Wednesday began with my Spanish class, which was entertaining and helpful. As usual, with each lesson I attempt to use what I have learned in that lesson and I was able to that night, however before I get to my evening I must share the philosophical conversation I had with a man by the name of...let's call him John. John approached me upstairs in the cafe' because he has seen me a few times at the Cafe because....well...he has made Cafe Connection his office. Any who we began with the pleasantries (where are you from, why are you here, what school did you go to and what for, etc).
I do not remember how we got into the topics of self discovery, philosophy and religion but we got really deep and our conversation lasted for about two hours. Some of the things we discussed was the pros and cons of religion and how it affects people that are in a religion or are victims of the things that religion has done to others. John used to be a Zoroastrianist and left that religion when he felt he longer needed it. From what I remember, since I am writing this post a week later, he feels that religion can help people get to a particular point but it is not necessary for a person to grasp the rest of life for themselves. I told him indirectly that he seemed to have the same ideas of those that ascribed to being Satanist, as in hating the idea of living under a higher authority and having "rules".
To explain where I was coming from I will attempt to share what I understand of Satanism. My understanding of the basic principles of Satanism is from a fellow young adult at my congregation in Brooklyn. She shared that she has an associate that used to actively practice Satanism and that there seems to be more people that are Satanists without realizing it. It also seems that the Satanist principles were written from a standpoint that pushes back on misunderstood Christian principles.There are two things that I agree with however maybe not the same way in that it was meant when written. The nine main principles of Satanism:
1. Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence!
Nothing is to be gained by denying oneself pleasure. Satanism is a world-affirming, not world-denying, religion. However, the encouragement of indulgence does not equate mindless submersion into pleasures. Indulgence requires one to always be in control. If satisfying a desire becomes a compulsion (such as an addiction), then control has been surrendered to the object of desire, which is never encouraged.2. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams!
Reality and existence is sacred, and the truth of that existence is to be honored and sought at all times, never to be sacrificed for a comforting lie or an unverified claim one cannot bother to investigate.
3. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit!
True knowledge takes work and strength. It is something one finds rather than what will be handed to you. Doubt everything and avoid dogma. Truth tells of how the world truly is, not of how we would like it to be. Be wary of shallow emotional wants, for they frequently can only be satisfied at the expense of truth.
(I actually agree with two and three in that knowledge is something that is learned and not just handed to you as pure dogma from one human to another, it is sad that people view Christians as mindless drones that are afraid to ask questions).
4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it [not] love wasted on ingrates!
There is nothing in Satanism that encourages wanton cruelty or unkindness. There is nothing productive in that, but it is also unproductive to waste your energy on people who will not appreciate or reciprocate it. Treating others as they treat you will form meaningful and productive bonds while letting parasites know that you will not waste your time with them. (This sounds like what most people think).5. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek!
Leaving wrongs unpunished merely encourages miscreants to continue preying on both yourself and others, and those who do not stand up for themselves end up being trampled. This is not, however, an encouragement for misbehavior. Becoming a bully in the name of vengeance is not only dishonest but it also invites others to bring vengeance upon yourself. The same goes for illegal actions of retribution: break the law and you become the miscreant that the law should come down on swiftly and harshly.6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible...!
Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires! Real leaders are determined by their actions and accomplishments, not their titles, and real power and responsibility should be given to those who can wield it, not to those who simply demand it.7. Satan represents man as just another animal...!
Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his “divine spiritual and intellectual development,” has become the most vicious animal of all! Elevating the human species as somehow innately superior to other animals is blatant self-deceit. Humanity is driven by the same natural urges that other animals experience. While our intellect has allowed us to accomplish truly great things (which should be appreciated), it can also be credited with incredible and wanton acts of cruelty throughout history.8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins...!
Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification! In general, the concept of “sin” is something that breaks a moral or religious law, and Satanism is strictly against such following of dogma. When a Satanist avoids an action, it is because of concrete reasons, not simply because dogma dictates it or someone has judged it “bad”. In addition, when a Satanists realizes that he or she has committed an actual wrong, the correct response is to accept it, learn from it, and not do it again, rather than mentally beat himself or herself up for it or begging for forgiveness.9. Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had...!
Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as He has kept it in business all these years! This last statement is largely a declaration against dogmatic and fear-based religion. If there were no temptations, if we did not have the natures that we do, if there was nothing to fear, then few people would submit themselves to the rules and abuses that have developed in other religions (specifically Christianity) over the centuries.
We talked about God and our concepts of God. Him and I are in similar places in our lives as we search for truth and wanting to be a better person however, I look to Christ as a person I model my life after and he looks to himself. It seemed as if he had a bad experiences with religion and have been around people that have been burned hence him not wanting to deal with it. I agree that religion has generally become a man made institution that lost the point of serving God, what it means and what it looks like. The way Christianity is displayed I can see ones apprehension to being a follower of Christ. I feel that Christianity (generally, not all) no longer accurately reflects the life and messages that are in the Bible. This saddens me because I feel there are people that will thrive from following the teachings and examples of Christ. Due to the fact I cannot recall all that was said I will share that it was a VERY interesting conversation.
As I told John, it is interesting that we have reached similar conclusions however my perspective gets clearer as I step away from man and closer to God. As he admits he is still searching and does not know it all, it is evident that he seeks freedom and strays away from the thought of being "governed" and to him I would imply that being a part of a faith is enslavement. However if he read the Bible, and were introduced to the real Christ he would see that a lot of what he is coming to believe is almost similar (besides the being ones own god). Being here in Arequipa, I am observing how and what it means to live out the gospel and have it be a part of your life as you share it with others.
