Satanic Black Mass at Harvard Canceled

[Altair]

I strongly suspect the sensationalism is a feature, not a bug.  They're stuntists, deliberately using provocation as a way of making their point.
 
Which is great, I've always liked that approach.  (They remind me of some of the 60's countercultural groups in an odd way).  But, equally, I'm not going to get too worked up about this being cancelled or them being attacked in the press.  Not when I think that this was their aim all along.

 
Yup. They remind me of ACT UP of the '80s, but without the passion born of life-and-death stakes.

[Darkhawk]

Hah, I was just opening up this thread to post that link...

(Clearly I need to read through my RSS reader faster!  But Thursdays, ugh.)

 
Though I can come in with this one now!

http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/atheologies/7880/a_catholic_s_eulogy_for_the_harvard__black_mass__controversy/

[Castus]

Though I can come in with this one now!

http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/atheologies/7880/a_catholic_s_eulogy_for_the_harvard__black_mass__controversy/

Tripe >.>

[mandrina]

Tripe >.>

 
Why?

[Sophia C]

Tripe >.>

I thought it was excellent. Really open-minded interfaith thinking.

[RandallS]

Tripe >.>

Why do you think it's tripe?

[Shakas]

Yup. They remind me of ACT UP of the '80s, but without the passion born of life-and-death stakes.

There's that, yes.  I have a hard time working up too much sympathy for Satanists.  

They don't like Christianity.  That's understandable.  However, by worshiping Satan, a being created by Christians, they are basically allowing their enemy to set their agenda.  They are practicing a spirituality defined by the Christianity they profess to hate.

I believe in the Law of Attraction, and fundamental to LoA is thinking about and focusing on what you want, not pushing against what you don't want.  Rather than seeing anti-Christianity, I'd rather see pro-whatever it is that Satanists actually believe (which I understand is all over the map, from Joy of Satan to LaVey to "me-firsters" like Ayn Rand followers who missed the part about her not believing in any spirituality whatsoever, etc.)

In short, I can view it mostly favorably if it's a political stunt designed to draw attention to the special privileges accorded to Christianity by the contemporary American polity.  If it's intended to be an exercise in genuine spirituality, not so much.

[Melamphoros]

However, by worshiping Satan, a being created by Christians,

 
Satan predates Christianity.

[SunflowerP]

There's that, yes.  I have a hard time working up too much sympathy for Satanists.  

They don't like Christianity.  That's understandable.  However, by worshiping Satan, a being created by Christians, they are basically allowing their enemy to set their agenda.  They are practicing a spirituality defined by the Christianity they profess to hate.

I believe in the Law of Attraction, and fundamental to LoA is thinking about and focusing on what you want, not pushing against what you don't want.  Rather than seeing anti-Christianity, I'd rather see pro-whatever it is that Satanists actually believe (which I understand is all over the map, from Joy of Satan to LaVey to "me-firsters" like Ayn Rand followers who missed the part about her not believing in any spirituality whatsoever, etc.)

In short, I can view it mostly favorably if it's a political stunt designed to draw attention to the special privileges accorded to Christianity by the contemporary American polity.  If it's intended to be an exercise in genuine spirituality, not so much.

So basically, you don't have any sympathy with them because you think they don't make use of the approach you believe in (LoA), even though you know so little about the approaches they do use that you think 'worshipping a being created by Christians' is a common feature. (Hint: exceedingly few Satanists do. See also, what Melamphoros said.)

It also sounds like you object to a lack of a single unified Satanism. But why should the word 'Satanism' necessarily refer to a single unified system, any more than 'Paganism' does?

Sunflower

[Jabberwocky]

I believe in the Law of Attraction

Which has it's origins in the primarily Christian "New Thought movement".  If we apply your arguments consistently, surely that makes you a Christian, not a Pagan?

[Darkhawk]

So basically, you don't have any sympathy with them because you think they don't make use of the approach you believe in (LoA), even though you know so little about the approaches they do use that you think 'worshipping a being created by Christians' is a common feature. (Hint: exceedingly few Satanists do. See also, what Melamphoros said.)

 
And, as discussed in at least one of the links posted to this very thread, the relevant group in question doesn't worship anyone, given that they are, in fact, atheists.

[Emma Eldritch]

There's that, yes.  I have a hard time working up too much sympathy for Satanists.  

They don't like Christianity.  That's understandable.  However, by worshiping Satan, a being created by Christians, they are basically allowing their enemy to set their agenda.  They are practicing a spirituality defined by the Christianity they profess to hate.

I believe in the Law of Attraction, and fundamental to LoA is thinking about and focusing on what you want, not pushing against what you don't want.  Rather than seeing anti-Christianity, I'd rather see pro-whatever it is that Satanists actually believe (which I understand is all over the map, from Joy of Satan to LaVey to "me-firsters" like Ayn Rand followers who missed the part about her not believing in any spirituality whatsoever, etc.)

In short, I can view it mostly favorably if it's a political stunt designed to draw attention to the special privileges accorded to Christianity by the contemporary American polity.  If it's intended to be an exercise in genuine spirituality, not so much.

 
I have no issue with Satanists. They at least seem to know how to have a fun time.

While I believe this particular Black Mass and the totally badass Baphomet statue kerfuffle are designed to draw attention to the unfair and vaguely creepy influence Christianity has on supposedly secular institutions, I still think it's a bit dickish to look down on other people who may find the Black Mass genuinely spiritual. I mean, I'm sure someone out there does, although as stated by others this group appears to be comprised of atheists/secular humanists.

I won't say the law of attraction is utter balls, but I will say that there is power in subverting a powerful rite. Hell, there's just power in plain old being naughty. On a mundane level, just thinking positively doesn't always work - sometimes you do need to push against what you DON'T want. There's good things to be said for deliberate conflict.

[Aspiria]

Satan predates Christianity.

 
You and Sunflower both said Satan predates Christianity. This is the first time I've heard of that. Do you have any sources I could read for more information?

I enjoy learning and this is interesting.

Thank you.

[Sage]

You and Sunflower both said Satan predates Christianity. This is the first time I've heard of that. Do you have any sources I could read for more information?

 
Well, Satan shows up in the Old Testament, for one - just look at the book of Job. The books of the Hebrew Bible definitely predate Christianity.

[Jack]

Well, Satan shows up in the Old Testament, for one - just look at the book of Job. The books of the Hebrew Bible definitely predate Christianity.

 
LOL, yes, Sage has that right. Job's the big one but there's a couple of places you can look. Specifically there are two that use "satan" with a definite article, as a title:

Job 1-2, where God encourages Satan to go be a dick to Job.
Zechariah 3:1-2

There are others where it's sometimes translated as Satan or devil and others that are usually translated simply as adversary, but the word comes from the Hebrew. Wikipedia has a good list to get you started if you want to poke around.