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Considering conversion.

FallenPaladin

New Member
I ended up here after weeks of reading sites, blogs, and other online resources about many different faiths than the one I was raised in. I feel deeply drawn to TS, but like other posters I find it a bit confusing since everyone seems to have their own take on what it means to be a theistic Satanist.

One of the pieces of advice I have read in some places that is contradicted on others is to wait for some time before undertaking a dedication ritual of any kind. I understand the intent, but also feel that doing so would help in my mental transition from one spiritual headspace to another.

Also trying to find TS people and resources in the Central Texas area hasn't been precisely fruitful...
 

HankHill

Indian-American Ex-Hindu
So TS people believe in the Abrahamic God but choose to side with Satan is that right?
 

FallenPaladin

New Member
Thus far - and I am far from an expert - this is sometimes the case.

Some believe in Satan as an entity or force that pre-dates Christianity, or exists independent of it.

So, either the Abrahamic God exists, and Satanism is "choosing the other side", the God of the Bible is less omniscient or omnipotent than billed, or does not exist at all.

If the Satanist is "choosing the other side" then there are several possible reasons to do so. Some paint God as a tyrant or oppressor, and Satan as a bringer of freedom and knowledge.

For myself, I am still figuring out what my beliefs have morphed into. The God of the Bible exists, but I feel he may not be precisely as advertised. The whole conflict and idea of freedom versus bondage, good versus evil, and subjugation versus education are making me reconsider how the universe works. I feel drawn in this direction in a very profound way - a way that I do not feel drawn to any other faith I have read about during this "crisis of faith" period.
 

Iti oj

Global warming is real and we need to act
Premium Member
Forgive my ignorance, what would be a quick synopsis of what TS is?

Welln it depends on the individual ts. But I would ignore any understanding of god or satan from the 3 monotheisms.
It looks like the op made a decent explination. Wish I could help more.
 

HankHill

Indian-American Ex-Hindu
Thus far - and I am far from an expert - this is sometimes the case.

Some believe in Satan as an entity or force that pre-dates Christianity, or exists independent of it.

So, either the Abrahamic God exists, and Satanism is "choosing the other side", the God of the Bible is less omniscient or omnipotent than billed, or does not exist at all.

If the Satanist is "choosing the other side" then there are several possible reasons to do so. Some paint God as a tyrant or oppressor, and Satan as a bringer of freedom and knowledge.

For myself, I am still figuring out what my beliefs have morphed into. The God of the Bible exists, but I feel he may not be precisely as advertised. The whole conflict and idea of freedom versus bondage, good versus evil, and subjugation versus education are making me reconsider how the universe works. I feel drawn in this direction in a very profound way - a way that I do not feel drawn to any other faith I have read about during this "crisis of faith" period.

I'm not sure about the origins of Satan, but I have read in scholarly sources that what we now see as the Abrahamic God came about in the scriptures less than 3000 years ago. I'd look into things like Karen Armstrong's History of God to try to found about the Abrahamic God.
 

FallenPaladin

New Member
I have no problem in considering Satan to be much, much older than the Abrahamic tradition. At the moment my gut instinct is that the Abrahamic God is *a* god among several. Just as Satan has been known as many different names since creation by different cultures.

I listed my religion as a new Theistic Satanist. I have not yet taken a ritual of initiation or a ritual of blasphemy or anything like that, as suggested on Diane Vera's site. I have been reciting at least one invocation to Satan each night along with a prayer for about a week now. This faith feels right to me, at least the version I have chosen - Theistic Satanism seems to be quite personal and decentralized. I'd like to find out if there is a TS community in the central Texas area, to find like-minded people to talk to in person.
 

1137

Here until I storm off again
Premium Member
Apologies for DIR invasion (I think the green means I'm safe?) but a dedication ritual, to me, is a huge red light to someone seeking the LHP. It's a very RHP concept to dedicate yourself to a deity. I'm of the psychological school of magick, and such a binding ritual is a rather dangerous thing, just look at even LHPers who were once Christian or something similar, they still can't let go of the RHP mindset.
 

1137

Here until I storm off again
Premium Member
Also, blasphemy / breaking of taboos is still binding you to RHP values, just the inverse. It is not "spiritually" liberating as religions like Satanism are meant to be.
 

Mindmaster

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
I have no problem in considering Satan to be much, much older than the Abrahamic tradition. At the moment my gut instinct is that the Abrahamic God is *a* god among several. Just as Satan has been known as many different names since creation by different cultures.

I listed my religion as a new Theistic Satanist. I have not yet taken a ritual of initiation or a ritual of blasphemy or anything like that, as suggested on Diane Vera's site. I have been reciting at least one invocation to Satan each night along with a prayer for about a week now. This faith feels right to me, at least the version I have chosen - Theistic Satanism seems to be quite personal and decentralized. I'd like to find out if there is a TS community in the central Texas area, to find like-minded people to talk to in person.

Good luck finding any sort of organized Theistic Satanists in Jesus land. There are a few sides to this coin:

1) Reverse Christians. They believe in the bible, but like Satan more. Just picking a different team basically.

2) Theistic, but not borrowing from Abraham-based faiths. Probably the widest segment of variation. Conventionally not much different from mainstream dogmatic religion with a different idea of what makes a suitable god. Various Demonolators, Temple of Set (at least if you consider Set equivalent to Satan in some fashion), Joy of Satan, etc. Monotheistic, polytheistic, or pantheistic just depending on take.

3) Rational Theists. (My camp... The one that doesn't get much airplay.) Basically and anti-faith that arrives at an understanding of Satan based on some sort of subjective evidence. I am theistic only in the sense that others wouldn't be able to share my perceptions so therefore to them I "just believe" there is a Satan when in fact I believe nothing really at all other than what I experience in life. Much like how Buddhism is a lifestyle so it is with this -- you have to do your own work and there is no taking anyone's word for it. Personally, I am the only one I know. :) Generally you wind up here after being an atheist-type (LaVey) Satanist for awhile get into some really odd metaphysical exploration and then realize intensely skeptical worldviews cannot possibly be accurate; or have experiences that such an atheist can't explain - communication with spirits, seeing ghosts, experiencing psychic phenomena, and the like. Since I had direct awareness of such things basically The Church of Satan was a wash for me. It wouldn't matter what they had to say about it. :)
 

Mindmaster

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Exactly, not only is it RHP it's a form of Christianity.

Devil worship is fine if it is done in the nature of respect rather than groveling. The true meaning of worship is simply to respect or honor not to bow like a groveling maggot. This can be done without compromising ones supposed dedication to the left hand path.

Resisting the status quo is a method more than a spiritual path. They do not really conflict unless you are doing like the Jones'. I can't see how you are fitting in with the crowd when you are praying to the Prince of Darkness. That is something they would generally find extremely offensive and unacceptable.
 
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FallenPaladin

New Member
Thanks, everyone.

It's interesting to find so many different opinions on what does and does not constitute "correct" observation of Theistic Satanism. My views seem to be quite in line with Diane Vera's excellent site and writings - which do put a certain amount of weight into ritual. I suppose that is a very RHP sort of thing - but coming from a RHP background, it doesn't feel too odd to venerate in such a way.

I do rather enjoy the thought of my worship from here on out being more of a conversation and less a prostration than Christianity ever was.
 

Mindmaster

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Thanks, everyone.

It's interesting to find so many different opinions on what does and does not constitute "correct" observation of Theistic Satanism. My views seem to be quite in line with Diane Vera's excellent site and writings - which do put a certain amount of weight into ritual. I suppose that is a very RHP sort of thing - but coming from a RHP background, it doesn't feel too odd to venerate in such a way.

I do rather enjoy the thought of my worship from here on out being more of a conversation and less a prostration than Christianity ever was.

This is sort of my path as well although I am probably a bit older. I wasn't aware of Diane Vera until I already made the jump her site is getting pretty old though and she's missing some modern innovations. Avoid the faker Venus Satanas at all costs. :)
 

FallenPaladin

New Member
What manner of modern innovations? I'm quite interested.

Also - I've found "Venus Satanas" web videos to be... hit or miss. Sometimes there seems to be a nugget of interesting info, but many others they remind me of the sort of attention-seeking the proto-goths from when I was in high school in the late 80s were looking for.
 

1137

Here until I storm off again
Premium Member
How we manipulate others perception of us to empower us is powerful and important "magick", and personal. Of course Venus Satanus is a joke haha. A professor and I were laughing at her in his office once while discussing the LHP.
 
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