RE: BRUTALLY HONEST: The Truly Evil Books, The Truly Evil Literature, The True Diabolical Tomes, Not The Ones You Would Suspect
meh I was actually exited to talk about Satanism. I have encountered a form of Satanism on Steemit that seems pretty jolly. They see themselves connected to old religions like the Egyptian and North ones and see Christianity, Buddhism and Co as purposefully bad crafted copies of the old believes.
Heh. Well. I personally think Satanism is a fantasy construct. I actually think that is true of many aspects of religion. I don't know if you and I discussed it before but look on youtube for a pretty old documentary called "The History of the Devil" and give it a watch. It is pretty interesting. It only scratches the surface, but as far as Satanism if one pays attention it essentially kills that concept good and dead.
Now I know that a lot of Christians (not all) view anything that is NOT Christianity as a tool of Satan. I personally see this as another manipulation tactic and not that dissimilar from the tactics of indoctrination followed by equipping with tools to closes one's mind that I described in other places and other movements. Such absolutism can lead what people think is a peaceful religion into the realms of what they would normally consider evil. This is not a problem with just Christianity. IT can and does happen with every religion I am aware of. Well except Deism. Deism has no concrete set in stone beliefs and by some might be confused with agnosticism. And agnosticism is more a realm of uncertainty in whether there is or is not a God/Creator. Deist decided there is evidence of a creator they just don't believe WHAT it is can be found in books, visions, and prophecies. Observe and use reason. Therefore, there really are no priests, holy books, etc. Nothing you can really push on anyone. :) That's kind of why I think it appeals to me.
As to Machiavelli. That's a good example. He is actually a person that wrote some great works on what could be considered manipulation and control of others. I haven't thought about him in awhile. I've read "The Prince" by him before but it has been a long time. I'll go check your post.
I haven't noticed your activity in awhile.
The story I heard from @ladyreijya was about the depiction of Satan being mainly inspired by Loki. While Loki is a trickster and an antagonist of the gods he is usually not deemed evil. Even the battle between him and the gods is not constant, after all he gave Odin his child Sleipnir. The story on how Loki got pregnant with a horse is a little weird though :D.
The Norse Mythos is about being vigilante and brave, while Christianity promotes submission to a higher power. The Satanism - at least the one @layreija told me about - puts a lot of emphasis on self improvement, according to them Satan has created humankind to become like the gods, so as long as you stay true to yourself and don't blindly trust in authorities, you don't have to worry about Satan being displeased.
I used to be of all religions being just some fairy tails with a good core message that people tend to abuse for power or justification, but meanwhile I think there is a lot of wisdom that might be lost. After all many of our political/philosophical questions have been spiritual question in the past. The Norse also mention a lot of frozen stuff, which might be actually records of the deep Ice Age. After all there are bound to be a lot of sunken cities with a sea level 120 meters lower 20.000 years ago.
So all in all I generally see the three monotheist religions as something build to control humans and build a state, while the old nature believes are actually the nice fairy tails with a message worth exploring. There are also generally so over the top that no one would take them word for word, like some Christians tend to do.
I have been a little inactive for multiple reasons, but after all Steem is still the lessest evil when it comes to social media ;).