# Why would someone worship Satan? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 1, 2009, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561 "2009-04-01T10:07:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/121 "2013-09-25T18:21:32Z")
> [@hotflungwok](#): > > And how is this individual doing today? He is dead actually. Died in a bar fight back in late 90’s {seriously} ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/122 "2013-09-25T23:22:41Z")
I am surprised by this surprise. It surprises me. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/123 "2013-09-25T23:30:12Z")
Maybe he needed a really good right winger for his fantasy team. ---
**Author:** ![cougar58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@cougar58](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cougar58)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/124 "2013-09-26T01:01:11Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Speaking as a poster, not as a mod… > > First of all, I’m not really that impressed by Jehovah, the Christian God, Allah, whatever you want to call the God of the Old Testament. He’s not someone I really regard as a worthy god to worship, and that’s just going by what his followers say about him. > > Second, I am well aware of spin doctoring. It’s not anything new. The only information I have about Satan is from his enemies. This information may be deliberately or innocently misleading. Satan may actually be a great supernatural being, and just hasn’t bothered to correct the lies put out by his enemy. For that matter, Hell might be a great place to exist. I know a lot of people who claim to be sure that they’re going to Heaven, and for the most part, I don’t want them as my eternal neighbors. > > Third, are you talking about the Christian notion of Satan, or are you conflating this with the old pagan horned god? There’s quite a difference. > > And fourth, even if Satan is the Ultimate Evil, he might treat his chosen minions very well indeed, as long as they are content to remain his minions. > > Fifth, if I thought that I could get a guarantee of fantastic health, wealth, power, and happiness I wanted, I would start drawing pentagrams and lighting candles right this minute. I might even sacrifice a chicken or two. But would you likewise sacrifice a young Hollywood starlet, and scribble Helter Skelter on her kitchen appliances in her blood? ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/125 "2013-09-26T03:21:57Z")
> [@cougar58](#): > > But would you likewise sacrifice a young Hollywood starlet, and scribble Helter Skelter on her kitchen appliances in her blood? The old joke: Would you sleep with me for a million dollars?🙂 Okay.🆒 Would you sleep with me for 10 dollars?🙂 No way! What type of person do you think I am?!😕:mad: We know what type of person you are, we’re just negotiating on the price.😃 So, tell me what I’ll get and I’ll tell you what I’d be willing to do for it!😉 ---
**Author:** ![mandala](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mandala/32/95_2.png) [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/126 "2013-09-26T22:53:30Z")
I am offering my limited understanding of the Hindu / Indic viewpoint. I am not familiar, even in passing, with the vast majority of the million-plus scriptural base that constitutes the body of Hinduism - and much less an expert - so take it FWIW. Hinduism specifically states that the ultimate reality is a sexless, formless, shapeless, pure spiritual energy/consciousness called Brahman. (Also called Satyesa Satyam - Truth of Truths.) That is the _highest_ reality. If you could directly perceive Brahman, you could not perceive anything existing apart from That. In other words, lower realities do not exist anymore / are subsumed into the ultimate reality that is Brahman. The scriptures say that even GODS do not exist at that level - they are really emanations from Brahman - the formless that took a form because we have limited perceptional capabilities. The purpose of all Hindu Gods and Goddesses is to lead you to Brahman/Truth and leave you there. Once you are there, all that is knowable is known, all truths are realized, and you have no need for a God anymore. At that point, the Hindu Gods/Goddesses vanish for you, having exhausted their purpose as far as you are concerned. So, no God, and no Satan. No hot chicks, no scifi movies, no alien civilizations. Only an unending stream of Existance / Consciousness / Light / Truth / Bliss. (Pretty boring, IMO. I dont want to go just yet.) At the lower, transactional level, however, Hinduism offers _millions_ of Gods and Goddesses in various shapes and forms - some with hundreds of heads and thousands of arms. (Choose the ones you like.) Then there are demons that seek to fight them (with equally exotic shapes). The transactional reality is explained as a place where everything and its opposite exists - indeed, is required to exist. Like two sides of a coin, “evil” must live where “good” lives. In this lower transactional reality (which is explained as not having any absolute existance, unlike Brahman), you may worship a God or a demon, depending on how you want to lead your life. (Worshipping a demon, depending on its standing/power, offers immediate benefits, quickens the senses, enhances pleasure, offers wealth etc. It does also lead you astray from a life of contemplation, service, and thus away from the righteous path.) Ironically, in the vast body of Hindu mythology, all demons derive power by pleasing / meditating on some aspect of God - with mostly Shiva being the culprit. It makes sense to me because the energy required to do evil is not different from what it takes to do good - it is secular and freely available to all. Ultimately, however, the Gods/Goddesses prevail, because they are untainted emanations from - and the authentic representatives in the transactional plane - of Truth. So they always prevail. When we see this, we say “good prevails over evil.” This is not strictly true - Brahman Itself is described as “neither good nor evil”. Hindu Gods are ultimately neither good nor evil. In the fundamental sense, there is no God and no (equivalent of) Satan. At the lower, everyday level, people may choose to worship evil beings for personal benefit. Hinduism does not recognize the concept of eternal damnation - you serve time in jail and come back to bugger the world. People may be emboldened by this to seek short-term gains through evil beings. I did not invent any of this, or claim to fully understand Hinduism’s sophisticated philosophies, so take it fwiw. ---
**Author:** ![ruben4ruben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8c91f0/32.png) [@ruben4ruben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruben4ruben)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/127 "2013-09-27T00:30:13Z")
Why? Two words come to mind first: Instant Gratification. It seems to me you haven’t really defined or researched satanism. There are many forms. But the one thing that always comes up is: Do as thou will. (Do whatever you want) This motto is widely known. (just google it) Although i don’t have solid evidence i reckon serving the God of this system has (temporary) benefits. \*\*Luke 4:6 and 1John 5:19 \*\* As for hell and all the mainstream assumptions: > **[Is the mainstream Christianity belief in Hell supported by the Bible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=702874)** > > Interesting if: You like Biblical topics. If you’re atheist, you win this one right from start because Hell does not exist. Ingredients: 99% my own words + reference to some old books. I used the Watchtower online library to find the historical... There is no such thing as a fiery hell. Satan does not work for God as a jailor/punisher. Satan is all about doing whatever you want and deciding for yourself what is right and wrong. So his worshipers mostly do whatever they want when they want it. Though luck if they drink drive your kids to a pulp or help themselves to your cash. The bible says the Devil and his “children” are know as liars and murderers. **John 8:44** If you like lying and killing you’d qualify i guess. Maybe the best answer to your question is asking one of those people why they do it. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/128 "2013-09-27T00:54:10Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > According to medieval stories, yes. The folks who burned witches always had stories of powers that the witches had used, which they had received by entering into a pact with the devil. Causing cows stop giving milk, people to sicken, and babies to be stillborn were popular. So was flying while sitting on a sieve (later a broom) and being able to escape churchmen by throwing a spool of thread out of a window and being pulled after it. OTOH, there was also a recognized category of [“cunning folk”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cunning_folk) – folk-magicians who were believed to have real powers but not use them for evil. They sometimes hired out as witch-hunters. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/129 "2013-09-27T00:56:06Z")
> [@BlinkingDuck](#): > > Basically a belief in complete ‘freedom’ to do what you wish…even if that is harmful to those around you. Sounds like the philosophy of the Marquis de Sade as expressed in [_Juliette_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliette_(novel)). LaVeyan Satanism, at any rate, is **not** like that. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/130 "2013-09-27T01:01:59Z")
> [@ruben4ruben](#): > > It seems to me you haven’t really defined or researched satanism. There are many forms. But the one thing that always comes up is: Do as thou will. > (Do whatever you want) This motto is widely known. (just google it) Actually, “Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be the Whole of the Law” is a principle of Aleister Crowley’s religion of [Thelema](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelema), which is not a form a Satanism – though Crowley did like to style himself “the Beast” and things like that, I think just for shock-value, Satan plays no role in his system. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/131 "2013-09-27T01:06:53Z")
Why would someone worship Satan? Have you _heard_ Black Sabbath and/or Slayer? That shit’s _awesome!_ ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/132 "2013-09-27T01:43:35Z")
> [@ruben4ruben](#): > > The bible says the Devil and his “children” are know as liars and murderers. **John 8:44** > If you like lying and killing you’d qualify i guess. Maybe the best answer to your question is asking one of those people why they do it. Hmmm, stoning people for working on the sabbath, killing every living thing except a select few in a flood, allowing Abraham to deceive Pharoh, other assorted atrocities and lies…I’m confused as to the roles here and who is filling them. ---
**Author:** ![Imjoosh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Imjoosh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imjoosh)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/133 "2013-09-27T03:09:45Z")
Does anyone know a way to create black lens for my eyes so my eyes are pure black??? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/134 "2013-09-27T04:27:32Z")
Mine eyes have seen the coming of the Dark Lord Antichrist He is humorous and handsome, and he isn’t very nice We’ll get along just fine if you don’t make him tell you twice Apocalypse today! CHORUS: Gory, gory Armageddon! Gory, gory Armageddon! Gory, gory Armageddon! Apocalypse today! It’s really most annoying, with the rains of flaming pitch And the things that bite, and things that burn, and things that sting and itch But, oh, that Whore of Babylon’s a lusty, royal bitch! Apocalypse today! (CHORUS) It’s really most confusing, with the Horsemen in the skies And the seven seals, and seven plagues, and lambs with seven eyes But we get no fun from Jesus, so bring on the Prince of Lies! Apocalypse today! (CHORUS) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/135 "2013-09-27T04:28:56Z")
> [@Imjoosh](#): > > Does anyone know a way to create black lens for my eyes so my eyes are pure black??? You can probably find a scleral contact lens for that. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/136 "2013-09-27T04:33:37Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > Hmmm, stoning people for working on the Sabbath . . . Everybody Must Get Stoned! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/137 "2013-09-27T16:29:12Z")
There’s a pretty good anthology from late 2012, **The Devil’s Party: Satanism In Modernity** , published by the Oxford University Press, dealing with this sort of thing. Academic, well-researched, and with none of that Satanic panic nonsense. And, uh, hey **Imjoosh** , what’s with the black lenses thing? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/138 "2013-09-27T16:31:30Z")
Have any of you ever read Harlan Ellison’s _Deathbird_? ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/139 "2013-09-27T17:50:47Z")
I worship Harlan Ellison, have you seen _Dreams with Sharp Teeth_? ---
**Author:** ![ruben4ruben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8c91f0/32.png) [@ruben4ruben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruben4ruben)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561/140 "2013-09-27T22:50:46Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > Hmmm, stoning people for working on the sabbath, killing every living thing except a select few in a flood, allowing Abraham to deceive Pharoh, other assorted atrocities and lies…I’m confused as to the roles here and who is filling them. If you are confused it is because you don’t read the whole thing. If one selects bits and pieces to form an opinion it will be a misinformed opinion. (confused) **Under Mosaic Law** there were certain things punishable by death yes. However if you’d read into it, you’d know that Mosaic Law was a deal or **Covenant** entered into willingly by the Hebrews after being freed from Egypt. A proposition was made and the nation was asked if they wanted to enter this agreement. (Deuteronomy chapters 11 and 30) They did not have to enter and were warned of the consequences of breaking the rules. (Blessing or Curse) They said yes and entered the agreement. Anyone tired of the Mosaic Law could just pack up and leave. Going back to slave in Egypt or joining other nations was always an option. In fact there was plenty of uninhabited land in those days to start your own tribe or nation! Do you complain about penalties after being warned and entering a formal agreement? Do you break your word and complain about the consequences? \*\*The Great Flood \*\*was a verdict and cleansing of a cursed earth. The Earth was filled with violence and God gave **decades** of warning. Noah and his family did not only build, but they also warned. For decades. Furthermore the Nephilim walked the earth and their demon fathers were polluting the human race. Under that influence the Earth became filled with violence so much so that it had to be cleansed. Genesis 6:13 But God gave it decades. Not on a whim. I’d like certain people and governments to give things decades instead of bombing,invading,droning and nuking so much we can’t even keep track of it anymore. How many years of warning did the women and children of Hiroshima and Nagasaki get? Disfigured babies are still being born there, in Vietnam and in Iraq to this day. But i never heard of anyone suffering Post Flood Stress Disease. **Abraham said Sarah was his sister** to save his live and her honor. _"And A·bim′e·lech went on to say to Abraham: “What did you have in view in that you have done this thing?” To this Abraham said: “It was because I said to myself, ‘Doubtless there is no fear of God_ in this place, and they will certainly kill me because of my wife."\* But… **she was actually his half-sister** : Genesis 20:12 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. **So no lie.** (Not that i’d hold it against the guy in this case) If your brother or wife is being chased by someone out to hurt them and they’re hiding in your basement… Would you sell out your loved ones, _if they were innocent_, to criminals or something like the Gestapo just to avoid lying? "Would you say “they’re hiding in the basement?” If yes, please inform your friends of your views. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-worship-satan/491561.md?page=8)