Is talking about Satanism / Demonology / Cults considered religious here?

[gaylolis]

Seeing it wasn't an official religion at all, and probably gets referenced a lot in stories--does Satan gets a free pass?

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Only if you talk about Satan carefully, and somewhat bashfully.

 

[CarburetorThompson]

Even as a religious person I’d say it’s fine. I don’t care about demon and satan references in media, don’t even care if you declare it as your irl religion, doesn’t effect anyone negatively.

 

[ThrillingHuman]

The Satanic Temple is a real religion, says IRS

(RNS) — The Satanic Temple says it was recently recognized as a church by the IRS. The group, which is nontheistic and argues religion can be 'divorced' from superstition, has said it should have the same rights and protections as other religious groups.

religionnews.com

 

[gaylolis]

The Satanic Temple is a real religion, says IRS

(RNS) — The Satanic Temple says it was recently recognized as a church by the IRS. The group, which is nontheistic and argues religion can be 'divorced' from superstition, has said it should have the same rights and protections as other religious groups.

religionnews.com

there are many branches of satanism, and im not referring to a specific one like that, but more in general :o

don't tell me IRS recognizes each of the schools of thought, even Satanist branches that doesn't even see themselves as a religion. they do view Satan more as a symbol of freedom and self, instead of object of worship iirc.

 

[ThrillingHuman]

there are many branches of satanism, and im not referring to a specific one like that, but more in general :o

don't tell me IRS recognizes each of the schools of thought, even Satanist branches that doesn't even see themselves as a religion. they do view Satan more as a symbol of freedom and self, instead of object of worship iirc.

well, in any case there are people unironically believing in Satan. Does the IRS not recognising their religions make those religions in some way lesser, or not worthy of being taken seriously?

 

[gaylolis]

well, in any case there are people unironically believing in Satan. Does the IRS not recognising their religions make those religions in some way lesser, or not worthy of being taken seriously?

probably not for those who live outside of the US. in Asia, esp developing countries, religions aren't as liberal and you can be jailed for starting a religious movement, especially when their core belief goes against the major religions.

as for official religions, i mean those that are recognized globally at least.

 

[RavenRunes]

it's a part of a mainstream religion and also a stand-alone/spin off religion, and a valid theology in terms of study. Also a fairly sensitive subject in many pagan religions, due to the mis-representation of those religions.

 

[gaylolis]

it's a part of a mainstream religion and also a stand-alone/spin off religion, and a valid theology in terms of study. Also a fairly sensitive subject in many pagan religions, due to the mis-representation of those religions.

i do learn of pagan mythologies from video games. peculiarly valkyrie profile and age of mythology. though aside from odin beating up frost giants, i didn't remember much.

there's also spiritualist branch of them called the Wicca iirc.

metal bands did do some offense to them, like the church burning stuff. so they're often associated with being satanic.

but yea, satanism's pretty complicated. it's like everything can be made satanic whenever they want, with just a basis of being 'cool'. though the ones i read so far were far from the barbaric themes and more about self-improvement. reading about their rituals and teachings, they even took parts from the Wicca as well.

the world's really complicated.

 

[Ssthat]

i dunno anything about satanism, although i do appreciate the good work those fellows do

 

[georgelee5786]

It technically is, yes

 

[gaylolis]

It technically is, yes

i did read a bit and people are quite divided on this. in wikipedia some view it as religion, but others like anton lavey viewed it more as a philosophy and way of life, as they referred it as atheistic satanism.

though, if speaking of satanism in non-religious way, i guess it's still considered okay? just like how some made threads discussing philosophy.

 

[Cipiteca396]

i did read a bit and people are quite divided on this. in wikipedia some view it as religion, but others like anton lavey viewed it more as a philosophy and way of life, as they referred it as atheistic satanism.

though, if speaking of satanism in non-religious way, i guess it's still considered okay? just like how some made threads discussing philosophy.

It depends on how you define religion, and if you're stopping to define religion, then you're already trying to weasel your way into talking about religion. For example, you can say that you're only interested in demonology as a mythological reference for your fictional story. But you can say the same thing about christianity too, and then people will get mad about it. So it's less about religion, and more about picking fights with people.

I'd say yes it counts, for the purpose of the forum's rules. But just like some religious threads can slip by without getting reported, you can probably talk about satanism because nobody cares enough to report it... As long as nobody cares enough to report it.

 

[gaylolis]

It depends on how you define religion, and if you're stopping to define religion, then you're already trying to weasel your way into talking about religion. For example, you can say that you're only interested in demonology as a mythological reference for your fictional story. But you can say the same thing about christianity too, and then people will get mad about it. So it's less about religion, and more about picking fights with people.

I'd say yes it counts, for the purpose of the forum's rules. But just like some religious threads can slip by without getting reported, you can probably talk about satanism because nobody cares enough to report it... As long as nobody cares enough to report it.

i just find them as something intriguing to study and take benefits from, but they won't centralize my life values.

while i do take note on philosophical movements like laveyan satanism, it does have some more mainstream equivalent like confucianism and taoism, which could arguably be considered religion as well.

but yea, as long it's obscure enough and we keep it civil, perhaps it's fine.

 

[RavenRunes]

Wicca isn't considered true paganism in certain circles. It's a reconstructionist religion (like many European pagan religions) with little basis in Druidism or any ancient paganism. The black metal church-burning crap was more just anti-Christian than outright satanism anyway, just some kids with nowt better to do really. Vikernes at the time (and after) mumbled something about 'oppression' (and I'd agree with him) but other than that, I've never heard any real reason for it.
But it seemed to me that if they were truly anti-Christian, burning down the devil's hiding place was an epic own goal....