It's the End of the World and I Feel Fine

Remember the run up to May? In America there were billboards warning of the coming Rapture on the 21st. Radio shows talking about how Earthquakes would take place and the "saved" would go to heaven. The rest of us suffer until October 21st and then go to Hell. Yet another doomsday prediction from Harold Camping. A Christian radio broadcaster who claimed that the Bible yielded knowledge on how to calculate the date of the rapture, and finally the end of the world.

Apparently this guy made similar predictions before. Again May 21st on 1988 and on September 6th 1994. Naturally you'd think after these 2 his credibility would have been destroyed. However there was a big fuss over the 2011 predictions. Billboards, radio campaigns in America, and even here in my home town were a group who bought it, leaving warnings taped to Chick Tracks.

May 21st came, I did my Saturday shift as normal and came out and don't recall any of the natural disasters Camping claimed would take place. No earthquakes, no fatalities. Just a normal Saturday.

Does Camping admit being wrong? Did the donations sent by his followers to spread the warning get refunded? No. The weasel just simply changes the details. He claimed the Rapture did take place, but rather than all the "saved" go to heaven, they now stay with the rest of us, oh and the Earth won't suffer from disaster until the end at October 21st.

The months rolled by. The warnings became understated. Downplayed, but remembered. It is now morning on the day of judgement. In my location the sky is a pale blue. The news sites report nothing out of the ordinary other than Gaddafi's death. Being in the UK, I realise there are other parts of the world that have been 21st of October longer. I can safely conclude that the end once again never happened.

You'd think people would disassociate with people who made false predictions. After all, Making a big claim and getting it wrong. Yet, people accept the excuses they make, or in some cases make the excuses for them. This has been the case since the early days of that funny cult of Christianity.

If the gospels are to be believed, we have Jesus himself claim that many of his early first followers will not taste death before the end comes. That his is the last generation. That his disciples will not finish preaching to the whole of Israel before the end comes. Even on foot, I doubt it takes 2000 years to walk. After Jesus left, Even his successor Paul believed he was in the last days.

Here we are, almost 2 millienia later, and those who clutch to these broken promises claim without reason that they actually refer to a future generation. And usually that means us living today.

Jehovah's Witnesses make excuses now for the failures of the end to come in 1917, 1918 and 1975. And yet, they still have high numbers of members.

I never understood why they seek an end to the earth they live on, but anyone making a prediction of a set date, don't be so quick to sell everything to spread their message.

The Good Person (Short Story)

(This is purely fictional)

I keep my hands in my coat pockets as I walk along the dark street. It's queit until I am stoped by an man holding out a leaflet. "Are you a good person?" he asks. "Reasonable" I reply. "Well let's just see, mind if I ask you some questions?" I look at my watch. I believe I have time. "Ok" I reply.

"Have you ever told a lie?" he asks. "Hasn't everyone?" I respond. "And what do you call a person who lies?" "A lier" I shrug. "Ok, have you ever stolen anything, like a pen from work?" "Yeah, so? Are you a cop or something?" This guy is starting to annoy me now. "And what does that make you then?" he asks accusingly. "Want me to say 'I'm a theif'?" I sharply respond. "It's Gods law" he replies, "Now have you ever looked at a woman you're not married to with lust?" "Your mother."

"Now now, no need for that" He says trying to put on a goofy smile. "You see, Jesus said if you look at a woman with lust, you have already commited adultery with your heart." "Not my prefered organ" I respond. "An have you every been angry with anyone?" I shot him a dirty look. "It's just Jesus says that you have commited murder in your heart." "no doubt you're gonna tell me I'm gonna go to hell after I die." "You don't have to. You see, Jesus died for your sins, and if you just ask him for forgiveness, all your sins will be gone." "Is that so? All sins?" "All sins" he replies, "but you have to ask now." "Ok, I will, but one thing first." I grap his neck, plant my knee a couple of times into his crotch and toss him aside. While he is on the floor, I stamp on his neck and hear it snap. I see him there dead on the floor. I get down on my knees. "Forgive me Jesus for I have sinned. I accept you as my lord and savior."

And this is how I was saved. I now finish writing this as my execution comes close. I have killed many people, mostly for fun, but hey, every time I asked Jesus for forgiveness, so it's all good. So now, one jab, and I get to meet the big guy who set this sweet deal.

"With faith, all things are possible." Ten years on

Faith.

How we are told by our pastors that it can do anything. How they preach from a book that promises with faith, one can drop a mountain into the sea. Many scoff at such a claim, but I know that faith, can be an extremely powerful force, and equally as dangerous.

Faith means to accept something without evidence. Even in this day and age people accept claims, even absurd ones at face value. That there are extremely powerful beings that affected our creation as well as the entire universe, yet demand unquestioning loyalty in exchange for eternal post-mortem paradise. These beings through their books and scriptures often claim to be the only one of their kind, and worship of others is not only folly, but forbidden. the infidels must be put to death. Despite the lack of evidence these so called "gods" exists, people still demand allegiance to them. Believers of other gods or non believers alike, are only fit for destruction.

I remember coming from from school ten years ago today to find the news on the TV. What I saw was the power of faith. The Twin Towers of New York City, 2 of the world's mightiest skyscrapers has been brought down. Not by some divine punishment by a god, nor by prayer, but by men who were willing to kill themselves, and thousand others, for the lie of eternal bliss.

In the name of their god, muslims who let their fanatisism overide not only basic human morality, but common sense and even basic self-preservation. As a result, thousands died needlessly. Their gods did not save them, Christians, fellow Muslims, Hindus. Regardless of whever the victims beleived or not, they all shared the same fate.

Faith is indeed truelly powerful. It may not have brought down mountains, but it did bring down 2 mighty towers, and it slew thousands. It destroys rationality, morality and self preservation.

To destroy everything, all you need is faith.

Art Gallery

I walk into a gallery. People are in there, however there is only one painting in the room and no one is looking at it.
I look at the painting, a grotesque image full of suffering, violence and death. I see why it is avoided, yet I am unable to turn away. A man speaks to me, asking me to check a much better painting. I turn my head and I see nothing there. The man tells me of the beauty of the painting I just do not see. I tell him there is nothing there. He gets angry at me. I wave my hand where his painting is supposed to be and feel nothing. The man tells me more of his painting and how wonderful it is. The images he describes however seem appealing in some parts, but appalling in others. Humouring him I ask about the painter. He describes a neurotic control freak, yet described him as loving and social. Like the painting, I doubted his existence.

He tells me of the joy the imaginary painting gives him, but I point at the only one there. I tell him that is all I see. He tells me the painting does not exist. I put his hand on the frame. I can tell he can feel it, but he denies it. He once again tells me of his painting, however he now warns me that if I do not praise his imaginary painting, the painter will attack me. I felt insulted, but I knew his threat was empty and walked away.

A woman approaches me, She also has an imaginary painting she wants to share. I listen to the images she describes. Some slight variations, but ultimately the same imaginary painting. A different painter is credited. Again a person who thinks only of himself yet autistic, violent yet peaceful.

I once again turn to the painting that's actually there. While largely ugly. I see specks of life, hope and peace. The painting may not be pretty, but I'd happy admire the real, than force myself to accept a fantasy.

The Emperor's New God

Remember the tale of The Emperor's New Clothes? (No, not the Disney movie with the llama.) Basically, the Emperor of this new land is approached by a pair of men who claim to be able to make a magic suit of clothes that do not appear visible to the stupid or those unfit in their positions of office. So the Emperor pays for this suit. Naturally he sent his ministers to inspect the work. As they could see no clothes, they pretended to see something otherwise they thought they'd be out of a job. The Emperor himself made an inspection and he too saw nothing but claimed he did, due to peer pressure.

Then came the day he tried on his new "gear" and went to present himself to his subjects. The crowd too pretended to see something for fear of being labeled foolish. All except a young boy who dared to state honestly what he saw. A naked Emperor. The spell of peer pressure was broken and the crowd laughed at the Emperor. Emperor himself is forced to realise he had been a fool, not because he failed to see the clothes, but to realise there were none.

An interesting story, but I get something out of it that Hans Christian Andersen, the story's author may not have realised.

Here we have a claim made, a fabric that cannot be seen by the foolish. A similar claim is made in Psalm 14:1 "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." Naturally this verse is pointed to in attempts to convince atheists that there is a god.

It is not unheard of that people who have lost faith in the gods they are supposed to worship still attend ceremonies because everyone else does. These closet atheists still claim to others they believe in order not to appear foolish just as the people in the story do. They fear their peers will look down at them. They fear to be ostracized and shunned by the community.

Like the swindlers in the story, the preists and the rabbis sell this god like the magic fabric. Seen only to those who truely beleive, and unseen to the "unwise." Lining the coffers from the tithes and other donations in exchange for this fictional god's love.

Nowerdays it's easy to see things as they are. Because like in the story, people have dared to say "there is no god." People are realising they have been lied to. That there is nothing there.

Who is the more foolish, the one who cannot see something magical, or the one who pretends to?

The most terrifying thing of all.

What is it that all seek to possess, yet many fear and seek to suppress? What terrifies people more than the mightiest demon. What power in the universe can destroy even gods? Knowledge!

How many times has the status quo been shaken when new knowledge has come to light? The discovery that the world we stand on is a giant ball was too much for some. It forced people to question what they knew before. And again when the remains of the rulers of the earth before mankind were discovered and named "dinosaurs". The word of many gods were proven false when biological evolution by natural section was discovered and verified time and time again.

Yet, even in the 21st century CE, new wisdom is still shunned by those who seek to return us to the dark ages. They cower in shadows and seek to pull others with them with the promise of true enlightenment.

It takes brave people to smash down the walls of ignorance and brave the frontier of wisdom. To challenge the accepted and question the unquestioned takes strength of the mind. True these days one can question in civilised societies without fear of violent reprisal. Unfortunately there are still nations on this world that will use force to suppress undefiled wisdom in favor of holy lies, but it is my hope that now the fortress of ignorence has been breached and is now time to raze it forever.

"How can you call yourself a Satanist if you don't worship Satan"

I've had this question asked before. An understandable question for the uninitiated. Christian dogma dominates so much of western culture so new ideas are often difficult to understand. But the answer is simple once one understands. I hope to clarify today.

Satan, the word is simply "Adversary" in Hebrew. In the Tanakh, also known as the Old Testament, the word "Satan" did refer to an individual, but it also referred to enemies and opponents of characters. Satanists do not believe the stories of the bible, and reject many of the so called "moral" teachings. Accepting a self defined code that is subject to revision when new information is presented. This however does not excuse the Satanist from responsibility. So we take an "adverse" few to the religions of what we call the "Right Hand Path". That is, the paths of the spiritual.

What we call "Satan" is a symbol for everything many are taught to reject about themselves. To reject lust as "sinful", to suppress our hatred, to suppress the love of a person because they are the wrong gender, are abhorrent to us. We allow ourselves to feel any and all emotions.
We love, we hate.
We laugh, we cry.
We allow fantasies into our minds because we disregard words almost 2000 years old from a proven lier. We do not hate ourselves because we are broken toys of a malevolent and non existant creator. We are the products of billions of years of trial and error in the game of survival. We are animals, and we are not afraid to admit it.

To the Christian who still thinks we worship one of their myths. So he who still does not understand how we can be called Satanists if we don't worship Satan. I wish to remind you of something. You endevour to be "Christ-like". To be like your messiah. The Bible makes a number of references of Jesus worshiping your god as you do. A Satanist could be said to be "Satan-like". Who did your Satan worship? Himself.

The Mission

In the movie Class of 1999 2, a poem was recited which seemed to be an inspiration to the villian. I was able to get it down and thought I'd share.

The enemy is before me
Around me
And yet no fear will I have until
My mission is met
The night will bring so much death
So many horrors born
On a river of blood
Called duty by men whose
compassion is scorn
The life I have
Wasn’t mine to choose
But death will always
Be the shoes I walk in
I will stride the path
In death’s shoes
Until the mission
I conclude
No sorrows or regret
My mission is death
My mission is met

Is Scientology Satanic?

One day on youtube. I saw a video comparing the controversial religion known as Scientology with the odd Christian idea of Satanism. Link enclosed


True it seems the founder of Scientology spent some time studying the occult under a follower of Crowley, but this does not make Hubbard Satanic. The subject about Hubbard himself being Satanic may be covered at another time, but I wish to focus on the two religions themselves.

Like most other religions, Scientology focuses on the spiritual. It asserts the existence of the spiritual and that humans are spirits in physical bodies. In Satanism, the spiritual is not acknowledged. Only the physical. No life beyond death.

One of the key factors in Scientology is learning how to perform various rituals. This rituals are compulsory. The most common is "Auditing". Originally promoted as a therapy to optimise the mind. Auditing is the Scientological ritual in which an initiate, or "Preclear" goes back to painful experiences in their life. In Satanism, ritual isn't compulsory. It is only used when the Satanist feels the need for it. Satanists are also free to write new rituals or alter them to suit their emotional needs. Scientologists are restricted to the rituals written long ago by their founder.

Scientologists are encouraged, and often ordered to, advertise their religion. This is done in numerous ways. Handing out flyers. Television adverts. Tests designed to fail so that they seek out the religion to fix it. Satanists do not proselytize. They believe each to their own as long as they themselves are not bothered. As far as they are concerned, if anyone is interested, the material is out there. No Satanist seeks to convert others. Sure they're willing to talk about their beliefs if asked, or even publish them on blogs or write essays. But this is usually just a form of expression.

Scientologists must progress within the religions, reaching for higher levels for the promise of being able to live a richer life. Satanists, if they are members of the Church of Satan, are able to reach higher degrees if they are able to apply Satanism to their lives. Scientologists apply themselves to the organisation. Satanists apply themselves to the outside world.

Perhaps one of the most interesting differences is Scientologists are expected to place their health in the hands of their teachings. As a result, medication is discouraged. Scientologists are deeply discouraged from seeking psychiatric help. The practice being regarded as "evil". Instead, Scientologists are encouraged to rely on their scriptures. Satanists do not seek miracle cures or faith healing. Tending to a non exisiting spirit is pointless.

Any claim that Scientology is Satanic is often made simply on the basis that Scientology is simply not Christianity. They are unwilling to admit that they themselves have more in common with the relative newcomers than the Satanists.

Satanic morality

Satanism is, by default, amoral. No set of defined morals one must adhire to in order to adopt the identity of "Satanist". No "Thou shalts" or "Thou shalt nots" to obey. No commandments, no absolute rules that when broken will define you as a "bad person". True Satanism has the 11 rules of the earth, but breaking them tends to have tangible consequences as opposed to threats of a post death punishment. This is the core of Satanic morality. We define what is moral to us by the consequences of such actions. Throwing a punch for no reason simply invites a retalitory strike. Stealing can at best leave people distrusting of you and at worst imprisoned. Killing someone for reasons other than self defence can lead to imprisonment or an invitation for revenge.

Satanism is amoral, but it is not immoral. Immorality is doing what harms others with little to no thought of consequences. Amorality is doing things that serve your goals without goig out of your way to harm others, nor helping others in a way that takes more from you than you can aford. It is also making sure you are not a doormat. While the Satanist tries to treat people with respect when he or she firsts meet them, but if this respect is met with scorn, or even violece. The Satanist will respond in kind and never treat the other person with more respect than is owed.

Satanists aren't criminals, we are not immoral, just amoral.

XLVI A.S.: Some thoughts about the future, and the past

So begins a new year. 45 Anno Satanas, or 2011 CE. During the last decade we saw many changes. Many new technologies such as the evolution of internet connection, from dialup, broadband and then Wi-fi. Two incarnations of the Playstation game system. HD TV is finally outside of Japan. Yet in our quest for knowledge, is it possible we could be forgeting stuff? While collecting novels from the Horus Heresy series, the latest as of this post, Perspero Burns talks of knowledge being lost in time. In the far future depicted, a group was set up to recover lost knowlegde and to audit data. One of the achivements mentioned was recoving "all 3 of Shakespire's plays". I wonder what we lost in only the third millienium of the common era. Already can name some examples. In 1927 Germany, a movie premiered, it didn't do well, but for its time it was very advanced, impressive sets and interesting themes of class, revenge and artificial companionship. I'm talking about Fritz Lang's Metropolis. Often I had heard of the movie, but it wasn't until I picked up a DVD out of curiousity for the film itself did I learn that chunks of it was missing and at the time thought lost forever. While much of the footage was eventually recovered, it is still incomplete and still the footage is in bad shape. Also lost are many early episodes of Doctor Who are lost too, the 12 episode epic The Daleks Masterplan is reduced to 3. Other mysteries are lost beyond our understanding, for example, the construction of Stonehenge. These things are gone and maybe unrecoverable, but we cannot allow what we have learned to fall into the abyss of time. We have learnt so much, we cannot afford to forget. The quest for undefiled wisdom means keeping what we have.