@Gwendolyn2018 Yes, it's the ritual thing, I'll pass on that, if you enjoy it, by all means have fun and stay safe.

The Satanic Temple is mostly comprised of Atheists, and they do NOT believe in Satan (other than him being a fable). I am an Atheist, but a (new) member of the Satanic Temple only because they are actively opposing christianity in our schools and government.

Also, their 7 Tenets make a lot of sense.

I do have to add, however, that I dislike their pictography

[thesatanictemple.com]

@AtheistInNC Cut the crap!

@Atheist3 Not sure what you mean by "cut the crap". Elaborate, please.

@AtheistInNC all sounds very reasonable, but the name is quite obviously designed to upset the status quo. That organisation is likely have more than its far share of tricksters I’d think?

@girlwithsmiles
Yes, I am certain the name was chosen to show mainstream that attempting to integrate religion into state functions has drawbacks. If you allow any christian church, you have to allow the Satanic Temple - which gives most christians the heebee jeebeez.

However, you cannot judge this book by the cover. The name was chosen to incite upset, but the dogma and actions are those who use facts, education and compassion to help those who christianity forces to do things against their personal convictions.

The organization does not have it's "fair share of tricksters". It appears that you, also, have judged before doing an in depth review of what they have accomplished and what their mission is. Look at their site, look at the news articles, don't assume that they are associated with ALL churches that worship "Satan".

Just like different religious sects (catholic, baptist, lutheran, etc.), this particular group states clearly that they do not even believe in satan, and they do not do any of the things you immediately associate with satanic groups because of what you have been told previously.

Here is the link again: [thesatanictemple.com]

And, in case you don't wish to leave this site or don't trust the link:

"The mission of The Satanic Temple is to encourage benevolence and empathy among all people, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense, oppose injustice, and undertake noble pursuits. The Satanic Temple has publicly confronted hate groups, fought for the abolition of corporal punishment in public schools, applied for equal representation when religious installations are placed on public property..."

SEVEN FUNDAMENTAL TENETS

1. One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason.

2. The struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions.

3. One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone.

4. The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo one's own.

5. Beliefs should conform to one's best scientific understanding of the world. One should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit one's beliefs.

6. People are fallible. If one makes a mistake, one should do one's best to rectify it and resolve any harm that might have been caused.

7. Every tenet is a guiding principle designed to inspire nobility in action and thought. The spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written or spoken word.

@AtheistInNC i read the tenets, as that’s what you referred to. As much as i like humour, I’d rather support the humanists.
Of course it’s fun to play on people’s fears and insecurities sometimes, but offering a straight forward group that don’t put someone off with a name is more up my street.

Having liked heavy metal/ thrash music in my youth i have fond memories of the sarcasm and sensationalism involved with the images, legends and artwork at times. But I’m glad there’s a fraternity/ sisterhood of such folk, it’s good to make people question their preconceptions and think

@AtheistInNC My mistake. Satanic theatre is one way to cut 'thru' the crap. Humanism is another.

@Atheist3 No mistakes were made; no blame to assess. To Mah to / To MAY to.

I’ve noticed a few people that have made interesting comments recently that seemed newish and identified as such

What no magical mushrooms?
And there is something magical about being out in nature.

@CS60

No mind-altering drugs for me. I want clear eyes and a clear head.

Don't like alcohol. It dehydrates me and gives me a headache.

I like your answer, I also like your one response, tea always gave Pete puma a headache.

@oldFloyd Bugs: "One lump or two?" Pete: "Oh, three or four..." Gotta love Bugs....

Lols, when i became a Justice of the Peace I affirmed instead of swore. Meaning I didn’t swear on the bible, (not having much respect for the contrary outdated old text.)

Being the only one in the group it was kind of interesting when we had to grab a lift to another part of the building as that’s when the magistrate asked if anyone was affirming, lols. When admitting it I said, ‘So I’m the only Heathen then, in jest really, stoney faces all round! Who knows what they were thinking? Lols.

@allamanda has alluded below that they are likely atheo pagans, a new term to me, which means pagans that believe gods are more like legends. Sounds interesting to me. Fabulous clip by the way
With a monika like yours sounds like something you’d appreciate

Thanx for the Paganini clip.

Sounds good to me! I’ll bring some sloe gin

@girlwithsmiles Couldn't you get the faster acting stuff?

Really? Wow, well i thought it was too good to be true, apologies, here’s the line up that year: [baseball-reference.com]

@girlwithsmiles Wow! Great resource! Thanks! Good to meet a true baseball officiando ... play ball!

The pagans I’ve met were varied, as most cross sections of life are. But as I’ve said before I’ve always like some of their ideas, the first do no harm that some live by, i can totally get on with.

Scammers are usually worse than pagans - except for the white nationalist pagan groups.

@Beowulfsfriend a but of a toss up perhaps. They're both trying to sell you an illusion and defraud you out of your money.

@Cyklone when I think of pagans, I like to remember MASH when Hawkeye said he was a reformed Druid, he prayed to bushes. Maybe someone will request a "shrubbery."

@Beowulfsfriend Sounds like pagan guano!

@Fred_Snerd Loved that show.

@Beowulfsfriend well that just makes me think of Monty Python’s Holy Grail. Missed that episode of Mash, but Hawkeye was definitely my favourite character