When Satanists Attack!

I'm hoping for feedback on this one people. We're talking about Satanists, Luciferians and other so-called “left hand paths.”

Now let's be clear:

1. I do NOT believe Satanists are categorically evil.

2. I do NOT even believe Satan or Lucifer or Baphomet or the “demons” are evil just because other religions say so.

3. I am familiar with Satanic philosophy as it is explained by people who follow that path and because of my own reading and research. I am in a couple of Satanic Facebook groups and see everything posted there.

4. I am NOT a Satanist or Luciferian. Neither do I keep company with them, attend their rituals or follow their spiritual path.

Here's my issue:

It has been my experience and perception that many people who identify themselves as Satanists or Luciferians have a chip on their shoulder. In my personal experience they tend to have a hard edge that is very quick to both take offense or respond to other individuals in harsh tones. Why is that?

Some of you may say, 'well what do you expect from a Satanist!?' The thing is, the literature doesn't usually suggest being nasty or hateful – unless provoked. Notwithstanding the way Judaism and Christianity portray Satan, his worshipers never tire of explaining how they revere qualities such as independence, critical thinking, self-reliance, respect, loyalty and truth. They say Satan epitomizes these virtues and strengths and that is why he is worthy of praise and emulation.

What follows are the “11 Satanic Rules of the Earth” by the founder of the Church of Satan Anton LeVey pictured above.

1. Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.

2. Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure they want to hear them.

3. When in another’s lair, show him respect or else do not go there.

4. If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy.

5. Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal.

6. Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the other person and he cries out to be relieved.

7. Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained.

8. Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself.

9. Do not harm little children.

10. Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food.

11. When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.

Call me crazy and deluded if you like but, in my opinion, if people are following these principles they are doing better than a great many so-called Christians I know! It is the DISCONNECT that troubles me. For example some Satanists end their emails or blog posts with an abrupt “Fuck off!” or “Go fuck yourself!,” replacing the more conventional “sincerely, or “best wishes!” To that I will offer an eloquent “WTF!!?” That's just not very neighborly is it? (Then again, Muslims, Christians and Jews blowing things up and killing folks "in the name of God" isn't either!)

So what wisdom do YOU have to share? Have you noticed a tendency for left hand path people to be a bit antisocial? Is it my imagination? Are they rebels against what the world considers the 'good' religions and just want to act bad-ass? Why choose Satan as an icon when there are so many other gods that epitomize the virtues they claim to revere in him? Is Satanism merely an anti-Christianity protest?

What say you?

(I've included a gratuitous video for no particular reason!)