Topic: The function of religion ? - page 17. (Read 18646 times)

I was referring more to the double-slit experiment and the fact that light behaves as a wave, even at a single photon at a time, and produces an interference pattern on a screen behind the two slits unless there are photon detectors by the slits. It's just weird. The other quantum effects, like entanglement, and gods know how many other things I can't think of right now are even more "spooky." The idea that there might be a particle which directly reacts to human will is not too far-fetched, when compared to the rest of the proven things subatomic particles do. And that most definitely would be "magic".

And let's not forget Clarke's third law.

Of course, I digress. The point is that "magic" and "deity" are separate concepts, and that atheists are not always rational.

What's magical about the fact that bombarding small particles with energy (photons) to see them changes their trajectory?

If it works, it works. Placebo effect is real, weird unintuitive stuff is real. The point is relying on evidence. That said I'm pretty sure that rule was added in during some democratic process.

Magic is not inherently religious, needs no deity to work (or not work), and you can even call certain scientifically sound events (like observation mucking with subatomic particles) "magical".

How is "acknowledging the power of magic" not religious?  If Satanism is composed of atheists, surely this rule is unnecessarily, as no atheist would believe in magic.  What supernatural force is this referring to?  Aliens?

Most of them are pretty good. Number 3 has been most useful to me.

Look, the way I see it,, we all have our individual opinions and thoughts. No matter how right we may think we are this does not mean we must alienate others, if we do we are only alienating ourselves. Whats important is that we listen to eachother and respect eachother, and that we have a healthy outlook on life that helps us emotionally and physically.

We are all part of a big family and we care for one another, I think this is one of the main reasons we get so upset. Because we think we are trying to help as we know better but the person opposite us doesnt change their opinions so we get upset because we think these opinions are bad.
Maybe they are not so bad, maybe we could also learn from these views and find a middle path. Science can help, spirituality can also help. Ultimately they serve the same cause and that's us. We are the ones who are important, us people, our big family. Believe in us, let this be your religion and let is serve the purpose of love. Open your hearts and minds to one another..

Bit off topic, but I found an image of Anton LaVey doing his now infamous robot ventriloquist act

Thanks for some discourse that isn't merely attacking/calling stupid. I don't see a "philosophy of leaders" as a framework for affirming my superiority. I don't wrap myself up enough in others to compare myself to them. To me, a philosophy of leaders is simply a short way of stating the idea that we strive to lead by trying new things and exploring our potential as opposed to following tradition and accepting what we are told about ourselves.

Ayn Rand's objectivism definitely had significant influence on LaVey and Satanic philosophy, but there are clear differences between objectivism and satanism. I'd enjoy discussing further, but I have things going on and will be back later tonight.

Aah, so it's a psychological framework for affirming your superiority!
Are you sure Satanism isn't an early work of (edit)Ayn Rand?

Don't get me wrong, i understand the point satanists try to make.
I just cannot escape the thought that the deep embedding of ritualism hints at trying to be the other side of the coin.
My view is that reality is not dualistic in this sense.

"We create our gods, not the other way around. In a very real way, we construct them and define them—and they, in turn, guide and define us. We are a world of storytellers. If aliens really were studying our various cultures on this planet, they might be quite perplexed about our obsession with fiction. We read novels, we go to movies, we watch fictions on television, we’ve carved them on walls for centuries—even our history is filtered through dramatic storylines. Why? We use stories about our heroes, our gods, our demons, our successes, failures, dreams and nightmares in order to preserve what has happened, to communicate our common values, to work through our common fears, to ritualize, instruct and have fun. Humans shine when events become unconventional. That’s the basis for all good tales. What do you do when you’re the underdog, fighting for survival? What do you do when God is dead and there are no rules? What kind of character or honor or sense of justice do you really have when there’s no God to judge you, no threat of eternity in the fiery furnace? That’s when things get interesting. Step beyond the boundaries and see what you might find within yourself. Satanists want to cut through the bullshit, challenge themselves and others, and enjoy life. Read on; perhaps you’ll begin to see your own dark reflection through the words on your computer screen."

I didn't name it. But I did edit my post with further explanation.

I never said you believe in satan, i said you named your club of self-indulging atheists after it.

Sure, because exclusionism is the intelligent choice.

Stupidity is #1 on the list of the Nine Satanic Sins. So we strive to avoid and see through stupidity. We don't believe in any mythical creature called Satan. Satan is symbolic in a sense, and further...

"If you’re new to Satanism, or simply curious, perhaps a brief discussion of one of the most common questions might help you to better understand what this site is all about. Why call it Satanism?

Dr. LaVey has answered this question many times in his writings and in interviews but, apparently, it’s a tough concept for some people. It is usually accompanied by, “You know, everything you say makes a lot of sense. But that name, ‘Satan’, is a real turn-off for people. Why don’t you just call it ‘Humanism’ or something—you’d get a lot more followers.”

Of course, the first point is, we don’t need a lot of followers; we need more leaders in society in general and Satanism is a philosophy of leaders. That’s the glib answer. The more complete answer is that Satanists find more strength in images of defiance, fortitude against all odds and self-determination than we do in the image of the guy hanging on the Cross. We are sickened by the complacency, hypocrisy, prejudice, and self-righteousness that most conventional religions (including “Wicca” and “paganism” as they are currently defined) encourage in people. When my back is up against the wall, I’m not strengthened by Jesus’ supposed martyrdom, or by the idea of praying and being saved, or of mooning over some glorious afterlife (so I don’t have to take responsibility for this one). Satanists’ scorn for such drivel is in our hard-wiring, and we could no more “give our lives over to Christ” than we could cut off one of our own limbs. The word “Satan” is the first hurdle to understanding what we’re trying to get across. Question, challenge all things, especially what you’ve been taught about supposed enemies. Sort out the truth from convenient myths. Words are magical and potent—use them effectively."

A quote from Magistra Blanche Barton, Church of Satan

Not stupid at all. They use the name to keep the idiots out.

Yeah, and how stupid can you be to name your little club of self-indulgent atheists after a mythical god creature?

You may not know what Satanism is. Not a religion, but instead a self-described philosophical organization. It is comprised of atheists. www.churchofsatan.com/pages/_FAQ03.html if you're interested.

That the problems you describe are mostly associated with teenagers in puberty.

And what relevance does that have with my post?