Bible. You should have solid and well-thought-out reasons, on an intellectual level, for rejecting many different aspects of Christianity, including traditional Christian metaphysics, and you should also have explored at least a few other religions and worldviews, to gain perspective. So, even if you've pretty much given up most Christian beliefs but haven't yet fully examined them and haven't yet spent time learning about other religions, you are not yet ready for a rite of blasphemy. I would recommend spending at least a year examining the arguments against Christian theology and exploring other religions and worldviews before you perform a rite of blasphemy.

source: Blasphemy, catharsis, and self-initiation

As you can see, you are supposed to already know on an intellectual level that you reject it, or you will end up being hurt very badly. This kind of thing is for emotions, not intellect.

Just remember:

Symbols! Symbols! Symbols! Don't ignore the power of symbols! Blasphemy is just cognitive psychology via religious symbolism!
 

jasonwill2

Well-Known Member
Wouldn't there be a better way then to symbolically break that bondage you feel yourself in then? If it isn't about what the text says, or the value of it, why destroy it?

I think 9-10ths Penguin makes a lot of sense with what he posted.

I'm sorry, but I refuse to repeat myself or answer people who do not even look at my sources when they want to know more. The first link in the OP is titled on the page (as well as this being in the URL) "<font size="2">The purpose of blasphemy in Satanism".

Blasphemy, catharsis, and self-initiation

As I have already explained it in my post above, as well as lightly touched on it in my original post, and as am giving a source for further reading for the ignorant, I feel no need to repeat myself. This topic's main intention was not to explain Bible burning, but to talk about the role of blasphemy and breaking taboos in religions in general.

As for Penguin's post and your concern that there is a better way, I follow The Left Hand path as what%2
 
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fallingblood

Agnostic Theist
I'm sorry, but I refuse to repeat myself or answer people who do not even look at my sources when they want to know more. The first link in the OP is titled on the page (as well as this being in the URL) "The purpose of blasphemy in Satanism".

Blasphemy, catharsis, and self-initiation

As I have already explained it in my post above, as well as lightly touched on it in my original post, as am giving a source for further reading for the ignorant, I feel no need to repeat myself. This topic's main intention was not to explain Bible burning, but to talk about the role of blasphemy and breaking taboos in religions in general.

As for Penguin's post and your concern that there is a better way, I follow The Left Hand path as what I believe is the most direct, fastest, and effective way of dealing with these kinds of things. I honestly feel yours and his preconceptions is what is making you believe this, but that is the entire point; it's taboo, by breaking the taboo you release much irrational emotions by starting to realize how pointless it is. You can't reason with subconscious emotions, they must be dealt with in emotional ways.

=======================

Does or has anyone here ever performed a rite of blasphemy or renunciation in light of what they once believed, or to break inhibitions holding them back?
I did read your link. I simply think it is weak. I have no problem breaking taboos. However, burning Bibles, or committing "blasphemy" really is childish.

When I was younger, I renounced my previous beliefs. I felt angry, and upset with what "Christianity" had done to me. I didn't need to destroy a Bible. I was able to simply deal with my emotions.

And yes, you can reason with subconscious emotions. You can let them go.
 

Caladan

Agnostic Pantheist
Apologies Jason. You cought my attention with the importance of symbols and symbolism. And you are right, it's an area that deserves a better appreciation.
I had a long and exhausting day at work, and I did skimp through your sources and an OP deserves better.
I'll re-read hopefully soon enough, and will try to responde better.
 

jasonwill2

Well-Known Member
committing "blasphemy" really is childish.

You have failed to miss the point of one of the most powerful magickal tools to ever exist, while also insulting a religious practice of mine that has helped me relieve many issues. You may not take this seriously as you think I am trying to be offensive by performing blasphemy, as if somehow in the privacy of my own home I am offending my dog and cat.

From Wikipedia:

As a part of this, LHP followers embrace magical techniques that would traditionally be viewed as taboo, for instance using sex magic or embracing Satanic imagery.[6] As Mogg Morgan wrote, the "breaking of taboos makes magick more potent and can lead to reintegration and liberation, [for example] the eating of meat in a vegetarian community can have the same liberating effect as anal intercourse in a sexually inhibited straight society."[7]
Emphasis added.

source: Left-hand path and right-hand path - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


I think you are confusing the idea of a teenager rebelling with a legitimate purpose of ridding someone of emotions; catharsis.

So if all you are going to do is insult part of my religious practices as "childish", espeically parts that have greatly and positively transformed me for the better, then I really don't have anything more to say to you.


-=-==-=-=--=

Same question, does anyone else break taboos or blasphemy, or have they ever?
 
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