The Leap from Atheist to Satanist. What’s the big deal?

What’s the big deal in going from Atheist to Satanist? What’s the fundamental change? Neither group believes in a higher power or supernatural entities, so why bother?

Further, people seem to be indifferent to Atheists, but soil their pants and become hostile over Satanists, so why align yourself under such a hostile umbrella?

To most people, the Atheist is harmless, but the Satanist is dangerous. The

Satanist is just trolling Christians, using the name and term to mock and taunt them.

In an odd way, people feel duped that a Satanist doesn’t believe in Satan, so why the bait and switch?

It’s a sad reality that people still feel Satanism is a worship of Satan, an actual cloven hoofed figure, with horns, who runs around granting favors in exchange for souls. It’s an old trope from the 80s that won’t go away. More to the point, we’re not in the 1600s anymore.

To an atheist, there is no belief in, or worship of a God.

To a Satanist, there is no belief in, or worship of a God, gods, or deity.

Wait, where’s the difference?

Let me start by saying I prefer not to use the word “belief” or “believe” when it comes to my Satanism. I don’t have a problem with the word, but “Belief” means a vague idea you have some confidence is true. Satanism isn’t a vague idea.

For example, I believe there is life on other planets. I’ve never seen them, they haven’t swooped down and visited, but it feels statistically impossible there isn’t other life out there. One day it will be proven to be true or not true.

However, I know equality for ALL is a right.

I can only speak for myself, but as a Satanist, I agree with and align my life philosophy with the rebellious nature of the original Satan character, the seeker and bringer of knowledge, the figure that chose to be cast out rather than live under oppression. The character that chose self-reliance.

I agree with supporting and nurturing the self before others, as in the self-indulgent, self-improving, self-motivated nature of myself and others. I am responsible for myself and to myself not some mythical, invisible, shadow figure. You are free to have your beliefs, desires, goal, and ambitions, and so am I. They don’t have to be the same and that’s fine.

As a Satanist, I further affirm and support the rights of others. It is right to fight against injustice to preserve those rights. I accept others, as they are, not based on the color of their skin, their gender identity, sexual identity, or arbitrary characteristics like financial position.

I’m sure atheists have these same ideals, but these are stated and written down quite clearly within The Satanic Bible and the Tenets of The Satanic Temple. They aren’t vague concepts wrapped in contradictions. They are short and to the point with little room for misinterpretation. They are hard to debate and fight over.

Christians believe in God, Satan, Heaven, Hell and willfully turn over their lives to God, in the hopes of some reward at some given date in the future if they do all the right things and click their heels three times.

Atheists don’t believe in God and go about their lives.

As a Satanist, I know there is no God, Satan, Heaven or Hell. I won’t turn over control of my life to another, certainly not some absentee father figure with narcissistic disorders, control issues, and patterns of abuse.

I am the center of my universe, not some imaginary figure, not my work, not a hobby, not my partner, not a political party, or the government. I am in control of my destiny, and my actions or inaction will lead to certain outcomes. And when those outcomes come to fruition, I won’t go running around blaming poor choices on someone else or go looking for scapegoats.

My actions here on Earth, during this lifetime, are what’s important. We get one run at life, so we need to make the most of it. We need to be the best version of ourselves in the here and now.

Treating people like shit, oppressing them, then getting to the Pearly Gates, and asking for forgiveness for all the pain and suffering you caused is a bullshit way to live.

I’m not knocking atheists in any sense, simply put, I am one. I’ve been an atheist as long as I can remember. However, Satanism adds goals and philosophies that are important to me. Further, I feel they are valuable to a vast majority of people, and following them creates positive outcomes rather than the current state of oppression.

At a minimum:

People need to govern their own lives first and foremost.

People are responsible for and to themselves.

People are in control of their own destiny.

People do not have the right to encroach on the rights of others.

I can’t speak to what you need to do in your life, but I can offer help.

Laws that govern all people should not be based on religious doctrine.

I’m clearly not a Christian or a follower of any faith based ideology because they reject all the above.

Atheists adhere to those ideas too, but it’s not written down, nor is it something they talk about-Don’t believe in God, moving on.

Satanists are clear on where they stand regarding those convictions. They are written down. Not etched in stone so they can never change, but in black and white, for all to see.

That, to me, is why it’s important and valuable to be a Satanist, and follow the principles of Satanism, not just be an atheist.