 Originally Posted by SymphonicX
Hey there Jeffery, thanks for your reply. And don't worry I rarely take offense to posts on a webboard 
Excellent, same here.
I did read the text, admittedly I was 18 at the time - a decade later things have definitely changed in my life and of course my memory of the book has faded somewhat - however you've jogged certain memories in me and one of them was the line "if you're struck on the cheek, smite them in the face"...or something like that.
Yes, this being a personal favorite of mine & what I teach my lady's two boys too, obviously she too agrees with this philosophy. We've taught them not to look for trouble, but not to run/turn the other cheek too. To be a survivalist & treat others with respect off the bat, but never to let your guard down in the process too.
It is deeply within my beliefs that this very notion of all things makes the Satanic bible a very destructive and selfish mantra to follow.
Let's pretend we all live in a world full of self indulgent, spiteful people who aren't afraid to "smite the other cheek" and come back at people with full, harsh force just because they believe it's their right to do so. How much better is the world then? Surely, we've learnt to lead by example? And what example is set to people on the basis of that? Of course it's not always the correct thing to turn the other cheek - but "evil begets evil" - and simply believing that a vengeful thought process will get you out of trouble is unfortunately erroneous, I believe.
I believe humans are no different than animals in the sense of our instincts, etc. Obviously I feel that our lives are more meaningful, but that's an entirely different debate. I feel that if certain laws were more strict in our society, people weren't afraid of reciprocating the way in which they're treated we'd have a better society. The reason a lot of people tend to do wrong towards others is they feel there will be no repercussions for their actions. It's not natural to turn the other cheek & leads to a very self-destructive lifestyle. You may feel as if you're about to explode on the inside, but you never let the person who has wronged you know of this, then you're doing yourself harm & it's an injustice to oneself. LaVeyan Satanism is a very selfish religion. If this isn't you, then it's completely understandable. I don't feel one can become a Satanist, I feel you're born a Satanist. If you're one who doesn't like confrontation & you're one who lets others get away with wronging you, then this isn't the religion for you. I on the other hand was raised that if someone hits you, hit them harder. Never back down & always stand up for your convictions. I never go looking for trouble & in most cases I'm just a sarcastic asshole (verbally) to those who feel it necessary to bad mouth me or become passive aggressive. I rarely see it fit/suitable to fight. However, if it's me or someone else, it's going to be them every time, if I can help it.
This belief system is anti-human in every sense. It's not progressive or helpful or unifying to our species. It's a survival of the fittest idealogy that falls short of proclaiming that we should just kill each other to save the bother of having to deal with ourselves.
Anti-human? I don't think so. Anti-Humanism? Yes! I'm not a humanist. In fact I despise most I come into contact with on a daily basis as it is. Also, letting others walk all over you, without fear of consequences is not progressive either, for your well being that is.
Also, you don't actually help this with the statement that it's a religion "for the elite" - if this is how the elite feels about each other, then excuse me while I step outside with the peasants.
Here we will agree to disagree. The weak shall inherit the yoke & the strong shall inherit the earth. Survival of the fittest.
Another thing that's stuck in my mind is this statement:
"If you feel like turning the other cheek & treating people only how you wish to be treated, be my guest. I for one prefer enjoying life & standing up for myself & not allowing others to impact my life in a negative way."
This very statement tells me you consider a caring attitude one to be of lesser value than your own right to enjoy yourself - it avoids completely the very well taught lesson in life that you get out what you put back in, and if your focus is simply to indulge and enjoy yourself (at other's expense?), you've just added another layer of shit to the layercake.
I love/care about very few people in this world. HOWEVER, to those I do care about I give them my all. Love seems to have been spread so thin it's a worthless vanier. I feel love should be given to those who deserve it & not wasted on ingrates, as I've stated previously.
For instance I don't consider myself to be any of the things that the Satanic bible propogates because I'll always attempt some form of altruistic response to people. If someone at work for instance, has seen fit to cause trouble for my working life, I'll take them out to lunch and have a friendly get-to-know-you session (at my expense) and will in the future reap the rewards that their loyalty and support gives from such a gesture. This always works. It's much more rewarding to turn the other cheek and work progressively with people than it's ever going to be smiting them back in the face with an equally childish response.
See, I don't consider this to be the better person mentality. In actuality you're kind of being a bit condescending to the individual by doing this in my opinion. If someone sees fit to screw me over, be it at work, or in every day life I will wash my hands with them. I don't believe in doing anything illegal to 'said' individual, by any means. But at times there are certain ways of getting back at a person for wronging you in either the same sense or with a little added spice to it & in some cases the best thing to do is wash your hands completely with this person. If someone knowingly wrongs me & does so out of spite, I have no use for scum like this.
I do remember the SB being quite rife with funny moments and it was well written - but it was written by a bitter, dejected old man who saw the world through twisted eyes.
Bitter? You're damn right. Old? No, he wrote the Satanic Bible when he was thirty-nine years old. If you want bitter old man, check out Satan Speaks! A great read & a bit easier of a read than that of the Satanic Bible. They're merely short essays about various topics.
As for conservative values, I put myself so far away from those notions of being that it really isn't worth me commenting on - so to have the SB marry up to a belief system that I absolutely despise only strengthens the fact that this "survival of the fittest" idealogy has completely departed from the fact that we are the ONLY species on this planet with the foresight to look outside ourselves and realise the cause and effect of our actions in the long term. With this ability I believe we can all strive for a peaceful and loving species however, with things like conservatism and the satanic bible beating their drums, I fear we'll always be stuck in a selfish, "grass is greener" mentality.
World peace will never happen, no matter how much one might want this. This mentality to me is a bit delusional & that of pipe dreams. I am a realist & I prefer living in that mindset. However, this is merely my opinion.
Thanks for reading, I hope too that I didn't offend you!!!
Cheers, take care
T
You're welcome, my pleasure. And no, you did not offend me in the very least.
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