How do Satanists show devotion?

[Gharib]

Hi all. First time posting in this DIR.

I do not know anything about Satanism, so it may get a little messy trying to get to the point and asking the right question. I apologize if anything I say comes off as offensive or rude in any way.

First of all, is he worshiped in a literal sense and if so how is one able to tell the level of devotion one has if there is such a word in Satanism. For example, in Islamic teachings the highest level of devotion is committing very few sins, calling people to what God has permitted and against what he has prohibited and the ability to worship God as if one sees him although we do not see him.

Is Satanism something like this. I don't know how else to ask this question without making reference to my own beliefs as an example. Thanks for your time and answers.

 

[Kapalika]

It depends, some Satanists believe in Satan as real and try to emulate his positive qualities.

But many do not and see him as a literary figure by which to see as a metaphorical narrative. There is a lot of disagreement on that. Some groups are hedonistic while some take from works of literature where he isn't as hedonistic but is more about enlightening people and fighting injustice.

Again, it really depends on who you ask. There are many Satanist groups and most disagree with each other a lot. In the end it always comes down to what Satan means to the person.

With all of that said I *can* answer for me, both as someone who has been involved with Satanism for several years now. When I was younger I thought Satan was an actual literal being that was separate for me. My understanding was kind of limited but over time I began to realize that Satan isn't one thing but something that someone is and becomes.

This is where it becomes hard for me to fully discuss this in language that doesn't borrow from Hinduism... but there is a concept in some sects that is essentially a 'personal god' or deity by which one is inspired. For me, Satan is one that inspires. When I think of being Satanic I think of Rajoguna (energy, passion, ego-driven, changing, motion) and a strong, undeniable urge to speak truth and discover it, and 'bear light' so to speak to reveal these truths to other people. The truth doesn't have to be religious, but it has to be something that helps people. I find myself striving to be a warrior of sorts to fight injustice and lies and deceit. I hate to see people treated unfairly and I hate to see people manipulate others and lie to them.

I find Satan to be a good narrative, a good figure by which to explain my personal preferences and ethics, by which to paint my spirituality in tone and in symbols. Satan has meant a lot of different things to different people, and perhaps I am influenced more by some groups than others. Sometimes I wish I could find different symbols seeing as how misunderstood Satanism is in general, but I've had too many experiences with "Satan" and I am too drawn to it and philosophically much of Satanism speaks to me. I think for a lot of Satanists it's the same way... there is a saying that "Satanists are not made, they are born." For a lot of us, we are Satanists because we cannot be anything else. It's simply inside of us and we can't escape it; like a planet in orbit, it isn't something you would want to escape, because it's simply where you're *supposed* to be in the first place. It's simply the reality of our existence.

To get more specific with your question sometimes I use invocations and chants, in a way someone might do with other deities to praise or worship. But for me it's about the meditational place I go to and focusing on making myself more aware of who I want to become. To me, being Satanic is being my best self and overcoming hardships and those who oppose me and what I stand for. It's about transcending all the nonsense of this world and our weird, arbitrary society to accomplish something meaningful and fulfilling to me personally, which most often entails either furthering my musical talents and work, or doing something that will help other people.

I guess another simple way to put is that I show devotion by living by my values, I just hope my longer explanation showed how that relates to belief and symbolism, and maybe some of what that entails.

 

[ScottySatan]

I think Satanists would agree that the measure is in personal power and accomplishments. How bright is your black flame?

 

[Adramelek]

I can only speak for my self as a Setian. Firstly, I recognize that submission and self-subjugation are sacrilege to the Gift of the Black Flame. The Setian is one who strives and works towards becoming attuned to his/her own Higher Self and Will, but not just to become attuned to it but also to work towards its complete and absolute manifestation. The Setian is sort of a spiritual Alchemist who through the process of self-directed self-evolution is transformed from a mortal state of existence into that of a divine State of Being. The relationship between the Setian and Set, the Prince of Darkness, is that of a teacher/student, not that of a master/servant.

 

[Gharib]

Your answers have led me to ask a different question.

How exactly do you see Satan as? In your beliefs is Satan the same as the one which the Bible and Qur'an depict as evil and an enemy of humanity or is this completely different and has nothing to do the Islam and Christianity?

You guys see him as a positive being if I've understood your posts correctly.

 

[ScottySatan]

In your beliefs is Satan the same as the one which the Bible and Qur'an depict

I don't think any Satanist would say yes to that (not merely that, anyway). He's clearly a loser in those stories, right?

Is he positive? Positive for me. Probably not positive for you.

 

[Kapalika]

Your answers have led me to ask a different question.

How exactly do you see Satan as? In your beliefs is Satan the same as the one which the Bible and Qur'an depict as evil and an enemy of humanity or is this completely different and has nothing to do the Islam and Christianity?

You guys see him as a positive being if I've understood your posts correctly.

I believe that "Satan" as the Old Testament describes as a being and semantical verb-noun term as something that draws a lot of similarities with how I see it as a personified force/principle. But the Jews do not see "Satan" to be the same as "The Devil" such as Christianity and Islam.

Satan is many things, but "evil" wouldn't be one of them, at least not to me. Quiet the contrary being Satanic to me is fighting evil. There are some who believe that Ha-Satan was one of the top angels, and one of his jobs was finding those who were unfaithful to expose them. To me it's kind of like that, but of course there is a lot of rebel and outcast connotations to that. In a world where there is so much screwed up stuff going on that people just accept as part of how things are supposed to be, taking a stand against it is often rebellion.

Some people are content to just sit there and say "the world is cruel and it's delusion to deny or fight that and I'll just selfishly be out for myself and maybe a few people I care about." In fact, that is the stance of many Satanists, or at least many of the anti-theistic/atheist ones influenced by the Church of Satan and it's writings (which is mostly a far-right Liberterian group).

Perhaps... as a more Luciferian type of person... I want to see mankind be it's best self, not just the individual in pursuit of their personal power and revelation. With that I rebel against the typical Satanic position and say "If the narrative says that Lucifer gave the gift of knowledge to all of mankind, who am I to only wish that greatest fruits for just myself?" And so following in that example I do my best to help others as much as I'm responsibly able to. I know a lot of people in here might find that a weird position for a Satanist to take, but it's my personal conviction and what I find to be the most personally fulfilling.

Just like how @Adramelek believes Set / The Prince of Darkness wants to help mankind fully manifest and become attuned to their Will and Higher Self, so do I want to do the same for others as well as for myself. Although I would take the interpretation much less literally and without the supernatural baggage.

I kind of see Satan as encompassing the nature and perseverance of mankind... and I seek to emulate and promote the good qualities of that. Other religions try to get mankind to emulate the good qualities of a god... but Satan is different to me because it's realizing those gods were part of us all along.

 

[Mindmaster]

Hi all. First time posting in this DIR.

I do not know anything about Satanism, so it may get a little messy trying to get to the point and asking the right question. I apologize if anything I say comes off as offensive or rude in any way.

First of all, is he worshiped in a literal sense and if so how is one able to tell the level of devotion one has if there is such a word in Satanism. For example, in Islamic teachings the highest level of devotion is committing very few sins, calling people to what God has permitted and against what he has prohibited and the ability to worship God as if one sees him although we do not see him.

Is Satanism something like this. I don't know how else to ask this question without making reference to my own beliefs as an example. Thanks for your time and answers.

By The Bible, or Quran.... Angels must do God's will, Satan was an Angel "before the fall" thus it is God's will that he did what he does. How does that shake out for you? The prosecuting attorney for the crown isn't exactly evil... He is just not on your side always! He still is doing what God makes him do.

Worship in Satanism doesn't reflect the slavish behavior that happens with Islam, Satan might be greatly admired as a teacher... But, it is closer to how Buddhists revere Buddha... You are expected to take care of your own problems and not beg -- you also are expected to come up with your own rules. Also, most Satanists don't accept the biblical definitions of Satan...

Atheistic Satanists basically are involved with the symbol or the archetype of what Satan means to them. They basically live by a certain philosophy... It is non-religious...

 

[Kapalika]

Atheistic Satanists basically are involved with the symbol or the archetype of what Satan means to them. They basically live by a certain philosophy... It is non-religious...

I beg to differ. I make altars, do rituals, have rites., have holidays, have songs, have beliefs, have symbols, have mantras, have ways to "worship"/meditate, have codes on ways to act ect

Granted, for some your statement is true, but a lot are more involved with ritual magick and other such religious trappings than they might first let on.

Otherwise, very good post that I agree with

 

[Adramelek]

Your answers have led me to ask a different question.

How exactly do you see Satan as? In your beliefs is Satan the same as the one which the Bible and Qur'an depict as evil and an enemy of humanity or is this completely different and has nothing to do the Islam and Christianity?

You guys see him as a positive being if I've understood your posts correctly.

Firstly, thanks Gharib, respectful questions are always welcome here.

Lets use some Christian mythology as an analogy. The Serpent and the forbidden fruit. Satan (the Serpent) is the best friend humanity has ever had, by tempting Eve and in turn who tempted Adam to eat of the fruit from the "forbidden" tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they became aware of them selves, "they saw that they were naked". Also, they became separated from God, now on there own to confront the real challenges of existence as liberated beings no longer sole subjects to the whim of God's Will. To learn and grow in accordance with their own mind and will with the gift of knowledge and enlightenment.

Enter stage left, the Setian perspective. We do not pray to Set because Set does not answer prayers. Set received no help in his journey toward becoming the Ageless Intelligence of this Universe. And so, we also are basically on our own. Set infused within mankind the gift of Self-Awareness and isolate intelligence. He may teach us and strengthen us on our individual quests and journeys in Life, however, it is up to us, and us alone to utilize that knowledge and strength in our own best interest in the great Work of Life. Again, Set is a teacher, a kindred spirit, and does not lead us around by the nose. Those who struggle (like Set) with the principle of Coming Into Being are of his Essence. Their actions are essentially the same.

 

[Liu]

Since I have a theology 'slightly' different from the previous commenters' I'd like to include my views.

There are many ways in which to show devotion to the Dark One:
- meditation/contemplation/rituals
- learning/studying, especially if it broadens one's horizons
- thinking critically
- strengthening one's awareness
- acknowledging one's "satanic" nature
- appreciating art/poetry/music that one connects with spiritually
- enjoying nature, especially at night
- working on "improving" oneself in whatever way seems appropriate
- taking care to do one's own will and not to be influenced by other people's wills too much
- and, last but not least, having fun without feeling any guilt

I consider my deity to be not "only" what the Setians call the spark of isolate intelligence, but also the essence of this world in which this spark came to be, and I don't have a problem with showing submission to It if I feel enraptured by It. It's our innermost nature, It's what truly rules us, Its will and our will are one, and we cannot in any way act against It. It's not an entity entirely separate from us, not a god in the classical sense.
So, praying to It and asking It for help then means trying to attune to, for example, one's subconscious to gather the strength and find the inner harmony one needs.

 

[Aštra’el]

By The Bible, or Quran.... Angels must do God's will, Satan was an Angel "before the fall" thus it is God's will that he did what he does.

Actually in the Quran, Iblis/ Satan was described as a Djinn. Djinn have free will just as humans to- the ability to choose to do "good" or "evil"- unlike the Angels, who are naturally compelled to obey god's Will no matter what.
​

 

[VioletVortex]

I don't show devotion directly towards Satan. I show devotion to Satan by showing devotion to myself. That to me is the devotion that must be shown. There are also ways to show devotion through ritual, but these are not necessary, they are a way to strengthen the devotion.