Is LaVeyan Satanism part of the Left Hand Path?

[Luciferi Baphomet]

In the satanic bible Anton LaVey literally states LaVeyan Satanism is a philosophy, not a religion

????

It is a choice for one to believe if Satanism is a religion or not. I think satanism is a religion.

 

[idav]

One very interesting aspect of LaVeyan Satanism, which most seem to overlook, is that Satan is seen as an aspect of nature, in this case one intiminately related to hedonism, pride, our animistic, base nature. The problem with this is that LaVeyan Satanism is essentially about not fighting our nature, giving into it and submitting certain aspects of the universe. This is, so far as I can tell, the exact opposite of what the WLHP seeks to accomplish, which is a mastery of ones nature, a separation from the greater Nature as a whole. Submission to "forces of nature" is essentially the defining trait of the WRHP.

We also have the issue of Peter Gilmore, a man so dogmatic he believes all who disagree with him "are on some level insane," and holds "nothing but contempt for them." It doesn't take a lot of explaining to show why this may contradict the ideology of the WLHP. Further, the Church of Satan as a whole tens to hold the claim that it is the only valid form of satanism, despite objective and even academic fact disagreeing with this. It may be more an unwritten rule, but when I think WLHP I don't think about denying objective facts just to claim ones sect is the only valid version.

That's interesting here about the submitting to nature. Laveyan would be left hand because it is opposite of Christianity. In one example you have the idea of "doing what the self wants" vs Christianity "do what god wants", which would be an empowering aspect you feel is missing in Laveyan.

 

[Satans_Serrated_Edge]

One very interesting aspect of LaVeyan Satanism, which most seem to overlook, is that Satan is seen as an aspect of nature, in this case one intiminately related to hedonism, pride, our animistic, base nature. The problem with this is that LaVeyan Satanism is essentially about not fighting our nature, giving into it and submitting certain aspects of the universe. This is, so far as I can tell, the exact opposite of what the WLHP seeks to accomplish, which is a mastery of ones nature, a separation from the greater Nature as a whole. Submission to "forces of nature" is essentially the defining trait of the WRHP.

We also have the issue of Peter Gilmore, a man so dogmatic he believes all who disagree with him "are on some level insane," and holds "nothing but contempt for them." It doesn't take a lot of explaining to show why this may contradict the ideology of the WLHP. Further, the Church of Satan as a whole tens to hold the claim that it is the only valid form of satanism, despite objective and even academic fact disagreeing with this. It may be more an unwritten rule, but when I think WLHP I don't think about denying objective facts just to claim ones sect is the only valid version.

I would say they are not, but for absolutely none of the same reasons as yourself.

The reason they are not is simple; they enshrine man's laws above all, kissing the *** of and bowing down before that which they purport to oppose. They would deign others as sheep while all the while minding the sheppard in a way that is indistinguishable from anyone else.

 

[Serpent Child]

It is a choice for one to believe if Satanism is a religion or not. I think satanism is a religion.

Satanism in general is extremely diverse, its not 1 religion or 1 belief system. I believe that LaVeyan Satanism is a philosophy, not an actual religion, as this is what it states it is and is explained in the Satanic Bible. I agree that Theistic Satanism is an actual religion, which is an umbrella term for many different Satanist sects and organizations.

 

[EverChanging]

This is, so far as I can tell, the exact opposite of what the WLHP seeks to accomplish, which is a mastery of ones nature, a separation from the greater Nature as a whole. Submission to "forces of nature" is essentially the defining trait of the WRHP.

I cannot comment at this time as to whether Laveyan Satanism is LHP or RHP since definitions I have thus far come across are vague, non-sensical, or caricatures.

But I will say this: events including behavior are accountable in some way or they are not. If not accountable, then they are not accountable in terms of self-mastery, either.

This concept of somehow being separate from nature and somehow beyond accountability in terms of existence and behavior is non-sensical. What does that even mean? Can you defy gravity? How can you separate yourself from the web of causes and conditions that gives rise to your identity in the first place?

The alternative (no accountability in any way for events and behavior or in other words, to be without submission to natural laws) is no better in terms of attaining self-mastery because the self plays no role in accountability for anything in such a scenario.

The Laveyan Satanists should not want to espouse such incoherent ideas.