How Can Satanists
Be Atheists?
Frank
From: "frank"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: PA-via_Positive_Atheism_Index
Date: Wednesday, December 27, 2000 8:49 PM
Hello,
I have really enjoyed reading your site. I don't believe in God/Satan, and get pretty annoyed by the people who "need" to "save" me, pity me, or just plain hate. Also it's tough getting it across to people that just because you don't believe in God dosen't make you a Devil worshipper. at least that's been my experience so far.
It was great to read your collection of quotes, my favorites were from Abe Lincoln and Frank Zappa.
I was reading the letter, "Let's Go To The Atheist Page Just For Laughs" with Rich Zawadzki, and noted:
Very few Christian bigots will encounter atheists who are happy about encountering a Christian bigot. The only atheists I know who would snicker upon encountering you might be the one or two Satanists who would consider your being a fundamentalist Christian to be an even more fitting curse than even they could conjure! Even if the atheist you meet actually is happy (I had a blast preparing that response last night), the Christian bigot will color his interpretation of the encounter with his preconceptions.
I was thinking a Satanist would not be athiest or agnostic, since you have to believe in God to hate him/her/it? I don't really require an answer here, I am sure you have plenty to do and this is more of a fan mail than anything else.
Just so you know, your efforts are appreciated. Looking forward to reading more in the future,
Frank
From: "Positive Atheism Magazine" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To: "frank"
Subject: Re: PA-via_Positive_Atheism_Index
Date: Wednesday, December 27, 2000 9:38 PM
Thanks for your letter!
Almost all Satanists, particularly those of the Anton Lavey variety, are flat-out atheists. They don't believe that a personal god or a personal Christian Satan exists. Satan is a metaphor for Self, particularly the self-indulgent Self. When a Satanist says "Hail Satan!" translate that to mean "Hail Me!"
Many Satanists tend to withhold this and other information from Christians.
It is entirely reasonable for a person to hate a concept -- and even hate the fictional object of that concept -- without assenting to the truthfulness of that concept or the existence of that fictional character.
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
Five years of service to
people with no reason to believe
Material by Cliff Walker (including unsigned editorial commentary) is copyright ©1995-2006 by Cliff Walker. Each submission is copyrighted by its writer, who retains control of the work except that by submitting it to Positive Atheism, permission has been granted to use the material or an edited version: (1) on the Positive Atheism web site; (2) in Positive Atheism Magazine; (3) in subsequent works controlled by Cliff Walker or Positive Atheism Magazine (including published or posted compilations). Excerpts not exceeding 500 words are allowed provided the proper copyright notice is affixed. Other use requires permission; Positive Atheism will work to protect the rights of all who submit their writings to us.