I never said I was a member of the Church of Satan. I believe all I said was that I am a Satanist. It is the first entry of this thread, very clearly stated.

If somehow, you are trying to deny my faith as a Satanist because I am not a member of the Church, that's like saying you aren't a christian if you aren't a member of a church.

When I first became a follower of the Dark Lord, the Church was a public entity. That is no longer the case. The head "priest" John D. Allee has turned it into nothing more than a secret society. Go here to look for yourself: http://www.churchofsatan.org/main.html

Satan is but a mere REPRESENTATION in what we believe in. A true Satanist worships himself above all else.

I assume you have read the docturines of the Church of Satan, so is the church you "attend" (for lack of better word) based on those or are they a sub "culture" (that also for lack of better word) I'm not trying to be sh*tty, I just really would like to know, as I have never known a Satanist that was not a card carrying member of the church of Satan.

Thank you for the clarification of your beliefs. And the extravagent compliment.

Peace and joy.

I understand your point but I question the value of any study on something so intangible and higly variable as prayer. I don't know if this is something that it is possible to do a meaningful study of... it's so subjective.

I think that the power of prayer is more along the lines of visualization and self-healing. Of course many studies have shown that placebos can have very positive effects so it seems like praying would have a positive effect regardless of whether or not there is an actual god. Also, it seems to me that prayer would have a positive effect if the family and friends were involved because that kind of support is normally helpful. To me "praying" just means focusing, it's like meditation... for me "praying" frequently means focusing my mind on all the good and beautiful things in the world. Which emhances my will to live- again I would think that would be helpful in fighting off some illnesses but "proving" it would be different.

The nature of god is obviously so very different to so many people so how could the "prayers" ever be measurable or comparable one to another?

Pastafarian (church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster or FSM)

Where I live, in good ol' Nevada, such a Church would be shut down. The Wizard's Staff, gone. The Eclipse, gone. Hell, even Hot Topic is gone. Enchanted Paper has a couple of weeks left, maybe. Then those bastards are going to start on the Mystical Book Shoppe.

Yet the whorehouses are still open and the city council as agreed to let them advertise their dealings on our taxis.

Hypocritical pieces of FILTH!

I have aquainted myself with others of the same faith (Not more than 20... Small town.) and only 2 are card carrying members. We have Black Mass once every couple of months, that's the best I can hope for. We will all be getting together on Walpurgis for a day of feasting and indulgence. We ignore Christmas.

So, yeah... No Church. I am kind of a maverick.

I am sorry if I offended you previously.... you know how it is when you get up on your high horse..... Where I live (I only know of the Pagan community) but I know there are resources here. I have looked into your religion, but did not appeal to me... just my preference..nothing more nothing less... but I do think the 13 Laws...are something everyone should live by. VERY MUCH SO!!

I think studies that purport to investigate "prayer" are questionable, and raises legitimate concerns. How is "prayer" defined? Would placing stringent controls, and arbitrary limits to it alter its 'nature' or 'efficacy'. Can a quantifiable, "dosage response" to prayer even be rationally investigated as we do with pharmaceuticals? Is the experimental study design framework even a valid approach for an "intangible" and "variable" concept like prayer? How do we account for biopsychosocial factors, and their likely influence on medical outcomes? The list goes on and on. So, yes, I think one could offer a host of valid criticisms.

I'm not a Buddhist. I blend aspects of Christianity, Paganism, Witchcraft, Buddhism, and LaVeyan Satanism into my own spiritual beliefs. I take what I feel is right and beneficial for me personally from each of these religions, beliefs, and philosophies and leave the rest.

To clarify even more, I am a Pagan who embraces the Holy Trinity as my chosen Diety. I worship Father God, Mother Goddess (who to me is the Holy Spirit), and their son Jesus the Christ (the annointed one).

I don't believe that The Holy Bible is infalliable. In fact I believe at one time it was the inspired word of God, however, it was written by the hands of imperfect men who have their own selfish agendas.

I not only read and study the Holy Bible though. I also suppliment my studies with other Christian and Gnostic texts such as "The Lost Books of the Bible," "The Pistis Sophia," The Nag Hammadi Library," and "The Apocrypha." I look at all of these texts, including The Holy Bible, as spiritual texts that have spiritual lessons within. I apply what I feel is beneficial to me and leave the rest.

I also practice Witchcraft (Magick)... more specifically I'm what they call a "kitchen witch" where hearth and home is my main focus.

How does Buddhism fit into all this? I read and study a lot of Thich Nhat Hahn's teachings on mindfulness. Thich Nhat Hahn is Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, teacher, author, and peace activist. I was introduced to these mindfulness skills that he teaches many years ago when I was taking DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). I do not by any means call myself a Buddhist. I do however, take some aspects of Zen Buddhism and add it to my own spiritual practices.

How does LaVeyan Satanism fit into all of this? I've read everything I could get my hands on by Anton LaVey. I agree with a lot of LaVey's philosophies, but of course I don't believe enough to call myself a Satanist. What I do agree with LaVey on I add it to my own spiritual practices.

Let me give you an example...

If there is someone who is out to harm my loved ones in any way, shape, or form, and the usual methods of help are not successful for me and my loved ones I will turn to Magick. I will use Magick as a way to protect me and my loved ones from harm. If need be, I will use Magick to bring about justice when all earthly methods of justice have not prevailed. In short one's own moral compass decides what is right and wrong. That's why "The Wiccan Rede" was given as advice not holy law, when practicing Magick, because it's not something that you go into lightly. At the same time, one can not be a doormat for certain people in this world who would take advantage of you in a heartbeat. I've looked at "The Book of Satan" by Anton Szandor LeVay for some very wise advice on this subject...

1. “Love one another” it has been said is the supreme law, but what power made it so? Upon what rational authority does the gospel of love rest? Why should I not hate mine enemies -- if I “love” them does that not place me at their mercy?
2. Is it natural for enemies to do good unto each other -- and WHAT IS GOOD?
3. Can the torn and bloody victom “love” the blood splashed jaws that rend him limb from limb?
4. Are we not all predatory animals by instinct? If humans ceased wholly from preying upon each other, could they continue to exist?
5. Is not “lust and carnal desire” a more truthful term to describe “love” when applied to the continuance of the race? Is not the “love” of the fawning scriptures simply a euphemism for sexual activity, or was the “great teacher” a glorifier or eunuchs?
6. Love your enemies and do good to them that hate and use you -- is this not the despicable philosophy of the spaniel that rolls upon its back when kicked?
7. Hate your enemies with a whole heart, and if a man smite you on one cheek, SMASH him on the other!; smite him hip and thigh, for self-preservation is the highest law!
8. He who turns the other cheek is a cowardly dog!
9. Give blow for blow, scorn for scorn, doom for doom -- with compound interest liberally added thereunto! Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, aye four-fold, a hundred-fold! Make yourself a Terror to your adversary, and when he goeth his way, he will posses much additional wisdom to ruminate over. Thus shall you make yourself respected in all the walks of life, and your spirit -- your immortal spirit -- shall live, not in an intangible paradise, but in the brains and sinews of those whose respect you have gained.

It may be hard for you to understand, but I believe what Jesus taught in the Holy Bible and what Anton LaVey taught concerning love and enemies. The key factor is the specifics of any given situation. What Jesus teaches is not beneficial to any human being in every single situation. What LaVey teaches is not beneficial to any human being in every single situation. One cannot be like Jesus teaches and allow everyone treat you as a doormat all the time. At the same time one cannot be like LaVey teaches and allow anger and bitterness to take over ones heart and soul. One must gain the wisdom to determine which philosophy would be the most beneficial to oneself in that particular situation.

Now with this one example I gave I hope you can get a better picture of how I take from all these different religions and philosophies what I feel is beneficial to me and leave the rest.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer them.

Most people call me a crazy *****

satanist is not a religion

Think outside the box...

Take a bath.

You know this how?

I disagree with you.

LaVeyan Satanism is a religion... their diety is SELF.
Luciferian Satanism (a.k.a. Luciferian Witchcraft) is a religion... their diety is SATAN.

Technically, this is true. If you are not a member of a recognized, registered, organized, group of people, espousing the same ideology, then you have no religion, per se.
As a "Satanist", what you do have is a distinct spiritual philosophy.
Just as a "Deist" does.

And who or what makes the judgement as to what is a religion and what isn't?

Ahhh, here we go again. A simple question is asked and people think that is reason to bash others.

I'm Jewish. Reformed lifestyle, conservative beliefs.

Literal definition; this seems to be a major problem with people these days. They can't separate Belief (spiritual philosophy) from Religion. They are not synonymous. Religion controls , restricts & defines dogma or doctrine. Belief is unfettered.