😈 Satanism, the paranormal, and the supernatural (go into a bar) 👻

Can you be a Satanist, but believe in the paranormal and supernatural? Do those go together?

As a Satanist, you can believe in whatever makes you happy, that’s your choice. However, in my view, the paranormal and supernatural don’t fit in with Satanism.

Many years ago I was open minded about the idea of spirits, ghosts, and the afterlife. They’re major elements in D&D and RPG games. The Underworld was a central setting for campaigns and explorations. The afterlife is kind of pivotal to escape “permadeath.” The Egyptian afterlife and pyramids are a central part of the culture, which I find fascinating.

I didn’t “believe” in the existence of ghosts, but I was open to the idea. Show me some proof and let’s see what’s possible. Some real proof, not grainy, hoax photography.

Let me recap a few things I’ve seen with the paranormal.

I hate to admit it, but, I’ve watched dozens of paranormal/ghost hunting shows like Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, Paranormal State, and the half-baked spin-offs.

At first they were interesting. I’m always up for hearing some spooky tales and wild urban legends. Getting paid to travel the country, stay up late, and run around a darkened building sounds like a pretty sweet job.

In those early days, they had a hint of credibility since they debunked multiple paranormal claims as banging pipes, wind, rattling branches, and others as legitimate, earthly sources.

“Yeah, those eerie sounds in the basement are pipes rattling. You need to secure them.”

“You don’t have a ghost moving stuff around, a semi-truck drove by here last night at 3am, which made the furniture shake.”

But, as they got money and popularity, they got absolutely stupid. Science and common sense went out the window. Instead of being inquisitive, applying logic, or basic scientific methods, these ghost hunters devolved into mindless zealots from the 1800s with everything twisted to fit their pre-conceived outcome.

It became a comedy of errors with bumbling around in the dark, dim witted experiments a 5 year old would dismiss, bogus claims, and easily debunked false conclusions.

Yet, the paranormal shows persist with bigger and wilder claims. Ghost Adventures stuck to haunted tourist attractions infested with negative energy. Why would you debunk a tourist attraction when they just slipped you a sack full of cash? Follow the money.

They use the 1800s mentality that if a demonic spirit doesn’t show itself, that absence proves it was hiding. Pretty sure demons aren’t supposed to run away from the people they are trying to possess or get souls from.

While standing in the dark, they whip themselves into a frenzy, stumble over each other, bump into walls, then claim they were touched and bruised by a malevolent force.

“Look at this bruise, it wasn’t here 5 minutes ago!” You’re right, it wasn’t, you got it when you fell over in the dark.

To enhance the ability to manifest, they charge the air with electricity, then claim goosebumps and hair standing on end is evidence. Static electricity, you old trickster.

You also have investigators who take “possessed” items home, put them behind glass and open a museum. These haunted items are so dangerous from negative energy, putting them behind glass from a craft store curtails their evil ways.

If anything, their methods debunk their own claims.

Moving beyond that, we have Houdini, who investigated the paranormal during his career as a magician. With barely any effort, he proved every case of the paranormal was a hoax. It was all trickery through simple manipulation done in the dark. It takes an expert in sleight of hand, to recognize sleight of hand.

The tradition of investigating in the dark continues today because it’s easier to hide things.

Houdini wasn’t the only one exposing frauds. We have James Randi, Penn and Teller, and even Anton LaVey.

LaVey dealt with a few paranormal investigations and debunked each one. Even when faced with proof to the contrary, they still believed in the paranormal.

James Randi offered $1 million to anyone who could prove a paranormal claim or supernatural ability. The unclaimed prize money went to charity. He famously debunked the claim of bending spoons with the power of your mind.

One thing these paranormal shows have proven, there is a misunderstanding of “paranormal.” It’s not something unusual, but something outside of scientific understanding or explanation. It’s something you can’t reproduce or repeat at will. Seeing something out of the corner of your eye in a dark room isn’t evidence. Saying you feel prickling on your skin isn’t evidence either.

You also have paranormal cities like Savannah, riddled with ghosts from terrible events. They are quick to whip out photographic evidence of energy orbs, streaks of energy, and sinister formations.

A cursory glance shows a misunderstanding of photography, especially long exposures and using a flash incorrectly. I’ve been to Savannah, I’ve visited these locations, and seen the photos. I’ve replicated the photos.

The orbs are dust, pollen, and other particles reflecting the flash. You can do it every evening with the same results.

The streaks are the sun reflecting off a window, mirror, or shiny surface using a slow shutter speed.

Still, people believe every corner of Savannah is haunted with spirits and ghosts roaming the streets, hanging out in pubs, and still seeking revenge for the misdeeds of 100 years ago.

For sure, there are spirits in Savannah, distilled ones they turn into some festive and spicy libations.

But, back to the original question, can you be a Satanist and believe in the paranormal/supernatural? Sure, you can believe whatever you want, but for me, the paranormal and supernatural don’t exist.

Paranormal claims like ghosts and ectoplasm are debunked. Tricks in seances are explained. Simple methods replicate the tricks for both.

The Ouija is no more dangerous than scrabble. Simple tests show it doesn’t work.

Supernatural powers like mind reading and clairvoyance are easily replicated by magicians. Watch James Randi on Johnny Carson as he replicates mystical tricks with a full explanation. Watch Penn and Teller as they tell people how they’re going to fool them, then do it, yet it comes across as mystifying.

Static riddled voices across a radio band isn’t evidence of the paranormal. Shadows in the dark aren’t either. Neither are goosebumps. Nor can you say something not showing up is proof of its existence.

These wild claims and bogus evidence prove the paranormal doesn’t exist.

I don’t have to see something to know it exists.

Gravity exists even though I can’t see it. Let’s not forget it was once considered magic and the occult.

Oxygen exists even though I can’t see it. I know for damn sure when it isn’t there.

The concepts of God and Satan aren’t real. They’re sad fairy tale inventions who refuse to go away. When was the last time either one of them made a solid appearance, if ever? They can appear whenever, wherever the like, but don’t.

If believing in the paranormal and supernatural gives you comfort, makes you happy, and calms your fears, then stick with that belief. It’s not a concept I subscribe to, but that’s fine.

You can be a Satanist or anything else and believe in supernatural powers despite the overwhelming evidence against it. You are free to believe in ghosts, the paranormal, psychic abilities, Bigfoot, haunted dolls, the Easter Bunny, Santa, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster, even if they don’t make any sense. Believing doesn’t actually make them real. Rubbing a rabbit’s foot doesn’t generate luck, just ask the rabbit who lost it.

However, there is nothing stopping you and no other Satanist is forcing you to change. Very few will agree, but again, that’s fine.

Just don’t get mad when others don’t conform to your thought process and poke a shit load holes in your theories.