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Originally posted by gordonwest
reply to post by Skyfloating
The catch-phrase "satanism" is also used by the more twisted and perverse elements of society who involve themselves in real crimes and real evils.
(Inrespect To SkyFloating) Just as like in any "following", there are the wannabies and there are the followers. Thereis within a secter of "satanism", a real group of people which does follow the proper ways of "satanism". Those people do NOT act all wearing black clothes, wearing goth items on their body...and so on. I do know this, because I was sortof into it.
originally posted by: Skyfloating
A lot of people seem to have bought into the idea that occultism = satanism. Its become a popular misconception.
Millions of Christian and Islamic tracts, books, videos, sermons warn of the "dangers of the occult", associating it with horned beasts, reverse crosses, ritual sacrifice, ritual abuse and whatnot.
NWO/Conspiracy-Literature sometimes picks up on this, theorizing of an "occult dictatorship" that is ruling the world. The mere mention of the word "occult" brings up dark images indeed.
Other, non-religious sources conjure up images of cheap market-place tricks such as crystal-reading, spiritualism, divination, palmistry, astrology etc. as being the "real" "occult science". While this is a tiny step closer to the truth, its not the full picture...not even half of it.
As a former practitioner of occult-arts I am unable to slay a goat but I am able to stare at a candlelight for one hour.
The meaning of the word "occult" is: Hidden, Concealed, Secret. It refers to a collection of teachings and techniques that were hidden from the general public and from the government for hundreds of years and only passed on in secret. Another word for this is "Hermeticism" or "The Hermetic Arts" (The Sealed or Concealed Arts)
Because they were hidden, all types of suspicions could be projected onto them...such as "satanism".
The reason they were hidden is because they were viewed as "heretic" by various religions and governments who knew they were unable to control people who exercise their soul and mind.
And that is exactly what real occult-sciences are: The practice of yoga, meditation, concentration, and dimensional-travel for the purpose of liberating the soul and mind.
Satanism, on the other hand, is an antithesis to Christianity, a form of rebellion, a philosophy of anti-Christian values. The catch-phrase "satanism" is also used by the more twisted and perverse elements of society who involve themselves in real crimes and real evils.
None of this has anything to do with occult-sciences in its original sense though. For a good example of real occult-practice take an old book entitled The Kybalion. It can be read online. From its table of contents:
I. THE PRINCIPLE OF MENTALISM.
II. THE PRINCIPLE OF CORRESPONDENCE.
III. THE PRINCIPLE OF VIBRATION.
IV. THE PRINCIPLE OF POLARITY.
V. THE PRINCIPLE OF RHYTHM.
VI. THE PRINCIPLE OF CAUSE AND EFFECT.
VII. THE PRINCIPLE OF GENDER
Does any of this sound satanic or evil? No? I thought so.
From personal experience I know the "occult = evil" concept to be one of the strongest campaigns of misinfo and disinfo ever bestowed upon society: For the religious its to do with evil child abuse, for the materialist its to do with scamming fortune tellers and snake-oil salesmen.
[edit on 22-12-2008 by Skyfloating]