Thelema and Wicca | Forum
Chapter Head
There is no historical evidence to support the theory that a generational tradition of self-identified Satanists has existed prior to the 20th century. There have been isolated instances of self-identified Satanists from the Middle Ages onward, although there is no evidence that any of these individuals were part of a linear Satanic tradition. In many cases, it is questionable if these individuals practiced diabolism at all.
Further reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Nine_Angles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelema
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Gardner_(Wiccan)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeticism
And somewhat related:
Chapter Head
Smorgasbord rules apply: Take what you want and leave the rest.
In the spirit of inductive reasoning, perhaps it would be best to start at the beginning.
Member"Satanism" is about as open-source as Linux
This is perhaps the most accurate statement I've read in the past week, and certainly the most accurate one regarding Satanism.
But yeah, I know that Thelema was a pretty big influence on ol' LaVey. Satanism and the CoS was in part started because he felt that Thelema was a bit too white-washed and RHP-feeling for the philosophy it espoused - which, if you look into it, you'll find to be true.
Thelema and Satanism share much of the same underlying philosophy, but Thelema is still all hung up with Christian imagery and whatnot, while having its own heaping helping of theistic style crazy.
Chapter Head
Satanism shares many roots with Wicca. Satan is a pagan deity with many names and aspects around the world. As LaVey stated in TSB: "Heroes from the past becomes the present day villains". Traditional Satanists may be defined just as the belief in a literal Satan.
Satan is not a pagan deity, he is a Christian concept.
I'd have to disagree with you here. Satan, as he is usually depicted, is very similar if not, exactly the same as the Pagan deity Cernunnos.
Christianity wanted to steer people away from Paganism so, it seems fitting that they demonised one of the main Pagan deities. Thus the birth of the Christian Satan.
One thing that doesn't really add up with all of this though is that Christianity started in the middle east... Hern/Cernunnos is of Celtic origin. I guess one explanation would be that as time passed, the depictions of Satan were changed. So, when Christianity reached Europe, Satan was being depicted similarly to Cernunnos.
Satanism shares many roots with Wicca. Satan is a pagan deity with many names and aspects around the world. As LaVey stated in TSB: "Heroes from the past becomes the present day villains". Traditional Satanists may be defined just as the belief in a literal Satan.
Satan is not a pagan deity, he is a Christian concept.
I'd have to disagree with you here. Satan, as he is usually depicted, is very similar if not, exactly the same as the Pagan deity Cernunnos.
Christianity wanted to steer people away from Paganism so, it seems fitting that they demonised one of the main Pagan deities. Thus the birth of the Christian Satan.
One thing that doesn't really add up with all of this though is that Christianity started in the middle east... Hern/Cernunnos is of Celtic origin. I guess one explanation would be that as time passed, the depictions of Satan were changed. So, when Christianity reached Europe, Satan was being depicted similarly to Cernunnos.
As much as I hate to agree with Josh, he is actually technically correct. Sure, there are many deities throughout many cultures with a sinister character. But these are no more Satan than Santa. Since "pagan," as a term, was also invented by Christianity, this should not be surprising.
To go a bit more meta, I think the label of "pagan" is not very useful, and hence everything you just said fits much better into mature models of comparative mythology.
Satan and the wiccan horned god are very different archetypes. They bring very different ideas to mind.
to demonize the ancient European gods.Actually, I would cite two very NON-European vectors as being the most Sinister. Kali and Tezcatlipoca. One Indian, one Aboriginal American.
Just sayin'
I never met a wicca I liked, and any of the ones who eventually matured in their spirituality realized that there is no such thing as a right hand path, most are gray.
Aeneas
