Summary:
Maintains that religion promotes conformity and oppression. Questions if Satanism offers freedom and enlightenment.
In a society where popular culture reigns supreme, everyone is struggling to maintain their true self, to be different, to be an individual. And yet at the same time, people will strive to fit in and vehemently avoid any association with the term 'weirdo'. So what matters more to us in the end, what is it that we choose? Judging by the overwhelming popularity of packaged music, and the unimaginative way most people present themselves. I think you'll find that the majority of our society will rather pretend to be someone else for the rest of their lives than be an outcast. So what is it that convinces people, time after time, to accept that there is a norm, and to conform to that norm? When asked, people eagerly point their finger towards fashion magazines and the media. Though I do not deny their influence on our society's sheepish behaviour, I cannot help but wonder what it is that people are hiding behind this too-obvious scapegoat. I can't help but think that surely there is something more subtle, and higher regarded that teaches us, early on, to obey and to accept that which we are given.
The answer I came up with was Religion.
All religion, but particularly Monotheism, teaches faith as its grace. It teaches its followers that belief and obedience to the god is the only true path to heaven, and that rejection of him will cast you into hell and eternal damnation (or a Karmic Cycle for Buddhists). And since Christianity is the primary belief of Australian Society, this belief is incessantly drilled into our society. To me, it seems obvious that institutionalised religion, and the Monotheistic churches are the reason people so readily to yield to the dominant trend around them. How can anyone rebel and break from the mould when their faith's basic message is, "Be Led! Thou art all sheep, and thus shall you ascend into heaven." Nowadays, it is perhaps quite simple to change one's faith, but the habit of obedience and acceptance is almost impossible to break. Fighting for a truth is much harder than simply accepting the facts that are handed to you, and so, the majority of the world will remain as it is, rigidly afraid and disapproving of that which is different.
Due to my sudden anti-religion zeal, I began searching the Internet and my local library for books and articles that share my sentiments. It is then that I came across the Satanic Bible. On an impulse, I took it home and shortly began to read it. I never quite finished the book, but what I read actually cast a favourable light on Satanism, perhaps this was due to the disillusionment I felt towards institutional religions at the time. I recall thinking that, perhaps it was just what the world needs to break away from the religious tyranny that most aren't even aware of. I mean what better way to counter the dictatorship of Christianity and its characteristic blind obedience, than with the self-worshiping Un-Religion that is Satanism?
Just to clarify, Satanism does not count itself as a religion, as they are atheistic to the extreme. They are called Satanists not because they worship the devil, but because they honour the mythical literary character known as Satan and his rebellion. According to 'White Light" Religions such as Christianity, Islam and Judaism, Satan is a symbol of temptation towards bad choices, a symbol of defeat and failure and a symbol of deceit and hatred. But the correct transliteration of the Hebrew word Satan, merely means "the opposer." That is, someone working against the dominant force, much like the Shadow Government.
Arguably, the greatest sin in Satanism is blind acceptance, as the Satanic Bible states that, "Satan represents Doubt. God did not want Adam and Eve to eat of the Tree of Knowledge. Allah did not want his creation to doubt his word. In both theologies, it was Satan, the most intelligent created being, who stood up against this enforced ignorance. Satan tells mankind: Search for knowledge, even in taboo places. Shaitan told the Djinn: Let us test God's word, let us not mindlessly believe all that God says. Enlightenment is the ability to look past stated truth and dogma, and Lucifer represents our search for enlightenment." Satanists seeks the truth in the opposite way to the Religious Bible Basher - through trial and error, inference and intelligence, rather than the theistic methods of heart-searching or Bible reading. A Satanist learn through empirical observation and experience. So maybe herein lays the key to fitting in. The Satanic Bible does not say that God's words are wrong, but merely that we should be able to justify it for ourselves before we accept it as a truth. Correspondingly, there is no sin in being similar to others in society, provided that the likeness is not intentional; after all, that is not what conformity is.
Will embracing Satan open a path to freedom from conformity and oppression? For a start, being a Satanist will probably mean that there is no longer a need to fit in, as the mention of the Lord Satan will probably frighten most people off anyways. Now the only ones left to deal with are those open-minded enough to befriend a Satanist, this will probably mean that they too begin to question the Status quo. Excellent, not only have I effectively rid my world of all the sheep, (yeah! More grass for us goats!) I am also able to immediately identify potential converts, and thus brings the world one step closer to being completely free of the subconscious oppression, and pro-conformity vibe of Religion.
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